Naming a dog an unusual name.....

[Jess & Stewart]

I am thinking of naming my dog (either male or female), not sure which gender I'll get yet, an unusual name. Not so unusual, but more uncommon. I love books, so I was trying to think of character names from some of my favorite books. Everyone I talk to tells me to name a dog something more silly, not as serious. I'm conflicted!

Also, according to this recent NY Times article, you shouldn't give a dog a "person's" name but I love them for dogs! They said to stay away from consonants too..
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/garden/the-art-of-naming-a-dog.html

Here are my choices so far:
Males: Beau (does it sound too much like no?), Milo, Frances, Dodger (Oliver Twist)
Females: Dagny (Atlas Shrugged) Dorrit (Little Dorrit)
Phoebe (catcher in the rye)

I'm really loving Frances for either a male of female. It's a version of Franny from Franny & Zooey, a version of Franz from Swiss Family Robinson & the Sound of Music, & the author of The Secret Garden.

I like Dodger & Dorrit too. I really want a name from a Dickins novel that isn't the common ones (like Oliver)

Any literary names you all can think of?

[Heather]

LOVE "OLIVER" Kelly, since I have One!!!! LOL....It's a Perfect "Doodle" name!!! :)))

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well, I'm no name expert, as you can tell.   All I can say is name the dog whatever you want.

My husband named his cats after a  science fiction novel by Robert Heinlein.  Lazarus Long ( Laz)  and Dora were characters in the book, A Time Enough For Love.

My cat was named Bruce, after being found at a ticket sales counter for  Bruce Springsteen tickets, abandoned in a long line. Another cat, Alfago Baca. 

In the movie, Marley and Me, Marley got his name on the way home in the car when the human was singing Bob Marley to the radio. He looked over and named the puppy.

Books, Musicians, whatever, just go for what you love. 

I like Nicky's suggestions

I like Alice

[Bonnie and Kona]

I love the idea! I have heard that you shouldn't name a dog something that ends in the "o" sound due to "no" confusion, though. The dog we named Dudley matched his personality perfectly. Sometimes you find just the right moniker. Good luck. 

[Wendy and Myla]

I was so obsessed with a name before we got Myla!  I was looking at baby name books and then I was looking at all of the names on breeders websites etc etc.  I had lists all over the house - it was hard because DH had to agree to the names also!!!!  All of a sudden, here on Doodlekisses Jennifer of "Jennifer, Chloe and Myla" had said that she named her Myla and it stood for "My Little Angel" and both DH and I knew that that would be the name for our puppy - mainly because our beloved Zak had just died previously and we believe that she is our angel in heaven!  I did ask Jennifer's permission but it was the perfect fit for our new family member and it fits her perfectly!  The name will definitely come to you - when you see it, you will know it and if not before, definitely after you have her/him for a couple days!!!! 

 

[Kyoko]

Lewis... Just because I love C.S. Lewis. If its a boy, he can be called Lewis, if its a girl, she can be called Lulu...

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Our dark chocolate doodle has a white goatee and my husband is a history buff so we were looking for historical characters with a goatee.  LOL we did not find one we liked, but came across John Quincy Adams and there it was!  there is another Quincy on DK - Donna K named him for the TV series starring Jack Klugman.  

I agree with the theory of opening up the back door and calling the name out to see how it sounds! Two syllables ending in "a" "ie" or "y" make for a good call! Have fun!  

[BG and Gavin]

My ideas:  Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird)  and Piper (The Pied Piper)

Gavin was named after Tommy Gavin, who was Denis Leary's irresistibly dysfunctional character in the TV series "Rescue Me."

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Boo Radley!  now there's a name!  or Addicus... also one of my favorite books.  

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I love both Scout and Piper.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Boris is named after the Mayor of London who is a bit of a character with a mop of blond hair:) Riley, well he just has the life of.....

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Dodger would be my first choice for a male! (Did I ever mention we lived in LA before moving to Fresno, just sayin) hint, hint  Phoebe is adorable:)

[Jess & Stewart]

I do like Phoebe, if I do get a female, that's one of my top choices! I'm still partial to Dodger but it sounds too much like the sports team for me & doesn't really roll off the tongue when you say it out loud. I agree that saying it out loud & also yelling it are VERY good ideas! If only my sister thought of it before naming her dog Shay, which is way too close to Stay (which she never does on command!)