What's in a Name?

The 2008 Top 10 Names for Dogs list has been circulating for a while, but the New York Times didn't cover it on a Sunday, so I'm kind of out of the loop. A Google search led me to several sources that quoted this list, compiled from the databases of an organization called Veterinary Pet Insurance. How do our dogs at Dog Park reflect the list? 

Top 10 Dog Names for 2008

1. Max
   
2. Bailey
   
3. Bella
   
4. Molly
   
5. Lucy
   
6. Buddy
   
7. Maggie
   
8. Daisy
   
9. Sophie
   
10. Chloe
    

I think we scored 90% here, folks. We've got at least one of each these names--except Chloe. 

Now check out this list of top male dog names from a few years ago. 

1. Max
   
2. Buddy
   
3. Jake
   
4. Rocky
   
5. Bailey
   
6. Cody
   
7. Charlie
   
8. Bear
   
9. Jack
   
10. Toby
    
11. Duke
    
12. Lucky
    
13. Sam 
    
14. Harley
    
15. Shadow
    
16. Rusty
    
17. Murphy
    
18. Sammy
    
19. Zeus
    
20. Riley
    
21. Winston
    
22. Casey
    
23. Tucker
    
24. Teddy
    

Again, we score pretty high here--though both Baileys I have known at Park have been girls. I believe the names we don't currently have in circulation are Rocky, Cody, Lucky, and Casey. Seriously, I have met a Zeus at D.P. He was impressive, but I didn't ask him to demonstrate any of his superpowers.

Here's the list of female dog names from the same year, 2004.

1. Molly
   
2. Maggie
   
3. Daisy
   
4. Lucy
   
5. Sadie
   
6. Ginger
   
7. Chloe
   
8. Bailey
   
9. Sophie
   
10. Zoe
    
11. Princess
    
12. Bella
    
13. Angel
    
14. Lady
    
15. Sasha
    
16. Abby
    
17. Roxy
    
18. Missy
    
19. Brandy
    
20. Coco
    
21. Annie
    
22. Katie
    
23. Samantha
    
24. Casey
    
25. Gracie
    
26. Rosie
    

What does it say about us Parkers that we don't have any of the really girlie names--Angel, Princess, or Lady? We are also missing Casey, Ginger, Samantha, and Chloe. 

I must admit that I have mixed feelings about giving dogs people names. It cracks me up to meet boy dogs named Bob or Tony or Joey. But my friend's husband was a little bemused when met his doppelganger in the form of a chihuahua named Dave.  I'm not sure how I would feel if I met a dog named Liz (Oops. I mean, Zia). My great-grandmother Margaret cut an imposing figure in family lore. I think she'd have a fit if she met any of our three Maggies, despite their cuteness. One day I met a woman while hiking in the woods in Massachusetts. Her name was Roma. She was amazed to meet a dog with her name. We just kept on walking. You do the same. 

--z