The DU Lounge

. . . I once mentioned in an online community that I would love to have a couple of dogs named "Davenport" and "Chesterfield". Then, one of our community members made the astute observation that "Chesterfield" is clearly a cat's name. Couldn't argue with that.

Names of gods and goddesses make great pet names. "Bastet" being the ultimate cat name, of course.

For other possibilities, you can go to Godchecker.com, if you please.

Food names can be fun, also. I've named brown and white kittens "Nutmeg" and "Cinnamon" and a calico "Raisin Cookie". "Pistachio" and "Lemon Meringue" were names I considered for a green parakeet and a canary, respectively.

Subverting expectations is also fun. Consider "Rovera" instead of "Rover" for a girl dog, or a spotted dog named "Stripe".

The best names come from some essential characteristic of the animal involved. I had the sweetest orange and white dog who had little spots of orange everywhere he was white. Strangers seeing him before I formally introduced him called him "Freckles"; who was I to disagree?