The History and Meaning of the Dog Name – Duke

duke-2293186_640If you just got a new dog, you are probably having a tough time over finding just the right name for him, just like an expectant parent trying to name their baby. We tend to put plenty of thought and efforts into picking a name for our dogs, a name that is pleasing to the ear, and one we won’t feel embarrassed yelling in public. You’d much rather call out “Buddy, come,” at the dog park than “Stay, Slobberchopers,” wouldn’t you? By assumption, you’ll be saying your dog’s name at least 35,000 times over the lifetime of your pet, so choosing the right one that you’ll be happy long after the fad “dog name of the year” fades away.

The most anticipated part of getting a new dog is giving it a name. You spend a lot of time thinking about a unique dog name. It is necessary to choose the right one of the many dog names for your dog. If you know that you are a true dog lover, you should see your pet as more than just a mere friend and companion. Your puppy is your new baby, and will often give you as much trouble as a new human baby- but like a child – well worth the investment! You and your dog are going to be companions for many years so the name should reflect your relationship as well as the dog’s personality. You’d want a name to give your puppy to fit him or her perfectly.

One idea is to name your dog after a famous male that you like or can relate to, either in history, movies, or pop culture. A very good example is “Duke.” Famous people named Duke include legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington. Duke was also the name of ultimate movie tough guy John Wayne. And for TV trivia buffs, it was the name of the hound dog in the TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Dogs named DUKE are faithful, loving dogs. They are usually “people” dogs and don’t want you out of their sight. Most dogs named DUKE are medium to larger sized dogs. They can be smart and dominant, and they respond well to obedience training. Duke is a Latin name which means “Leader of the Herd; high-ranking nobleman.” They are dogs that love playtime. They bond strongly to their owners and love nothing more than a little affection from their owners. If you want a true friend and pet, you can name your dog DUKE.

Dogs named DUKE are loving and loyal to their owners. They are always at alert and excellent listeners. Not much gets past a dog named DUKE. They are intuitive and smart. Many people may describe dogs named DUKE as “intelligent.” They can be well trained if given the opportunity. Dogs named DUKE have a friendly and often energetic demeanor with sweet personalities. They are healthy dogs and loyal companions.

Your puppy’s name says as much about you as it does about your dog, so naming your dog DUKE would be a wise decision.

The History and Meaning of the Dog Name – Apollo

mix-1343021_640If you are currently considering finding a perfect name for your new dog, this is just for you. The name “Apollo” stands out among other dog names and its uniqueness comes from its origin and meaning. It is also a typical short name that dogs can be easily called.

Generally, Apollo is a name suitable for male dogs that have shown qualities of being strong as the name originally belonged to a Greek god. Known as the son of Leto and Zeus, Apollo was known as the Greek god of medicine, prophecy, and wisdom. He was also regarded as the god of beauty, law, and art to show how important he was in the Greek mythology. Apollo was the twin of Artemis, who was the Greek goddess of virginity, moon, and chastity. After few years of being known as the god of different elements, Apollo was made the god of sun and light according to the Greek mythology.

Being regarded as the god of many elements shows how important Apollo was to the ancient Greek; hence, the name “Apollo” is much more suitable for uniquely important male dogs. Notably, the name “Apollo” has been related many times to “apelo” which is an Indo-European word for strength.

As a word of Greek origin, Apollo has two separate and unrelated meanings. The first meaning is “destroy”, and this depicts the character as an animal capable of wreaking havoc in different manners. However, this could be directly related to the natural strength associated with the name and not necessarily a destroyer. Furthermore, the name can also be sometimes used to mean “apple’ which is a common, sweet tasting fruit. Whichever of the two meanings of the name “Apollo” you choose to consider; the name still retains its uniqueness and suitability for male dogs.

Based on the meanings and history of the name, most of the dogs bearing this name are often seen to be competent with great strength. They usually make use of their strength in ensuring their survivals. Therefore, the name “Apollo” tends to increase the competence of dogs, making them more successful in their association with humans as well as other domestic animals.

Consequently, if you are just bringing in a new dog into your home and you would like to give the dog a good, meaningful and practical name, Apollo is highly recommended. It is a name that comes with a vigor that could make you and your dog build a good and memorable pet-owner relationship.

The History, Meaning and Importance of the Dog Name – Molly

dog-1606588_640Originally, the name “Molly” was specifically meant for female humans, but it is currently not one of the most common human names. However, for female dogs, it is one of the most popular names, especially among English speakers. The name is a wonderful and befitting name that a dog can easily answer because it is short with just two syllables, and there are hardly any dog commands that sound the same as this beautiful dog name.

Though the name “Molly” has been in existence for years as a human name, it actually became more popular as a dog name recently after the exploit of Molly Brown. Molly Brown, born as Margaret Tobin, was one of the survivors of the famous and tragic Titanic ship that sank in 1912 with many lives lost in the process.

Immediately after the ship collided with iceberg and started sinking, Molly Brown took it upon herself to help some of the survivors get into the lifeboats available. She also got into one and followed other survivors to a safe place. Her help did not end at the spot where the ship sank; she also assisted many of the survivors on Carpathia and later in New York. She became famous for these selfless acts, and many people started naming their dogs after this awesome character. Similarly, after the release of the award-winning Titanic movie in 1997, many people further fell in love with this legendary name. Molly became one of the top 3 names of female dogs among English-speaking dog lovers around the world.

Though the Hebrew origin of Molly is not argued, there are different meanings for it. The name “Molly” is seen as a diminutive of the Mary and its most common meaning is “wished-for child”. This meaning says a lot about the uniqueness of this name; hence, it should only be given to dogs that are well cared for and loved by their owners. Special female dogs should be the ones answering this special name. Another meaning attributed to the name “Molly” is bitter. Whatever the real meaning of Molly is, it is a beautiful and suitable name for your dog.

Molly is suitable for all kinds of female dogs; irrespective of their height, color, breed, weight and characters. Therefore, when you are looking for a beautiful name for your female dog, do not hesitate to choose Molly.

The History and Meaning of the Dog Name – Bear

dog-747460_640Bear is one of the most awesome and adorable names often given to dogs. It is a unisex name with deep and interesting meaning.

History of the dog name ‘Bear’

Historically, the dog name ‘bear’ has an American origin. The name, Bear, originally refers to large dogs with thick hair and large body. The name is more befitting for a strong and brave dog. Characteristically, dogs bearing the name are known to be brave and loyal. Despite their loyalty, they usually show great tendency of being aggressive, and their braveness to be even more glaring. If you own a dog that has bulky hair with tendency of being brave and aggressive, naming her ‘bear’ could be suitable.

Meaning of the dog name ‘Bear’

Bear actually has a French meaning, which can be translated as being strong and brave.

Popular dogs with the dog name ‘Bear’

There are a lot of dogs bearing the name as it has become one of the favorite dog’s names for many people. One of the famous dogs with the name is a dog that appears in a 1995 movie titled Crimson Tide. The Jack Russell terrier in that interesting movie is a strong dog that participates in some of the most violent activities of the film. Factually, she is involved in a battle that claims the life of many people; however, she survives the battle unscathed. The ability of the dog to survive a fierce battle without being injured or killed highlights its braveness, aggressiveness and strength. These obvious characteristics make her stands out among other dogs.

Just like most other popular and commonly used dog names, the name ‘Bear’ is short with just two syllables; hence, instructing your dog with the name is very easy. Dog owners that want to encourage braveness and strength in their dogs should consider the name ‘bear’.

History of the Dog Name – Elsa

dog-1551709_640There are lots of cute names that can be given to dogs. Elsa is one of the trendiest names given to dogs nowadays, and it is quite a lovely and befitting name for female dogs due to its origin.

The name Elsa finds its origin in the name Elizabeth, which is a popular female name. Elizabeth is a Hebrew word for “my God is an oath”, and since Elsa is a short form of Elizabeth, it retains the same meaning. Elsa, as a dog name, comes with a touch of royalty, class and elegance; hence, it is highly recommended to be used as a dog name.

Though Elsa has been in use as a dog name for years, it has been further popularized in recent years following its usage as the name of a fictional character in the movie Frozen. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Frozen was produced in 2013 and Elsa is one of its major characters. She is of the royal blood with calm and reserved character. As depicted in the movie, Elsa is known for her ability to manipulate snow and ice, and use them to fight, make items and perform so many other magical acts. After the release of Frozen, many people who loved the magical and fictional character of Elsa fell further in love with the name and it has become one of the favorite dog names. Apart from Frozen, the name Elsa has also been used in many other movies and books.

Elsa is a moderately short name. It is just a two-syllable word which dogs can easily get used to.

Let us know if you have a little Elsa in your household!

The History behind the Dog Name – Astro

29902515900_6005da0e7aIf you often pay attention to names given to dogs, you would have heard of the name ‘Astro’ before. It is a dog name that has a movie-based history and it is worth taking a closer look at to understand its history and meaning.

Background of the name ‘Astro’

The name Astro was given to a dog in an American animated TV series called The Jetsons which was produced by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera. The cartoon series was aired firstly from 1962 to 1963, and later from 1985 to 1987. In The Jetsons, the character was voiced by the late reputable voice actor Don Messick who also voiced the dog Scooby in another popular animated show called Scooby Doo, Where Are You (from 1969 to 1975).

The dog was originally named Tralfaz by his former wealthy owner Mr. J.P Gottrockets, but he was later adopted by the Jetson family and renamed Astro. Notably, the name Astro is a Greek word for ‘in the star’. Before being accepted fully as part of the family of the Jetsons, the father of the family, George Jetson, was against its adoption. George cited unavailability of room to keep him as his major excuse. However, Elroy, Jane and Judy, who were the other members of the family, wanted to keep him with the family. After Astro accidentally helped the family to catch the Cat Burglar, George had no option than to accept him into the family. George and his son, Elroy, later grew fond of Astro, and he was their close buddy all through the TV series.

The character – Astro

Astro, as depicted in the animated TV series, was not your typical dog as he was definitely much more intelligent than others. He was capable of uttering words to communicate with people instead of merely barking. However, his words were some kinds of grumbling rudimentary English words that had the letter that started each word turned into the letter ‘R’. Typically, if Astro wanted to say “George and Astro went home”, he would rather pronounce the sentence as “Reorge and Rastro rent rome”. Astro was shown as a happy, lively and intelligent dog that was able to live well with humans.

Nowadays, Astro is a good name for dogs whose owners love things that concern space or star as the name means ‘of the star’. Without doubt, Astro is a suitable, cosmic dog name with good meaning and interesting history.

History and Meaning of the Dog Name; Hurley

dog-1423741_640Although the name is of English origin, Hurley has been used in as an Irish dog Name some humans even use it as a surname. The major concentrations of Hurley used as a human name can be found today in the Tipperary and Limerick counties where it spread from its original homeland Dalcassian, and in Cork.

In Clare, some who bear the name Hurley have opted for Commane instead. The reason is that the Irish representation is Hurley-stick; which was formally used in a sport known as ‘hurling is camán.’ However, on the other hand, the name Commane doesn’t originate from the same source.

History and Origin of the Dog Name Hurley

The history of Hurley as a dog name is fascinating. It has been in use as Irish and English dog name since as far back as the 10th Century AD. The dog name, Hurley, is believed to have originated from Earley, a small village close to Reading, Berkshire. The village, in the Domesday Book, is referred to as ‘Herlei.’ This type of surnames (hereditary) were introduced into England by the leading loyalists to the Conqueror.

Among humans, the name Hurley was usually inherited by the eldest child (the son in most cases. Today, it is being used as a unisex name for dogs and even humans. This tradition of giving a man’s surname to his children began during the later part of the twelfth century spreading slowly, with the south of England and the manorial classes leading the way.

The dog name, Hurley is an anglicized version of two Gaelic patronymics O’Muirthile, anglicized to Murhilla through Murley to Hurley and O’hUirthile descendant of Uirthile. The Erleigh family occupied a land in Kilkenny, Ireland and belonged to Cork. While the first family is found mainly in County Limerick.

Although a common human name many have chosen to adopt the name Hurley for their pets particularly their dogs. It is very popular among dogs ranked as the 100th most popular dog names. It is also a Gaelic name for dogs. It has been a unisex name for dogs since its use began.

Hurley Name Meaning

The exact meaning of Hurley is uncertain, as it is a combination of various Irish names. “O’Muirthile” roots, in particular, seems to translate to sea tides, meaning the first Hurleys were seafarers with a similar meaning to Murphy another Irish name. In recent times, however, the name Hurley has been translated to mean “Conner Wood”. While Murphy is one of the most common surnames in Ireland and England, it is also a common dog name in County Cork. No one knows whether it is a variant of the name Murphy not.

Using Hurley as your Dog’s Name

There are some who believe that the name, Hurley will play a huge role in how you communicate with your dog and how you view him or her. The name is a lovely pick for dogs. It is also believed that the right name can have a positive impact in your dog’s life.

Before considering calling your dog Hurley note that in the majority of the English speaking countries that adopt the name for their dog, see it as a boy’s name. While a grave few of them see it as a unisex dog name.

If you already have a dog named Hurley, then I guess you learned a thing or two. On the other hand, it you just got a dog and you are considering using Hurley as a dog name, then way to go, you’ve also learned some facts about the dog name Hurley.

Frank, Frankie, Francis

dog-1210559_640Though not the top of the doggie name charts, Frankie nevertheless remains a popular, spunky choice for dogs that are hyper, adventurous and hate sleep more than they love barking at cars. Perfect for a pooch that loves to have fun more than stay clean, it’s interesting to find that such a “go get ‘em” name actually comes from two very different origins.

Frank

The oldest of the two origins, Frank was a Germanic name used to describe members of the eponymous tribe. Settling in France and the Netherlands during the 3rd and 4th centuries, the name itself actually came from the term used describe the type of spears that this group of people carried around with them. In time, the name found its way over to England back in 1066 with the Normans made their way north on a successful conquering trip.

Francis

The second of the two and the youngest, Francis didn’t actually show up until the 1300s. Taken from the Late Latin Franciscus, or “Frenchman”, Saint Francis of Assisi used this as a moniker taken from a childhood nickname of Francesco. As history shows, Francis would go on to found the Franciscan order of friars and devote his life to helping the poor. A figurehead even long after his death, his name lived on, now a popular choice for children of all levels of income in honor of Francis’ great deeds.

It was during this time in the medieval period when the nickname Frankie began to emerge. While it was often confused as to which of the two origins it was pulled from, it was definitely a nickname that killed two birds with one stone. Though still not a popular proper first name, it has proven to be an enduring affectionate nickname.

Perfect for any pooch due to it not being too formal and not being too casual, it remains a favorite for the majority of smaller breeds, and that makes sense. After all, most want their Bull Mastiffs to have a scary, imposing name, not a cute, energetic one. Jack Russells, Papillons and Dachsunds are only a few of the smaller breeds that often wind up as a Frankie. In addition, though great for either males or females, it tends to be used much more commonly for the boy pups of the world.

Fun, feisty and all around fantastic, Frankie is a solid choice for any pup that loves adventure and can never seem to play enough. Brought to us from the Germans and the Italians, it’s a name with two sides that came together to create an almost perfect union. Whether you’re a fan of naming your pooch after historical Francis’, like Francis Bacon, or famous Frankie’s, like Frankie Valli, it’s a perfect choice for your perfect pet.

Picking Pascal

27028813375_87c0010133For many pups, the name Pascal witnessed a relative surge in popularity following the release of Disney’s Tangled. In it, Rapunzel’s animal companion is a witty, humorous chameleon with the name in question, prompting many to name their cute, fluffy friends the same. However, the name itself is actually much older and remains extremely popular in Europe, more specifically Switzerland.

As far as word historians can trace it, Pascal was both a French and Dutch word that was a noted descendent of the Late Latin Paschalis. Meaning “related to Easter”, it was taken from the even older Hebrew pesach, the word for “Passover”. This holiday, shared by Jews and Christians alike, celebrated the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt back in the time of the Pharaohs. The reason it wasn’t used specifically for the Christian Passover was because Passover directly preceded Easter resulting in a blanket term that covered a larger length of time, very similar to how many people nowadays use Christmas to refer to the entire last half of December. As a name, it was often given to children born on or around this time.

For humans, its Paschal form became a popular church name during the early medieval period with numerous variations popping up around this time, including Paschasius, Pascual and Pascalina. Even with such popularity, the most famous person tied to the name, Blaise Pascal, didn’t exist until the 1600s. A French mathematician, philosopher and inventor, he did much to reinvigorate the title. As a surname, it became a very popular find throughout France and Italy.

In regards to fluffy companions, Pascal still remains a rarity among dog lovers. Seen now as more of a French name, you won’t find many Pitbulls or Rottweilers with the moniker. Instead, it is typically given either to a more regal pooch or one that is just too adorable and quirky (depending on the pop culture reference Pascal is pulled from). This being said, 2016 is seeing a major push for the popularity of Pascal, with this once obscure name now appearing in the top 50 names for male dogs this year. It even tops lists for the most geeky dog names. Interestingly enough, though, it still does remain a male name. Even though the name might sound less harsh due to its French origins, the name is almost unanimously a name for a little boy pup.

If you’re in the market for a quirky yet smart sounding name for your pooch, there is none better than Pascal. Fun to explain to those that ask and a great way to recognize the brilliance of your own best friend, it is the quintessential name that incorporates a sense of history, intelligence and playfulness that only the best of dog companions exhibit.

Origins of Olaf

dog-186224_640Olaf the Husky has been sweeping Instagram and Twitter. An all-white Husky owned by Pentatonix’s Kirstin Maldonado, the handsome pup has won the hearts of nearly 100,000 people worldwide and now appears alongside his little brother, Pascal.

As for Olaf’s name, it clearly comes from a love for Disney. Released in 2013, Frozen took the world by storm with its incredible graphics and unforgettable songs. One of the characters, Olaf, is a cheery snowman that dreams of enjoying the summer months. Olaf the puppy was born in late 2014 with a white coat reminiscent of snow. However, the story of the name Olaf doesn’t start with Disney.

 

As Old As Language

Unlike many names that can be traced back to Latin, Olaf is actually an ancient Norse name, coming from what is known as Proto-Norse. Spoken throughout Scandinavia in the first centuries CE, it eventually evolved into what we know as Old Norse languages around 800 CE with the rise of the Vikings. Some of the earliest recordings we have of it date back to the early 2nd century.

During this time, the words Anu-laibaz and Ǣlāf appeared. In translation, anu stood for an ancestor or grand-father while laibaz stood for descendant or heirloom. In short, it simply denoted a person was a descendent of someone. That someone was then usually mentioned in the last name.

Over time, it took on the more recognized form of Olaf and became an incredibly popular name for kings. For a full century, almost all of the Norwegian kings were named Olaf. Even today it ranks as the 60th most popular name in Poland.

Interestingly enough, Olaf was such a popular name that it spread across the European continent. In Estonian, it is Olev, the Irish use Amhlaoibh and the Scottish use Aulay, among other variations. It is arguably one of the most widespread names with the broadest differentiations in spelling around.

 

Modern Olaf

As of today, Olaf isn’t as common as it was but is still widely enough used that those that come across it can easily identify it as a Scandinavian name. Lemony Snicket was probably the first major writer to put the name back into popular use by giving his villain said name. Then, following Disney’s release of Frozen and Olaf’s strong role, the title once again took off in popularity.

Though not in the top 100, Olaf is still a popular puppy name for various reasons. Be it the owners really like the name or, like Olaf the Husky, their white fur reminds them of a goofy snowman, it’s a name that pops up regularly for those on the hunt for the perfect puppy moniker. In addition, like so many other puppy names, the fact that Olaf has survived history can only mean that it is built to last.