# Default dog names in other languages? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 19, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745 "2014-10-19T00:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/21 "2014-10-19T16:05:13Z")
Tray was an old name in Britain for spaniels. Satan _may_ be the most common name now in England; but rarely for spaniels. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/22 "2014-10-19T16:14:29Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I know some hunters who don’t name their dogs at all, they’re all _perro_ except when they’re _perra_. The ugliest dog I ever saw belonged to a hunter who was my guide on a back-country trip in Panama. His owner once had accidentally hit him in the head with a machete when chopping a trail so his head was kind of lopsided. He called the dog _Tesoro_ (Treasure), which was kind of funny. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/23 "2014-10-19T18:54:14Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] {snip} He called the dog Tesoro (Treasure), which was kind of funny. [/QUOTE] Thanks for sparking a memory! “Trezor”, which means “treasure” in Russian, appears to have been a popular name for dogs. [QUOTE=njtt] {snip} I think I may have once actually seen a real dog called _Rover_ (and maybe met one or two called\* Rex\*), but never a _Fido_ or a _Spot_. {snip} [/QUOTE] I named a female tabby cat “Dottie”. You’d be surprised at how many people didn’t get the joke. Does anyone know if “Schatzie” (sp?) is really something Germans name their dogs or is it done only by English-speaking Dachshund owners? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/24 "2014-10-19T18:58:15Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Satan _may_ be the most common name now in England; but rarely for spaniels. I saw a huge jet black Great Dane once with an ID tag on his collar that I read as “Satan”. I asked his owners if I could pet Satan. And they freaked out. The dog’s name was “Satin”, and they were very born again Christians. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/25 "2014-10-19T19:57:15Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > Spanish: Nerón (Nero) > > Russian: > Laika–barker > Zshuchka–little beetle French _Médor_ _Laika_ was the first dog in space, 1957. From Wikipedia: Laika died within hours from overheating, possibly caused by a failure of the central R-7 sustainer to separate from the payload. The true cause and time of her death were not made public until 2002 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/26 "2014-10-19T20:38:26Z")
merdeux in Cajun French. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/27 "2014-10-19T21:36:18Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > Spanish: Nerón (Nero) > [@Nava](#): > > That one is most often found on stupid tiny dogs or dogs whose owner is stupid (and possibly tiny). Sounds like the English equivalent would be “Fifi.” ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/28 "2014-10-19T21:48:22Z")
I used to chuckle whenever I came across dogs named Bob or Mike. I’ve even known a few dogs named Steve, but don’t find it odd because my childhood friend’s dog was named Steve. I suspect dogs with human names were named by the children in the household and not the adults. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/29 "2014-10-19T21:48:41Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > Russian: > Laika–barker > Zshuchka–little beetle According to the Russians I know, Laika is definitely not a stereotypical dog name. It was the name of one particularly famous dog, but has nowhere near the status of “default dog name”. They agree that Zshuchka is a pretty typical name for a female dog, though. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/30 "2014-10-19T21:51:26Z")
In Ukraine, the stereotypical dog name is “Bobik.” It is, apparently, a diminutive of Bogdan. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/31 "2014-10-19T22:00:57Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > Thanks for sparking a memory! “Trezor”, which means “treasure” in Russian, appears to have been a popular name for dogs. > > I named a female tabby cat “Dottie”. You’d be surprised at how many people didn’t get the joke. > > Does anyone know if “Schatzie” (sp?) is really something Germans name their dogs or is it done only by English-speaking Dachshund owners? I couldn’t help but chuckle over Dottie’s name, as I once had a tabby named Spot. 🙂 As far as Schotzi goes, the only dog that I’ve ever heard named that was the St. Bernard mascot for the Cincinnati Reds in the eighties owned by Marge Schotz, the team owner. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/32 "2014-10-19T22:06:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > The most famous [Fido](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fido_(dog)) (“Faithful”) was an Italian street dog that became famous in the 1940s and 1950s for going to meet his late master’s bus every day for 14 years after he died. The name has declined in popularity, but I think most people still recognize “Fido” as a generic name for a dog. (I dunno, it seems to me the dog was just a slow learner.;)) Oh my! I learn something new every day and this is an example of something new that I learned today. Thank you. I enjoyed learning that. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/33 "2014-10-19T22:20:10Z")
The Dine’ (Navajo) word for dog, and default name for most, is leechaa. Which literally means something like ‘creature that shits a lot’. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/34 "2014-10-20T00:12:28Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > You forgot Fido (in English). > [@Ulfreida](#): > > Has anyone ever encountered a real dog with that name? I sure haven’t. When I lived in Candler Park one of my neighbors had Phideaux. (They were Acadians.) He was a pretty cool dog. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/35 "2014-10-20T00:17:22Z")
My cousin’s dog back in the late 50s was named Fido, but they spelled it Phydeaux. I think even at the time that was an old joke though. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/36 "2014-10-20T00:34:08Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > Why Bran became the generic name while Seolan is all but forgotten I have no idea. Probably because one syllable names that begin with obstruents are really good dog names. They are easy for dogs to learn and respond to, and you are going to say your dog’s name a lot during training. polysyllabic names never work well. > [@njtt](#): > > What’s your point? The OP says that he has not actually encountered either of his examples, _Spot_ or _Rover_ either. I met some hipsters with a Rover. More people who failed at “ironic.” > [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve known a few people with pet Iguanas named “Iggy”. They’ve all thought the name original and genius level. I’ve known several people with Calico cats named “Callie.” None of them thought they were clever, though. I did know a Tabby owner who though she was clever for naming her cat “Tabitha,” and calling her “Tabby.” > [@Gymnopithys](#): > > _Laika_ was the first dog in space, 1957. > > From Wikipedia: > Laika died within hours from overheating, possibly caused by a failure of the central R-7 sustainer to separate from the payload. The true cause and time of her death were not made public until 2002 It was probably a blessing, as the Soviets had no intention of bringing her back. Her corpse is still orbiting somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/37 "2014-10-20T02:25:25Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Probably because one syllable names that begin with obstruents are really good dog names. They are easy for dogs to learn and respond to, and you are going to say your dog’s name a lot during training. polysyllabic names never work well. Well, I grew up in with an Airedale named Sunny Susannah of Lomar. How many syllables is _that?_ Pedigreed dogs are commonly given quixotic multi-syllable (even multi-word) names, just like race horses. But we just called her Suzy. Still polysyllabic. ETA: P.S. What’s an obstruent? ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/38 "2014-10-20T03:01:46Z")
Here in Japan the generic name for a dog is “Pochi,” but “Koro,” “Shiro,” and “Taro” are fairly common names, too. While I have never heard of anyone actually calling their dog Pochi, the others are popular enough among the woefully unoriginal. As for the etymologies, “Pochi” is the most recent but has the most uncertain origin. It is believed to be either a corruption of the English “pooch” are the French “petit.” “Koro” comes from “korokoro” meaning “rolling about; roly-poly.” “Shiro” means “white” and is just about as lame as a dog name can get. “Taro” is a generic boy’s name, a bit like naming your dog “Bob” or “Jim.” Also, although you didn’t ask for it, the generic cat name here is “Tama,” which means “ball” in Japanese, possibly in reference to the shape of a sleeping kitty. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/39 "2014-10-20T04:10:28Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > Sounds like the English equivalent would be “Fifi.” Not really, it’s not used by women with handbag dogs but by guys who think their yapper is Strong and Mighty even though it’s a badly-trained Scottish Terrier, and mis-training those takes special effort. The same kind of guys may name the dog Hércules or Sansón (which yes, are Hercules and Samson). ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745/40 "2014-10-20T05:21:42Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > You forgot Fido (in English). Spelled “Phideaux” for pretentious hipsters. > [@Fishtar](#): > > The Dine’ (Navajo) word for dog, and default name for most, is leechaa. Which literally means something like ‘creature that shits a lot’. I think I’ve found a new username! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-dog-names-in-other-languages/701745.md?page=3)