Fido as a Dog's Name

[GMANCANADA]

I was disappointed by this one. Am I the only one who noticed that the question was not answered by Cecil? The question was not what’s the latin root and why is that appropriate?

Has anyone answered the question of why Fido became a default dog’s name (in English at least)?

I think my first recollections of Fido as a dog’s name was from some cartoon, maybe a Looney Toon or Merry Melody?

[Shakester]

This Fido may be the source of that name’s fame.

[Jasmine]

So, I wasn’t the only one who accessed Cecil’s Fido contribution because everything else was down for maintenance! LOL

[eastcheap]

@Shakester

This Fido may be the source of that name’s fame.

Way too late. The name seems to have been a bit of a cliché when Lincoln had a Fido.

[Peter_Morris]

Link to column.

Why is “Fido” a common name for a dog?
And Lincoln was a latecomer in naming his dog.

[Walken_After_Midnight]

@Peter_Morris

And Lincoln was a latecomer in naming his dog.

As was Fanny Fern.

[FIDO

OR,

THE FAITHFUL FRIEND.
NEW YORK:
EDWARD KEARNY
NO.272 PEARL STREET

1845](Fido, Or, The Faithful Friend - Google Books)

Fido was a beautiful dog, and one of the most affectionate and faithful creatures in the world. His coat was of a rich dark brown, with clear white spots on his back, breast, and legs. His ears were long, and of a silky softness; and his tail was large and bushy, like a squirrel’s; and when running briskly, or playing, with his beautiful tail curled over his back, like a large plume, no dog could possibly be handsomer than Fido.

[Peter_Morris]

Yeah, if you scroll down the page I linked, there are several earlier ones. Earliest on the list is 1832.

[Walken_After_Midnight]

@Peter_Morris

Yeah, if you scroll down the page I linked, there are several earlier ones. Earliest on the list is 1832.

Ah yes, The Juvenile Miscellany, by Mrs. D.L. Child (Boston, 1832):

Fanny’s papa, Mr. Herbert, had a dog Fido, of whom she was very fond.

[Peter_Morris]

And here’s one from 1805.

[Chronos]

It seems to me that I once saw somewhere a list of dog names from classical times, and most of them were names that are still commonly used for dogs.