You have a new pet, but you have to name him to make it official. The name you choose is important as it will be what your pet responds to and what others will call him. Including everyone in the household in the naming process may help get the ball rolling where bonding and responsibility are concerned. When you’re ready to brainstorm ideas consider the following tips.

Wacky Works

If you have kids, chances are that they will think of names that are quirky and silly to an adult. Remember, Figment? Kids have a wild imagination and sense of humor. Keep calm and let them share their ideas. After all, you invited them to join you in the naming process to help develop a sense of familial responsibility and commitment. Praise your children’s creativity while guiding them to a name that everyone can live with and is representative of the family.

Set Rules and Guidelines

Where would this world be without rules and guidelines? Why should naming be any different? One such rule might be to avoid names that your pet can outgrow like “Tiny”. You might also want to avoid names that elicit negative emotions or are offensive in some way.

Make It Short

Where would this world be without rules and guidelines? Why should naming be any different? One such rule might be to avoid names that your pet can outgrow like “Tiny”. You might also want to avoid names that elicit negative emotions or are offensive in some way.

Avoid Confusion

Do not pick names that are too close to everyday words and may confuse your pet. For example, “Bo” sounds an awful lot like “no”.

Look Around You

Choose a name that is representative of the time you live in. Think of your favorite movie, TV show, or book and then choose a character or some detail that fits as a pet name. Pop culture has always been a good source of inspiration and offers plenty of options. Consider things like celebrities, sports teams, and current events.

Look At Your Life

Stand out by choosing a name that says something about you or your family. There are things you do on a daily basis that can be a good source of inspiration. Think of a hobby you enjoy such as collecting Marvel comic books, where “Cypher” or “Loki” might be a good name for your pet or if you prefer DC comic books “Flash” or “Booster” might be a good fit. A fun idea might be to choose your child’s favorite school subject or your career of choice and then pick a name that is representative of it. For example, a history lover might choose the name “Abe,” while a chemist or electrical engineer might choose “Ion” as a pet name.

Make A List

You can make a list to narrow down the names in one of two ways. One, put all of the brainstormed names on paper and then have everyone vote on their favorite. This makes everyone feel like their suggested names have been equally received and considered. This works best if you tell everyone that they cannot vote for their own suggested name. If you want to avoid hurt feelings, you can begin with a list that you create and then have the rest of the family pick their favorite from the list.

Don’t Rush

Sometimes, one brainstorming session is all it takes with many offering several suggestions. Don’t rush the process, however. It may be necessary to meet several times to come up with potential names. In fact, some family members might request some time to think about it. If this is the case, discuss the naming process and guidelines and then take a couple of days to research and brainstorm ideas. You can enter the names mentioned at the first meeting to a list and add to it as you move along in the process.

Don’t Look Back

When it’s over, it’s over The naming process is meant to create a pleasant experience for all those involved. Determine the rules and guidelines, follow them, and then stick to them. Hopefully you’ll end up with a pet name that everyone connects with and no hard feelings. Whatever the case, make sure that everyone understands that the outcome must be accepted so as not to confuse the pet. The name decided upon must be the name everyone uses when calling the new family pet’s attention. You can always try to smooth things over by engaging the family in other fun decision making activities like choosing toys and accessories.