(no subject)

[german-e12.livejournal.com]

Sorry to post twice in one day, but the post 2 below this ("named after dog?") is sort of like the problem I'm having. I have always LOVED the name Dakota, but when I was 15, I named my rabbit Dakota. Therefore, I'm a little concerned about naming my CHILD after my rabbit (or so it would seem, I just have always loved the name, and wanted to name my kid Dakota, but obviously wasn't thinking about having kids at the age of 15). Consider this before answering: My rabbit is 5 years old, and they regularly live to age 12, if not 13-14. Therefore, every time my child would go to grandma and grandpa's house, they would interact with the rabbit that was named Dakota first. Is this terribly troubling to anyone else, or just to me? Obviously, only close friends and family are aware that I have a rabbit named Dakota (and it's kept at my parent's house, anyway), but I'm not sure if that lessens the problem at all. What do you think?

Comments

[ifancylust.livejournal.com]

i would still use the name dakota if i really, really loved it. i'd just call the rabbit something else (maybe a nickname like d or kota?) if it became an issue.

[hwar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if it bugged you or the kid, you could just change the rabbit's name or give it a nickname. My rabbits never knew their names anyway. I don't love the name Dakota (I think it's kind of had its run and now sounds dated) but if YOU love it you should use it despite a pet having the name. I think the only time it's an issue for pets is with dogs who live in the household, because it can be confusing for the animal. If I was in that situation (wanting to name a kid the same name my dog had) I would change the dog's name while I was pregnant so it wouldn't be confused by the time the baby was born.

Actually we kind of have that situation because my dog's name is Nellie (it was her shelter name and we kept it) and one of our favorite girl names is Penelope (nn Penny or Nellie). I ended up just taking the name off our list. There are SO many good names out there, if one doesn't work or makes you feel weird, there are plenty of other names to take its place.

[night-sky-dream.livejournal.com]

I had a called called Archie (died last month) and I always said if had two boys one of them will be called Archie, I love the name and who cares if it was the same name as my cat, my cat was awesome! lol

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

I would still use it if it won't bother you that the rabbit has the same name. And couldn't you just start calling the rabbit something else, too? I'm sure it wouldn't mind, would it? (I know nothing about rabbits, though.)

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

If you still want to, go for it.

I named my cats Owen and Jonah. Owen was one of my favorite names... but now whenever I hear it I can only associate it with my cat. It's annoying because it's one of the few names my boyfriend and I both really like, but we both think "well.. that's Owen's name" and I suppose it is different since the cat lives with us.

Point being: if you can see Dakota as a name beyond the bunny, go for it.

[pegasus2o5.livejournal.com]

I named my cat Lucy because I love the name. I don't intend to take it off my list for possible future children, though I do think I would wait to use it until Lucy-the-cat has passed on. Since Dakota-the-rabbit and Dakota-the-child would be living in different homes, I think it would be okay, if you're really, really attached to the name. Personally, as I told the dog-named-Jude poster, I would have been thrilled as a child (heck, still would be) to meet a pet with my name. I would feel like we were sisters or something. :) But I come from a hardcore pet-loving family, so maybe that's an unusual reaction! I would definitely take pains to make it clear to people that it's a case of loving the name enough to use it twice, not a case of naming your child after a rabbit. (Alternately, you could make a joke out of it and just tell little Dakota, "Be grateful his name wasn't Bun-Bun McFlopsy-Doodle!")

[solitudete.livejournal.com]

Alternately, you could make a joke out of it and just tell little Dakota, "Be grateful his name wasn't Bun-Bun McFlopsy-Doodle!

Lollll! I like that :P

[solitudete.livejournal.com]

I say use Dakota for your child and change the rabbit's name to something else similar/nicknamey, like Dee or Cody.

[babyjess8.livejournal.com]

I don't name my pets likely future children's names for this reason, especialy because my potential kids names are usually unswavering.

However, as it has already been done, if you still like Dakota and you have a baby and it suits that baby then name that child Dakota.

[moldycelery.livejournal.com]

The real question should be...why would you want to name your kid Dakota? Unless she's siblings with Choctaw and Algonquian, then I guess that's legit.

[thejoysofjess.livejournal.com]

She could also be siblings with Virginia and Carolina. ;)