(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

[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.