Stock Animal Name: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:Spots_first_walk.png|link=Spot the Dog|frame|Are you related to that other dog named Spot? Or that other one?]]
[[File:Spots first walk.png|link=Spot the Dog|frame|Are you related to that other dog named Spot? Or that other one?]]
{{quote|"If there must be a cat, do not, for the love of God, name it: [[A Worldwide Punomenon|Magnifi-cat or similar pun]]; Mr. Adjective-Anatomical-feature; with two or more words [[Added Alliterative Appeal|all starting with the same letter]]; or with any name plus the surname of the cat's owner."|'''''[[How Not to Write A Novel]]'''''}}
{{quote|"If there must be a cat, do not, for the love of God, name it: [[A Worldwide Punomenon|Magnifi-cat or similar pun]]; Mr. Adjective-Anatomical-feature; with two or more words [[Alliteration|all starting with the same letter]]; or with any name plus the surname of the cat's owner."
|'''''[[How Not to Write A Novel]]'''''}}


Sometimes it's just not worth making up original names for animals. These are names that have been used forever in real life for (usually domesticated) animals, and carry over well for animal characters in fiction. Sometimes its an [[A Worldwide Punomenon|obvious pun]] or [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|description of the animal's appearance]].
Sometimes it's just not worth making up original names for animals. These are names that have been used forever in real life for (usually domesticated) animals, and carry over well for animal characters in fiction. Sometimes its an [[A Worldwide Punomenon|obvious pun]] or [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|description of the animal's appearance]].


For dogs and cats it seems like a new "stock" name is [[Formally Named Pet|"Mr." or "Mrs." something]]; Mr. Muggles (dog, ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]''), Mrs. Norris (cat, ''[[Harry Potter]]'').
For dogs and cats it seems like a new "stock" name is [[Formally-Named Pet|"Mr." or "Mrs." something]]; Mr. Muggles (dog, ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]''), Mrs. Norris (cat, ''[[Harry Potter]]'').


The bottom line is, if you want an original name for a character, don't use these ones. Note that ''no one ever uses these names'' in [[Real Life]]. (At least, not anymore.) They don't even show up in the lists of most popular pet names. But if you use the names correctly, people know immediately what kind of animal you mean.
The bottom line is, if you want an original name for a character, don't use these ones. Note that ''no one ever uses these names'' in [[Real Life]]. (At least, not anymore.) They don't even show up in the lists of most popular pet names. But if you use the names correctly, people know immediately what kind of animal you mean.
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Since this is pretty much a [[Universal Trope]], don't bother listing specific examples. But if you know of an interesting subversion, it's probably worth adding.
Since this is pretty much a [[Universal Trope]], don't bother listing specific examples. But if you know of an interesting subversion, it's probably worth adding.


----


{{examples}}
* '''Dogs:''' Spot, Rover, Patch(es), Fido, Rex, Buster, Sparky.
==Dogs==
** For more aggressive dogs, Spike, Wolf, Fang, Killer.
* Spot, Rover, Patch(es), Fido, Rex, Buster, Sparky.
*** In the UK they're often named after boxers. Tyson in particular.
** "Spot" has been a Stock Dog Name in multiple languages for ''thousands of years'' -- for example, "Cerberus", name of the three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hell in Roman and Greek mythology, is the Latinized form of the Greek ''Κερβερος'' (Kerberos), which means "spotted".
** For Scottish Terriers: Scotty.
** Likewise "Fido", Latin for "faithful".
** For German Shepherds: Ace.
* For more aggressive dogs, Spike, Wolf, Fang, Killer.
** For poodles: Fifi.
** In the UK they're often named after boxers. Tyson in particular.
** In Japan: Pochi.
* For Scottish Terriers: Scotty.
*** The female leads in ''[[He Is My Master]]'' have a pet named Pochi, who the male lead assumes to be a dog. It's actually an alligator.
* For German Shepherds: Ace.
** In France: Médor. (Pronounced May-Dohr)
* For poodles: Fifi.
** In the [[Deep South]], Beauregard, particularly in [[Looney Tunes]] cartoons.
* In Japan: Pochi.
** Prince for big, nice-looking dogs.
** The female leads in ''[[He Is My Master]]'' have a pet named Pochi, who the male lead assumes to be a dog. It's actually an alligator.
** Blue for hounds.
* In France: Médor. (Pronounced May-Dohr)
** In Hungary: Morzsi, Bundás
* In the [[Deep South]], Beauregard, particularly in [[Looney Tunes]] cartoons.
** In Finland: Halli (obsolete), Murre or Rekku (onomatopoetics), Musti ("Blackie", and "the" name)
* Prince for big, nice-looking dogs.
** In Poland: Azor, Burek, Reks
* Blue for hounds.
** In Sweden: Karo, Fido, Rex.
* In Hungary: Morzsi, Bundás
* '''Cats:''' Sassy, Fluffy, Whiskers, Max.
* In Finland: Halli (obsolete), Murre or Rekku (onomatopoetics), Musti ("Blackie", and "the" name)
** In Japan: Tama. Usually (but not always) said "Tama" will be a calico.
* In Poland: Azor, Burek, Reks
** For tomcats: [[Captain Obvious|Tom]].
* In Sweden: Karo, Fido, Rex.
*** For queens: Queenie.

** For white cats: Snowball.
==Cats==
*** Subverted in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' with a black cat named Snowball II. It was a replacement for a white cat named Snowball that was run over by a Chrysler.
** Tiger, whether striped or not.
* Sassy, Fluffy, Whiskers, Max.
* In Japan: Tama. Usually (but not always) said "Tama" will be a calico.
** Ginger for ginger cats.
* For tomcats: [[Captain Obvious|Tom]].
*** Cinnamon is also used for these types of cats.
** For queens: Queenie.
** In Finland: Miiru (obsolete), Mirri ("the" name)
* For white cats: Snowball.
** In the UK: Tibbles/Tiddles.
** Subverted in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' with a black cat named Snowball II. It was a replacement for a white cat named Snowball that was run over by a Chrysler.
*** [[Lampshade Hanging]] in ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Going Postal|Going Postal]]'': When Moist gets told the Post Office cat is called Tiddles, he refuses to believe it: "I thought it was just a joke name".
* Tiger, whether striped or not.
**** Fun fact: "Tibbles" is a corrupted version of "Tybalt", the name of the Prince of Cats in the Reynard the Fox stories. Tabby is a related word. (Now you know why Mercutio repeatedly calls Juliet's cousin Tybalt "prince of cats" in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''.)
* Ginger for ginger cats.
** In Malaysia: Comel is a very common name for cats, it means cute. Putih is another common name for white/mostly white cats.
** Cinnamon is also used for these types of cats.
** In Poland: Mruczek, Puszek
* In Finland: Miiru (obsolete), Mirri ("the" name)
** In Norway: If the cat is grey, Gråpus, meaning [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|grey pussy.]]
* In the UK: Tibbles/Tiddles.
** In Sweden: Misse (or some very similar-sounding name).
** [[Lampshade Hanging]] in ''[[Going Postal (Discworld)|Going Postal]]'': When Moist gets told the Post Office cat is called Tiddles, he refuses to believe it: "I thought it was just a joke name".
* '''Lions:''' Leo.
*** Fun fact: "Tibbles" is a corrupted version of "Tybalt", the name of the Prince of Cats in the Reynard the Fox stories. Tabby is a related word. (Now you know why Mercutio repeatedly calls Juliet's cousin Tybalt "prince of cats" in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''.)
* In Malaysia: Comel is a very common name for cats, it means cute. Putih is another common name for white/mostly white cats.
* In Poland: Mruczek, Puszek
* In Norway: If the cat is grey, Gråpus, meaning [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|grey pussy.]]
* In Sweden: Misse (or some very similar-sounding name).
* Inverted with "Schrödinger", which ''[[A Certain Magical Index]]'' tells us [[Schrödinger's Cat|is a taboo name for cats]].

==Lions==
* Leo.
** Originated from the constellation (or astrology sign if you prefer).
** Originated from the constellation (or astrology sign if you prefer).
** Or more simply, the Latin name.
** Or more simply, the Latin name.

* '''Rabbits:''' Whiskers
==Rabbits==
* '''Cows:''' Bessie/Bossie, Clarabelle.
* Whiskers

==Cows==
* Bessie/Bossie, Clarabelle.
** Bessie the Cow may have originated as the mascot for a brand of dairy products.
** Bessie the Cow may have originated as the mascot for a brand of dairy products.
** Flower names, especially Buttercup or Daisy.
* Flower names, especially Buttercup or Daisy.
** In Finnish: Heluna, Mansikki, Muurikki (all "the" names); anything with the suffix -kki will be recognised as a cow (Tiistikki, Punikki etc.)
* In Finnish: Heluna, Mansikki, Muurikki (all "the" names); anything with the suffix -kki will be recognised as a cow (Tiistikki, Punikki etc.)
** In Denmark: Karen, Maren, Mathilde(Or just Thilde)
* In Denmark: Karen, Maren, Mathilde(Or just Thilde)
** In Poland: Krasula, Mućka
* In Poland: Krasula, Mućka
** In France: Marguerite
* In France: Marguerite

* '''Goats:''' [[Captain Obvious|Nanny]], [[Captain Obvious|Billy]].
==Goats==
* '''Pigs:''' Hampton, Hamlet, and other variations on "[[A Worldwide Punomenon|ham]]."
* [[Captain Obvious|Nanny]], [[Captain Obvious|Billy]].
** Porky.

* '''Goldfish:''' Goldie.
==Pigs==
* '''Parrots:''' Polly and its variations (Paulie, etc.)
* Hampton, Hamlet, and other variations on "[[A Worldwide Punomenon|ham]]."
** In France, Coco.
** Pete.
* Porky.

* '''Turtles:''' [[A Worldwide Punomenon|Sheldon or Shelly]], [[Ironic Nickname|Speedy]].
==Goldfish==
** In France: Caroline
* Goldie.
* '''Raccoons:''' [[Added Alliterative Appeal|Rascal]]. See also [[Rascally Raccoon]].

* '''Generic:'''
==Parrots==
** Whiskers for anything with whiskers.
* Polly and its variations (Paulie, etc.)
** Blackie for anything black.
* In France, Coco.
** Tripod for anything missing one of its legs.
* Pete.
*** Also "Lucky" for an animal missing either a leg or an eye.

* '''Non-Parrot Birds: ''' Pete or Petey.
==Turtles==
* '''Horses:''' Dobbin
* [[A Worldwide Punomenon|Sheldon or Shelly]], [[Ironic Nickname|Speedy]].
** Silver, particularly when paired with the expression [[The Lone Ranger|"Hi-ho!"]]
* In France: Caroline
* '''Bears:''' If it's a bearcub, then Little Bear. This remains true, despite this name being heavily associated with the popular [[Little Bear|book and television series]] by Maurice Sendak and Else Holmelund Minarik.

** Bruin. (Dutch for "brown", originally from ''Reynard The Fox'').
==Raccoons==
* '''Foxes:''' Reynard([[Captain Obvious|also from]] ''Reynard the Fox''), Todd.
* [[Alliteration|Rascal]]. See also [[Rascally Raccoon]].
** In Denmark, vixens are often called Rita, which is a [[Shout Out]] to a popular Danish book series for little kids.

** In Sweden, fictional male foxes are almost always named Mickel.
==Generic==
* '''Skunks:''' [[Smelly Skunk|Stinky.]] For a little irony, [[Floral Theme Naming]] is very popular with the females (and sometimes, males, Flower in ''[[Bambi (Disney)|Bambi]]'' being the [[Ur Example]]).
* Whiskers for anything with whiskers.
* '''Hamsters:''' Hampton, Hammy, and other variations on "[[A Worldwide Punomenon|ham]]."
* Blackie for anything black.
* '''Apes:''' Bobo
* Tripod for anything missing one of its legs.
* '''Monkeys:''' Bobo
** Also "Lucky" for an animal missing either a leg or an eye.

==Non-Parrot Birds==
* Pete or Petey.

==Horses==
* Dobbin
* Silver, particularly when paired with the expression [[The Lone Ranger|"Hi-ho!"]]

==Bears==
* If it's a bear cub, then Little Bear. This remains true, despite this name being heavily associated with the popular [[Little Bear|book and television series]] by Maurice Sendak and Else Holmelund Minarik.
* Bruin. (Dutch for "brown", originally from ''Reynard The Fox'').

==Foxes==
* Reynard([[Captain Obvious|also from]] ''Reynard the Fox''), Todd.
* In Denmark, vixens are often called Rita, which is a [[Shout-Out]] to a popular Danish book series for little kids.
* In Sweden, fictional male foxes are almost always named Mickel.

==Skunks==
* [[Smelly Skunk|Stinky.]] For a little irony, [[Floral Theme Naming]] is very popular with the females (and sometimes, males, Flower in ''[[Bambi]]'' being the [[Ur Example]]).

==Hamsters==
* Hampton, Hammy, and other variations on "[[A Worldwide Punomenon|ham]]."

==Apes==
* Bobo

==Monkeys==
* Bobo


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Naming Conventions]]
[[Category:Naming Conventions]]
[[Category:Animal Tropes]]
[[Category:Animal Tropes]]
[[Category:Stock Room]]
[[Category:Stock Room]]
[[Category:Stock Animal Name]]
[[Category:Trope]]

Latest revision as of 23:18, 6 December 2022

Are you related to that other dog named Spot? Or that other one?

"If there must be a cat, do not, for the love of God, name it: Magnifi-cat or similar pun; Mr. Adjective-Anatomical-feature; with two or more words all starting with the same letter; or with any name plus the surname of the cat's owner."

Sometimes it's just not worth making up original names for animals. These are names that have been used forever in real life for (usually domesticated) animals, and carry over well for animal characters in fiction. Sometimes its an obvious pun or description of the animal's appearance.

For dogs and cats it seems like a new "stock" name is "Mr." or "Mrs." something; Mr. Muggles (dog, Heroes), Mrs. Norris (cat, Harry Potter).

The bottom line is, if you want an original name for a character, don't use these ones. Note that no one ever uses these names in Real Life. (At least, not anymore.) They don't even show up in the lists of most popular pet names. But if you use the names correctly, people know immediately what kind of animal you mean.

Compare Species Surname.

Since this is pretty much a Universal Trope, don't bother listing specific examples. But if you know of an interesting subversion, it's probably worth adding.


Examples of Stock Animal Name include:

Dogs

  • Spot, Rover, Patch(es), Fido, Rex, Buster, Sparky.
    • "Spot" has been a Stock Dog Name in multiple languages for thousands of years -- for example, "Cerberus", name of the three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hell in Roman and Greek mythology, is the Latinized form of the Greek Κερβερος (Kerberos), which means "spotted".
    • Likewise "Fido", Latin for "faithful".
  • For more aggressive dogs, Spike, Wolf, Fang, Killer.
    • In the UK they're often named after boxers. Tyson in particular.
  • For Scottish Terriers: Scotty.
  • For German Shepherds: Ace.
  • For poodles: Fifi.
  • In Japan: Pochi.
    • The female leads in He Is My Master have a pet named Pochi, who the male lead assumes to be a dog. It's actually an alligator.
  • In France: Médor. (Pronounced May-Dohr)
  • In the Deep South, Beauregard, particularly in Looney Tunes cartoons.
  • Prince for big, nice-looking dogs.
  • Blue for hounds.
  • In Hungary: Morzsi, Bundás
  • In Finland: Halli (obsolete), Murre or Rekku (onomatopoetics), Musti ("Blackie", and "the" name)
  • In Poland: Azor, Burek, Reks
  • In Sweden: Karo, Fido, Rex.

Cats

  • Sassy, Fluffy, Whiskers, Max.
  • In Japan: Tama. Usually (but not always) said "Tama" will be a calico.
  • For tomcats: Tom.
    • For queens: Queenie.
  • For white cats: Snowball.
    • Subverted in The Simpsons with a black cat named Snowball II. It was a replacement for a white cat named Snowball that was run over by a Chrysler.
  • Tiger, whether striped or not.
  • Ginger for ginger cats.
    • Cinnamon is also used for these types of cats.
  • In Finland: Miiru (obsolete), Mirri ("the" name)
  • In the UK: Tibbles/Tiddles.
    • Lampshade Hanging in Going Postal: When Moist gets told the Post Office cat is called Tiddles, he refuses to believe it: "I thought it was just a joke name".
      • Fun fact: "Tibbles" is a corrupted version of "Tybalt", the name of the Prince of Cats in the Reynard the Fox stories. Tabby is a related word. (Now you know why Mercutio repeatedly calls Juliet's cousin Tybalt "prince of cats" in Romeo and Juliet.)
  • In Malaysia: Comel is a very common name for cats, it means cute. Putih is another common name for white/mostly white cats.
  • In Poland: Mruczek, Puszek
  • In Norway: If the cat is grey, Gråpus, meaning grey pussy.
  • In Sweden: Misse (or some very similar-sounding name).
  • Inverted with "Schrödinger", which A Certain Magical Index tells us is a taboo name for cats.

Lions

  • Leo.
    • Originated from the constellation (or astrology sign if you prefer).
    • Or more simply, the Latin name.

Rabbits

  • Whiskers

Cows

  • Bessie/Bossie, Clarabelle.
    • Bessie the Cow may have originated as the mascot for a brand of dairy products.
  • Flower names, especially Buttercup or Daisy.
  • In Finnish: Heluna, Mansikki, Muurikki (all "the" names); anything with the suffix -kki will be recognised as a cow (Tiistikki, Punikki etc.)
  • In Denmark: Karen, Maren, Mathilde(Or just Thilde)
  • In Poland: Krasula, Mućka
  • In France: Marguerite

Goats

Pigs

  • Hampton, Hamlet, and other variations on "ham."
  • Porky.

Goldfish

  • Goldie.

Parrots

  • Polly and its variations (Paulie, etc.)
  • In France, Coco.
  • Pete.

Turtles

Raccoons

Generic

  • Whiskers for anything with whiskers.
  • Blackie for anything black.
  • Tripod for anything missing one of its legs.
    • Also "Lucky" for an animal missing either a leg or an eye.

Non-Parrot Birds

  • Pete or Petey.

Horses

  • Dobbin
  • Silver, particularly when paired with the expression "Hi-ho!"

Bears

  • If it's a bear cub, then Little Bear. This remains true, despite this name being heavily associated with the popular book and television series by Maurice Sendak and Else Holmelund Minarik.
  • Bruin. (Dutch for "brown", originally from Reynard The Fox).

Foxes

  • Reynard(also from Reynard the Fox), Todd.
  • In Denmark, vixens are often called Rita, which is a Shout-Out to a popular Danish book series for little kids.
  • In Sweden, fictional male foxes are almost always named Mickel.

Skunks

Hamsters

  • Hampton, Hammy, and other variations on "ham."

Apes

  • Bobo

Monkeys

  • Bobo