WHERE HAS SPOT GONE
Hey there, Scout, Barron, Brooklyn, Moxie and Shiloh! Whose ears perk up, how many with four feet snap to? Are these the hottest new names for pets, perhaps?

Wrong. These are but a few of the odd gender-neutral names given to children of movie stars, who certainly get an extra media moment for the unusual or eclectic names they select for their progeny. By comparison, the trend in pet names is much more mainstream, even downright old-fashioned: Max and Buddy top the list for boy dogs, Bella, Molly and Lucy for girl dogs, with nary a Spot or Duchess among the top ten.

Certainly, unique names have their place, but a pet's name will be used thousands of times over its lifetime, so choosing the right one is a critical matter and it is one of the first responsibilities of pet ownership. From a practical standpoint, try to stick with a short, one or two syllable name that is easily recognizable, easy to pronounce and that won't be confused with a basic training command, such as "Sit" or "Stay."

Resist the impulse to name your pet something quirky or off-color that you might hesitate to shout out in a crowd. If you pick a long name, consider whether you can live with its inevitable nickname. And keep in mind that your pet will grow up; cutsie, infantile names that fit a puppy or kitten might be totally inappropriate for a full-grown animal.

Consider that the name you give your pet influences its self image and the name's meaning affects how your pet will be perceived. An uninspired name can cause disinterest or distain, while a silly name can fail to elicit respect. On the other hand, a name that captures the imagination or generates a positive association creates appreciation, excitement and attention.

Human names top the list for popular pet names, not really a stretch when you consider that pets have become a part of our households as integral family members and that they function as surrogate children for many. Look to your extended families for pet name inspiration. At my house, Miz Edna is named for Fred's mother, God rest her soul, because of her big beautiful blue eyes. Famous people or a favorite person in history might also inspire a name, such as Napoleon, George, Cleopatra or Henry VIII.

There are all sorts of other ways to approach the naming game too. Should the name be clever or cute? Do you want it to be funny or serious? Is there an aspect of your pet's appearance or personality that begs to be glorified? Think through categories to help you settle on the right moniker.

If a geographical location has a special meaning for you, such as where you grew up or went to school, a favored place you love to visit or a river, waterfall or park you particularly enjoy, you might end up with Tuckernuck, Estes, Florence or Niagara. A favorite band or musical artist, past or present, could lead you in many directions, like Marley from the popular Marley and Me or to Dolly, Ringo, Johann, Edith or Boccelli.

Stories, both classic and contemporary, offer up their characters in great abundance. Greek and Roman myths, folk literature, fairy tales or even cartoon personalities are replete with references to persons, real or imagined. Name ideas can include Doonesbury, Ludo (from a book I'm currently reading), Zeus or Clementine. Pets can be named after favorite movies, or pets in movies or on television, characters in movies or the theater or for the actors themselves.

Food offers a menu of inspirational themes from sweets such as Truffles or Cupcake, to drinks like Merlot or Cosmo, to spices like Ginger or Nutmeg. Flowers too, offer their own contributions, from the extremely popular Daisy to names such as Holly or Lily. Personality traits or appearance qualities such as Happy, Peanut or Curly might be a perfect fit.

And, of course, on Nantucket, nautically inspired names abound, along with favored places: Moby, Sailor, Maddie and Quaise come quickly to mind.

The Internet is a great resource if you are in the naming mode and several helpful sites pop up if you type in "pet names" or "dog or cat names."

Using these brainstorming techniques can help you focus on selecting the right name, but try out your favorites for a few days and ask family and friends their reactions before you finally decide. Have fun and take your time. After all, this name will serve you both for many years, but unlike people, our pets can't change any name that doesn't suit them.

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Miz Edna kitty. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com. I

TOP 10 PET NAMES