Whether one is a fan of classic Russian literature or not, at least a few should be familiar with the stray dog named Sharik (translates as a "small ball") from Bulgakov's novel "Heart of a Dog." Sharik, together with Argos ("The Odyssey") and Lassie ("Lassie Come-Home"), and many more literary puppers, belong to classic dog names from literature. Interestingly, while today it's unlikely to meet a young person with a 'vintage' name, it's not uncommon for owners to call their puppers classic, old-fashioned dog names. Hence, we can only imagine many Shariks, Lassies, and Argos running around somewhere!
In America, for example, we have classic dog names like Buck, Buddy, Rex, and Spot, which, despite being called old-fashioned dog names, are still quite common and well-liked. However, do other countries also have their own equivalents of vintage dog names? Have you ever thought about this? Well, Old Reddit user Dr_Edge_ATX did. They asked, "Non-Americans, does your culture have "old-fashioned" dog names like we do in America, such as Fido, Rex, Spot, Rover, etc., and what are some?" As was revealed by the answers left under the thread, non-Americans surely do!
Below, we've compiled some of the best answers from the thread, revealing non-American equivalents of classic, old-fashioned names for dogs in the rest of the world. Like any of the names? Let us know by giving them an upvote! Also, do you know any more cute old-fashioned dog names like the ones below? Let us know in the comments!
#44
"I'm Sicilian. My grandfather named his dog Ignazio. It means fiery."
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8points
#48
redditor said:
"Canelo."
"Canelo."
lilylakai replied:
"Our family dog’s name is Canelo, he’s a chocolate lab, and of course we’re Mexican."
"Our family dog’s name is Canelo, he’s a chocolate lab, and of course we’re Mexican."
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7points
#49
ramonortiz55 said:
"Firulais."
"Firulais."
FlakZak replied:
"Firulais is the name of the dog in the "Rugrats" tv show. I don't know if that is the definitive origin of the name but that's how I know it."
"Firulais is the name of the dog in the "Rugrats" tv show. I don't know if that is the definitive origin of the name but that's how I know it."
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7points
#50
ee-z said:
"Manchas también."
"Manchas también."
Nathan_graves replied:
"It literally means "spots", as in a dog who is spotted. "
"It literally means "spots", as in a dog who is spotted. "
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7points
#51
"I have a dog named Spot. He’s pure white. I wanted to give him a complex."
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7points
#52
"We got my childhood dog from a Russian lady and the dogs name was Mishka. I’m told it means little bear."
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7points
#53
Valdrax said:
"Pochi and John serve this purpose in Japan, but much like Spot, they're pretty much only reserved for dogs that an author didn't want to spend any effort naming. You almost never see actual dogs named either."
"Pochi and John serve this purpose in Japan, but much like Spot, they're pretty much only reserved for dogs that an author didn't want to spend any effort naming. You almost never see actual dogs named either."
ee-z replied:
"Shiro for white dogs, Kuro for black ones."
"Shiro for white dogs, Kuro for black ones."
7points
#54
"I always remember dogs in Japan being named what they thought were common American names: John, Bob, etc."
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7points
#60
"In India Lalu is the generic name for the street dog that is kinda everyone's pet."
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7points


