As pandemic pet adoptions soared in 2020, so too did the conundrum for brand new homeowners looking for the proper identify for that new fur child.
Some regarded to outdated household favourites, others to popular culture when attempting to match the pet’s identify with its distinctive persona.
One main supply of inspiration in 2020 was the hit TV collection Schitt’s Creek. In a current ballot, the identify Twyla jumped 93 per cent in Canada, whereas Alexis rose (get it?) 38 per cent, and David climbed 20 per cent over final yr.
“The issues we care about and curiosity us as a society are mirrored within the names we give our pets. It is actually no shock that Canadians have named their pets after such a beloved present,” stated Kristin Sandberg, PR supervisor with Rover.com.
Not solely are pets named after favorite characters from Schitt’s Creek, additionally they made fashionable Halloween costumes this yr. Eugene Levy, who performs patriarch Johnny Rose, at proper. (CBC)
The Seattle-based web site collected pet names from 35,000 homeowners who’re registered in its database, breaking them right down to replicate communities in Canada and the U.S. to establish rising developments yr over yr.
Drum roll please
The highest 5 feminine canine names in Vancouver in 2020 had been Bella, Luna, Daisy, Lola and Lucy.
Whereas the highest male canine names had been Charlie, Milo, Cooper, Rocky and Leo.
The highest feminine cat names had been Luna, Bella, Willow, Charlie and Frankie.
And the most well-liked male cat names had been Basil, Leo, Loki, Oscar and Max.
COVID companions
As COVID-19 case numbers proceed to rise, and well being authorities urge the general public to remain residence, many of us will look to a brand new furry pal to assist maintain anxiousness or loneliness at bay.
B.C. SPCA says it’s seeing 5 occasions the demand for pet adoptions over final yr — a very good factor as a result of it means the animals are discovering houses a lot quicker than up to now, and are subsequently spending much less time in shelters.
“That has been an incredible profit to the animals’ nicely being,” stated Mark Takhar, COO of B.C. SPCA.
Takhar says the group is healthier capable of deal with the inflow of functions for the reason that course of went on-line earlier this yr. There’s nearly no wait listing for cats, canines, kittens, puppies or rabbits to undertake.
Say my identify
And whereas every animal is given a reputation throughout its time at a shelter, adoptive pet mother and father virtually all the time change that identify as soon as the brand new member of the family comes residence, which may typically confuse a pet.
“[But] animals are sensible,” stated Takhar. “They do not take lengthy to regulate to the identify change,” stated Takhar.
When contemplating a reputation, the recommendation is to maintain it to at least one or two syllables, that method the animal can simply acknowledge its identify when referred to as.
‘Right here Maple Syrup’
One new identify on the 2020 listing is a curious exception: Maple Syrup made it into the favored meals names class for the primary time, alongside stalwarts like Poutine and Ketchup.
Sandberg says give your new fur child as many names as you need, however simply shorten it right down to a nickname since you do not actually wish to be yelling “Maple Syrup” on the canine park.
Different notable names of 2020: Caesar is up 153 per cent within the dogs-named-after-a-cocktail class, and canines named Ketchup are trending up 51 per cent.
Alas, Nelly and Drake took a little bit of a tumble within the superstar pet names class this yr, whereas Carly and Shania grew to become extra fashionable with cat homeowners.
