What’s In A Name?

We have a new doggie, and his name is “dog whose name was Oakley until we found out he doesn’t like his name.” That’s a mouthful. We’ll refer to him as DWNWOUWFOHDLHN for short.

We drove two and a half hours to pick him up last night. All the way to Grottoes, Virginia. I didn’t even know this place existed until I looked on a map.

Once we arrived and met our new rescue doggie, we were informed he doesn’t like his name, and we should change it. This after we had already ordered a new nametag ordered for “Oakley”. Now it’s not worth it’s value in scrap.

So, during the trip home we played, “Let’s name the dog”.

I wanted a name that had some connection to the dog, and preferably one with a hard consonant. We didn’t want one with an “-ey” sound, to avoid confusion with his old name and possibly trigger low doggie self esteem issues, and the Admiral was clear that she wanted an Irish name for him.

I wasn’t so sure about the Irish thing, so I suggested that since he had spots perhaps we should call him Measles. She didn’t like that, so I countered with Rubella and Chickenpox. The Admiral was not amused. Clearly, infectious disease names were out.

I suggested we wait until a name suggested itself, as we’ve done with some of the cats but the Admiral was intractable. An Irish name it must be.

I suggested Kyle, Kevin, Thomas, McFarland, McCullough, O’Shaunessy and others, to no avail. The Admiral countered with a few of her own: Ryan, McKenzie, Riley, Seamus, Shane. We almost agreed on McKenzie, but she still didn’t like it.

I asked what name she would choose if my opinion didn’t count (like it ever did in the first place!), and she responded with Ryan.

So now what spelling of Ryan? The “Book of Gaelic Baby Names” listed several. Would it be Rayan, Rhyan, Ryen, Ryne, or Ryon?

Rhyan. His name is Rhyan. Welcome to the family, Rhyan!