What's in a dog name?

UPDATE BELOW

If there's anything to be learned from L.A.'s Top Dogs, our new database of local dog registrations, it's that Angelenos can come up with some creative names for their pet pooch. There are rappers, cars, movie stars, superheroes, and even a dictator or two. In the video above, The Times' Myung J. Chun asks owners what name they've chosen.

At the same time, database users have also begun to chime in on the question only an owner can answer: Why?

Kelli:

Violet was my grandma's name.

Matt:

We named our Beagle Carlin after sharing a connection over a common love of the comedian on our third date. I told her I should marry her cos she knew 'the seven dirty words' - and recited them in order! Sure enough, three and a half years later, we tied the knot. And Carlin is a very precocious 2 and a half

diane ferris:

he was named Anderson when we got him from the shelter--named after the park they found him in. it seemed to fit, so we kept it.

Marco:

we named our beagle 'latte' because she is tan and white and she warms us up, just like a hot latte!

To join the fun, search for your dog's name using the box here and post your reasons to the database. Or, if you prefer, leave them in the comment roll below.

-- Ben Welsh

UPDATE: I'm happy to report that users pitched in over the weekend by posting their personal naming stories, including an explanation for one of L.A.'s most mysterious names. Check out that and other dog name stories at L.A.'s Top Dogs, which now features a list of all user comments as well as an RSS feed.

Comments

[Pablo]

I named my beloved 2 year old Golden Retriever Brando, because he is super handsome, not common name and , of course , Marlon Brando he represents all that and more.

[Chance]

I'm a BIG believer in animals having non-human names.
So, our dogs are named Superchunk (after the band) and Zoom! after well, what we thought was a cool word. And the exclamation point, yes, is part of her name and yes, is just hilarious to us!

Superchunk is 13.5, and Zoom! is the newbie. She's about a year and a half.
Amazing these two.

[Sean Gallagher (LAT Employee)]

Oscar is named after one of the two mutts that were resident in my grandparent's bar -- Sullivan's Bar & Grill -- in Rockaway, Queens. My Oscar's namesake was a scrappy pup who used walk down Beach 116th Street and go for a swim in the Atlantic, no matter the season.

[sherri]

Chesney- because when I brought her home from the shelter at 8 weeks old, she was crying and howling and didn't stop until Kenny Chesney came on the radio.

Bali-after Etienne Balibar, because both have the same droppy jowels.

Yoshi Baka - yoshi means brave, and baka means stupid, in Japanese. This one is self-explanatory.

[Desiree]

At 7 weeks old my dog Barley pulled his name out of a hat when I couldn't decide on one. After 4 1/2 years I still don't think any other name would fit him better.

[Floyd]

My son is an Asberger's child. When he was little, we got our dog for him to care for. At the time he had not been diagnosed yet as having Asbergers, and what name did he choose? Hairy (dog) of course! So our dog is named Hairy on the official records.

[mari]

The kids were about to succesfully name our first dog Snoopy but when the second came along no one could agree on a name, so his name is Little One because he is he shorter of the two.