Is it okay to name a baby after a dead pet?

Question

I had a dog...For about 5 months. I got him from the Humane Society.They told me that the same people kept dropping him off and re-adopting him. poor baby. I knew he was weird. He was a Sheperd/Lab mix. 2 years old or so, but he was delayed in intelligence and only weighed 37 pounds, which is small for a mix of those breeds.
Well, turns out he had Lyme's Disease and I didn't find out until it was too late. He died of liver failure after I tried so hard to save his life. He died in my bed where I sleep every night. I felt so close to him. I don't plan to have a baby, but if I ever do, I swear I want to name it Toby, after that precious dog.

Umm..Whoever said it's not a people's name..Yes, it is. It's short for Tobias.

Answer 1

I think that is a very sweet way to remember Toby. So many people do not care for their pets, nor do they consider them a part of their family, or a companion. I think it's a great idea.

Answer 2

I have a girl cousin named Tobie, and a good friend named her boy Toby....neither of them know why they were named that, other than Mom liked the name...but both said the same thing; my cousin said she's gotten comments all of her life that it sounds like a "boys" name.....the boy said he's always been made fun of for having a "chicks" name! Both of these people, in their early 30's now and unrelated to each other) have never met, but both have admitted to often going by their middle names and initials ... the guy goes by T.J. and my cousin calls herself Tanya. You may change your mind when you do have your own baby, not because Toby is not a good name, but maybe you'll decide to name him/her after the Daddy somehow. Best of luck with lots of time to make your choice.

Answer 3

If the name is important to you, then it's your right to use it. People tend to choose names that have some significant importance to them...and that name can come from anywhere. And you would not be the first to use an animal's name for their child's name. Bindi Sue Irwin, daughter of Terri and the late Steve Irwin was named after two animals....
Bindi is the name of Steve's favorite crocodile (and it also means "little girl" in the Aborigine language)
Sue is from Steve & Terri's now deceased dog Sui (the dog's name was pronounced Soo-ie, but Bindi's middle name is the commnon Sue).

Answer 4

I think you should of posed the question something like: Do you think it is strange to name a baby after a dead pet. Then tell your story.
I personally don't think anything is wrong with it unless the dog's name was Skippy or Blackie then the kid would have a problem explaining to his friends why you named her/him that lol.

Sorry to here of your loss, I just lost one of my Border Collies (10 yrs old) two months ago who I was very attached to. Had her cremated, placed in a beautiful box and put on a curio cabinet in the living room. My request is to mix her ashes with mine when I die.
So, we all do thing other people might think strange.

Answer 5

A little on the weird side, yes, but if that name has special meaning to you, then I don't see why not. But it might just be better to get another dog and name it Toby Jr.

Answer 6

kind of strange but you have your heart in the right place. just don't tell the kid until he/she's( i hope you don't name a girl toby) is old enough to appreciate it because it will be scarred for life that you named them after your dead dog that you're still mourning. it might make them feel like you love the dog more than them. think about it before you do it.

Answer 7

My problem with naming your child Toby is that the name is not a human name. It's a pet name. Everyone will know you named your child after a pet. That won't reflect very well on you as a parent.

Answer 8

thats so sad but sweet i dont know if u think u can nadle that bcuz some ppl try to erase dead pets bcuz if anything reminds them of him or her they begin to cry however if u can name the baby toby with out getting a tear in ur eye but possibly joy from the good days u could handle it

Answer 9

I don't see anything wrong with it.

As long as you have good memories and those positive memories will be a inspiration and not desperation....

People name their children after dead relatives all the time, people they didn't even know.

At least this is something you hold true to your heart.

Best wishes

Answer 10

Sure, as long as you don't mind some Steve King stuff going on around your house. Your pets soul will enter the child. Go rent Pet Semetary. Not the same thing, but you'll get the idea.