So you’ve just bought a Chihuahua and you are trying to come up with a name a little more creative than “Taco” for him. Here are some steps to help you choose the perfect name with a Spanish edge.
- Find out if your pooch is actually a member of a Spanish breed. To find out what country the breed of dog you own is associated with go to Dog Breed Info or other similar sites. Of course your dog does not need to be Spanish for you to give it a Spanish name, but if the breed originated in Spain, you may learn more about the specific Spanish region of origin and find a name characteristic of that place.
- Choose a location in Spain for a name. Sometimes names of cities, towns, or regions make great pet names. Seville, Barcelona, Pamplona (where the bulls run), or Ronda are excellent choices. If you have been to Spain and a particular region or town caught your fancy or remains associated with a positive memory, consider it as a name for your puppy.
- Choose a type of wine or food indigenous to the region. While you might not want to name your new bulldog “Paella,” there are some foods and beverages that have a nice ring to them. Tapas, or small appetizers, are well known as a Spanish dish and may suit a bite-size Bichon Frise. Other foods to consider, depending on the personality and looks of your new dog, include Flan, Tortilla, Gazpacho, Arroz (rice), Piment (paprika), or Azafron (saffron). Spain is also know for its Sangria (red wine and fruit concoction), Rioja, and Sherry (named for the Jerez region in Southwest Spain). If you have a dog with a nice red coat perhaps one of the wine names would be fashionable on your pet.
- Adjectives serve as great names. Is your new pet large (El Grande)? Is he chocolate-colored (Senor Maron)? Does she have a big head (Cabeza)? Does he snore (Ronquido)? Is he a great companion? If so, Consuelo, meaning, “consoler” might be a great choice. Pay attention to the last vowel, as words ending in “o” are for males, and words ending in “a” are for girls. Visit Free Translation for some help with creative adjective translations for your doggie.
- Translate an English name. If you have a name that you love in English but want to spice it up a bit, look for the equivalent in Spanish. Turn Grace into Graciela, Maggie into Margarita, or John into Juan. Visit Geo Cities for a comprehensive list of guy and gal Spanish dog names.
- Lastly, you can add a diminutive ending. Adding “ito” or “ita” to the end of a name can bring a cute Spanish flavor, even if, grammatically, it’s a bit suspect. Chiquita (little girl) could be a perfect name for a tiny Terrier or a Maltese, for instance.