Jewish Young Adults of today have a tendency to put their mark on numerous aspects of their day to day life, whether it is through their language, their behavior at the dinner table, or their vocations. JYAs also have a tendency to extend the influence of their uniqueness into other fields as well, notably concerning their choice of pet names.
Anecdotal evidence has frequently pointed to the JYA’s need to be regularly reminded of their JYAness, and therefore giving pets Jewy names gives the JYA needed support when they are not surrounded by other JYAs.
There are three main categories for JYA pet names, each according to the specific characteristics of their pet. First, there are pseudo Yiddish monikers. One JYA, “Chad”, nicknamed his exceptionally virile Mastiff “Shtupper”. Another JYA, “Jill”, owns an particularly petulant Pekingese named “Shpilkes”.
Secondly, there are Hebraic names which are common to JYAs, both in Israel and in the States. Popular names include “Motek” and “Doobie”. Frequently hebrophile JYAs will turn to culinary inspiration for their nomenclature. One JYA has given his cat the name “Shwarma”, only because the names “Hummus” and “Tahina” were already bestowed on his twin Pearl Gourami.
Lastly, JYAs will frequently turn toward more historic roots for their pet names, resorting to more biblical origins. “Delilah” is a best-seller among female JYAs, particularly cat owners, and similarly male JYAs with a penchant for canines will use “Samson”. Other, more peripheral characters from the Pentateuch, like Jethro, become retro-chic when reborn in animal form. One JYA famously renamed her 20 year old Box Turtle “Methuselah” after the character in Genesis who reached the age of 969.
In general, if you are a Non JYA who is questioning the Judaic status of a friend, a safe assessment can be made by asking the name of their pet. Odds are very strong that if the pet has a name of vague Yiddish, Hebraic, or Biblical origins, your friend is probably a JYA.
I totally had a bird named “Yussie” growing up.
My cats names are Simcha and Vashti…
my dog’s Yiddish name is Shmuel…and he LOVES lox & brisket. 🙂
this is not exactly a Jewish pup name, but the next best thing:
http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/View.aspx?ciid=1111436
We just got a third dog, and her name is Shalosh….
My dog may or may not be named Yofi and god is he in fact yofi tofi!
My cat’s name is Rivka.
Do old Jewish lady names count? My cat was Ruthie!
That’s my dog’s name!!!
LOL I named my cat Meshugana. Because he is. And yes, I know it’s the feminine version of it, but we’re not too fussy about gender.
My young male cats name is Nudnick. Noisy, beggy, whiny, figure 8’s between my legs, fed almost constantly and then looks at me as if to say “for this liittle bit i’m begging?”
I knew a couple who got married–his male cat was Shmuel and her female cat was Mush (for Mushugena). Fate.
I named my dog punim because she has the best droopy face
My cat’s name is Shlomo.
Comrade Citizen Progressive
Progressive agenda for 21st-century America
My Fellow Forum Members. Yes, the election is over, but the work has just begun.We progressives should prepare once again to play our role as agents of bold ideas and political social transformation in the Midterm elections in which members of Congress, state legislatures, and some state governors are elected. We progressives will have to reflect a belief in the need for change. We must support our party through charity, through volunteerism, local and state governments, though surely all have a role. We should argue that we need programs that serve our national and international needs and encourage faith in our public institutions, creating a positive cycle of political change and space for further reform, advocate for true reform of our tax system so that everyone pays their fair share.
We progressives should reach out to recruit new members who share our goals and want to join our fight. Our movement lies in being an unapologetic champion for progressive ideas. Finding new confidence and imagination, we have begun to renew our political capital. Just remember this. For struggle, Solidarity and Socialism! I swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Obama. Our laws and his will, according to him. We will not overthrow the government with violence. We shall stand, remain and be the law of his realm forever. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead for Obama to deliver them from evil.
we named our dog Sheba 🙂
Our female cat is Tzfat. My daughter had returned from a summer in Israel when we rescued this kitten from a shelter. She was sooo enthralled with that Israeli city, we allowed her to give that name to this kitten.
My parents’ first dog was named Yofi, they found him in Israel and he was a total mess, broken paw and everything.
My mom had birds as a kid, and they had Jewish names too, I think one was Tziporah.
Our dog now came pre-named, but we gave her Tova as a middle name. We got the idea from someone who gave Katie, her pre-named dog, the middle name Shayna, since she felt Katie was too “shiksa.”
Once we had a fly in the house for over a month, and we named it Methuselah, since it refused to die. (Don’t flies only live for like two weeks, anyway?)
Adam Sandler’s dog is named Matzah Ball…
my neighbor’s dogs are Kugel and Latke. can’t get any worse than that
I worked for a JYA who named the cute Himalayan kitten I found “Pepe le Jew”.
Wouldn’t giving a pet a Biblical name be a desecration to loved one (e.g., Rivkah), since Jews are all part of a family (e.g., descended from Rivkah ‘imenu)? I am genuinely curious–please don’t yell at me: I was raised not knowing that I am Patrilineally Jewish.
i named my cat EAT MY SHLOMO
My goat is Delilah 🙂
We named our dog Raizel…
My new golden retriever puppy is named Moishe!
Need help got a hamster, she is white and silver tint to her in color dark type line down the back and fades at the bottom and some ontop of the head. i want a hebrew name that matches her color and her personality and attitude? please help.
Mayn ketzele heyst Rachel!