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If you've ever wondered about Canadians' creativity, you need look no further than the doghouse -- or the cat litter box.
When it comes to naming their pets, Canadians like to go out on a limb, calling their beloved cats and dogs (and yes, the occasional pig) by everything from movie character names to playwrights to straight up nouns -- basically, all the things you'd like to call your child, but can't really get away with.
So when we surveyed people across the country on their pet names, we were incredibly impressed at the results. Even more interesting? There was scarcely a repeat to be found on our list.
We've left the voting open in the slideshow below -- just for fun -- but at the time of publishing, the winning pets, from fifth to first, were:
#5: Mork & Mindy
#4: Baka
#3: Mookie
#2: Lenny Catvitz
And #1: Minky!
SEE: All the pets in the pet name contest -- click "sort by ranking" to see how they lined up:
What's Your Pet's (Awesome) Name?
Brat Child(01 of100)
I shall rule this world. You just wait and see. For I am Brat Child. https://twitter.com/iambratchild
Hunter(02 of100)
Taking it easy on top of the picnic table. At 140 pounds, he covers most of it!
Wekopa(03 of100)
Named after our favourite golf course in Arizona. Native american name that means ''Four Peaks''
Princess Rosemary Porkchop(04 of100)
...Named thus, because she's all of those things.
Balzac(05 of100)
Brigitte Raymond Laing:
Balzac, named after my favourite French author, lives up to his namesake. A few hours after having him he had eaten an eraser, and chewed on a few pens and I knew his name fit him well. It is said that Honoré de Balzac was a tempermental, moody man and this shih tzu shares those same characteristics...although most of the time he just wants a good ol' belly rub :)
Balzac, named after my favourite French author, lives up to his namesake. A few hours after having him he had eaten an eraser, and chewed on a few pens and I knew his name fit him well. It is said that Honoré de Balzac was a tempermental, moody man and this shih tzu shares those same characteristics...although most of the time he just wants a good ol' belly rub :)
One-Eyed Willy(06 of100)
Terri Coles:
One-Eyed Willy was born with a birth defect that left one of his eyes badly formed and blind. It was removed when he was young, and he gets along great without it -- he's even an awesome bug catcher! He's named for the similarly ocularly impaired character in The Goonies.
One-Eyed Willy was born with a birth defect that left one of his eyes badly formed and blind. It was removed when he was young, and he gets along great without it -- he's even an awesome bug catcher! He's named for the similarly ocularly impaired character in The Goonies.
Spwinkles(07 of100)
This is my dog Spwinkles. Shes a Yorkie Terrier and she's almost 2 years old. We named her after sprinkles because my parents have a Yorkie whose name is Meatball, so we figured we would stay in the food category for names! And it also goes with the fact that I'm a pastry chef whose entire kitchen is decorated with cupcakes!
I hope that you find her as adorable as we do! (credit:Nat Swart)
I hope that you find her as adorable as we do! (credit:Nat Swart)
Chewy(08 of100)
Chewy #petcall (credit:@ardenroyce)
The best friend a mtnbum could ever have: CHASE!(09 of100)
James Rankin:
This is "Chase" the Wonder Dog! I determined that this was his name because he was always "wondering what he should chase next"!
This is "Chase" the Wonder Dog! I determined that this was his name because he was always "wondering what he should chase next"!
Scooter D(12 of100)
This is Scooter D #petcall (credit:@tiffanyteach)
Keos(13 of100)
Keos ("chaos") is really very orderly. And very focused on his goals.
Maple in the woods(15 of100)
We brought our golden retriever puppy home the week we started making maple syrup on our farm. She is the colour of light maple syrup and just as sweet.
Benjamin Franklin, the Boston Terrier(16 of100)
Hi, I'm Benjamin Franklin, the Boston Terrier. I live an idyllic life with my two humans who are crazy about me. I'm not a huge fan of the sweaters they make me wear and the balloons they put on my paws, but they feed me; whaddaya gonna do? When I'm happy I wiggle, when I sleep I snore, after I eat I fart.
Sky(18 of100)
This is my cat Sky. We named her sky due to her bright blue eyes and her grey purple fur. She loves dogs and hates other cats and even fetches like a dog.
Echo Lawrence Fishburne Fuzzyboots(19 of100)
Echo is a one year old kitten. She is mischievous and very affectionate.
Radley(20 of100)
This is Radley, a five-year-old Wheaten Terrier. The origins of his name remain a point of contention in our family to this day. It was a cottage weekend, and names were flying around all over the place -- tensions ran high. As the most avid reader in the family, I maintain that it was my love of literature that led us to the perfect name. My brother, however, claims that since "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the only book he's ever even liked, it was surely his contribution. I suppose we'll never know. (He also answers to Scradley, Skrittles and SuperRad -- the dog, not my brother.) (credit:Devon Murphy)
Bug(21 of100)
Kristy Wannop:
Bug is a 5 year old Brussels Griffon, and lives up to his name in every aspect!
Bug is a 5 year old Brussels Griffon, and lives up to his name in every aspect!
Frances(26 of100)
Lindsay April:
The name "Frances" was chosen for the conure we adopted after I saw the name on an old grave stone
The name "Frances" was chosen for the conure we adopted after I saw the name on an old grave stone
Isandro Diego(27 of100)
Kimberley Jowett Brown:
My beautiful Tri-Black Australian Shepherd
My beautiful Tri-Black Australian Shepherd
Miss Whiskers(29 of100)
My baby Miss Whiskers has the best kitty name (other than her 'brother' Smooch!)
Invictus(30 of100)
Monica Hildebrand:
Named Invivtus after the William Ernest Henley poem.
Named Invivtus after the William Ernest Henley poem.
Lenny Catvitz(32 of100)
This little rock star enjoys his necessary nap time from partying too hard.
Myles(33 of100)
Myles the 10 month old Puggle! Name meaning: Soldier. (This photo shows his best soldier pose)Hobbies: trying to nip his fellow dog friends' ears in the park, snuggling under the covers, fetch in the house & chewing sticks (or shoes)
Cocoa Beans!(34 of100)
Here's Cocoa. My 10 year old German Shepherd. She's just a bundle of cute goofiness!
We are Siamese if you please: Fan Tan and Ting Ting(35 of100)
ShellyMarie:
Fan Tan was named for Fan Tan Alley in Victoria's Chinatown. Ting Ting (aka Miss Ting) means sleek and elegant in Mandarin.
Fan Tan was named for Fan Tan Alley in Victoria's Chinatown. Ting Ting (aka Miss Ting) means sleek and elegant in Mandarin.
DiNozzo(36 of100)
DiNozzo, a lab x amstaff named after, Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS.
Remixx(37 of100)
ellejack:
My dog is a wonderful bull terrier mix, and I'm a lover of all music, especially mixed songs. Remixx was the perfect name for my dog!
My dog is a wonderful bull terrier mix, and I'm a lover of all music, especially mixed songs. Remixx was the perfect name for my dog!
Maestro(38 of100)
Maestro" because despite his small stature this lil guy runs the show and he knows it! #petcall (credit:@rachheals)
Spike(39 of100)
Spike (bearded dragon) got his name because he's... well... spiky :p #petcall (credit:@RiftingReo)
Sherman Tank(40 of100)
Michelle Kristinson:
This is Sherman Tank. He is our wonderful 10.5 year old mix rescue dog. He is short in stature, long in length and big on personality. We named him after WWII Sherman Tanks because he can barrel through anything!
This is Sherman Tank. He is our wonderful 10.5 year old mix rescue dog. He is short in stature, long in length and big on personality. We named him after WWII Sherman Tanks because he can barrel through anything!
LAV(41 of100)
LAV - short for "light armoured vehicle" - though his love of digging makes him more of a "land assault vehicle" LOL
Vesper(42 of100)
This is my puppy Vesper (yes, she's a Bond Girl). #petcall (credit:@nduhamel)
Lb. (Pronounced "Pound")(43 of100)
Jessica Dezall:
He always sleeps with the arm of the chair under his chin... which makes him snore like crazy. Haha
He always sleeps with the arm of the chair under his chin... which makes him snore like crazy. Haha
Pixel(45 of100)
Pixel - a fitting name for my loving, cuddly, spunky and tiny miniature dachshund. Also, I am a geek :)
Minky(47 of100)
While on an evening walk, this dirty, starving, mite-infested stray cat ran up to us and followed us home. Extremely friendly, she trotted alongside us as we walked, with no coaxing. We decided to put her up for the night in the garage, fed her, and bathed her with the intention of dropping her off at the Humane Society as it was clear that no one had been taking care of her for quite some time. The following morning we went out to check on her, and she jumped up on my partner's lap and fell asleep, purring loudly! It was then that we decided to keep her. My partner and I fought over what to name her, so we used "Minky" as a placeholder name because it sounded similar to "Manky" because she stunk when we found her. The name stuck, and she is now a cherished member of our family. (credit:Alicia Vande Weghe)
Tyson(48 of100)
This our dog Tyson ! We gived this name for him, because when we say Tyson all the people around start thinking that is"t a big dog , but when they seeing him ,looks very funny..))))
Lola(49 of100)
Lola is 6 years old, which is hard to believe. My mom surprised us with her after a trip to Hawaii and was brainstorming ideas on New Year's Eve on what to call her. She was almost named Buttons, then Mittens (which I thought were truly horrible names) until we settled on Lola. She loves to lounge and stare out windows just like your average dog, but she's better because she's SO FLUFFY. (credit:Meredith Gillies)
Snowy(50 of100)
Here's Snowy. My 10 year old Husky. She's super friendly, energetic and slightly too smart for her own good.
Hogatha(51 of100)
This bulldog (nicknamed Hoggy) was named after her award-winning father, Boss Hog. Champion runs through her bloodline. (credit:Rachel Metalin)
Stella(52 of100)
Lindsay April:
Stella is accidentally named after my Baba - her name means "Star" - which she surely is!
Stella is accidentally named after my Baba - her name means "Star" - which she surely is!
PYRLESS.........a Great Pyrenees(53 of100)
Jaick:
Great Pyrenees dogs are commonly known as "pyrs". The word peerless means "without equal", and my Great Pyrenees puppy was, so I named him "Pyrless"
Great Pyrenees dogs are commonly known as "pyrs". The word peerless means "without equal", and my Great Pyrenees puppy was, so I named him "Pyrless"
Mr. Muggles(54 of100)
Mr. Muggles is a 5 year old American Cocker Spaniel. Great sense of humour and when he's not busy breeding our 3 purebred females, he does a great impression of a couch potato. Twitter: @RWTFarm
Sherman Sorvino Del Funk III And Parker Yoshi Deucenstein Esq.(55 of100)
Sherman Sorvino Del Funk III (left) and Parker Yoshi Deucenstein Esq. (right) #petcall (credit:@MMiotts)
Ronnie James Dio(56 of100)
After losing two cats in four years (RIP Mad Dog and Claude), my husband did not want to get another cat. Too heart breaking. I, on the other hand, was trolling the internet everyday looking for previously enjoyed cats. RJD was a retired breeding stud, and I knew as soon as I saw his big meaty head and round pumpkin eyes, that we needed to "rescue" him from his life of show cattery.
My husband was still reluctant. We went to the breeders to meet him so he could say yay or nay. At that time the cat had a fancy show cat name. But Andrew was impressed by the way he scratched the breeder and generally owned the place. The first thing Andrew said to me was "we're changing his name." Something about this proud little man reminded Andrew of former Rainbow and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio (before he passed away in 2010). The name was thrown out there and it stuck. (credit:Rhonda Riche)
My husband was still reluctant. We went to the breeders to meet him so he could say yay or nay. At that time the cat had a fancy show cat name. But Andrew was impressed by the way he scratched the breeder and generally owned the place. The first thing Andrew said to me was "we're changing his name." Something about this proud little man reminded Andrew of former Rainbow and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio (before he passed away in 2010). The name was thrown out there and it stuck. (credit:Rhonda Riche)
Regan(57 of100)
Grant Cunningham:
Regan (the satanic girl, not the president) is far too comfortable to deal with you mortal fools.
Regan (the satanic girl, not the president) is far too comfortable to deal with you mortal fools.
Tuke(58 of100)
Tuke! named after Rutt and Tuke in Brother Bear #petcall (credit:@Panderson22)
Baka the Lab/Shepherd mix(59 of100)
Baka is almost 14 months old and a super friendly and obedient pleaser. Her name is Creole for "Young Zombie," which is related to voodoo. We loosely translate it into English as "Little Devil."
Ruth(61 of100)
Meaning: A Companion, Friendship
Gender: Female
Origin: Hebrew (credit:Christie Hill)
Gender: Female
Origin: Hebrew (credit:Christie Hill)
Farlo(63 of100)
My rescue dog Farlo. His name is a quirky tribute to both Farley Mowat and Chris Farley. #petcall (credit:@constanterratic)
Waffles(64 of100)
This is my six-toed cat Waffles. My partner Jason and I adopted him in September 2010 from the Toronto Animal Services at Exhibition Place. He was named Waffles when he found him in a adoption room with two siblings. He was about 8 months old and he was as cute as his name, so we snatched him up. Fun fact: his six extra toes come from a semi-dominant trait and he's known as a polydactyl cat for the extra digits. Ernest Hemingway actually bred them, so they're sometimes known as Hemingway cats. We hope to soon adopt a chocolate lab that I'd like to name Maple Syrup to be Waffles's friend. (credit:Ashley Csanady)
Mister Sirius Black(65 of100)
Attached is a picture of our very cute, and sometimes naughty, Portuguese Water Dog named Sirius. His registered name is Mister Sirius Black. When we first adopted him as a puppy, we really struggled to find the right name for him. Because he is predominantly black we considered Nero (Italian for black). We also gave serious consideration to Crosby as Sidney Crosby is my son's favourite hockey player. Finally, my husband put the name Sirius Black on the table. The final name that we settled on was universally welcomed by all family members for several reasons:
1. It captured his colour (not really that important, but something we gave consideration to)
2. All 3 of our children love Harry Potter and Sirius Black was a really interesting character in the books. This gave us a link to both his colour and our children's love of Harry Potter.
3. My son is an avid hockey fan. He loved the fact that the nickname for Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks is"Captain Serious". Jonathan Toews is one of my son's favourite hockey players. This link really gave my son something special with respect to the naming of our puppy.
4. Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky. Sirius is located in the constellation Canis Major (big dog). We loved having this link to the naming of our dog and we loved the fact that Sirius is the brightest star!
(credit:Mary Yuan)
1. It captured his colour (not really that important, but something we gave consideration to)
2. All 3 of our children love Harry Potter and Sirius Black was a really interesting character in the books. This gave us a link to both his colour and our children's love of Harry Potter.
3. My son is an avid hockey fan. He loved the fact that the nickname for Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks is"Captain Serious". Jonathan Toews is one of my son's favourite hockey players. This link really gave my son something special with respect to the naming of our puppy.
4. Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky. Sirius is located in the constellation Canis Major (big dog). We loved having this link to the naming of our dog and we loved the fact that Sirius is the brightest star!
(credit:Mary Yuan)
Herzl(66 of100)
Aka the craziest dog on earth...
Born: Oct 28, 2004, Saskatoon, SK
Breed: Havanese
Claim to fame: Theodore Herzl's doppelgänger (credit:Darcie Richler)
Born: Oct 28, 2004, Saskatoon, SK
Breed: Havanese
Claim to fame: Theodore Herzl's doppelgänger (credit:Darcie Richler)
Suki the Shorkiepoohuahua(68 of100)
Pat Stephens:
Small but mighty, my name means love and fondness in Japanese! I am 4 months old and full of piss and vinegar! ♥
Small but mighty, my name means love and fondness in Japanese! I am 4 months old and full of piss and vinegar! ♥
Burly(69 of100)
Karen Barron:
Burly is a minature white shnauzer. Small and mighty and not really afraid of anything...
Burly is a minature white shnauzer. Small and mighty and not really afraid of anything...
Macushla and her Papa(70 of100)
Macushla is a golden retriever and she's about 3 years old. She's with my brother-in-law who together with his wife, own this beautiful baby. She's very friendly and lovable.
LALO(71 of100)
Michelle Czumaczenko:
Spanish for "Guardian of Prosperity"Loves giving lots of 'lalo love'Licks ears, eyes and nostrils at every opportunity
Spanish for "Guardian of Prosperity"Loves giving lots of 'lalo love'Licks ears, eyes and nostrils at every opportunity
Kelso(72 of100)
Our 1 yr old siberian husky, Kelso. He's exhuberant adorable & a real ladies' man... just like his namesake! #petcall (credit:@AlbertJennifer)
Shibby, Loki, and Zora(73 of100)
Shibby the Cat was originally sh#tty.Loki was named after the god of mischief and he definitely lives up to it. Zora Is My Baby gurl. Love all three of them to bits :)
Chubby(74 of100)
Barry Hoch:
Our Shih-poo Chubby waiting to go outside. Everyone loves his name and think it is unique. The ladies at the grooming place love him.
Our Shih-poo Chubby waiting to go outside. Everyone loves his name and think it is unique. The ladies at the grooming place love him.
Mookie(75 of100)
hiya all! i was named after @spikelee 's character in mama's fave film do the right thing #petcall (credit:@yo_mookie)
Weeps(77 of100)
My cat Weeps -- named after a Farley Mowat chatacter. Shown here next to Mr. Jefferson (made by the Monster Factory in T.O.). (credit:Vanessa Farquharson)
Rasputin(78 of100)
My kitten, Rasputin. She's fallen off my 4story balcony, lived to tell the tail. Not unlike the real Rasputin #petcall (credit:@STMProulx)
Toolie(79 of100)
My 8-year-old cat is named Toolie - kitty in Hebrew. Creative, we know. (credit:Oren Weichenberg)
Mork & Mindy(81 of100)
MichelleMM:
Mork & Mindy -they are usually in- door cats but it was so nice out that day I put their harnesses on and exploring they went!
Mork & Mindy -they are usually in- door cats but it was so nice out that day I put their harnesses on and exploring they went!
Our Fury Angel's(82 of100)
Evelyn J:
Armaita and Rapheal were born in recuse, thier Mom had to have an emergency C section as Rapheal was the biggest and the first one to be born and he got stuck. Armaita was the smallest pup. We adopted the two of them when they were 2 weeks old. We named after Angel's as they were born four days just before our Old Girl Marcedies passed away.... They are truely our Angel's. (*u*)
Armaita and Rapheal were born in recuse, thier Mom had to have an emergency C section as Rapheal was the biggest and the first one to be born and he got stuck. Armaita was the smallest pup. We adopted the two of them when they were 2 weeks old. We named after Angel's as they were born four days just before our Old Girl Marcedies passed away.... They are truely our Angel's. (*u*)
Zappa(83 of100)
Cindy Kavanaugh:
My beloved black cat had the very best name: Zappa. Named after the late, great Frank Zappa, he was a crazy little guy when he was a kitten. He grew up to be a loving, cuddly cat. Sadly, like his namesake he died of cancer. He was 15, going on 16, when he died on Jan. 2, 2011. I miss him terribly.
My beloved black cat had the very best name: Zappa. Named after the late, great Frank Zappa, he was a crazy little guy when he was a kitten. He grew up to be a loving, cuddly cat. Sadly, like his namesake he died of cancer. He was 15, going on 16, when he died on Jan. 2, 2011. I miss him terribly.
Ramsey(84 of100)
ixiam:
don't let the cute face fool you Ramsey is straight out of Hells Kitchen and we love her for it!!
don't let the cute face fool you Ramsey is straight out of Hells Kitchen and we love her for it!!
Splat(87 of100)
He says "I love you" most when he has a french fry in his hand. It's also the only time he's quiet.
Pusheen(89 of100)
Ellie Eigler:
This is my 2 year old cat Pusheen. She is one of the most beautiful cat's I've ever seen. Her name is Irish (traditionally spelt "puisin") means 'Kitten'. Comment if you like Pusheen! ♥
This is my 2 year old cat Pusheen. She is one of the most beautiful cat's I've ever seen. Her name is Irish (traditionally spelt "puisin") means 'Kitten'. Comment if you like Pusheen! ♥
Luau(90 of100)
Kristy Wannop:
This is Luau, a pot Bellied pig....because you can't have a Luau without a pig! She is dressed up for Halloween here!
This is Luau, a pot Bellied pig....because you can't have a Luau without a pig! She is dressed up for Halloween here!
Beatrix(92 of100)
Lindsay April:
Beatrix was named after the author Beatrix Potter - the name Beatrix means "bringer of happiness" - which she most certainly does!
Beatrix was named after the author Beatrix Potter - the name Beatrix means "bringer of happiness" - which she most certainly does!
Chancho(93 of100)
Chancho is a 7-year-old long hair Chihuahua, named after a character in Nacho Libre.
Chancho is also slang for pig, or fat boy in Mexico, which is appropriate because this little boy is carrying some extra poundage.
He's also a character in an upcoming children's novel, to be published by Eric Walters (my dad is an author) coming out in September. Gives him some extra cache, no? (credit:Christina Walters-Arseneau)
Chancho is also slang for pig, or fat boy in Mexico, which is appropriate because this little boy is carrying some extra poundage.
He's also a character in an upcoming children's novel, to be published by Eric Walters (my dad is an author) coming out in September. Gives him some extra cache, no? (credit:Christina Walters-Arseneau)
Miss Whiskers(94 of100)
My baby Miss Whiskers has the best kitty name (other than her 'brother' Smooch!)
Lb. (Pronounced "Pound")(95 of100)
Jessica Dezall:
He always sleeps with the arm of the chair under his chin... which makes him snore like crazy. Haha
He always sleeps with the arm of the chair under his chin... which makes him snore like crazy. Haha
Ivory/Ivy(97 of100)
My pooch's full name is Ivory, a name my older brother chose based off of -- yep you guessed it -- her colour. (We're a really creative family, clearly.) Thanks to my household's affinity for one syllable nicknames though, Ivory quickly got shortened, and now she is simply known as Ivy. (Or, more commonly, bad dog.) (credit:Kimberly Rupnarain)
Boyonce(98 of100)
Meet Boyonce. You know, like Beyonce...but a boy. Both are equally bootylicious.
Love Cats: Herschel and Viktor(100 of100)
Mink Slaughter:
Viktor's last name is Withakay, just to keep people clear on the correct spelling of his name (he's the Siamese). I got him from the Toronto Humane Society, and he was very lonely when he first came home with me. So, I went back and got Viktor a kitten that I named Herschel. Herschel means "the angel of affection," which fits him just right. I chose these names so they could grow up and be a pair of cranky old men together, with their old man names.
Viktor's last name is Withakay, just to keep people clear on the correct spelling of his name (he's the Siamese). I got him from the Toronto Humane Society, and he was very lonely when he first came home with me. So, I went back and got Viktor a kitten that I named Herschel. Herschel means "the angel of affection," which fits him just right. I chose these names so they could grow up and be a pair of cranky old men together, with their old man names.