<em>Photo above: Meet Pepper and Gump, two pups belonging to Art Director, Hope Falls. The name Pepper was inspired by her bright orange coat and her love for laying under habanero pepper plants while playing in the garden. And Gump from a lowcountry classic ­— Forest Gump!</em>

Naming a new dog can be a daunting task. Like with children, it is something that will last the ages. You don’t want little Weasel saddled with a name that will get him bullied at doggie daycare, do you? So take your time, do some research and pick the one that meshes best with the personality of your new pup.

Interestingly, we are seeing a trend in choosing names that are based on personal passions rather than on Disney characters or regular people names. For example, if you are a foodie, you might choose Kale or Queso for a name. Those who like a little libation in their lives might choose Saki, Whiskey, Guinness or Jameson. Characters from Games of Thrones or other popular TV shows or movies are always popular like Khaleesi, Vader, or Malfoy.

And big name brands seem to appeal to the fashionistas among us. Diesel, Gucci, or a great play on words, Jimmy Chew. And for sports enthusiasts, Jeter is still a big draw even though he has retired.

Here is a random sample of other unique names that may lead you to think about non-traditional monikers:
<ul>
	<li>Luna Lovegood</li>
	<li>Bruce Wayne</li>
	<li>Honey Boo Boo</li>
	<li>Condoleezza</li>
	<li>Muttley Crue</li>
	<li>Salvador Dogi</li>
</ul>
So the sky is the limit – literally. You could choose star names or planet names, real or fiction. But the best piece of advice I ever received was from an old timer who said, “Before you settle on a name for your dog, go outside and yell it at the top of your lungs. If you don’t sound like a lunatic or it embarrasses you, then go ahead and use it.” Good advice for those of you who want to name your pup after a candy and choose Reece’s Puppycups. Remember we all have friends who we have thought privately, “what were their parents thinking?”