If there's anything more challenging than finding the right name for a child, it would be finding the right name for a dog.
One can arguably have a bit more fun and be a bit wilder with their canine family members.
Even so, some people prefer to go the traditional route, while others prefer something more fun or quirky.
Sometimes leading to disagreements so strong that rifts might actually be caused within the family,
Redditor SilvertheKitsune and their family recently adopted a new puppy.
In what seemed a lucky turn of events, this new puppy already came with a name attached, which the original poster (OP) loved.
However, this turned out to be anything but lucky, as the OP's mother strongly objected to the dog's given name.
So strongly that things started to get personal between the OP and their mother.
Still not interested in changing the dog's name, the OP took to the subReddit "Am I The A**Hole" (AITA), where they asked fellow Redditors:
"AITA for not changing my dog’s name?"
The OP explained why they stood firm in not wanting to change their dog's name despite their mother's strong objections:
"After losing our Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix to kidney failure, my (18) family and I decided to get a new puppy."
"We went to the humane society just to look at the dogs."
"My dad (52 M[ale]) said we couldn’t adopt any."
"After looking at the dogs, found the tiniest little Terrier mix and fell in love with him."
"His name is Nugget."
"He is 2 and a half months old."
"My whole family fell in love with him, so we decided to adopt him."
"However, on the car ride home, my mom (48 F[emale]) suggested changing his name."
"My brother (19 M[ale]) and I like the name Nugget since it’s silly and adorable."
"My mom argued that it would be tough to call Nugget (she and my dad are Indian immigrants)."
"They started suggesting Indian names, such as Kuttappa and Aloo."
"I said no to naming him an Indian name since we live in the United States and it would be hard for vets, pet sitters, and groomers to pronounce his name."
"Fast forward to today and my mom is still pestering me about changing Nugget’s name."
"I said no again, because Nugget is a good name."
"My mom replied, 'If I hate the dog’s name, I’ll eventually hate the dog'.”
"I said, 'You chose to adopt this dog and you’ve been helping take care of him despite his name'.”
"My mom then said, /If you won’t change the dog’s name, it will be a personal attack against me'."
" I really don’t know what to do now."
"I don’t like any of the names my mom and dad suggest, but I fear that my mom won’t talk to me if I don’t change the puppy’s name."
"Am I the a**hole?"
Fellow Redditors weighed in on where they believed the OP fell in this particular situation, by declaring:
- NTA: Not the A**hole
- YTA: You're the A**hole
- ESH: Everybody Sucks Here
- NAH: No A**holes Here
The Reddit community was somewhat divided as to whether or not they felt the OP was the a**hole for refusing to change their dog's name:
Some had trouble sympathizing with anyone, wondering if the OP should even have a dog in the first place:
"ESH."
"Your dad didn't want the dog but you got it anyway."
'Your mom doesn't like it's name but you refuse to even consider changing it."
"You all sound inconsiderate of each other."- StormCloudRaineeDay
"ESH, what a dumb disagreement."
"Dogs can respond to more than one 'name' (which is really just an attention-getting imperative in their mind)."
"You can call the dog Nugget, mom can call the dog Kuttappa, the dog will not be confused or have an identity crisis."- Ugly4merican
"ESH your parents did raise a valid point that its an issue if they literally cannot pronounce the name, but making it out as a personal attack is weird."
"Frankly, this discussion should have been had before you adopted the dog."
"People often change pet's names upon adoption, especially if they are that young because they don't really know their own name yet. It doesn't really matter if vets and groomers can pronounce the name because they aren't living with them, my cat's vet mispronounces his name all the time, its fine."
"You need to find a name that everyone likes and can pronounce."- Omnomfish
"ESH if it’s a family pet you should really go with a name that everyone can live with."
"I’m also assuming your parents will be the ones doing the bulk of the care and taking on the financial burden of the dog so ultimately they get the bigger say."- Professional-Cat2123
"ESH."
"The dog can have two names."- goldenbugreaction
While some agreed that the OP was being disrespectful to their parents for refusing to give the dog an Indian name:
"Lowkey it’s kinda disrespectful to your parents to keep the name nugget to make it easier for us English speakers."
"They will be the ones living with him, caring for him, and using his name on a daily basis so they should have a name that they like and can pronounce."
'It’s not hard for us to learn how to pronounce Indian names and anyone who gives you a hard time about it is probably just an AH."
"So I’m gonna give you a very light, YTA on this one."
"Nugget is a cute name but so is Kuttappa."- SeniorAd5565
"Oh, FFS."
"What is wrong with Kuttappa and Aloo?"
"Neither is hard to pronounce and vets etc can learn."
"It's likely you and your brother are off to college soon, and then starting a life that won't be in your parents house."
"So this dog you all fell in love with will be 95% your parents dog."
"Let them pick a name they love."
"Yeah, YTA."- kimba-the-tabby-lion
"YTA."
"But not for not changing the dogs name, but the reasons."
“'Since we live in the US and it would be hard to pronounce'."
"So?"
"Someone else not able to pronounce a name is their problem not yours."
"I’m a proud 3rd generation Latin America and LOVE the name Aloo."
"I would take offense if my children rejected my name ideas because they were rooted in my language of origin."
"Side note; thank you for adopting the little guy."
"I love terriers and I hope he brings you countless hours of love and joy!"- Grawlix84
"YTA."
"If your mum adopted the dog so she is the owner and she can change his name."
"I bet she will pay the food and vet fees etc. too (or she and your dad anyway)."
"Try yo find something that everyone likes, but stop thinking you have the right to insist on Nugget."
"And if it's just a name, than why not change it for her, why the big deal?"
"Also sorry but maybe she is worried people might mistake it for the N word if she's got an accent?"
"Maybe that's why she wouldn't like to call it loud on the streets?"
"And btw no one cares if the dog has an Indian name or not just because you live in the US."
"People give Norse names to animals all the time even if they don't live in Norway, lol."
"Thor, Odin, Freya anyone?"
"Or the Italian Bella?"
"Never heard anyone say 'we can't name our dog Bella, we don't live in Italy'."
"Giving a dog that lives in an Indian family an Indian name is totally acceptable."
"Maybe use something easy to pronounce if you're worried about vets etc., but a dog doesn't care if the groomer mispronounces his name honestly'."- Crazyandiloveit
While others didn't find anyone at fault, feeling the OP was justified in not wanting to change Nugget's name, but understanding their mother's perspective as well:
"Your parents are going to be with the dog much more than anyone else you mentioned, so if 'how easy it is to pronounce for someone' is a serious argument, it would make more sense to go along with them."
"Also professionals have seen all kind of pet names and they should be able to handle it."
"You not liking any of the names is a problem tho, could you possibly brainstorm names your parents would like too?"
"NAH."- SamhainOnPumpkin
"NAH, but it’s a weird hill to die on if your mom is so set on changing the name."
"Let your mom name it whatever she wants and use nugget as a nickname."
"Dogs DGAF. Mine respond to their million nicknames as easily as they respond to their given name."
"If you’re only concerned about vets/groomers, most of us usually barely remember the name of the dog we’re working on."
"I use girlfriend/boyfriend/ma’am/sir more than their actual name."- slumpymcgoo
"Perhaps your parents are feeling some cultural anxiety and this is more about your immersion in US culture."
"They might see themselves as still Indian but find themselves looking at their two children who are essentially American."
"Do you speak an Indian language at home?"
"Do you conform to any other forms of Indian cultural display?"
"I don’t think it’s about the dog."
"NAH."- NotTrynaMakeWaves
"NAH."
"Dogs can have nicknames."
"Just let your parents pick a name that kind of sounds like Nugget."- keevathemuffin
The OP later returned with an update, sharing where things currently stood between her and her mother regarding their dog's name:
"I have come to a compromise with my mom after the responses started rolling in."
"We decided to call the puppy whatever name we wanted."
One can't help but wonder if the conflict that arose had to do with a lot more than Nugget's name.
Leaving one to wonder if now was the right time for this family to bring a dog into the mix.
One can only be grateful that the OP and her family seemed to reach a solution that pleases everyone.
