5.17.2011

Naming Convention

I don't know about your people, but my people are very odd when it comes to names.

I am a ladycat, but I have a boyish sounding name, Fin. My parents never realized people would think I was a boy based on my name until this blog. You see I was named after the French word Fin which means finished, because once they found me their kitten hunt was finished.


My name is short but all my nicknames are longer... Finny, Finny De Floof, and Lady Floofington. Because we're friends, I'll tell you a little known secret - come closer - my family nickname is Toontzy or Toontz.

Mittens the Yardcat is a mancat. He was named Mittens because of his extra paw toes. His nickname has gone shorter and Mom is going with Mits or Mitzy (yes a girlie name).

So there you have it. My parents have a naming convention all their own. If it's short they go long, if it's long they go short, and whenever possible go to the opposite sex.

It's one of the many reasons I don't pay any attention when they call me. Well I guess the only other reason is that I'm a cat, and frankly I don't have to.

28 comments:

  1. Fin dear,
    You're lucky your pawrents didn't name you after filmstars and celebrities. Like mine. purrr....meow!

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  2. My human is terrible at naming cats. So bad, in fact, that she had to think really hard about what to name me because she knew she was putting me on the internet and it had to be something 1) not profane and 2) not too weird. Maybe I'm lucky she didn't come up with something more generic!

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  3. Diego 'Hamlet' Moonfur wishes to agree - humans are weird about names.

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  4. Our mom insists on names with a long "e" sound at the end, because supposedly we cats (and dogs) respond better to the sound. Ha! As if!

    But then we get silly nicknames like The Brat and Nickster (Nicki) that don't follow that naming convention at all.

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  5. I won't even begin to tell you all my names!

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  6. Yes, you have to wonder where they come up with some of those silly names! Have a great day Fin!!!

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  7. Ah, well Fin, in the end your name works well for alliterations like floofy furred feline Fin!

    We chose all our kitties names very carefully. No one has the same first initial and no one has similar sounding names to be confusing. Everyone knows their name, too!

    Now if only I could remember their names when I need to!

    ~Lisa Co9T

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  8. Oh Fin,we think your name is super. You should hear all of our strange names. I mean Splitters since she has a line down her face. Orange boy. Bet you can't tell what color that boy is. Anyway, great post. Love the nickname, Lady Floofington.

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  9. We all just call you Beautiful...well because, you're beautiful!

    Our Mom has strange names for us too. Currently Samson = Monks, Delilah = Bean (as in Deli Bean), Bella = Bells and Sweet Pea is Peepers

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  10. Fin, we got our names weird ways too...and we have the strangest nicknames. Mom likes to call us W, E and Z! She's too lazy to say our whole names!

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  11. We like hearing about other kitties names. Our names are ever evolving. You might have seen that Suey is often called Saus on our blog now, as that is what she is usually called. You might also remember that my name used to be Ron when I was a little ratty kitten. Now I got by Mister Lishy Lewis von Kittenpants!

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  12. I love your name! Not to worry. You could if you would want have the folks get you a pink collar to wear or make them refer to you as Lady Fin. I know many that have opposite sex names, Sandy for a guy, Chrystal for a boy, and Charlie for a girl. Sometimes I would get mixed up but soon learned and remembered. Not to worry sweet one. And just go on and keep ignoring them when you want to.

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  13. I have multiple names too (and I confess I didn't know you were a girl cat till later). I have the name my mommy gave me but: her human kittens do not like it and call he Hester. Then, when I ran for President of North America (I really did and won on my mommy's blog a few years ago) I was called Admiral.And a blogger gave me an Admiral hat which I have kept. In that blog I was called Miss Catt. So I have 4 names. I don't answer to any of them!

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  14. Everyone thinks I'm a boy cat too since Cory can be a boys name, but my full name is Corretta. Of course I'm call a kazillion other things too which I won't admit to, including "Mitten"...but as long as mom gives me cheese she can call me anything she likes.

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  15. Fin, we love your name! We have a lot of different names here for me and the kitties. We don't pay attention so we either all come when called or don't...depending on how we feel. Lots of love, Holly

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  16. Mr Mirskyboops, Elliebellie and Alliecat all agree....beans are weird about names.

    The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie

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  17. how interesting to learn the origins of your name! Admit we thought it a mancat name, but NOT now! Lovely. As were were born on Valentines day we were named after romantic leading men (Mrs H loves Pride and Prejudice). But we too have multitudes of names - Tinker, tubby, floofy, big mouth... all said with love and a bit jesting. Love Darcy and Bingley xxx

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  18. Mom has lots of nicknames for us too. She works pretty hard to name kittens. And tries to avoid people names. She has gotten some comments about Bug's name, but she still thinks it is cute!!!

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  19. At least you aren't Grizzelda, or Grizzwauld.

    *sigh*

    The Baby

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  20. I know how it is, everyone thinks I am a boy because of my name, JB. My nicknames are longer too, and some I am just too embarrassed to say out loud!
    --JB

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  21. Our Mom has always been really big on naming us hoomin names.

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  22. Peoples and Names! My Hairy slobbery sisters are called Bob and Sam, Princess Bob and Samuri Sam and Me is nellie, Nellie Bellie and me is only called Penelope when me is BAD. Kozmo is Koz, and Kozimoto. And we's knows all our names and comes to them!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  23. My Mommie named me after her favorite dessert! I am "Cheesecake" and I have three sisters: Baby, Tuxee and "Itty" Bits! My Mommie says that I am one of the sweetest kitties ever!!

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  24. My Mommie named me after her favorite dessert! I am "Cheesecake" and I have three sisters: Baby, Tuxee and "Itty" Bits! My Mommie says that I am one of the sweetest kitties ever!!

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  25. Our girl wanted to name me Puck, as she said I was so full of mischief (obnoxious) as a kitten. But she eventually chose Hedley after a town in England that supposedly had a puckish sprite living there. But of course, my real names are Sweet Pea and Baby Girl. Strange. Simon has no unusual history; our girl just likes the sound of it. But he's become Mister or Bubba or Whiny Boy. She calls both of us putter sometimes (don't ask me why)and often just "Rotten". Hmmmm, why?

    Take care, Fin!
    Hedley and Simon

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  26. I think your name is perfect for you! My name is the name they gave me at the shelter -- my mama liked it so she kept it. She also calls me baby girl and little bit.

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  27. Fin I so enjoyed this post! You are right, you don't have to!!

    I have to admit when I first met you I thought you were a boy too! I love the meaning of your name though, it is beautiful!

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  28. Hey ther Fin!

    I think your nicknames are purrfectly faboo, very elegant! I call one of my cats,Cinnie, Kevin, another whose name is sometimes Stephie, Malcolm and I call my demon cat, Jamie, which happens to be the name of one of my other male cats!

    Ciao
    Maddy and co.

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