The year 2023, the year of the U
It is customary to give a name beginning with the current "letter of the year" to a newly born dog. But where exactly does this known use come from? Is this a mandatory rule? And why is 2023 the year of the letter T?
This rule of one letter per year of birth actually comes from the Société Centrale Canine which implemented it in 1926 in order to put some order in the French Book of Origins or LOF. This Book is none other than the equivalent of a "civil status register for dogs" . It lists all the purebred dogs that were born on French territory and whose breeders wish to see them registered with the L.O.F. If this clever rule was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century, it is because it was possible to register a dog in the French Book of Origins at any age. Thus, relying on its name, you could know in a fraction of a second in which year the dog was born.
Today, even if this register is now computerized, the custom of naming your dog with a first name that begins with the letter of the year has remained! Thus, the year 2023 is the year of the letter U. It very logically follows the year 2022 which was the year of the letter T.
The Société Centrale Canine has eliminated the letters Q, K, W, X and Z from the alphabet, believing that they do not leave enough choice for pet owners. This is not the case for the letter U for which there is no shortage of first name ideas.
Nevertheless, if the letter U does not inspire you, the SCC rule can be easily circumvented by preceding your dog's name with a U followed by an apostrophe that you will not pronounce by calling your dog out loud.
And, of course, if your dog is not registered with the L.O.F, which is particularly the case for crossbred dogs, nothing obliges you to follow this rule!
U-shaped dog name: how to make the right choice?
Treat yourself! When it comes to dog names, anything goes! A dog's name is not scrutinized as it may be in humans.We can therefore choose a name with a sound that we like, even if it has an approximate spelling or is borrowed from the dictionary of common names.
The only limit is your imagination. However, be sure to choose a dog name that will not sound ridiculous, pejorative, racist or rude. Imagine calling your dog loudly in a crowded park! Will you assume if your dog has a rude or offensive name?
Also avoid giving your dog a name that could offend those around you. For example, avoid calling your dog "Ugo" if it is also the first name of your sister-in-law's youngest child. This could create discomfort or tension in the family!
For your dog, also prefer a short first name of 2 or 3 syllables maximum and easy to pronounce. Names that are too long or too complex will have difficulty being recognized and assimilated by your pet and will inevitably end up in a diminutive.
Also make sure that the name you remember is not too close to an indication that you will teach your dog at the risk that he will literally lose his Latin!
Giving a name to your dog: how to find inspiration?
To find a name for your dog, you can for example inspire yourself:
- The temperament and character of your animal. Thus, "Urler" will fit like a glove to a dog who tends to vocalize a lot and to be rather "talkative" on a daily basis. If your dog is particularly playful and fond of ball games, why not name him "Umtiti" in tribute to the great 2018 world champion of the French team? If he excels at stopping the balls you throw at him, opt instead for "Ulreich" in reference to the famous goalkeeper who officiates at Bayern Munich
- A physical attribute of your dog. The first name "Ulk" will therefore be perfect for a large dog or a dog with particularly developed muscles, unless you play the humor card by attributing this name to a very small dog to play with explosive contrasts!
- Your interests, your passions, your favorite brands, the stars you're a fan of or your favorite pop culture characters. Draw from the Disney, Pokémon, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel or even Naruto universes to find inspiration! The name of your future dog may be there!