- From Pretiboi to Filthe, you can find plenty of name ideas for your dog on this list.
When you’re rich, powerful, and rule the land, you have a lot of time on your hands. So, what do you do with all those idle hours of the day?
Butting into other people’s business is always a good choice. In the early 15th century, Edward, the 2nd Duke of York, decided that the names of dogs in his realm weren’t appropriate.
He decided to exercise his power and drafted a list of 1,126 names he considered to be suitable and acceptable for man’s best friends. Some of them are what you might expect from a medieval lord’s dogs, like Sergeaunt, Trailer, and Rangere.
But the others are… A bit strangere. We can’t comment on all the names on the list, so here is our selection of highlights.
1. Beste-of-all
Every dog owner naturally thinks that their pooch is the best of all. So why not just name your dog that to make it painfully clear to everybody? At least it’s clear that you really like your dog.
2. Childe
But then there are names that show that maybe you like your dog a bit too much. But really, is it any different today? Yes, we’re calling out all you “fur baby” owners out there.
3. Compaynowne
Well, this one is straight to the point. If your dog is your friend and companion, just call them that. Suppose this is just a medieval rendition of “Buddy.”
4. Dredefull
This one seems a bit off-putting at first. But it starts making more sense when you consider that most of Duke Edward’s names are for hunting dogs. If you want a fearsome name for your hound, you can’t do much better than Dreadful.
5. Garlik
We have no explanation. Maybe one of the Duke’s dogs had a weird smell and Garlick seemed like an appropriate name. Or maybe he started struggling with names and began digging through his pantry for ideas.
6. Filthe
Alright, maybe Duke Edward wasn’t a huge fan of all his dogs. But still, naming one Filth seems like a punch below the belt.
7. Gaylarde
Language changes over time and we assume that’s the case with this name. Maybe the original Gaylarde was a jolly, rotund dog. But it may not be the best choice today if you’re using this list for name ideas for your new puppy.
8. Havegoodday
On one hand, this name is probably supposed to be a very positive and cheerful one. On the other hand, who names their dog after a greeting? Hey, come here, Smell You Later!
9. Hosewife
Either the Duke considered dogs to be as good as housewives, or housewives to be on the same level as dogs. Considering the time period, it could go either way, really.
10. Joliboye
Now here’s a good one that wouldn’t be out of place even today. Wouldn’t you want to go on a jolly walk with your Jolly Boy?
11. Litilboye/Litilman
If you think your dog is a stand-up little dude, you can give him either of these names. They are definitely some of the more adorable on the list.
12. Makehitgood
We get it, Duke Edward, they are hunting hounds. But you could name something a little less on the nose.
13. Mustarde
Much like Garlik, Mustarde leaves us at a loss. Perhaps this name is supposed to be for a dog the same color as country mustard. We’re saying that it only reinforces our pantry theory.
14. Nosewise
Get it? The dog can sniff out animals in the woods really well, so it has a wise nose. Really clever, Duke Edward.
15. Nise/Nody
We’re writing this post in December, so Nise and Nody seem to go with the spirit of the season. And if you think these can’t mean “nice” and “naughty,” they do. Duke Edward even gives them out as a set.
16. Pretiboy/Pretyman
Looking for a name to tell the world how handsome your furry little guy is? Either of these will do the trick. In fact, we’re writing this down for one of our future puppies.
17. Radissche
It’s official. Duke Edward ran out of ideas and went for a rummage through his kitchen to pad out his list.
18. Rowte-owte
The Duke’s list is written in medieval English, so we aren’t quite sure how you’re supposed to pronounce this name. Does it rhyme with “rowdy” or “rootie?” Either way, it sounds fun!
19. Salmon
Did a duke have a fishing hound or why’d he name one after a fish? We’d get something like Shark for a hunting dog, but Salmon? Maybe it’s another one from the kitchen.
20. Synfull
This name goes in the same file as Filthe. Wonder what the dog did to earn a name like this. Or maybe Duke Edward didn’t think dogs wouldn’t get to go to Doggie Heaven.
21. Strawnge
We told you that some of the names on this list would be pretty strange. And this one is the strangest of all.
22. Tullymully
We can’t get over the idea of a medieval lord playing with his dog and going, “Who’s my little Tullymully? Is it you? Oh yes, it is!” That’s just cute.
23. Wrecche
It’s probably worth noting that Duke Edward’s list doesn’t generally separate the names by the dog’s sex. But then he goes out of his way to give some names for “greybicches” — or female greyhounds. They’re pretty normal otherwise, but then there’s poor Wrecche.
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If you’d like to read the entire 1,000-strong list of medieval dog names, you can find it at the end of this study.
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