10.13.2010

Ash: What's in a name?

Shakespeare said “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”, meaning that it matters not what something is called, but what something is!  I know that Ash is the important something here but if it is okay with Chrystal, I have been thinking about maybe changing ye olde kitty moniker (she said no problem).

With the exception of Benjamin who was named in a hurry to ward off bad omens (I know I'm pathetic), it is my practice to see a kitty’s personality emerge and then choose a name accordingly. I particularly like to give my kitties nerdy human names.  I have three names in mind for Ash and I can’t wait to see if any of them fit his personality. 

In no particular order:

1. Tavish – I like this name for a couple of reasons. It is a Scottish name ( I was born in Scotland) which means “twin”. As some of you may know I had a very special kitty named Max who died; Max was an all-gray like Ash. Also, it contains the letters a, s, h, which of course spell out the original name.  I also liked Hamish, but then I found out it means "the supplanter" and I didn't think that sounded like a good thing.

2. Phoenix – I like this name because in the legend the Phoenix rises from the ashes and is reborn. Well first off there is the word ash again. But metaphorically speaking like the phoenix rises form the ashes, so hope rises from despair.  The despair we felt from Winnie’s death and Molly's death resulted in hope for this little guy to have a better life.  Also Phoenix is a U.S. city and therefore the name pays homage to his American roots

3. Lloyd – simply means gray and is nerdy :-)

Please feel free to cast a vote for your favourite name or help me by offering any suggestions of your own.  Remeber folks, these are just ideas and nothing will be decided until we spend some time together and Ash has had a chance to settle into his new home.

31 comments:

Amy & the house of cats said...

Those are all great names! I have been lucky, because I have picked names then met the kitties (mostly - Kirzon was the only one named after meeting him) and my picks have been perfect for their personalities - and only once did I change my mind (Stella was possibly going to be Trixie, but then Stella was my second choice, if we had gotten two girls, and since she was Stella already I decided when she got here to just keep it Stella and save Trixie for our next ladycat). I think that any of these are great but you will know when you meet him - my only suggestion is to maybe keep Ash as a middle name - like Lloyd Ash or Tavish Ash - not that you need to use it or anything, but just as a sweet reminder (the nurses at the vets called Virgil "Stache" - as in moustache - and so that became his middle name - not that I have really used it).

cats of wildcat woods said...

We like Tavish! Ash is one lucky cat. Keep us posted on the whole move thing. wish we were closer and could help out.

Anonymous said...

They're all really kool! Mom likes Lloyd cuz of the nerdy part! Maybe we should call mom, LLoyd!

Kea said...

Of the three, we like Tavish the best! But who knows? He may turn out to pick an entirely different name for himself. :-)

Clarissa said...

Thanks for visiting our blog! We came over to visit you and we will be back!

As for names, we are partial to Tavish. It's that Scottish thing. Our mom wants to visit there sometime.

Katnip Lounge said...

Oooh...Tavish! That's a good one and it has potential for some fun nicknames, too.

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

Hmmmm....we think that Phoenix is a good name. Here are a few suggestions:

Asher: Promise of a Blessed Life
Coal or Cole: Triumphant

meowmeowmans said...

I actually love all three names (I know ... not much help)! If I had to choose just one, I'd probably vote for "Phoenix," because I love the symbolism and the remembrance of Winnie and Molly. :)

♥I am Holly♥ said...

I'd have to vote for Phoenix since I had a wonderful and beautiful kitty already named that when I got the little thing as a kitten! It fit her fine and I loved the meaning of the name! Lots of love, Holly and mom

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

We think Tavish is an awesome name, so we vote for it!!!!!!!!!

And we love that it has "Ash" in it......we really do think it would be purrfect!!!!

There aren't many Tavishes around, but there are quite a few Phoenixes around.

Love to y'all.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

You'll just have to ask Ash (or whatever his new name will be) himself! Most of us cats will tell you our names if you give us a chance. Even my less-than bright roomie, Boodie, named herself.

Angel Simba said...

I like Tavish best and Phoenix second. I also like Asher.

Mom and dad never changed my name. But was was already 1 1/2 when they got me.

Soooo exciting!

SeaThreePeeO said...

Tavish is the best followed by Lloyd!

Daisy said...

I like the name Tavish! Harley's shelter name was "Neptune" and my mommeh almost named him Dexter. But then he turned into the Harley Quinn.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I agree with Sparkle, after a few days the right name should be quite obvious!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We like Phoenix but Ash will let you know what he wants to be called.

Cara n Crew said...

We like the name Tavish. Though we agree that "Ash" will let you know the right name. Mom wasn't sure about naming Minnie "Minnie" but that was what she wanted to be called :).

-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie

Admiral Hestorb said...

I love them all, but Phoenix for all the implications and meanings tied into the baby you're naming.

Tamago said...

I like all names. Personally I like "Phoenix" the best. It feels like the name gives him strength. But take your time...after you get to know him better, you know what is the best name for him!

The Island Cats said...

We like all those names. Have you asked Ash which one he likes?? If you ask him, he may let you know!!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We think yoo will know his name, once you get to know him. We like the idea of his name honouring and reflecting those who went before (Winnie and Molly). We do have our very own suggestion: Walter (as in Wally ~ the W form Winnie, the Olly from Molly). That way he is his own little person but with a very special link to the past.

BUT whatever he is called we will LOVE him. Thank you so much for helping Winnie's Wish come true.

ZOOLATRY said...

Tavish sounds purr-fect... we are working on a picture (several actually) for Chrystal; will also send to you...

Teddy Westlife said...

I like Phoenix but Lloyd is cool too.

MTVA said...

Tavish sounds just about perfect for this lucky little boy! I can just see him with a jaunty plaid collar...or maybe even a kilt!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THIS. Can't wait to see what name ends up "fitting" little Ash. New home, new name. It is only fitting . . .

Cory said...

Mom says to wait until he gets there and then let him pick. Mom tried to name Ginger "Frances" because she thought she looked like a "Frances" and Ginger was obviously ticked off and hated the name. Mom had a bag of gingersnap cookies and when she said "gingersnap" Ginger responded. She loves her name now!

CCL Wendy said...

I must say, of the three names that you have chosen that "Tavish" appeals to me the most. It's cute and more unusual. I have some Scottish in me, too, so maybe I'm prejudiced.

One other suggestion is just to change it to "Ashton" (as in Ashton Kutcher, who I like quite a bit).

Rene said...

Wow, great names. We like them all, but particularly Tavish. Plus, it sounds more like Ash so he'll get used to it quicker. :-)

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

I really like the name Tavish. Aside from being adorable, Scottish, and a little nerdy, I like that it pays tribute to the original name, Ash. (Kinda like Sally/Melly.)

Mama Bear said...

Wow...I am just getting caught up with my reading and was so excited to see you have a new addition coming soon! A couple of years ago I happened to land on the Darling Millie blog and read about "the cat the internet saved". An amazing story of chance that brought Millie to her new loving home..and I reckon this phrase could be attributed to Ash (who is so lucky you were reading about him on Chrystal's blog).

Quill and Greyson said...

I've been thinking about it for awhile and I like Phoenix and the whole ash thing is very cool.