Animals

Dogs with ‘human’ names: When did Fido become Charlie?

09:35 am on 2 June 2024

Listen

She might not own a dog, but that didn’t stop Slate’s Cleo Levin pondering why increasing numbers of dogs have been given “human” names – like Norman, Murphy, Gus, or Gary. 

During her research, she found data from Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in New York State, the final resting place of over 80,000 pets, which showed the most popular dog names throughout the decades.  

Cleo Levin, Audience Development Editor at Slate, joins Jim to discuss naming trends and our relationship with our pets throughout history.  

Photo: 123RF