We gained a pint-size family member over the holidays. A sweet calico kitten with a tiger tail named.….that’s just it, we don’t know yet! Initially, I was thinking something Irish, Aoife (pronounced “eefa”), or something Japanese such as Keiko. She has a black fleur-de-lis on her back. Perhaps she should be named Fleur for the famous and beautiful French witch in Harry Potter’s Tri-wizard Tournament.
What kind of feline ethology might guide us? She came from a litter of four kittens. So, if we follow western European naming traditions, she should be named after my mother’s mother, my father’s mother, my mother, or my mother’s oldest sister, depending on birth order which we don’t know. If we follow the ethology thread of animal behavior character, that leads us to all the leaping and hopping. Maybe a frog-based name—Hyla (“heela”), the genus name for tree frogs or Rana, the genus name for green frogs. She does like water and enjoys perching on an island of knee in the bathtub.
Some native american traditions involve looking to the nearest water. In this case, that is the fish tank. How about Fighting-Fish-Stalker, as she is enthralled with the fish tank. Just kidding. Maybe she should name herself. This what emerged when she leapt from my lap to the keyboard…. gjmn,0pdddddddddddd. Gijmin Opped? Gidget? Sounds like a scat singing cat.
Our daughter has not been challenged with naming so far, given the following rapid name evolution. Cinderella (too Disney) turned into Snow (too Disney) turned into Flower (too Disney) turned into Christmas Ornament Flower. That’s more original. Then the flower got more specific. Christmas Ornament Daisy. Next came Daphne Daisy. Eventually that morphed into Daisy Mayhem, which suits her well. Daisy Mayhem she’s been for a few days now.
It’s been wildly entertaining having a curious, furry sprite scampering and leaping about. I have not laughed this hard this often in quite some time. Then, last night I heard a Buddy Holly tune on the radio. Could it be that our new kitten will be named Peggy Sue?!
What kind of feline ethology might guide us? She came from a litter of four kittens. So, if we follow western European naming traditions, she should be named after my mother’s mother, my father’s mother, my mother, or my mother’s oldest sister, depending on birth order which we don’t know. If we follow the ethology thread of animal behavior character, that leads us to all the leaping and hopping. Maybe a frog-based name—Hyla (“heela”), the genus name for tree frogs or Rana, the genus name for green frogs. She does like water and enjoys perching on an island of knee in the bathtub.
Some native american traditions involve looking to the nearest water. In this case, that is the fish tank. How about Fighting-Fish-Stalker, as she is enthralled with the fish tank. Just kidding. Maybe she should name herself. This what emerged when she leapt from my lap to the keyboard…. gjmn,0pdddddddddddd. Gijmin Opped? Gidget? Sounds like a scat singing cat.
Our daughter has not been challenged with naming so far, given the following rapid name evolution. Cinderella (too Disney) turned into Snow (too Disney) turned into Flower (too Disney) turned into Christmas Ornament Flower. That’s more original. Then the flower got more specific. Christmas Ornament Daisy. Next came Daphne Daisy. Eventually that morphed into Daisy Mayhem, which suits her well. Daisy Mayhem she’s been for a few days now.
It’s been wildly entertaining having a curious, furry sprite scampering and leaping about. I have not laughed this hard this often in quite some time. Then, last night I heard a Buddy Holly tune on the radio. Could it be that our new kitten will be named Peggy Sue?!
10 comments:
Daisy Mayhem is a cute name for a cute kitten. Only thing I don't like about kittens is that they turn into cats. Good job on the creative kid-friendly naming process though!
Achoo!
What about lamb?
As in "Lamby?"
Achoo from me too!
I've always loved cats unfortunately they don't love me, actually that's not true, cats are attracted to me but I'm highly allergic to the feline species. My dad loved animals and I think he couldn't wait for me to leave home because as soon as I did he acquired both a cat and a dog. He never had to worry about me returning again for any length of time after that due to my allergies.
I think this new kitten, whatever it is named, will fit in nicely with your family.
Aha, I'm tracing the inherited thread of feline induced sneezes! Friends and neighbors who are also allergic have been enjoying playing with miss mayhem since she is still too young to shed dander or hair. Soon to change I know.
M...I just finished a book I think you would enjoy, actually maybe you've already read it. It is "The Zookeeper's Wife" by Diane Ackerman. There are so many good books to read and so little time, this one is worthwhile.
Thank you for the book suggestion, Queen Vee. I'm just finishing up My Antonia by Willa Cather (trying to fit in a few classics)and was wondering what the next good read might be. Looks like time for zookeeping!
Names I like:
Target? Pinata?
Famous names:
Ghengas Cat? Cleocatra?
Literature:
Thing 1? Aunt Sponge? Clare Kitty?
Movie:
Cat Ballou? John Robie?
Music:
Big Electric Cat? Strut?
It has been way to long since we last heard from you. Hope all is well with you and your family. I would imagine that spring is getting ready to show her face at Blue Frog Farm.
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