Eriko - Keep the name, or change the name?
What do you guys think? Our new Akita's name, from the breeder, is "Eriko"... The name has grown on us, we would probably not pick this name for a dog but we don't mind it so much now.
Having said that tho, we don't totally love the name.
So should we rename her or keep the name?
Obviously "Eriko" doesn't fit with our Hawaiian theme, but we will eventually have to break that naming convention anyway.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this... I attached a pic of her so you guys can look at her when helping to make the decision... i dunno, she may look like an "Eriko".
Comments
What made you choose the Hawaiian theme, btw? I'm not particularly fond of the name, sorry. But if it's growing on you, why change it? It puts you the position of having to teach her the new name. Seems like a pain. I went through that with Brittney. I didn't love the name and she sort of already knew her name at 10 wks. Eventually, I just decided to keep it. Don't love the name, don't hate it.
The downside? I now have 3 pets whose seem like they are named by singers, but weren't....Brittney, Jewel and Mika. Damn
In Japanese - ERIKO (air-EE-koh) child with collar. How fun.
This name looks nicer and sounds similar ANEKO (ah-NAY-koh) Older sister
I am not very fond of the name either. Although it may fit her because as tsukitsune mentioned, it means child with a collar which she has the white collar on her coat. But to me, it just doesn't sound very attractive or feminine. But I do really like the name Emiko. It means Beautiful Smiling Child. And you can call her Emi for short. Its not too different from Eriko, so she could probably get used to it very quickly. I think it might be easier rolling off the tongue as well. Eriko is actually pronounced Eh-Lee-Ko (remember the R in Japanese is more of a L). Thats one thing that bugs with my name (Hiromi). It is pronounced He-Lo-Me, but people can't seem to understand me and always ask me "what?" or "can you say that again" So I started saying He-Row-Me and people still couldn't get it, therefor it became Romi and I still get asked to repeat myself
I also think with dogs' names it should be a name that is easy to say so you're not stuttering trying to get it out!
Ehhh, it's just a name. If she knows it, I'd keep it. We thought about changing Nemo's name when we got him, but since he knew it, we figured "why start all over?"
Unless you were planning on naming her something cool like "Destroyer" or "Thor's Hammer" then you should change it.
I'm in agreement with everyone so far. I do like Romi's suggestion a lot though. Emiko is very close and has a wonderful meaning.
Lucy was originally named Sadie by her first family and then Foxy by her puppy mill breeder. There's no way I was going to keep either one of those. She learned her name very quickly (I don't recall if was three days or not).
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BTW, I forgot to mention....She's just beautiful! She has such a great face. :-)
Google also indicates:
The Japanese name Eriko may be written with the characters for "favor; blessing; grace; kindness" (e), "logic; reason; justice; truth" (ri) and "child" (ko). Other possibilities include "picture; drawing" (e), "logic; reason; justice; truth" (ri) and "child" (ko), as well as "picture; drawing; painting; sketch" (e), "pear tree" (ri) and "child" (ko). Child blessed with logic.
I like the name and its rarety, but as you say, it moves away from the Hawaiian theme.
Actually, since it's pronounced Eh-Lee-Ko, I like the name better.
BUT, I REALLY like Romi's suggestion of Emiko and I LOVE the meaning of the name. You could also call her Miko
So Jen just slipped me a piece of paper with some names on it (all Hawaiian, of course), she obviously has been giving this some thought. Here is the list:
Lana
Noe
Pua
Kala
Lani
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Heidi - You are the research master, thanx for the info!
Brandon - I agree that it may be more trouble than its worth, but I think its important to have a name you like. Tho I don't think the dogs cares at all. Also "Thor's Hammer" <- LMAO
Romi - I like that name too, now that you told me how to properly say Eriko I really don't like her name. lol
Jennifer - That is funny, I didn't even realize it was a Japanese name to be honest... I thought it was Polish. lol. Shows my ignorance I guess.
Rui - I agree, its a rather bland name.
Barbara - There is really no reason for our Hawaiian names... started with Maui, figured we would stay with the theme for Kaia... then got Ahi and was not sure but kept the convention going. After that it just seemed like it would be hard to break the naming convention.
I guess we went with Maui because it is my favorite place on earth. I am a surfer, have surfed in Hawaii many times, and so I love it there. Also Maui is blond like a little surfer dog, he even has blond eye lashes.
I like Lana or Lani
I say go ahead and change it unless you can't find another name that'll suite her better.
Yea, that is an issue I brought up to Jen as well (the similarities in some of the names)...
On that note, Lana or Lani sound the least like any of our dog names. I really like "Hoku" <- Thanx Pam!
I have always leaned towards Lani.
Ooo. I like Hoku too!!
thor's hammer.. hahhahahahahahahahha. ha. i'm coughing i'm laughing so much. ha.
thats a riot!
i like lani. that must get difficult having so many dogs - finding a name that doesn't sound similar to the others.
We have Tsuki and Kitsune, and if we get a third, we have to go with "A" names or something that sounds nothing like the two.
Romi - according to my Japanese course dictionary - R's can go either way, especially R's after the vowels I and E because the R will ennunciate the vowel. (i'm taking Japanese for 3 semesters
Lani is nice name! I like Hoku too, but it sounds like a boys name? Im not too familiar with Hawaiian names, im probably just pronouncing it wrong.
Jennifer - I agree it can go either way with the R, if you talk to a person from Japan who is not very fluent in english, you will notice that they cannot pronounce the R. Ask a japanese person to say Lincoln or Cadillac. They will most likely say "Rincoln" and "Cadirrac". Its kind of the opposite for Japanese with English. R's are L's or L's are R's. My parents are from Japan and moved to California when they were 20. So they know English fluently, but still have the fob accent and say certain words funny.
Hoku was a hawaiian popstar back when I was in 7th/8th grade lol. People told me I looked like her.
I still can't say my L's and R's sometimes. I was finally able to say "congratulations" right within the past year. Sure there's "rules" Jennifer, but people are gonna say whichever is easier. Not a lot of people can say "Christina" in Japan so most people who've known my since childhood call me"Ri-chan".
In the same vein, i have a lot of trouble pronouncing a lot of the words! Since the phenetics are so different, and any college course is basically for spelling and not conversation - I think I would learn so much more about the language by spending time in a place where its spoken fluently.
Why is it that L's and R's are intertwined in Japanese?
Romi - that is awesome! I bet they have a lot of stories to tell! I would love to just visit the country someday, I think thats why I'm trying to get familiar with the language. **Familiar - I still could not hold my own in a conversation though!!
I like Emiko too. Funny thing is we already call Himiko Miko and she isn't even here yet. One week from yesterday!!
I like Lani too!
Brandon - LOL, for some reason Thor's Hammer reminds me of the movie "How to los a guy in 10 days" "Crowl the Warrior King" lol, Im sure your wife wouldn't mind you naming your *ahem* Thor's Hammer! hahaha.
Jennifer - Im not sure why the L's and R's are like that. But I guess in every language, there are letters that are different. Sort of like Spanish, the J and H. I DON'T SPEAK JAPANESE AT ALL! And im full Japanese! I can understand most of it, but I respond back in English. Im sure if I was forced to, I could manage to speak, but I think I feel like an Idiot when I try so I dont' even bother!
Jessica - Thats cute! Moto, Miko, and Piggy~! I think she will fit right in!
Brad - Whatever you guys choose, I know it'll be a good name! Something will probably just hit you when you actually have her and get a feel for her personality.
Ok... thanx for all the help guys! We have decided on a name...
**drum roll**
We have decided to go with Lani (but pronounced "Lonny" apposed to the traditional Hawaiian pronunciation which I think is different)
This will mos def be what we call her, unless we get her and something else fits better, then we will start this process over.
BRAD!!! I didnt know you were getting an AKITA!!! Whoa I need to follow along more often! When? Where? How? I was going to say I love the name Lani for her! Are you going to breed her? And if you did would you breed her with Hilo?
Speaking of pronouncing names, eventhough this question should actually be posted in the Hokkaido thread, but how do you pronounce the name Kangai, Ewa's Hokkaido puppy? Anyone know?