Thai Dog Names
How do Thai people choose names for their dogs? This lesson explores the most popular ways to name a pet in Thailand: favorite drinks, Thai and Western desserts, everyday food, fruit, flowers, coat color, and animals the dog resembles. You’ll find out why so many male dogs end up being called โบ้ (bôo), why names linked to gold, money and luck are so common, and hear about a dog that was named after a politician!
You’ll also learn the playful slang Thai pet lovers use, from calling themselves a pet’s “slave” to the cute second voice people put on when talking to their animals.
Thai Vocabulary:
ตั้งชื่อ (tâng chʉ̂ʉ) – To name
ตัวผู้ (tua phûu) – Male (animal)
ตัวเมีย (tua mia) – Female (animal)
ทาสแมว (tâat mɛɛo) – Devoted cat owner (lit. “cat slave”)
นุด (nút) – Human (playful pet slang, from มนุษย์ má-nút)