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Names and Meanings |
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Names and Meanings |
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Sometimes people ask us how we decided on a particular name for a particular goat. There is no real science or pattern to the names, though once in a while I do try for some sort of lineage name. Generally, we cast about for a name that has some meaning. We are influenced by friends' suggestions, by what we read, and by the personality of the goat in question. Sure, some of the names may seem silly, but that is part of the fun. The only true requirement for names at our farm is that they have to pass the "Dennis Leary pet names test." What that means is that if you can't yell that name in the middle of the night in the middle of a neighborhood without shame, then it is not a good name.
The parentheses after the name indicate the year the animal came to our farm. The parentheses after the explanation enclose that particular animal's status if it is no longer living at our farm.
Alys (2006) - She is named for the spunky red-headed 10-year-old in the book Plan B.
Clara (2008) - She was lame when she was born. She is named for the lame character (who recovers nicely) in the book Heidi.
Cookie (2007) - He came to us without a name, but with the assurance that he would come to the word "cookie" when we offered treats. After trying to think up other names, it became obvious that he should be named for the word to which he answers.
Dahlia (2006) - She was purchased from the MacIntyres. Despite being a reverse badger, I went with friends' suggestions instead. So she is named for Dahlia MacIntyre in the comic strip Something Positive.
Jenna and Anna (2006) - They are solid-black and solid-white twin girls. I wanted something to refer to the light/dark comparison, and so I turned to Jane Yolen's Books of Great Alta series. I didn't like the name "Skada" so went with Anna (the goddess's other name) instead. (Jenna - Sold, GA)
Jessie (2004) - She is named with utter admiration for Jessie Owens. While unloading her from the car she tore loose and ran over the mountainside. We had no hope of catching up with her. Fortunately some neighborhood girls came by and told us where Jessie had been caught by a friendly hunter. Many good thoughts still go out to that hunter, who gave up his last day of hunting season to catch a stranger's stray goat.
Ida (2008) - She was born on the Ides of March, hence "Ida."
Lerris (2007) - He is named for a black wizard from L.E.Modesette Jr.'s Order and Chaos books.
Loki (2004) - He is named for the trickster god as he appeared in one of our many fantasy novels.
Mona (2006) - She was purchased from the MacIntyres, and since she is Dahlia's sister, she is named for Monette, the adopted daughter of the MacIntyers in the comic strip Something Positive.
Sancho (2002) - His mother was a LaMancha milk goat, and his father was a pygmy. He came out fuzzy and round and jolly, and so was named for the sidekick in Man of La Mancha.
Previous residents of GCF
Aerin (2004) - She was my first redhead girl, and arrived as a single when we had sonogrammed twins. In honor of her mysterious arrival and my high hopes, she is named for the main character in The Hero and the Crown. (Sold, NM)
Arthur (2007) - He is named for the talking duck in Sheldon. Or perhaps for the Once and Future King. Either way, it's a good name. (Sold, VA)
Creslin (2007) - He is named for a white wizard from L.E.Modesette Jr.'s Order and Chaos books. (Sold, VA)
Dru (2005) - She is named partially for the black-haired character Drusilla in the comic Pibgorn and partially for Drushnakovi in the Vorkosigan Saga series. (Sold, WV)
Giselle (2008) - She was named because of her incredibly long legs making her look like a gazelle. The link to the movie Enchanted didn't hurt either. (Sold, VA)
Goldie (2004) - That name was absolute laziness on my part. I put a yellow collar on her when she first came to the farm. (Sold, VA)
Heidi (2008) - She was born with a lame twin sister who she protected and helped out in a very baby way. She is named for the title character in the book Heidi. (Sold, VA)
Jenna and Anna (2006) - They are solid-black and solid-white twin girls. I wanted something to refer to the light/dark comparison, and so I turned to Jane Yolen's Books of Great Alta series. I didn't like the name "Skada" so went with Anna (the goddess's other name) instead. (Jenna - Sold, GA)
Julius (2008) - He was born on the Ides of March, so is named for Julius Cesar. (Sold, VA)
Justin (2006) - He is named for a grey wizard from L.E.Modesette Jr.'s Order and Chaos books. (Sold, MD)
Kagan (2008) - He was born the day that Janet Kagan, author of Hellspark, died. (Sold, VA)
Madison (2006) - He has a "reverse badger" color pattern. I wanted a badger reference, and badgers are the mascot for the University of Wisconsin. The biggest UW campus is in Madison, so there I was. Besides, I happen to believe that "Madison" is a boy's name, despite modern trends otherwise. (Sold, NY. 2008 update - he is the father of a cashgora boy named Licorice.)
Maggy Lynn (2008) - She is named for the child in Hellspark. (Sold, VA)
Mica (2005) - She is a daughter of Crystal, and arrived in white and grey. She is named for a crystalline formation that is shiny and grey; this was a lineage name. (Sold, VA)
Neall (2006) - He is a child of Goldie, and his name means "cloud" in Gaelic. This was a lineage name. (Sold, GA)
Nylan (2005) - He is named for a grey wizard in L.E.Modesette Jr.'s Order and Chaos books. (Sold, VA)
Opal (2006) - She is a daughter of Crystal. This was a lineage name. (Sold, GA)
Prometheus "Theo" (2005) - He is a son of Goldie; this was a lineage name. (Sold, VA)
Rae (2007) - She is named for the protagonist in Robin McKinley's Sunshine. (dead)
Ria (2007) - She is named for the half-elven villain/heroine in the Bedlam's Bard series. (Sold, VA)
Starbright (2003) - She was a twin, and both were daughters of a goat named Moonlight out of Midnight. "Starlight, starbright, first star I see tonight..." (dead)
Stella (2006) - She is a child of Goldie. This was a lineage name. (Sold, GA)
Sybel (2007) - She is named for the heroine in The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. (Sold, WV)
Toby (2005) - He is named for Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with the Circus. (Sold, VA)
The goats that were already named when they arrived at the farm are: Summer (2002), Crystal (2003, sold VA), Sashimi (2003), Jared (2004), Curley (2004, sold to NM), and Penny (2008).
The sheep experiment of 2004-2005: Dot, Splotch, Brain, and Jake. Dot had a dot on her forehead. Splotch had a big bleached out section on her back. Brain had a white area over her forehead. Jake was a sweet little jacob wether.
