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Things to consider when choosing a pet name:

- What color is the animal: Cocoa, Snowball, Ebony, Sable.

- What size will the pet grow to be: Brutus, Samson, Tadpole, Tiny.

- From what country did the breed originate: Siamese cat, Angora rabbit, French poodle.

- Does the pet have unusual markings: Tiger, Freckles.

- Cartoon names are popular with children: Goofy, Lassie, Tinkerbell.

- Famous personalities: Nero, Cleopatra, Rambo, Plato.

- Exotic names for exotic pets: Godzilla, Gollum.

- Consider pairs for more than one pet: Bonnie and Clyde, Laurel and Hardy, Peaches and Cream.

Source: Times research

Top 10 dog names for 2009:

1. Bella.

2. Max.

3. Bailey.

4. Lucy.

5. Molly.

6. Buddy.

7. Maggie.

8. Daisy.

9. Chloe.

10. Sophie.

Top 10 cat names for 2009:

1. Max.

2. Chloe.

3. Bella.

4. Oliver.

5. Tiger.

6. Smokey.

7. Tigger.

8. Lucy.

9. Shadow.

10. Angel.

Source: www.dogchannel.com

It is often said that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but can the same thing be said for a dog?

Some dogs, cats and other pets just somehow seem to fit the names given by their owners, while others never seem to grow into them.

"I have a min-pin (miniature pinscher) and terrier mix named Dollar," said Brenda Smith, of Vincent. "My father-in-law calls her 50 Cent because she's so small."

The story behind Dollar's name stems from a transaction made a little over 10 years ago.

"I got her when she was just a baby, but I was her fifth owner," Smith said, explaining that Dollar was in a place that wasn't meeting her needs. "She was a dog that needed to be inside and (the previous owners) had her outside. I told them I'd give a dollar for her, and that was how she got the name."

Amber Boggs, 34, of Williamstown, shares her home with five cats, each with an interesting name.

"I have Callie - I did not name her, but she is calico, so there you have that one; Squee, also did not name her, but she is named after the noise she makes; Marec is named after a character in Michael Crichton's 'Timeline;' Angus Og, after a Celtic god; and Archimedes, named for the owl in 'Clash of the Titans,' not the philosopher, although that works, too," she said.

"I recently had a Cleocatra, (Cleo) as well, but she has found a new home where she has no rivals, which is a good thing. I was getting tired of all the hissing and fighting. There really is such a thing as too many cats."

Choosing a pet name can be a difficult task. Many people find naming a pet as important as naming a child. For some pet lovers, their pet is their child.

Inspiration can come from many places, such as the hero or heroine from a favorite novel, historic figures, the animal's distinctive markings, the breed's origin or even a favorite TV show.

"We got Kramer from a rescue in northern Ohio," said Mark Wurtzbacher, of Marietta. "(The dog) was a sorry sight. He was malnourished and had been neutered. Because he wouldn't leave the incision alone he was wearing a cone on his head. He was one sorry looking dog. His name was Carmine, but once we saw him we knew we had to change it."

Carmine got a new home and a new name, which seemed to better fit his personality and his appearance.

"His hair was just wild. It stood up in every direction," Wurtzbacher said. "Even with the cone on his head he was active and into everything. The combination of the hair and the constant movement and activity lead us to naming him Kramer after Cosmo Kramer from 'Seinfeld.'"

Kramer has become a vital part of the Wurtzbacher family and continues to live up to his namesake.

"He has a heart of gold, is kind and loving and still wild and active," Wurtzbacher said.

When Marietta resident Nancy Jenkins met her Jack Russell terrier for the first time, there was only one appropriate name.

"The night he was born, his mother was having a difficult pregnancy. His breeder had to take back country roads to get to a vet to assist in the delivery," she said. "Eight weeks later when I went to get him, I first hit freezing rain, which changed to sleet, then to a snowstorm. I had to drive up an icy road, up a steep hill to pick him up. We felt the name 'Out of the Storm Comes Rascal' suited him."

Many registered or show dogs often have long and intricate names. The American Kennel Club requires all registered names to be unique. Usually the name of the breeder or breeders is incorporated as well as the names of the puppy's parents and a special something which makes the dog unique. Students of a particular breed can tell you where a dog was born and what his background is just by hearing his kennel name since parts of the name are usually passed down.

Dogs and cats, however, are not the only pets to get unique names. Owners often name reptiles, birds and even fish to make them seem more like part of the family.

Amber VanFossen, 21, adopted Neeko, a cherry-headed conure, from Petland, where she works as the kennel manager. "I've had him since November. He hatched in August and I hand fed him."

Conures can live for decades and many, like Neeko, even speak.

"He says 'hi,' 'hello,' and 'come here' and makes kissing sounds," VanFossen said.

Neeko is named after Nicolas, an exchange student from Columbia who has lived with Amber's family for a year.

"Nicolas is leaving to go back home on Sunday. He told me I should name (the bird) after him," VanFossen said. "He's a good kid and since I'm going to have the bird for a while, it's a good way to remember him."