Usually, I’m naming Mi-Ki puppies the first day or so after they are born. But this time, I have been reeling from trying to manage two litters deciding to come on the same day, with the last one requiring a C-section delivery. I don’t sleep well before they come and sleep lightly after they arrive. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also stressful. The boys in each of the litters have struggled to gain without supplementation, and here we are a few days later, and they still haven’t been named.

What’s in a name?

While I know that many of our puppies will be given new names by their new families, I still like to choose some sort of a name that christens them with a blessing of meaning and thoughtfulness. It’s better than “chocolate boy, tricolor girl, white boy,” or worse, red collar boy and yellow collar girl for identical-looking puppies that are all marked the same.

If you follow our Nursery Page, you probably know I simply go down the alphabet to come up with a litter name. Each puppy’s name starts with that letter, and there’s a descriptive theme word, like “Royal T’s Brilliant Brighton.” Not super creative, I know, but it helps me sort out which puppies belonged to which litter and alphabetizing gives me an approximate mental timestamp.

I’m at the end of the alphabet where the weird letters are – X and Y. I’m honestly relieved these are smaller litters just for naming reasons! I’m sure Google thinks I’m expecting humans because I’m constantly on The Bump scouring their site for baby names and their meanings. I’m on dog naming sites too.

Normally, I like to chat about naming Mi-Ki puppies with Bill, because if there is a way to distort a dog’s name from it’s original intention, he will find it. For instance, with Yohanna, from last year’s Y litter, he likes to call her “Ohana Means Family” and she likes it. But Bill has been out of town on projects, so it’s just been me in my sleep-deprived stupor trying to figure things out.

Y is for Yin Yang

Conveniently for the “Y” litter, I noticed that Isabelle’s litter looked like Yin and Yang since they are black and white(ish) and their genders correspond to the traditional colors associated with the symbol.

I tend to prefer dog names with two syllables as they are catchy sounding. Yin and Yang seem like they needed secondary names. I know very little about Chinese names and the process in which the Chinese name their loved ones, but I know they put much more thought and intention into naming than I do. I wanted to honor these puppies with nice names and not goof up with a mish-mash of Asian-sounding names I might have gotten off a menu in a food court.

Why not try Artificial Intelligence for naming Mi-Ki puppies?

If high school kids can use AI to help with school projects and papers, I wondered if it could help me name these puppies with Chinese names spinning off the theme of Yin Yang. Here is how my conversation went with ChatGPT:

Me: What does “Yin” mean in Chinese?

ChatGPT: In Chinese philosophy, “yin” and “yang” are complementary concepts representing the dual nature of existence. “Yin” is associated with qualities such as passivity, darkness, and the feminine aspect, while “yang” is associated with activity, light, and the masculine aspect. Together, they form a dynamic balance.

Me: Is Yin a good name for a black girl dog?

ChatGPT: Yes, “Yin” can be a unique and meaningful name for a black girl dog. It not only has cultural significance but also sounds distinctive.

Me: What Chinese name can be paired with Yin?

ChatGPT: A lovely Chinese name that can be paired with “Yin” is “Hua,” which means flower. Together, “Yin Hua” could be a graceful and meaningful combination.

Me: How do you pronounce ” Yin Hua”?

ChatGPT: “Yin Hua” is pronounced as “Yin Hwah.” The “Yin” is pronounced like “yeen,” and “Hua” is pronounced like “hwah.”

Me: Is Yang a good name for a white male dog?

ChatGPT: Yes, “Yang” can be a fitting and meaningful name for a white male dog. It complements the concept of balance and duality, aligning with the traditional Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang.

Me: What Chinese name pairs well with Yang?

ChatGPT: A Chinese name that pairs well with “Yang” is “Ming,” meaning bright or shining. Together, “Yang Ming” could convey a sense of brightness and positive energy.

Now I start hearing Bill in my head, even though he’s not here, and I wonder…

Me: Does Yin Hwah sound too much like quinoa? (You know, the trendy pseudocereal that’s pronounced like Keen-Wah)

ChatGPT: While “Yin Hwah” and “quinoa” share some similar sounds, they are distinct enough. If you like the name “Yin Hwah” for your dog, it’s a meaningful choice, and the resemblance to “quinoa” might not be a significant concern in day-to-day usage. Choose a name that feels right for you and your pet.

(I discard the name mentally, knowing the puppy will forever be called Quinoa/Keen-Wah by Bill for the rest of her days.)

I try again: What’s another Chinese name that pairs well with Yin for a black dog?

ChatGPT: Another Chinese name that pairs well with “Yin” for a black dog is “Hei,” which means black. Together, “Yin Hei” creates a nice combination reflecting the dog’s color.

Me: Isn’t that redundant if Yin already means black? (Let’s see what happens when you challenge ChatGPT’s logic!)

ChatGPT: You’re correct, and I appreciate your observation. Since “Yin” already conveys the concept of black, pairing it with “Hei” could be redundant. In that case, you might consider a contrasting element or another meaningful word. For example, “Yin Mei” where “Mei” means beautiful, creating a name that emphasizes both color and beauty.

Me: So would Yin Mei and Yang Ming be good names for two puppies in a litter with a white male and a black female?

ChatGPT: Yes, “Yin Mei” and “Yang Ming” would make great names for a pair of puppies in a litter, especially given the contrast in colors. It not only reflects the traditional Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang but also adds a charming and balanced touch to the names of your white male and black female puppies.

Me: If the puppies are mostly of Chinese descent, do I need to worry about cultural appropriation? (Let’s goof around with ChatGPT, just a little!)

ChatGPT: Cultural appropriation concerns arise when elements of one culture are used by individuals from another culture without proper understanding or respect. Naming your puppies “Yin Mei” and “Yang Ming” does involve elements from Chinese culture, but using names inspired by a cultural theme, especially in a respectful and appreciative manner, is generally acceptable. It’s always a good idea to approach cultural elements with sensitivity, but naming your pets after concepts like Yin and Yang is often seen as a positive celebration rather than appropriation, particularly if done with respect and understanding.

So there you have it folks, our “Y” litter is now named. Thanks, ChatGPT for your help. I think I need a coffee. Maybe I’ll try something new… maybe some oolong tea.