Names often carry deep personal significance, shaping our identities and fostering emotional connections. Reddit user Altruistic-Humor-823 experienced this firsthand with her beloved dog Zahava, whose name means “Gold / Gilded” in Hebrew. For six years, Zahava has been more than just a pet—she’s a cherished companion tied to this meaningful name.
However, a family dilemma emerged when OP’s sister-in-law, expecting a baby girl, chose the same name—Zahava—to honor her grandmother. The situation grew tense when the sister-in-law asked OP to change the dog’s name, believing the baby should have exclusive claim to it. OP, understandably attached to the name after years of training and bonding with Zahava, refused. The sister-in-law, on the other hand, argued that the dog wouldn’t be affected by a name change, viewing it as an easy compromise.
Now, both stand firm in their positions, with family harmony caught in the middle. Should OP consider renaming the dog, or is it unreasonable to expect such a change after years of emotional connection? What would you do in this situation? Share your thoughts below!
Source: Altruistic-Humor-823
Scroll Down Below to Enjoy!
1. Let’s find out.
2. OP has a dog named Zahava which means gold in Hebrew.
3. The issue is that OP’s SIL is about to have a baby and she wants to give it the same name as OP’s dog but feels uncomfortable doing so while the dog still has that name.
4. SIL and her husband asked OP if they would change their dog’s name so they could take the name Zahava for their daughter.
5. OP said no because the dog had an association with that namr for over 6 years. SIL freaked out saying the dog wouldn’t even notice.
6. OP told her she could pick any other name that starts with Z but their dog would keep the name Zahava.
Source: Altruistic-Humor-823
Comments on this Story:
7. Start texting her female Z names and keep your dog’s name the same.
Via SnooBunnies7461
8. Just let the dog live with the name, it won’t stay forever.
Via Rhades
9. It would boggle the dog’s mind.
Via atealein
10. That would be jokes!
Via ICantDrive5
11. They put in a lot of effort to build significance around that name.
Via ashleighbuck
12. SIL is being over reactive.
Via New-II-Reddit
13. See! You just can’t make any sense of SIL’s demand.
Via stannenb
14. There are so many Z names in the world. They can pick any.
Via Few-School-3869
15. As if someone threw an Uno reverse card into the concept.
16. They would have to restart from ground zero.
Via BigComfyCouch4
17. No obligations whatsoever.
Via MelodyRaine
18. The whole thing is so silly, you can’t run around changing names like that.
Via Ok_Homework8692
19. If she wants to take a dog’s name, the whole world should know she took a dog’s name.
Via mak-ina-myn
20. This isn’t a name issue, this is a brain issue.
