Monday, January 14, 2008

How to Name a Mouse

Now, I have always had a hard time naming pets. It would take me forever, and it would get changed so many times, I wasn't allowed to tell my mother more than once per day what the newest name was.

When it came time to name the mouse, I had the same problem. I didn't want to name her something dumb, but something fun. Nothing overused, or simple, or snooty. I wanted her name to be perfect!

This wasn't easy, of course. I had the mouse for all of 10 minutes or so when the first student encountered me holding the mouse, and they immediately wanted to know her name. I responded, "Mouse."

Sadly, I was afraid that was as good as it would get.

The kids were just full of suggestions, some of them so hilarious I just have to share... here are all the ones I remember.


  • Snowpuff (it was almost Christmas and she's white) - I thought it sounded like a rabbit.

  • Snowball (same as above)

  • Noelle - since it was a, quoting them, "Christmas miracle mouse"

  • Chrissy - short for Christmas

  • Rackety (name of a mouse in a book)

  • Isabella - still confused on this one

  • Bob - Bob is my standard example name, so they said it should be Bob even though she's a girl.

  • Lucky - since I saved her from a snake

  • Red-eye - because she has them, apparently.

  • Silver Bell - after the song, I think it was supposed to be.

  • Miracle - because she was a miracle mouse

  • Snack - since she was supposed to be a snake-snack

  • Ms. Language Arts Lady, Jr. - They wanted to name it after me, but just add a junior. Then they tried initials...

  • Jeff - ?

I then told them I wanted to name her after a book, or a character in a book. They responded with:


  • Lucy (which was clever, since she's in a book we're reading together)

  • Bloodhook (apparently a pirate?)

  • Naruto - a character from a TV show, but I guess that's close to a book

  • Harry Potter - I am not even kidding. Not even Hermione. Just Harry Potter. Both names.

After a week of being called simply mouse, I tired of it, and knew I had to find a name. However, I really just didn't like any of the names that were suggested. She finally was christened with her name, though, and not from a book, sadly.

Her name is Souris, which is pronounced mostly like "Surrey," but with a French accent.

I suddenly remembered the French classes I had taken throughout high school and college.

It was perfect!

(It means 'mouse' in French)

I knew it was the best I could do.

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