How the collection and generator work

A repository audit dated 15 July 2026 counted 4,803 animal-name records, also described as animal-name pairings, across ten datasets. The same audit found 2,002 distinct names across all animals.

A name can reasonably suit more than one animal, so it may appear in several datasets. That reuse explains why the record count is larger than the distinct-name count. PetNames should not describe all 4,803 records as unique names.

Public lists also merge repeated records with the same normalized name inside one animal dataset. Their category tags are combined, so visible page counts and result cards describe distinct names rather than duplicate rows.

The structured datasets organize names by animal and include fields such as gender, category, and a short meaning. Categories and filters are browsing aids; they are not scientific classifications or popularity measurements.

Meanings and origins are editorial aids unless an explicit source is displayed for the individual claim. An unsourced meaning may be a common association or creative interpretation and should not be treated as verified etymology.

Each record carries a provenance state that is shown next to its meaning: sourced for a claim with an individual reference, editorial for an unsourced house note, uncertain for a claim that is disputed or unverified, and creative interpretation for an invented or generated association. Records that predate per-record sourcing default to editorial rather than being upgraded to a sourced claim.

By default, the generator filters the local curated collection using the selected animal, gender preference, style, length, and starting letter. Matching distinct names are shuffled, so a different display order does not indicate a change in popularity or quality.

When Creative Mode is selected, those filter choices are sent to the generation endpoint to request suggestions. If that request fails, the interface falls back to local curated names and labels that fallback above the result grid. Generated suggestions and curated suggestions are also labelled separately. Starting-letter and length constraints are checked mechanically; style and gender remain subjective prompt labels that the reader should review.

Saved names use browser local storage. The saved entry can include the name, animal, meaning, and time saved. It stays on that browser until you remove it, clear the shortlist, or clear the site data in your browser.

PetNames does not currently create an account or upload that local shortlist to a shared shortlist service. Copying a name moves it to your device clipboard, which is controlled by your browser and operating system.

A useful correction identifies the page, the exact claim, the proposed change, and a reliable source where the issue involves factual origin, translation, history, or cultural context.

Unsupported claims should be sourced, qualified as uncertain or interpretive, or removed. PetNames does not currently publish a public correction inbox; the corrections page records that limitation and will carry a verified submission route when one exists.