When did dogs start getting people names?

Lately I’ve noticed how many dogs have names that sound completely human — Milo, Charlie, Henry, Lucy, Oliver, Sophie, Bella, and so on.

It feels like dog names have shifted over the years from more traditional pet names to names you could just as easily hear in a kindergarten class or an office meeting.

I actually kind of like it. Somehow it suits how closely dogs live with us now — more like family members than just pets.

Curious what others think:

• Do you prefer dogs with human names? • Did you intentionally choose one? • Or do you prefer more classic dog-style names? 

I’ve always found dog naming interesting because the name ends up shaping how people see the dog too.