To Whom it May Concern:

While browsing your website I was shocked to discover that you’ve included “Pet Names” on your BabyNames website. Perhaps a staff or editing member of your site is confused…animals are not humans. They don’t need extra special names. They are not “children”. They don’t need or merit the same great care or love real human beings are required. To see babies equated with pets is disgusting and twisted.

A Concerned Reader,
Rachel Brunk

jenn_roscoe_summer13Dear Rachel Brunk,

Wow. Just wow. That you actually took the time to write us and that you are actually offended by pet names. Actually, we’ve built a whole site just for them: PetBabyNames.com!

I, myself, am a pet mama to two cats, Roxie and Brutus, and a dog, Roscoe. Oh, yeah, and I also have a human baby, Miranda. No, they are not equal, but I love them all, with this thing I call a heart. And I must correct you: animals are children. They have mothers and fathers just like you. They have feelings. They love. They have facebook pages.

I’m sorry you were offended by our pet names, but we will not be removing them from our site. I hope you are not–nor ever will be–a pet owner.

Sincerely,
Jennifer

Jennifer Moss (she/her) is the founder of BabyNames.com, author of The Baby Names Workbook, and Producer of The Baby Names Podcast. Jennifer is widely regarded as the leading expert on popular baby name trends and the naming process, serving as the authoritative source on the subject for national and international media.

Jennifer entered the tech arena in the 80s as a software developer and database architect, and became a pioneer in the Internet industry. In addition to operating BabyNames.com, Jennifer owns a web development agency in central California.