Part of the fun of being a dog owner is coming up with a name for a new pet. While this task is somewhat simple for a number of pet owners, others find choosing between scores of names a little more difficult. A dog can be named for its personality, a physical trait or even after a favorite TV character. In the case of the Basenji the name can also be cultural, denoting its African roots. The name can describe the region from which it hails or it can be a word in a native tongue that beautifully describes the dog. In keeping with the Basenji's exotic look, many also opt for an exotic name.

The Basenji hails from the part of central Africa known as the Congo. The inhabitants of the area commonly referred to the Basenji as mbwa shenzi, which means wild dog. Not surprisingly, Shenzi is a common name for the Basenji. Having a unique name for the unique breed is a move that makes a lot of sense to many. Because the dog is rather small, short succinct names are always a good idea. A majority of those who choose exotic names choose common African surnames as not to end up naming their dog something that could be incriminating or embarrassing. Examples of these types of names for a Basenji can be:

Adoula

Kongo

Tsiba

Dio

Kafi

Omari

Seko

Tshombe

Yakoko

Zadi

African names for celestial bodies, flowers and the word for 'beautiful' are also a good idea, showing creativity and imagination:

Merika- moon

Zama- heaven

Mahri- evening star

Akila- most beautiful

Azima- gorgeous

Tisoke- a beautiful gift

Dakari- happiness

Zena- small flower

Zahara- flower

Chinu- blossom

Those looking to put a little pizzazz behind their pup's name can opt for strong names such as those of African kings, queens or deities. Examples can include:

Affonso- king

Hannibal- king

Ramses - king

JaJa-king

Amina- queen

Nefertiti-queen

Nandi- queen

Eshu- God of mischief

Buku- God of sky

Olokun- God of Sea

There are countless websites available that also give names and their meanings from other regions of the vast continent. One can find names in Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu, Ashanti and many others. One can choose from lists of African cities, jungle names, rivers and other world famous landmarks. A name can be as simple or as descriptive as one sees fit. While there are no steadfast rules for naming a dog, it is important to remember that the name says as much about the owner as it does the dog.