Introduction
Tuvalu, formerly the Ellice Islands, is an island country in the Pacific Ocean. Situated in Oceania, its people come from both Polynesia and Micronesia. Tuvalu is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia and has a population of a little over 10,000 people.
Because it’s not well-populated and it’s rare to come across people from the island, many of those who move away try to keep as much of their culture in their life as possible. To do so, some people start searching for Tuvalu dog names. If you are ready to adopt a dog and would love to capture some of your values in their title, then here are a few Tuvalu dog names to consider.
Tuvalu Dog Names in Pop Culture
Given that Tuvalu is an island nation of not much more than 10,000 people, you’ll quickly learn there isn’t much of a film scene there. What’s more, you won’t see too many Hollywood movie stars making themselves at home on the island either. However, if you are looking for a Tuvalu dog name that links to both Tuvalu and a dog in pop culture, then one stands out: Lulu.
Lulu may have graced your TV screens back in October in 2017 when the CIA admitted on Twitter that she had been “let go” from the explosives course that would have led her to become a bomb-sniffing dog. She went viral, and the world lost their minds.
Lulu is a black Labrador who the CIA put into training to sniff out explosive bomb material. After a lot of hard work, it turns out that it’s not something Lulu wanted to do. Even with treats and toys, Lulu didn’t want to be a cop, she wanted to be a dog.
She wasn’t enjoying training or even the fun activities with a treat at the end. When the CIA realized that Lulu was not going to help bring down the baddies, they released her from training. Her training handler adopted her, and now she gets to spend her days hanging out with her handler’s children and her new Black Labrador buddy Harry, who is now in training to take over her position.
The world loved hearing about Lulu, and she went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms. Some people even wrote songs about her, offered to adopt her, and wished her well. Others concluded that Lulu didn’t want to be “a pawn of the fascist security state.”
However, it’s clear to see that Lulu merely wanted to chase balls, devour treats, and sun herself at home, living the life of the average American dog.
Unfortunately for the CIA, TSA, and other Government agencies, Lulu was a much-needed staff member. With terrorist activity on the rise, dogs who can sweep areas for explosives are in hot demand. With demand comes higher price tags too, with bomb-sniffing dogs worth as much as $25,000 each.
The TSA has 1,000 dogs of various breeds and will need 350 new ones every year to replace those who retire at between the age of eight and ten.
But, getting back to the topic: Lulu’s name, believe it or not, relates to Tuvaluan culture. It means ‘pearl’ and was within the top 100 baby names in 1980.
Tuvalu Dog Name Considerations
Before you get too ahead of yourself, you may see some merit and benefit in doing some research on Tuvalu, its people, and meanings surrounding it. By doing so, you are well-informed to choose some of the best Tuvalu dog names available.
Compiling information on Tuvalu can also ensure you remain culturally sensitive, one of the more important considerations. The last thing you want to do is upset people by giving your dog a Tuvalu name that’s quite insulting.
If you are bringing home a male or female dog or puppy, then your choice of name and considerations around it become quite important here too. There are some lovely feminine Tuvaluan names out there, but you wouldn’t give them to your boy dog.
Finally, consider your dog’s personality. If your pooch is chilled out and laid back, find out if there is a Tuvaluan word to encompass that. Alternatively, if your dog is full of beans and energy, then such a description in the language of Tuvalu might appeal as well.
Whenever you think about giving your dog a name from another country, it’s always important to factor in cultural nuances and research words you should and shouldn’t use. Once you finish your homework, you can then be confident you have a list of the best potential Tuvalu dog names for your new family addition.
Male Tuvalu Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Tuvalu
The name of the country
|
|
| 0 |
Valu
Variation of Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Atua
Meaning almighty, part of the Tuvalu motto
|
|
| 0 |
Futi
From the capital, Funafuti
|
|
| 0 |
Funa
The start of the capital's name
|
|
| 0 |
Iakoba
The Governor General
|
|
| 0 |
Koba
A play on the Governor's name
|
|
| 0 |
Enele
The Tuvaluan prime minister
|
|
| 0 |
Nauru
Tuvalu is southeast of Nauru
|
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| 0 |
Alvaro
The first European to sail through
|
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| 0 |
Nui
An atoll of Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Alexander
The English hydrographer to offer the name Ellice
|
|
| 0 |
George
Alexander's middle name
|
|
| 0 |
Findlay
The last name of the English hydrographer
|
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| 0 |
Gibson
Captain Gibson declared the Ellice Islands a British Protectorate
|
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| 0 |
Captain
Of Captain Gibson
|
|
| 0 |
Curacoa
Captain Gibson's boat
|
|
| 0 |
Walo
Meaning eight, of eight islands
|
|
| 0 |
Niutao
A reef island, part of Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Vaitupu
Largest atoll of Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Solitaria
Of La Solitaria, the original name of Niulakita
|
|
| 0 |
John
A captain who passed through the islands
|
|
| 0 |
Byron
Of Captain John Byron
|
|
| 0 |
Mourelle
Francisco Mourelle de la Rua charted the islands first
|
|
| 0 |
Arent
The second European to visit
|
|
| 0 |
Rebecca
The second European's brigantine name
|
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| 0 |
Doug
Identified Niutao
|
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| 0 |
Munro
Doug's last name
|
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| 0 |
Mikhail
Russian explorer who visited Nukufetau
|
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| 0 |
Mirny
The boat Mikhail commanded
|
Female Tuvalu Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Ellice
Of Ellice Islands, Tuvalu's former name
|
|
| 0 |
Alice
Variation of Ellice
|
|
| 0 |
Elizabeth
The Monarch
|
|
| 0 |
Eliza
Short for Elizabeth, the Queen
|
|
| 0 |
Liz
A nickname for the Monarch, Elizabeth
|
|
| 0 |
Fenua
An island in Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Sakalua
An islet that became a shore camp
|
|
| 0 |
Lua
Of Sakalua, the shore camp
|
|
| 0 |
Curacoa
A Royal Navy boat captained by Gibson
|
|
| 0 |
Emile
A trader in the Ellice group
|
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| 0 |
Fanny
Fanny, her husband, and son visited Tuvalu in the 1800s
|
|
| 0 |
Janet
The boat Fanny traveled on
|
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| 0 |
Nicol
The last name of Jane, the boat
|
|
| 0 |
Eila
Of the Haggin family to visit Funafuti by yacht
|
|
| 0 |
Blanche
Eila's daughter
|
|
| 0 |
Ano
A popular Tuvalu sport
|
|
| 0 |
Margaret
Of the Princess Margaret Hospital on Funafuti Island
|
|
| 0 |
Joost
Producer of Paradise Domain - Tuvalu
|
|
| 0 |
Gilliane
Director of a movie about Tuvalu disappearing
|
|
| 0 |
Savana
Of Savana Jones-Middleton, involved with the Disappearing Nation film
|
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| 0 |
Marble
Of Blue Marble Productions, involved with Atlantis Approaching
|
|
| 0 |
Enele
Energy and spirt
|
|
| 0 |
Laki
Meaning Lucky
|
|
| 0 |
Leinani
Beautiful child in Polynesian
|
|
| 0 |
Kalama
Meaning Karma
|
|
| 0 |
Ahoeitu
Of the Polynesian God, Eithumatupua
|
|
| 0 |
Huali
Bright, pure, and polished
|
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| 0 |
Rua
By the lake
|
|
| 0 |
Silivia
Woman of the woods
|
|
| 0 |
Kuli
Tuvalu for 'dog'
|
Written by Jenna Van Der Hoorn
Published: 02/27/2019, edited: 01/30/2020
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