The earliest known name for a cat comes from ancient Egypt. A cat named Nedjem (meaning “sweet” or “pleasant”) was mentioned in an inscription during the reign of Thutmose III (1479–1425 BCE). Cats were highly revered in Egypt and often kept as pets, serving to protect homes and granaries from pests.
The oldest known dog name comes from ancient Mesopotamia. A dog named Abuwtiyuw was mentioned in an ancient Egyptian inscription from around 2280 BCE. Abuwtiyuw was honored by his owner, a high-ranking official, and given a burial, a testament to the respect dogs received in early societies.
Peritas (Dog of Alexander the Great)
Time Period: 4th century BCE
Peritas is mentioned in historical accounts of Alexander the Great’s life, notably by historians such as Plutarch and Arrian. According to these sources, Peritas was a beloved dog of Alexander, reportedly saving his life during a battle against an elephant. Alexander held Peritas in such high regard that he is said to have named a city after the dog.
Time Period: New Kingdom of Egypt, around the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1391–1353 BCE)
Ipy is known from an inscription on the tomb of an Egyptian noble. Baboons were kept as exotic pets in ancient Egypt, and some nobles even mummified their pet baboons for the afterlife. Ipy’s name appears on a wall relief in one such tomb, demonstrating the high regard the noble had for his pet.
The Roman poet, Ovid, mourned the death of a pet parrot in his works, though the bird’s name isn’t mentioned. Ovid lived from 43 BCE to 17/18 CE. He is known for works like: Metamorphoses, The Art of Love (Ars Amatoria), and Heroides.
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