We are pretty sure we are going to adopt an 8 month old lab mix. She is black with a white stripe on her chest. Her name is [name_f]Hope[/name_f], but we were thinking about naming her [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] with the nickname [name_m]Arty[/name_m] or [name_f]Missy[/name_f]. Should we do this name change? [name_f]Hope[/name_f] is still a really cute name.
We adopted a [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] and changed her name to [name_f]Fenna[/name_f]. Most people do name changes with pets they adopt from my experience. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry about that. It will just take some time to learn.
I like the name. Cute! I love mythological names. I owned a [name_f]Cassiopeia[/name_f] that we called [name_f]Cassie[/name_f]. 
We have adopted a few different pets. Some have kept their names and some have had them changed. I know certain people who feel giving adopted pets a new name creates a special bond but it has worked both ways for us. It may take a little time for her to get it though.
[name_f]My[/name_f] in-laws adopted a rescue. She was badly abused and they wanted to give her a new name for her new life.
It was changed from [name_f]Athena[/name_f] to [name_f]Sadie[/name_f]. She is only 8 months and after a week is responding to her new name better than her old one!
I have two rescue cats. With the older one, we kept her name, [name_f]Lilly[/name_f], because we liked it. However, with our younger one, she was named Tigra, which is a type of car. We didn’t like that, so we changed it to [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], in keep with the flower theme. She was only 6 months, so adapted well. I think Tigra would suit her too, cause she’s a little tiger!
I also had a rescue dog for a while. He was 5 when we got him, and his name was [name_m]Butch[/name_m]. He was the most scaredy-cat dog I’ve ever known, there was no way [name_m]Butch[/name_m] suited him! So, my parents let me rename him - I chose [name_u]Roscoe[/name_u], though that got quickly shortened to [name_m]Ross[/name_m]. He adapted well to the name change, despite being an older dog, (though, he never really responded to [name_m]Butch[/name_m] anyway; he had been mistreated, and I doubt his previous owners ever called him by name).
I think a young dog like yours would soon adapt to a new name, so I wouldn’t worry. It’s better to give her a name you like, then have to call out a name you don’t like all the time; that would get annoying. Good luck with your little pup!
[name_f]My[/name_f] dog was 3 months when we adopted her. Her name was [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], but it didn’t fit her at all. She started to respond to her new name, [name_f]Elfie[/name_f], after two days. I think you should change it! It won’t be too difficult.
We’ve always adopted dogs from shelters, and we usually give them new names as well. Dogs tend to be quick about picking up on new names.
If she were 8 years old, then no.
But at 8 months it might be different. If she had a loving guardian who called her her name all the time, then you should stick with it - add a middle or two. Or at the very least choose a name with the same sounds or that rhymes.
But if she was unnamed or barely named before coming into the shelter, then go for it.
I volunteered at various shelters and often the dogs came in unnamed and the shelter folks named them. The shelter should be able to give you her name history.
Also, ask her. I married a man with a beautiful shiny black dog named [name_f]Venus[/name_f]. [name_f]Venus[/name_f] was goofy and sweet and an escape artist who chased her tail as if it were an alien being. She did NOT remind me of the goddess of love and sex! But she was too old and knew her name too well so I added a middle name.
I called her [name_f]Holly[/name_f] and she did not respond. Later, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] popped into my head so I said, “[name_f]Venus[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]!” and she leaped up, licking my face. So [name_f]Venus[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] it was.
And then one day in the gladiola bed, it came to me, her full name: [name_f]Gladys[/name_f] [name_f]Venus[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]. She loved it!
I adopted a six-month-old pup whose name was a slang term for an erection. I didn’t care that he recognized it as his name…I wasn’t about to yell that across a dog park! I simply started using his new name and reinforcing it with plenty of petting, praise, and treats. He adapted within 48 hours. Your dog is young enough that she should have no trouble adjusting to her new name.
As having a [name_f]Pet[/name_f] rescue 501 c for over 15 years and a former Animal Control [name_m]Warden[/name_m] for over 12 years I can honestly say that 100% of the time strays come in with no known name. I quickly give them one as not to have them numbered. I always tell the potential adoptees that they can change the name to give their dog a family identity. 40% keep the name I give them. Same goes for people that have to turn over their dogs for on reason or the other; during that time more than 90% of the new owners keep their names. [name_f]My[/name_f] rescues have been given names by me. within about 3 days they def. know their name!