[name_m]Hi[/name_m], I’m new here. I chose to ask this question in this forum, after coming from BabyCenter and choosing not to ask this question there. I searched these names in their forum search engine and read over some nasty replies on the threads I found asking about them. So I’m actually afraid to ask over there lol
I really like the names [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] and [name_u]Dakota[/name_u]. The problem is that people seem to have the opinion that these are dog names. Which I find infuriating, 1 because a dog can be named anything, including top “human” names like [name_f]Emma[/name_f] or [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. And 2 because I don’t think either of these names are in the realm of [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] or Spot either. It’s equally infuriating to when I see people call names like [name_f]Crystal[/name_f] or [name_f]Summer[/name_f] “hooker” names, which I know for a fact are names that no one looks twice at in the real world.
Still, it’s upset me a bit. I definitely don’t plan to use both names because this issue has gotten to me, if I get the opportunity, I’ll choose only one or the other, not both, and I’m leaning closer to [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]. It’s quite a bit less heard of than [name_u]Dakota[/name_u], but I thought that maybe with the [name_f]Jolie[/name_f]-[name_m]Pitt[/name_m] kid it would be more known as a name.
And since it’s unisex, I’m actually very open to using it eventually no matter the gender.
Anyway, like I said I came here to see if the reactions would be different on this forum. So what are your thoughts?
[name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Nameberry! It is very true that people often have (and share) opinions about names we love that are extremely rude and off-putting. It’s a pretty decent group here, though, so I hope you can come to find this site as a better ‘support’ system and community than what you have previously dealt with!
Onto the names…concerning [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] and [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] both, I can see both sides of the issue. Honestly, I know and have heard of many pets having these names. I wouldn’t consider them pets’ names though, since almost anything can fit into that category and people do seem to like “people names” for pets.
[name_u]Dakota[/name_u] and [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] aren’t bad names, though! My husband is actually named [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] 
the issues you may run into are that both names are very much so unisex, which doesn’t seem to bother you (I personally stay away from unisex names when coming up with names for my own kids, because I really prefer names to give off the gender…but that’s just my take on it…everyone is totally free to do what they want…we can have different naming styles lol). [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] is probably a bit more established than [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]. And I think it is interesting to note that [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] [name_f]Jolie[/name_f]-[name_m]Pitt[/name_m] doesn’t even choose to go by that name anymore. People moreso know her parents, so celebrity kids (and their names) often get forgotten about. I think that is why it isn’t really more familiar as a name.
If it is truly something you want to do, by all means, use one or both of the names We may all have our own styles of names, but it isn’t really up to us to name each other’s kids. I mean, here we give suggestions and feedback, but we aren’t the one that fills out the birth certificate and raises these kids (or are the ones who will be wearing these names, for that matter).
[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]'s actually a favorite of mine so naturally I love it. [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] I love too however I have heard and seen that this name is a part of native american culture and could be considered offensive to some. So [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] yes but I would double check with [name_u]Dakota[/name_u].
[name_f]Welcome[/name_f]. [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] has always been my #1 girl name but I have been hesitant to use it, not because of the [name_f]Jolie[/name_f]-[name_m]Pitt[/name_m] or how it is supposedly a “dog name” (I’ve heard this too and find it amusing, because like you said, a dog name can be anything and it’s no Spot or [name_u]Lucky[/name_u]), but because it’s uncommon.
Unfortunately, I don’t care for [name_u]Dakota[/name_u]. I used the name as one of my online alter egos around 6 or 7 years ago so, while I did like it, it’s just kind of “meh” and I don’t find it to have anything special about it. It’s a name I wouldn’t remember, like it doesn’t have any effect on me.
The [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] connection might be from the film. It does come to mind when I hear the name, but it makes a wonderful name for a person. I may be in the minority, but I’d love to see it on a little boy. I’m glad it doesn’t put you off the name; I don’t see why people think that a child is going to be horrified that they share a name with an animal.
I think they’re both fine
They are better than some of the overly pretentious names you can sometimes run into on naming sites.
Thank you guys! I feel a lot better about them now 
I agree that [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] and [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] are both fine names. I personally prefer [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u].
I really like [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]! I think it’s such a pretty name and I definitely don’t think if it as a dog name. [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] is #606 on the US top 1000, so there are lots of people who love it enough to use it. I think [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] is nice too, and I appreciate that it’s not common. If you love those names, I say go foor it! [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] is a great name and I would love to meet someone named Shiloh! Also, sometimes baby naming sites have more more opinions on names than the real world, so don’t worry too much about the bad opinions.
I love the name [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], and I love that it’s gender-neutral. If it makes you feel better, I just looked at a list of the most popular dog names, and the top names are names like [name_f]Bella[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], [name_f]Sadie[/name_f], [name_f]Lola[/name_f], [name_f]Lily[/name_f], [name_u]Max[/name_u], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_u]Sam[/name_u], [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]… Those names are popular and well-liked for kids as well, and I haven’t seen anyone (on this website, at least) comment on any of those names as seeming like they’re more suitable for dogs. Like you said yourself, it’s not like you want to name your kid Spot. So go ahead and use the name you want!
Honestly, I see what you mean. It’s frustrating and insulting to hear a name you really like is a “dog” name, or in any other way not suited for a human being, but I wouldn’t take it too hard. I’ve been told that one of my favourites, [name_m]Leo[/name_m], is a dog name, and it’s currently ranked within the top 100 most popular baby names. Clearly there’s a discrepancy here.
At the end of the day, the whole pet’s name argument is just someone else’s opinion. It’s no different than someone perceiving a certain name as too frilly or too hooker-ish, or too whatever the complaint may be. It’s not like you’re planning to name your kid something like [name_f]Shadow[/name_f] or [name_m]Buddy[/name_m]. [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] and [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] are both well established names (not to mention location names!), and it’s unfortunate that the negative feedback has chased you away from them.
That said, I don’t know of any dogs named [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] or [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], if that’s any consolation. [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] I don’t care for that much, but I have seen it on several people. The first that come to mind are a guy I went to school with, and of course, [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] Fanning. I really like [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] though, and would be thrilled to see someone use it!
I wouldn’t consider [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] or [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] a pet name, but I do think everyone has names they personally deem a pet name. I knew 3 [name_u]Bailey[/name_u]'s that were dogs before I ever met a person named [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] so in my mind [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] is a dog name. But that’s for me personally, not an across the board rule. So I think it’s rude for people to say a name you like is a “dog” name unless you’re thinking of naming your kid Snoopy or Rover.
That being said, I don’t think of Brangalina when I hear [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]. I just think it’s pretty. Because of [name_u]Dakota[/name_u] Fanning I lean feminine. So for me, both those names are female at first blush, but both could easily work for a boy. And use them if you like them!