When picking out a dog's name, it could be argued pet owners have more creative freedom than parents have when naming their children. This is because nobody is going to pick on a dog for being called Sir Squishypants - but a name like that is bound to get a child bullied in the playground.
But one woman has been called out by her sister after giving her dog an "offensive name" - and is now being ordered to change it. Taking to Reddit, the woman explained how she recently adopted an American Akita and wanted to give him a "funny" name to match his cheeky personality.
She said: "His name is Yankee - I thought it was funny, and he seems to like his name."
In Southern America, Yankee is sometimes seen as a derogatory term or slur that refers to all Northerners. But the word has taken on an alternative meaning - covering all Americans in general - after being picked up by people from other countries.
While some Americans consider it to be an offensive term, it wasn't until her sister returned home from the States, where she has been living for two years, that she began to question her dog's name.
"She recently flew home with her boyfriend in tow. It was the first time we've met him," the woman added.
"I guess she never mentioned me or my dogs, but he was pretty surprised when I told him my dog's name.
"I didn't think much of it - most of my pets have peculiar names so I assumed it was just an overall reaction."
Later that evening, her sister phoned her up to ask to consider renaming her dog.
"I kind of thought she was kidding, but she reiterated that she was serious.
"The name Yankee had upset her boyfriend quite badly, and he found it offensive. I basically told her to f*** off and tell him to grow up."
Annoyed she wouldn't change his name, her sister and her boyfriend showed up at her door the following day to try to persuade her further.
"They came to tell me why the name Yankee was so awful. I told him I wasn't going to change my dog's name," she added.
"They, thankfully, left, but still seemed pretty upset. But I am starting to feel kind of bad for not taking him seriously when it may be a genuine issue for him."
Her choice of dog's name has divided Reddit users, with some saying it's great, while others agreed it is offensive.
One user said: "I'm American and I've never heard anyone offended by the term. What a bizarre thing for him to say."
Another user added: "There's an entire sports franchise here in the US called the New York Yankees. Their merch is literally sold around the world."
A third user argued: "Some southerners use it as an insult."
One more user added: "Although I don't think he should be offended by it, I can kind of understand why he is.
"I don't know many Americans who would find it offensive - but clearly they're out there and he is one of them."
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