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Oita zoo under fire for naming baby monkey Charlotte

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How petty. What's in a name? I wonder if the 300 folk who got hot under the collar are Japanese, or British. Mainly Japanese I imagine, if they were phoning in. I doubt many Brits - including this one - could give a toss.

There's nothing rude in copying a name from one little cutey to another.

It's a sweet-looking little monkey, whatever it's called.

Welcome to our world, to both little Charlottes.

19 ( +26 / -6 )

She's cute. Call her 'Princess'.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Agree with Cleo. As another Brit, I wouldn't consider it rude in the slightest. And the I doubt the family itself would take offense. I'm sure there will be tons of newborn puppies, kittens, fish, and other newborn pets and zoo animals given that name in the next few months in England.

In being the result of a public vote, it just reflects the interest (and respect) those Japanese have for the British Royals. The comparison to Japan's Imperial Family is irrelevant. They are on another level of separation from everyday citizens. The British Royals, esp. William and Kate, are relatively approachable and down-to-earth.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

I thought it was tacky. I mean, what are people thinking, writing out their ballot papers at the zoo? "Oh! The royal family in England just named their baby Charlotte, that's what I'll write for this monkey's name!" They'd never try to name a monkey Hirohito, I bet.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Both born to a life of confined comforts. But only one can go naked in public.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I am a royalist and quite frankly I don't get what the fuss is about. Every time a new Royal is named, in England that name becomes one of the most popular names for the next year or so. That includes pets as well. I had a dog named Harry and a cat named Billy (William), I'm sure it's as has been said before, people getting offended for people who "should be getting offended" but aren't.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

"Oita zoo under fire for naming baby monkey Charlotte"

Thank you, humanity, for bringing the attention to such an important issue and being offended for those you feel should be offended, but actually aren't.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Jimizo, I very much doubt many, if any, of the complainers are Brits. As DiscoJ points out, the UK will in the next few months find itself awash with newborn baby Charlottes, whether they're humans, puppies, kittens, rabbits, hamsters, goldfish, ferrets or reticulated pythons.

It seems the Takasakiyama Zoo website has been down since 2 o'clock this afternoon, due to a surfeit of access.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I really don't think the British Royal Family cares a hoot about a monkey being named Charlotte. But for sure if a monkey were named "Mako or Kako" or "Akishino" in another country... the Japanese people would feel offended....me thinks.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Agree with Cleo there will be a TON of baby girls, etc that will be named Charlotte. Neither is it an uncommon nor unique name in many countries so what is the fuzz all about?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Whether it is insulting or not, there is no way they intended it to be. BUT, since it is insulting to some people, I think it should be changed. I like the suggestion of 'princess' above. Personally I have no qualms about it at all, nor would I if someone named a pet after me or a baby of mine, or what have you. BUT, when I DO think about the flip-side, imagining when little Aiko was born if a zoo in the US named a baby monkey Princess Aiko that a lot of people here would have a problem with it (maybe not a lot, I but some would).

I think people are a little too sensitive about some things.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Nice bit of PR for the zoo! they could call the monkey "Charlie" in stead, (no ref to the ears)

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Seriously?! People are up in arms about this? Simply unbelievable.

Why don't people take a look at the real problem here? It's a zoo, a Japanese zoo at that. In other words, it's a place of misery for the poor animals who "live" there. Now, that's something to be annoyed about.

4 ( +5 / -2 )

Seriously? Does anyone really care if a monkey is named after a baby?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I wish I had a monkey named after me! The monkey may not feel the same...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am pretty sure the royal family doesn't care about a minor animal in a minor zoo in a minor prefecture.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

To the animal rights people, it's not a zoo really, the monkeys live on the mountain and come down to eat and watch the goofy tourists whenever they feel like it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I could see an issue if they had named it "Princess Charlotte of Wales", but the Royal Family does not have exclusive ownership of the common name "Charlotte". The bookkeeper at one of my elementary schools would take issue with the Royal Family had they claimed so because SHE had the name before the Royal Family did.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

For crying out loud, it's a tribute to name the monkey after the royal baby. I'm British, we don't see this as an isult, but a funny honour. Lighten up!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

602miko

Yeah kinda rude what if the monkey name to princess Aiko, is that proper I guess not?

They named the Moneky "CHARLOTTE" and not "PRINCESS CHARLOTTE" how many people in this planet have the name CHARLOTTE. CHARLOTTE is also a famous place in Canada.

My question is, why do we have to think about the ROYAL FAMILIES when we decide names for our pets? If i name my Dog "BRAD" will someone get mad and think I am insulting Brad Pitt like the way some reacted for these "ROYAL FAMILIES"

Royal Families are the symbol that HUMAND BEINGS will never be equal!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I find it funny that there have been panda's and koala's named after famous people and no one said a word, but because it's a monkey...sometimes people are ridiculous. It used to be an honor to name newborn animals after famous people.

I say get over it and call the cute little baby Charlotte. I think 10 years from now Princess Charlotte will find it adorable that Japan thought enough about her birth to name a baby monkey after her.

bec

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kyodo News reported complainants had asked how people in Japan here would react if a British zoo were to name an animal after a member of Japan’s revered imperial family.

Is this...no, it can't be...people here actually thinking with their heads? Or maybe these people were foreigners.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If the zoo uses all of the possible PR stunts, they could get a lot of people through the doors, 1: Call it Charlie, more uproar and complaints. 2: Rename the monkey Kamila ...more complaints,,get on the national TV, TV companies flock to the zoo and interview the MD and owners, 3: Zoo apologises, they don't know what to call the new born monkey, "competition time" they ask every body to write in and surgest a name, the lucky winner gets £500 in cash and a free life times entrance to the zoo, when you write in it must have your details on so they can contact you, IE email address and home address, (instant data base for sending out promotional goods, and zoo offers), 4: Zoo announces monkeys new name on TV and the prize winner gets to be on national TV with the baby monkey, Arrr! kiwaii! 5: The zoos cash registers are bulging with cash from the new customers flowing through the doors!!! OMG I've lived in the UK for to long, i see this stunt every day!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Some of these 'patriotic' Brits would probably love to tell the world about the quirkiness of our irreverence and attitude of not taking things too seriously. A very irritating and embarrassing minority.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Name of Charlotte seems to be just another name. Many pets have name of Charlie. Hence it seems no insult for those who have same name.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Have the royal family complained? Because it seems to me that they're the only ones with a right to feel offended.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yeah kinda rude what if the monkey name to princess Aiko, is that proper I guess not?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

They'd never try to name a monkey Hirohito, I bet.

And get PO'd if any other country named one either. I suggest Abe-chan, more appropriate but I take that back, be a heck of a legacy to live down with a name like that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

'I am pretty sure the royal family doesn't care about a minor animal'

There's nothing minor about a monkey. A wonderful fellow primate.

@Cleo Yes, fair point. I must in anti-Tory rant mode with the election coming up.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The zoo is discussing what to do

The simians are taking a hard stand declaring they were not consulted about the name. The equids (zebras) count their stripes, the felinae (lions, tigers etc) don't give a rodent's posterior, the giraffes have a headache. The discussions have reached a critical point and hippos are expected to pull their weight. Where will the insects and reptiles stand? So far the strongest opinion is to ask the parents! Don't know about you but I honestly can't wait for the discussion results.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is dumb.

1) Name chosen by public.

2) "Charlotte" is common name; hardly exclusive to British royalty

3) I doubt that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge even remotely care about this.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

According to FNN News, Kate and William couldn't care less -

http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00291947.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My first reaction was why don't the 300 or so people who complained get a life?

My second reaction was, why on Earth does Japan Today publish this kind of crap?

Who cares?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well dogs do get "foreign" names in Japan, so they're not breaking precedent.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I prefer Naomi...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Im British and dont feel in the slightest bit offended.If anything,I`m flattered that the British Royal family is so well thought of.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

we the human being sometimes use their name Monkey but you see monkeys never protesting.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

lots of dogs were called LADY DI in honour of Diana before she became a Princess. Much ado about Nothing.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If not Charlotte(the popular choice), then why not the second most popular one? Not Shinzo, though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I agreed with Smith in Japan on this though in this case its not like the Japanese named her "Princess Charlotte". That would be a bit too much.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Charlotte Hebdo! Voila! Merci!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I adopted a much-loved cat who an elite angel of Jesus named Dorcas - after the resurrected lady named Dorcas in the New Testament who was known for her kind deeds for the poor and who was always washing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I find it funny that there have been panda's and koala's named after famous people and no one said a word

This made the news in a big way, I think that's the only difference. I don't recall other news stories about animals being named after famous people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

UK never named their animal with the first name of a royalty of any country.

There's a chimpanzee named Louis at Edinburgh zoo. I don't imagine the Luxembourg royal family took great offense.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Personally I owe a great debt of gratitude to the human Charlotte. For the past few days, I haven't had to plan a single lesson for my grannies' classes. All they do is babble about the little princess.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It won't even sound the same when rendered into katakana anyway!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What, "Charlotte" is copyrighted now, since the British royal soap opera used it? How ridiculous can you get.

I now named my pet goldfish "Charlotte". So, sue me!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Ok.... how many female monkeys in Japan named Masako? If there are a few then I guess Charlotte is fine.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Another Brit here and I do not give a monkeys **** what this adorable creature is named, nor would the Royal Family I am sure.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There is nothing wrong with naming a monkey Charlotte. At this very moment lots of people are naming babies, cats, dogs and perhaps pet spiders Charlotte. Remember "Charlotte's Web," "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" and the dubious "Charlotte the Harlot, the Cowpunchers' Whore." When Charlotte grows up she had better learn to fight. I mean the princess not the monkey.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

How degrading for all monkeys to say they are not worthy of having a humans name. Hello, planet of the apes.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

it is rude to the British royal family

======================================

UK never named their animal with the first name of a royalty of any country.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

what are the royal families of England contribute to us in Japan that limits our freedom to choose whatever names we want to give our pets? I thought we moved out f the medieval period?

-16 ( +10 / -27 )

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