David Caruso: A Basset Named Horatio

As we crouched at the end of a long, slippery slide, waiting to catch The Babe as he rapidly descended, we heard behind us, "Horatio, come 'ere, boy"! With the small boy's footing assured, we turned in time to see a sad-eyed Basset Hound, with ears flapping and butt twitching, lumbering toward his master's voice.

The giggle escaped before we even realized it. Is this wonderful, family-friendly pooch the vision that comes to mind when you hear the name "Horatio"? No? Well, how about a ferret, or a boa or even a parrot?









The popularity of the name, Horatio, has grown along with the fame of "CSI Miami" and "Horatio Caine". We know of a few new mothers who named their baby, Horatio, while there are hundreds, if not thousands, of pets so named in the past 7 years.

Horatio isn't a new name; it's been around for hundreds of years. The question's been asked but we haven't seen an answer as to why TPTB, Anthony Zuiker, Ann Donahue, David Caruso, et al, decided their lead character on CSI Miami should bear the name. It was a smart move; it's taken on a life of its own.

Most fans know the name is Latin in origin, meaning timekeeper or seasonal. Truly, our Horatio is a Man for All Seasons. However, other, equally or lesser known, Horatio's, have lived throughout history.











Arguably the best known is Hamlet's trusted friend, Horatio, in Shakespeare works.

Horatio Alger, prolific American writer with the unsavory past, with his rags to riches stories depicting young boys and their older mentors.

Horatio Nelson, Britain's famous naval hero.

Horatio Hornblower, courageous fictional character of C.S. Forester novels.

Horatio Gates, American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 leader.

Due entirely to the popularity of CSI Miami and David Caruso's character, Horatio has become something of a trend-setting name. Still, the image of that Basset Hound clumsily responding to his owner brings a chuckle.