Cast Away Inspired Dog Names

The film Cast Away has long been considered one of the best Tom Hanks films ever made. Because of his track record, it was expected that Hanks would do well in his role as the FedEx systems manager who ends up stranded on a remote island. However, the surprise scene-stealer of the film, one that would end up becoming a significant part of the movie, is Chuck Noland’s volleyball friend called Wilson.

Wilson served as Noland’s only companion and “personified” pal throughout the four years that he spent on the island. His name was derived from Wilson Sporting Goods, which manufactured the ball. Screenplay writer William Broyles, Jr. came up with the idea for the character during his research for the film. To make the script for the film as realistic as possible, Broyles, Jr. asked for insight from professional survival experts and subsequently chose to be stranded on a secluded island for a week where he would have to fend for himself and find his own shelter, food and water. While on isolation, a volleyball had washed up on the shore of the island where he is staying, which served as inspiration for what would eventually become Wilson’s character.

Because of the character’s unexpected rise to fame, Wilson Sporting Goods created a promotion campaign based on the movie and launched a limited edition line of volleyballs with a bloodied handprint face on it, similar to the Wilson’s appearance in the film. Moreover, one of the original volleyballs used as a prop in the movie was sold for $18,500 at an auction, with the buyer coincidentally being a former CEO for FedEx in Ken May.

Even though Wilson is an inanimate object, he served as a true companion to Chuck and even helped keep him sane during his four years of isolation. It was also evident that Chuck had formed an attachment to Wilson and treated him as a best friend – a feeling that lots of dog owners can relate to. This is why the name “Wilson” is a popular choice for dogs. An example of a famous dog named after the volleyball is Wilson from the British television show Friday Night Dinner.

The show’s premise is centered on the Friday dinner experience (known as Shabbat) of the Goodmans, a British Jewish family. Their dinner is typically interrupted by the pranks of the children, Adam and Jonny, or by their neighbor Jim, a lonely man who is attracted to Jackie Goodman. Jim’s closest friend is a dog named Wilson and throughout the episodes, their relationship is highlighted. Sadly, during the sixth episode of the show’s fifth season, Wilson was killed off due to an unknown condition, which left Jim and many of the show’s viewers heartbroken.