To me it seems rather natural. Do they name boats and ships? I believe they do. Before they hit the water they typically have a name. Now, as someone earlier implied, it does not seem unusual to wait until the character directs you to a name. In my case that is exactly what I am doing. Until then, I refer to the "603", "617", '87 300TD or "84 300D Turbo. I would prefer to have a name attached, when and if appropriate, for a combination of the reasons stated earlier. Just a preference. I could have name my late Bulldog, "dog" or "Bulldog" or even "English Bulldog". Can you imagine the confusion in an obedience class if everyone named their canine "dog"?

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.