Interesting thread, TOTC! In fact, I'm a big fan of those old Merrie Melodies cartoons (in fact I'm listening to one off youtube right now no kidding; the one with Chester, Spike, Sylvester and the escaped panther). I know the 'George' you speak of; in fact, I had a barbeque pit I called George for that reason. It was a gift that I hauled all the way to Missouri from Texas so it earned it. That cartoon is based on Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, btw (short enough to be a great read on the can).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OogLnq0tkOI&feature=related
I have a Garand with a name, almost for the same reason I named George. I figure anything you're willing to haul halfway across the country, or anything you're willing to haul yourself halfway across the country to get, deserves a name. I recently drove from Texas all night to go to the South CMP to get a Springfield Garand, and it had so much character and toughness it just had to be Walt: Clint Eastwood's character from Grand Torino, who pulls a Garand on some gangbangers.
I thought I might call my CZ-52 'Prissy' if I ever have the need. It's small and dainty compared to my XD45T, and is in pristine condition.
A buddy has a Mosin he calls 'the Komrade,' and a 'boomstick' shotgun (nothing terribly original there). He named another friend's ancient 20-guage breach-loading single-action 'grandma's broom,' though.
I have another rifle with a name, but it had it before I got to it. It's a Yugoslavian SKS M59 (the old kind, no gas tube switch or grenade launcher) that was used in the 90's conflict and has the name 'Dano' scratched into it. Dano rides again after a refinishing; I decided to bring out the carvings and the dings/discolorations to highlight its character. I plan to post some pics as soon as I'm satisfied with the last coat.