24 Inspired Dog Names

24 has received numerous awards and accolades over eight seasons, including the “Outstanding Drama Series” distinction at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards and the “Best Drama Series” award at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards. It also owns the distinction of being the longest-running television show with an espionage theme. 24 has also garnered thousands of fans, many of which are dog lovers. One of the most the most recognizable dogs in pop culture with a 24-inspired name is JB, from the film Kingsman: The Secret Service and its sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Released in 2014, Kingsman: The Secret Service is an action-comedy movie that follows the life of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, played by actor Taron Egerton, and his recruitment into a secret spy organization known as Kingsman. The group takes on a mission to prevent billionaire Richmond Valentine from wiping out the world. The film received positive reviews and gained praise for the acting, the over-the-top action scenes and black humor. 

The film starts in 1997, when probationary agent Lee Unwin saves his superior, Harry Hart, and ends up dying in the process. Feeling guilty for Lee’s death, Hart visits his home and gives Lee’s widow and son, Eggsy, a medal with an emergency number and asks them to call anytime they are in trouble. Fast forward to 17 years later, Eggsy becomes a troublemaker after dropping out of Royal Marines training. One day, he gets arrested for stealing a car so he calls the number on the medal. Hart comes to his rescue and immediately gets him released.

After helping Eggsy, Hart proceeds to tell him about a private and confidential secret organization known as the Kingsman, which Hart is a member of. Each member has a code name, typically named after knights. Because of the death of one of their members, Agent “Lancelot” during a rescue mission, Hart, aka “Galahad”, recruits Eggsy to be his candidate for the vacant position. Initially unsure, Eggsy gives it a shot and takes on the training process. To become the new “Lancelot”, Eggsy must go through a series of tasks conducted by agent “Merlin” and beat out the other candidates.

At the beginning of their training, each candidate is given a puppy to raise throughout the entire process. Eggsy receives a Pug, whom he names “JB”, after the counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer from the show 24. JB gets some screen time and plays a pivotal role in the movie. When Eggsy and Roxy, a candidate who becomes his friend, are asked to shoot their respective dogs for their final test, Eggsy refuses because he has grown attached to JB. Because of his reluctance, he loses and Roxy is named the new Agent “Lancelot”. In the end, however, Eggsy goes on to help the Kingsman in saving the world from Richmond Valentine’s mass killings.

Unfortunately, JB dies in the sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, after Eggsy’s home was hit by a missile in an attempt to assassinate him. However, Princess Tilde, Eggsy’s girlfriend, gets him a new dog to compensate for the loss of JB.