How to know when to use nommé or qui s'appelle?

Question

How do you know when to use nommé or qui s'appelle?

Eg. If I wanted to say I have a dog named Max, which phrasing would I use and why.

Answer 1

Nommé is formal and more "official". It is likely to appear in a legal document, a police report (along with dénommé which is often pejorative), or something literary.

Un tramway nommé Désir (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Nommé can also be used to state someone is appointed to a new position:

Edouard Philippe a été nommé Premier Ministre.

In casual speech, qui s'appelle is the phrase to use:

J'ai un chien qui s'appelle Max.

or, if you only have one dog:

Mon chien s'appelle Max.

Using nommé would be understood but is not idiomatic:

*J'ai un chien nommé Max.