Do you put a comma before the word called?

You generally do not put a comma before the word "called" unless it introduces a non-restrictive clause.

Let's break this down:

Non-restrictive Clause: This is a clause that adds extra information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It's set off by commas.

Example:

* "My dog, called Sparky, loves to play fetch." (The information "called Sparky" is extra and the sentence makes sense without it.)

Restrictive Clause: This is a clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas.

Example:

* "The dog called Sparky loves to play fetch." (Without "called Sparky," we wouldn't know which dog we're talking about.)

Here are some more examples:

* No comma: "The book is called 'The Great Gatsby.'"

* Comma: "The book, called 'The Great Gatsby,' is a classic." (The clause "called 'The Great Gatsby'" provides extra information.)

In general, if you can remove the phrase "called [name]" and the sentence still makes sense, then you need a comma. If you can't, then you don't.