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85 Times Pets Got Such Great Names, The People Who Came Up With Them Deserved Awards
FunnyJAN 8, 2026

85 Times Pets Got Such Great Names, The People Who Came Up With Them Deserved Awards

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Naming your pet is the next most important choice you’ll make after deciding to open up your home to an animal in need of your love and care. While some folks go for something more traditional, others like to go all out and think way, way outside of the box.
Today, we’re featuring the ‘Petfinder Names’ subreddit, a fun little online community that shares some of the funniest and most imaginative pet names found over on the ‘Petfinder’ pet adoption website. Keep scrolling for some wholesomeness, cuteness, and a lot of excellent inspiration for your next pet’s name.

#1 Pie Chart. Such A Precious Name For A Precious Lady!

Gray and cream kitten close-up with amber eyes and curious expression, perfect for pet names and nicknames
76points

#2 These Geese

White geese in profile cards displaying amusing pet names like Goose Lee, Goose Willis, Goose Springsteen
72points

#3 Metallicat

Tuxedo kitten sitting inside a studded collar on a dark background, playful pet names idea
71points

According to ‘PetSmart,’ owners ought to choose a name for their pet that fits its personality. What’s more, it’s a great idea to choose a name based on how easy it is to say, preferably one that ends in a vowel.

And if you feel stuck, you can always look to your hobbies for inspiration. For example, you might find some awesome names in your favorite movies, books, TV shows, or video games.

#4 Pigcasso

Curious black pig in a muddy yard looking at camera, playful image for amusing pet names
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67points

#5 Hehe + Haha

Two tabby kittens on a green couch, one meowing and one alert, playful companions for pet names feature
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66points

#6 Swim Shady

Close-up of a young striped turtle on a log, playful pet names inspiration
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65points

Meanwhile, ‘PetSmart’ adds that there are a few things you should steer clear of when naming your new pet. For instance, you may want to avoid names that sound like other pets’ names, so there’s less confusion.

With that in mind, you also shouldn’t go for names that sound like training cues. If you name your pet ‘Shay,’ it might have a tough time when you order it to ‘Stay.’ So either avoid similar-sounding names or change your training cues.

It also might be easier if your pet's name isn’t longer than 2 syllables. In the meantime, think of possible nicknames! And once you’ve landed on a name that you like, stick with it. It might be fine to change the name “a few times in the first few weeks,” but after a longer while, your pet might find it confusing.

#7 Fruit Bat

Smiling black terrier on pebbled ground, close-up portrait for pet names inspiration
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63points

#8 Swinona Ryder

Potbellied pig wallowing in mud with profile card visible, playful pet names inspiration
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63points

#9 Buzz Lightbeard

Bearded dragon on gray blanket with caption Buzz LightBeard, playful pet names suggestion
62points

The ‘Petfinder Names’ subreddit was created back in March 2021. According to the moderator team, it is meant to be a place for people to post all of the silly and ridiculous names and photos of animals that they find on ‘Petfinder,’ the popular pet adoption site. The mod team notes that “normal names” will get removed from the sub, “unless the picture is that outrageous.”

However, the internet enjoys creative and off-the-hook ‘Petfinder’ names so much that this is far from the only online community that shares them.

#10 Catthew

Orange and white cat lounging on carpet with curious look, cozy scene for pet names ideas
59points

#11 Robert The Bruce

Scruffy light orange cat with wide eyes in shelter, portrait for pet names article
58points

#12 A Boxer Named George Foreman!

Close-up boxer dog adoption profile card labeled George Foreman, adult boxer 3 miles away, pet names inspiration
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58points

Previously, our team has covered the ‘Petfinder Names’ project on X, formerly Twitter. Though it’s named the same as the subreddit, and it also focuses on creative names from ‘Petfinder,’ these are two distinct online communities.

The X account was created in April 2021 and currently has nearly 337k followers on the social network.

#13 The Crime Brothers

Two cat adoption cards labeled Hooligan and Riff Raff, white-gray cats in photos, hearts icon, playful pet names example.
58points

#14 Emily Lickinson

Tuxedo cat with white paws and chest lounging on a ledge, looking at camera, pet names
57points

#15 Meep

White and gray cat with one yellow eye and one blue eye, held indoors, ideal for amusing pet names
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56points

Earlier, during a previous interview with Jea, the founder of the ‘Petfinder Names’ project on X, they said that, initially, the idea was something silly. The popularity of the account was something surprising.

“I started this account as a silly little thing on the side. I spend so much time browsing Petfinder and started to see some hilarious names, and I thought they would be fun to share!" they told Bored Panda earlier.

#16 Felony And Misdemeanor. Waiting To Break Out Of Kitty Jail

Two tabby kittens snuggled in a sink, playful faces suggesting quirky pet names
53points

#17 The One And Only Crunchwrap Supreme. I Hope He Has A Brother Called Baja Blast

Orange kitten held by hand against gray background, person wearing smartwatch, playful pet names inspiration
51points

#18 Mr. World Wide

Gray pigeon standing in a pink box with hay inside a cage, quirky pet names inspiration
50points

"I figured I would get some followers and people who enjoyed it, but it has blown up exponentially!” Jea, who created ‘Petfinder Names,’ said, explaining that it was incredible to see a surge of followers almost immediately after making the account on X.

At the time, they said that the most unusual animal name they’d found was a cat named Golfball Sized Hail. "But there are too many to count, and I'm sure they'll just keep getting weirder!"

#19 Tax Fraud

Tabby cat sitting in a green litter box inside a cage, cute image for pet names ideas
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50points

#20 Petfinder Or Local Deli?

Four adorable kittens with silly captions like Meatloaf Sammich and Churro, playful pet names collage
48points
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