Not everyone is content naming their pet Spot or Whiskers. Some human parents eschew generic names and opt to give their animal companions extremely creative ones — perhaps better described as outlandish.
It’s a momentous decision to choose the word(s) that you’ll be uttering for years to come. It can be a social statement, a term of affection, a humorous reference, or an homage to another animal (or human). But just as human baby names become more “original” (read crazy), pet names also grow more eccentric.
In celebration of the odd pet name, Nationwide’s pet insurance arm holds an annual contest to choose the wackiest animal monikers. The goal is to choose “the most clever, creative and quirky pet names across the nation,” Nationwide’s Chief Veterinary Medical Officer Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, told Lady Freethinker.
After a “thorough” selection process, the top ten dog and ten cat names were chosen from a database of insured pets and presented to the public for an online vote.
“This year’s campaign saw strong references to pop culture topics,” noted McConnell.
Without further ado, here are the Wackiest Pet Names of 2016:
| Dogs | Cats | |
| 1. McLoven the Stud Muffin | 1. Agent Jack Meower | |
| 2. Kanye Westie | 2. Shakespurr | |
| 3. Angus Von Wigglebottom | 3. Meowmadeus | |
| 4. SuperFunCoconutDog | 4. Macaroni Bob | |
| 5. Optimus Prime Rib | 5. Sir Pickles Pennybottom | |
| 6. Maximus Waffles | 6. Princess Poopy Paws | |
| 7. ChaChi Big Foot | 7. Butch Catsidy | |
| 8. Scrappin Scruffy Macdoogle of the Highland Macdoogles | 8. Sharkbait Hoo Haa Haa | |
| 9. Lieutenant Colonel Be Back Soon | 9. Ziggy Snowdust | |
| 10. Aggie Von Schwaggie | 10. Enzo Asparagus Santa |
Whether you’re a creative namer or a prefer to go with a traditional choice for your pet, please be sure to adopt — not purchase — your fuzzy family member. Millions of dogs, cats, and other animals are euthanized each year because the shelters are full. By adopting your next pet, you very well may save their life.
