For some folks, part of the joy of pet parenthood is heading outside with your sidekick. It’s important to equip yourself with plenty of water, waste bags, and maybe … a wacky name that’s ready for adventure?
Here are some past popular Wacky Pet Name nominees with kooky names that say, “Let’s go!”
Fantastic voyages
Whether you’re venturing to the dog park or across the vast ocean, it helps to have the right crew. Many of our Wacky Pet Names nominee families take inspiration from nautical sources when piloting their creative naming journey.
Leading the wacky fleet we have Admiral Turbo Meowington, whose name took a charged-up “Master and Commanding” role in our contest. Then, there’s the snacks division of our ship captains, led by Captain Pancake and Captain Sushi. Finally, a spicy privateer with a mash-up name inspired by a beloved actor: Captain Morgan Freeman.
Or a bold quest into the unknown
The great outdoors are even greater when there’s a quest to undertake. It’s why so many of our favorite characters from the silver screen are defined by their journey through perilous lands in search of great rewards.
For Wacky Pet Names nominee Bilbo Beggins, that adventure is inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” furry feet and all. For a treasure of a Wacky Pet Name, there’s pup professor of archeology Indiana Bones, whose brave journeys to the shimmering water bowl fortunately don’t involve any rolling boulders (we hope). Then, there’s Inigo Meowtoya, inspired by “The Princess Bride,” making him one pet who wants you to know his name.
Or in a galaxy far, far away
Few cultural touchpoints connect with as many Nationwide pet insurance members as the Star Wars franchise. Something about the nostalgia, the roster of evocative characters and the punability of those already wacky names makes this universe irresistible for our Wacky Pet Names nominees.
Really all the favorites are represented here: There’s Artoo Dogtoo, named for the lovable droid in the original Star Wars, feline favorites like Lando Catrissian and Obi Wan Catnobi, and of course … Luke Skybarker. We’ve even nominated two pets for Wacky Pet Names honors with names that put the bow-wow in bounty hunting, inspired by Boba Fett—meet Boba Pett and Boba Fetticini. You can really feel the fur-ce with this group!
Most paw-pular names for adventure pets
Looking for inspiration? Take along a name (or part of a name) from our more popular pet selections.
Scout: 2,696 – Overall, Nationwide-insured pets named “Scout” include 2,427 dogs, 260 cats, 2 birds (1 cockatoo and 1 parrot) and 7 exotic pets (4 ferrets and 3 rabbits).
Ranger: 1,172 – Our second most paw-pular explorer name, pets named “Ranger” account for 1,232 dogs, 76 cats, 1 chinchilla and 1 macaw in our pet insurance family.
Atlas: 936 – A pet name that holds a lot of weight! In total Nationwide insures 767 dogs, 152 cats, 7 birds (5 conures, 1 macaw and 1 parrot), 4 reptiles (1 bearded dragon, 1 snake and 2 tortoises) and 6 small mammals (3 ferrets and 3 rabbits) who are named “Atlas.”
Walker: 348 – What’s a wander but a type of walking? For Nationwide insured pets named “Walker,” we counted 285 dogs, 57 cats, 1 parrot, 2 reptiles (1 bearded dragon and 1 tortoise) and 3 small mammals (1 ferret and 2 rabbits).
Timber: 284 – Pet parents of these 251 dogs, 31 cats, 1 rabbit and 1 rat don’t miss the forest for the trees.
Cliff: 271 – You won’t be left hanging with this fun favorite name of 232 dogs, 35 cats, 1 parrot, 2 reptiles (1 bearded dragon and 1 tortoise) and 1 rabbit.
Journey: 156 – It’s not about the destination for these 139 dogs, 14 cats, 2 birds (1 parrot and 1 macaw) and 1 ferret, all named “Journey.”
Summit: 115 – The mountains are calling and these 107 dogs and 8 cats must go (with their pet insurance policy in tow, of course).
Rover: 64 – A true pet name classic with a traveler’s inspiration, chosen by Nationwide pet insurance members for 169 dogs and 28 cats.
Quality veterinary care anywhere you roam
If the unexpected happens at home or in the great outdoors, Nationwide pet insurance is there to help with reimbursement for eligible veterinary bills. Plus, members get 24/7 access to Nationwide VetHelpline®, a veterinary telehealth service that answers anywhere and everywhere. Get a quote today at petinsurance.com.
Name data as of Nov 2025. Counts based on names that contain these words.
