Bandit

Bandit comes from the Italian bandito, meaning "outlaw" or "one who is banned," rooted in the verb bandire, to banish or proclaim. The word entered English through Spanish and French in the 1600s, referring to brigands and outlaws. As a pet name, it captures a spirit of playful defiance — the companion who steals socks, hearts, and snacks with equal enthusiasm.

Bandit ranks #121 among America's most popular pet names, and it has the kind of self-explanatory charm that makes it immediately appealing. Every Bandit earned the name somehow — whether by stealing food, escaping the yard, or simply wearing a natural mask-like marking across the face. The name has a roguish warmth to it, suggesting a companion who bends the rules but never loses your affection. It is one of those pet names that tells a story the moment you hear it.