Beignet appears 66 times at rank 1569 on male pets. It's a New Orleans-specific food name that signals both regional identity and a particular culinary-aesthetic pet naming sensibility. Owners who choose it are almost certainly connected to Louisiana culture or have strong feelings about the French Quarter.
The New Orleans Food Name Tradition
Beignet, the powdered-sugar fried dough that defines Café Du Monde and the French Quarter tourist experience, belongs to a tradition of food-derived pet names that signal place as much as flavor. It sits alongside Gumbo and Jambalaya in the Louisiana-coded name set, though Beignet has a softer, more delicate image than either. The name lands on fluffy, pale-colored dogs most naturally.
Sound and Breed Fit
Ben-YAY is the correct French pronunciation, two syllables with a soft ending, though owners will inevitably hear BIG-net or BEN-yet in everyday use. The name works well on Bichon Frises and standard poodles where the French lineage of name and breed converge pleasantly.
The Counter-Reading
Beignet requires pronunciation coaching for most vets and groomers outside New Orleans. That's a minor ongoing inconvenience. The upside is a name that functions as a conversation opener and signals the owner's regional affinity or culinary passion. Both are legitimate reasons to choose it.