Bubby ranks 1909 in the pet registry with 52 male animals. It's a term of endearment — Yiddish and broadly American baby-talk for a beloved small person — that has been pressed directly into service as a pet name without modification. Naming a pet Bubby is essentially naming them The Beloved One and committing to it in writing.
Endearment as Name
Bubby (also spelled Bubbe in Yiddish, meaning grandmother) operates differently depending on the cultural context of the speaker. In Yiddish-inflected American English, it's an affectionate address to a grandchild. In broader American vernacular, it functions as a general term for a small, cherished person or animal. On a dog, Bubby implies a relationship where formality was never an option — the owner's attachment is baked directly into the name. Small, round, cuddly dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs carry the name with appropriate energy.
The Nickname Quality
Like Buddy or Boo, Bubby functions as a name-that-is-already-a-nickname. There's nowhere further to go with it, and that's perfectly fine for a pet. Buddy is the near neighbor in the pet registry.
The Counter-Reading: Professional Contexts
Calling a veterinary clinic to check in on "Bubby" creates a specific energy. Most owners who chose Bubby have made their peace with the informal register across all official contexts — it's a name that communicates the owner's affection more than the animal's identity. Browse affectionate pet names in the full directory.