Buddy

Buddy is an informal American English word for a close friend or companion, rooted in the 19th-century slang term for a brother figure. The word carries warmth, loyalty, and easy affection — exactly the qualities that make it such an enduring choice for a pet. It says, simply, "this companion is my friend," and that honest sincerity is hard to beat.

Buddy sits at #12 among the most popular pet names nationwide, with nearly 3,800 animals sharing the name. It is one of those rare names that feels both deeply familiar and always fresh — you've heard it before, but it never feels tired. The name communicates a relationship built on friendship and mutual trust, which is exactly how most pet owners describe their bond with their animals. Buddy has been a staple of American pet culture for decades and shows no sign of fading.