Chi

Chi is a multifaceted word and name. In Chinese culture, qi (chi) refers to the vital life force or energy that flows through all living things — a concept central to Traditional Chinese Medicine and martial arts. It is also the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet. As a pet name it suggests something small but powerfully alive.

Chi is one of those names that is impossibly cute for a small pet. The Chihuahua connection is nearly unavoidable — the tiny, fierce, enormous-eared dog breed practically owns the name at this point. But Chi works equally well for any small, spirited pet with a disproportionate amount of personality per pound. The qi meaning adds unexpected depth: this small creature contains enormous energy, and anyone who has met a feisty small dog will understand that perfectly. Two letters, infinite presence.