Ducky is an endearment term in British English — calling someone "ducky" is warm, slightly informal, and carries a quality of affectionate familiarity. As a pet name it has a waddle-and-splash playfulness that works particularly well on short-legged dogs whose movement patterns are genuinely duck-adjacent, which is a non-trivial segment of the dog population.
The Land Before Time Legacy
Ducky the Saurolophus from The Land Before Time (1988) is the most recognizable pop-culture Ducky — an enthusiastic, friendly dinosaur whose catchphrase was "Yep, yep, yep!" That association gives the name a warmth and optimism that aligns perfectly with family pets. Owners with children who grew up with the film may be making this reference consciously. Corgis and Dachshunds are the breed fits most often cited — both low to the ground, both prone to an enthusiastic waddling gait.
Sound Fit
"Ducky" ends in the same "-ee" sound that dominates contemporary dog names (Buddy, Teddy, Ollie, Molly). That suffix signals affection and domesticity simultaneously. The word is also inherently funny, which is a feature for owners who want their pet's name to make people smile at introductions.
Counter-Read
Ducky is fully committed to being charming and somewhat silly. A large, imposing dog named Ducky faces an identity challenge. For a name in the same playful water-creature register with more adaptability, compare River or browse all pet names.