Gatsby

Gatsby is a surname of uncertain origin, best known as the name of the fictional protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Jay Gatsby — born James Gatz — reinvented himself into a figure of extravagant wealth and romantic obsession, making the name synonymous with aspiration, glamour, and the gilded veneer of the American Dream. For pets, Gatsby conjures images of old-money elegance with a hint of theatrical excess.

Gatsby is the name for a pet who has clearly decided he deserves the absolute best and is not going to apologize for it. There is something inherently theatrical about Gatsby — it suits a companion who makes an entrance, who has strong opinions about his sleeping arrangements, and who somehow always ends up being the most talked-about presence in any room. The literary reference gives it depth, the Jazz Age associations give it glamour, and the fact that it belongs to a dog or cat gives it the perfect ironic twist the name has always seemed to invite.