Gizmo

Gizmo is an American slang term of uncertain origin — possibly from Scots gismo or various informal military terms — referring to a small gadget or mechanical device whose name you cannot quite remember. As a name, it describes something clever, compact, and a little mysterious in its workings. It became embedded in pop culture through the beloved creature in the 1984 film Gremlins, giving the name both charm and a gentle sense of magical mischief.

Gizmo holds the #44 spot among US pet names, with nearly 1,700 companions sharing it. The name works particularly well for small, clever animals — those who seem to operate on some internal logic that their owners cannot quite decode but entirely delight in. Gizmo has been a popular name since the 1984 film gave it cultural staying power, and its association with something small, lovable, and slightly unpredictable has made it enduringly charming for pet owners.