Meatball

Meatball is a culinary term for a ball of seasoned ground meat — the word combining meat (from Old English maete meaning food) and ball. As a pet name it is pure affection expressed through absurdity. The name is given to round, well-padded, thoroughly beloved animals who have achieved a certain spherical contentment.

Meatball is the name you give a pet who is, let's say, magnificently round. It's a name born of love and gentle humor — the recognition that your animal has achieved a body shape that can only be described as perfect, in its own way. Fat cats, chubby dogs, round guinea pigs — they are all potential Meatballs. The name is also completely irresistible in a vet's waiting room, which is a genuine quality. There is nothing about this name that isn't fundamentally affectionate.