Mickey

Mickey is a diminutive of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el meaning "who is like God?" — a rhetorical question implying that no one is, used as a declaration of divine incomparability. As a nickname, Mickey retains none of that theology and all of the affection. Its most famous bearer, Mickey Mouse, created by Walt Disney in 1928, made the name synonymous with cheerful, irrepressible energy and a gift for making people happy.

Mickey holds the #107 spot among US pet names, with nearly 965 companions sharing it. The name is almost impossible to separate from its Disney origins, which for most owners is entirely the point. Mickey suits companions who are outgoing and expressive, those with a talent for capturing attention and maintaining it through sheer force of personality. The name has a jaunty, optimistic quality that tends to suit companions who approach everything with the same gleeful enthusiasm the original Mickey brought to every situation.