Minnie

Minnie is a diminutive of Wilhelmina, Minerva, Mary, or Hermione — it has served as a warm nickname for several different formal names across different naming traditions. In the 19th century it was widely used as a formal name in its own right. Today Minnie is perhaps most associated with Minnie Mouse, Walt Disney's character introduced in 1928, who gave the name a cheerful, dots-and-bows association that has never quite gone away.

Minnie holds the #93 spot among US pet names, with over 1,040 companions sharing it. The name has an irresistible sweetness — small in sound, enormous in warmth. It tends to suit compact, expressive companions who have a big personality contained in a manageable package. Minnie works particularly well for smaller animals with a lively, attention-commanding presence. The Disney association gives it a playful cultural currency that pet owners enjoy, though the name stands entirely on its own merits.