Mochi

Mochi takes its name from the Japanese confection — a soft, chewy rice cake made from glutinous rice pounded into a smooth, pillowy mass. The word comes from Japanese mochigome meaning "sticky rice." The texture of mochi is famously distinctive: yielding, soft, and entirely satisfying to the touch. As a pet name, Mochi describes a companion with exactly those qualities — round, soft, tactilely irresistible.

Mochi holds the #96 spot among US pet names, with over 1,010 companions sharing it. The name reflects a broader cultural appreciation for Japanese food culture that has grown enormously in American popular culture over the past two decades. Mochi tends to suit small, round, soft-furred companions — animals whose physical presence matches the confection's cushiony appeal. It is also a fully gender-neutral name, used comfortably across all companions, and carries a charming Japanese sensibility that feels both modern and deeply affectionate.