Moose

Moose takes its name directly from the large North American deer species, whose name comes from the Algonquian moos or moosu, meaning "he strips off" — referring to how the animal strips bark from trees. As a pet name, it was adopted for the delightful irony of giving a massive animal's name to any companion, large or small, with an oversized personality.

Moose ranks #139 among America's most popular pet names, and it is one of those names with built-in humor and warmth. Owners who name their companion Moose are usually making a knowing joke — either because the pet is enormous, or because the pet is hilariously small for such a large name. Both approaches are equally charming. The name has a decidedly outdoorsy, Pacific Northwest energy that appeals to owners who love nature, adventure, and animals that seem slightly too big for ordinary indoor life.