Pasha shows up 60 times in the registries at rank 1712, split evenly between male and female pets. The name carries Ottoman and Russian weight — it was a high-ranking Turkish military title and a common Russian diminutive of Pavel — but on a dog or cat it reads as something softer and more purely musical.
The Title That Became a Name
As an Ottoman title (Pasha or Paşa), the word denoted governors and high military officers, roughly equivalent to general or duke. It passed into Russian as a given name through Pavel's nickname, giving it a dual identity: aristocratic and intimate simultaneously. For a pet, both readings work. The title angle suits a dog with commanding presence; the diminutive angle suits one that simply sounds good when called. Sultan and Czar occupy the same regal-title category in the registry.
Sound and Breed Fit
The two-syllable structure with the soft -sha ending is naturally appealing for recall training. Cats in particular suit the name — there's something in the hushed sibilant that pairs well with feline aloofness. It also works for long-coated breeds like the Maltese or Lhasa Apso, where the slight Eurasian ornate quality of the name matches the aesthetic. Browse Lhasa Apso names for similar picks.
Counter-Reading
Owners unfamiliar with either the Ottoman or Russian contexts may simply be drawn to the sound — which is a perfectly valid basis for naming a pet. The historical weight is present but not required to make the name work.