Pickle

Pickle refers to a vegetable preserved in brine or vinegar — from the Dutch pekel meaning brine. As a pet name, it's pure whimsy. There is no deeper meaning, which is precisely the point. It's a name chosen by someone who looked at their animal and thought 'yes, this creature is a pickle,' and wasn't wrong.

Pickle is one of those pet names that just works on every level. It's absurd, affectionate, and oddly specific in a way that makes it feel completely personal. Dogs named Pickle tend to be the kinds of dogs who get themselves into small predicaments and look at you expectantly for rescue. Dachshunds have a natural affinity for the name — the shape helps — but any small, somewhat chaotic pet can earn it. It's also gender-neutral, which makes it as flexible as the animal wearing it is unpredictable.