Pooka is drawn from Irish and Welsh folklore: the púca or pooka is a shapeshifting spirit, sometimes appearing as a horse, rabbit, or goat, known for mischief and occasional benevolence. It's a name with genuine mythological depth that reads as playful and magical on a pet, especially one with an unpredictable personality.
The Folklore Connection
The most famous pop-culture pooka is Harvey, the giant invisible rabbit in the 1950 Jimmy Stewart film Harvey, whose character is explicitly identified as one. The name carries all of that charm: mischievous, slightly mysterious, fundamentally good-natured.
Breed and Personality Fit
Pooka works exceptionally well on rabbits (the Harvey connection is almost obligatory) and on dogs with chaotic, lovable energy. Irish Terriers are the natural breed match for the Celtic folklore angle. The gender-neutral registry reading is accurate since the mythological pooka itself is gender-ambiguous.
Counter-Reading: Requires Explanation
Most people outside Celtic mythology circles won't know what a pooka is. You'll either enjoy explaining it or find it tiresome. If you want similar mythological mischief energy with broader recognizability, Puck carries the same trickster energy via Shakespeare. Browse pet names for more folklore-inspired options.