Puffy is an unabashed physical descriptor masquerading as a name — and it works because it's honest. If you have a fluffy, round animal that looks like a small cloud on legs, Puffy is the name that says exactly what everyone is already thinking.
The Descriptor-Name Tradition
Naming pets after their appearance is one of the oldest traditions in pet naming. Spot, Patches, Fluffy — Puffy sits in that lineage, just with a slightly more modern, softer sound. It suits cats most naturally, though a very fluffy small dog like a Pomeranian or bichon frise wears it just as well.
The Pop-Culture Undercurrent
Puffy also carries a faint association with Puff Daddy, later P. Diddy — one of the most famous stage names in hip-hop history. That's probably not why most people choose the name for their cat, but it gives Puffy a trace of swagger that Fluffy lacks. The two names are close enough that Fluffy is worth comparing directly if you're deciding between them.
One Honest Note
Puffy is a name that works when the pet earns it. If you name a sleek, short-haired cat Puffy, the joke is clear — some owners enjoy that. But if the name is meant to be a genuine descriptor, make sure the puffiness is actually there and not just aspirational. Browse all pet names for more appearance-based options.