Rigby has a scruffy, slightly chaotic energy that perfectly suits the animated raccoon it's best known from. For the generation that grew up watching Cartoon Network, naming a pet Rigby is a warm nod to a show that felt made specifically for them.
Regular Show Origin
Regular Show ran on Cartoon Network from 2010 to 2017, and Rigby the raccoon — lazy, impulsive, somehow endearing — became a minor cult figure. The show's humor appealed to older kids and young adults in a way that made Rigby's name feel like an inside reference worth keeping. A raccoon named Rigby is on-the-nose in the best way, but the name translates just as well to dogs with a slightly mischievous quality.
The Surname Feel
Rigby also functions as a British surname, which gives it a secondary register — the same posh-sounding-pet aesthetic that drives names like Nigel and Graham. You can use it as a cartoon reference or as a dignified surname pick; either reads naturally.
Sound and Practicality
Two syllables, strong consonants on both ends, clean vowel in the middle — Rigby is easy to call across a yard without shouting yourself hoarse. It doesn't clash with common commands. For a dog who is enthusiastic, a little unpredictable, and clearly the heart of the household, Rigby earns its place. The human equivalent Rigby is rare enough to cause no confusion.