Scooby

Scooby entered popular culture entirely through the beloved animated series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, which premiered in 1969. The name is a nonsense invention, inspired by the scat phrase in Frank Sinatra's recording of "Strangers in the Night" — dooby dooby doo. Despite its invented origins, Scooby has become one of the most recognized fictional companion names in history, synonymous with a lovable, slightly cowardly, food-obsessed companion who stumbles into heroism. Pet owners choose it for companions with a goofy, irresistible charm.

Scooby ranks #229 on the pet name charts and is perhaps the most famous invented companion name in popular culture. Created for a cartoon in 1969, the name has become shorthand for a certain type of beloved companion: big, goofy, endlessly lovable, and secretly braver than they think. It suits any pet with a slightly anxious, deeply hungry, completely endearing personality. Naming your companion Scooby is also a guaranteed conversation starter — everyone knows the name and everyone has an opinion about which Scooby-Doo era was the best.