Zuzu is the kind of name that arrives fully formed. You don't need to explain it, you don't need to qualify it. Two identical syllables, Z bookends, a sound that just bounces. It's the name equivalent of a treat landing on the floor.
The It's a Wonderful Life Echo
Zuzu Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life (the youngest daughter who famously loses and then recovers her flower petals) gave this name a gentle holiday-movie warmth that has lasted decades. It's not a heavy reference, but it adds a layer of sweetness that lands naturally on small female animals. A white cat named Zuzu, a bichon frise named Zuzu: the fit is almost automatic.
Sound-First Appeal
Repeated-syllable names have an advantage in pet naming: they're instantly memorable, easy to call, and hard to confuse with commands. Zuzu shares this quality with Juju and Coco. The Z specifically makes it distinctive in a noise-filled environment; the sound carries well across a yard or apartment. For small dogs and cats, the bounce of the sound matches the physical energy of the animal.
The Niche Concern
Zuzu reads as very feminine and very small. It won't work on a large male dog; the contrast between name and animal will be jarring rather than funny. If you want the same doubled-syllable energy in a more gender-neutral package, Juju is slightly more flexible. Browse all pet names for more options in this style.