Love, Laughter, and Monk-a-Ronis: The Endearing Nicknames We Give Our Pets
❤️ Happy Valentine's Day to all the devoted pet lovers out there! ❤️
If you’re anything like me, your pets have about a dozen names—some that make sense and others that leave your family scratching their heads. Sure, they have their official names, the ones you tell the vet and write on their tags. But then there are those names—the ridiculous, affectionate, sometimes nonsensical ones that just feel right.
Take my two cats, Fiona and Woody. To me, they are affectionately known as the monk-a-ronis. My husband, forever bewildered by my pet-naming habits, often interrupts with, "What the heck is a monk-a-roni? And why are you calling them that when their names are Fiona and Woody?" I laugh, because honestly, I don’t know. It’s just… them. Some blend of “monkey” and “macaroni” that captures their adorable chaos. And while my husband may look at me like I’ve lost my mind, every pet lover I know totally gets it.
This tradition of ridiculous yet heartfelt pet names extends to my dogs, too. My dog Lola? She’s Lola Falana —don’t ask me why. My mini Australian Shepherd, Boo, goes by Boo Boo Kitty, despite being very much a dog. But when I call out these silly names, my pets respond, tails wagging and eyes lighting up, because they know—this is love in its weirdest, most wonderful form.
And I know I’m not alone. My content editor, for example, has a fiery little Cairn Terrier named Nettle. But do they call her Nettle? Nope. She’s Spaghetti. (Nettie Spaghetti, to be exact.) And I’d bet money that if you’re reading this, you have at least one ridiculous name for your own pet, too.
The Language of Love (and Laughable Nicknames)
I’ve done this my whole life. My cat Kiwi? Kiwi We We. Sometimes just Q. My Basenji, Cleo, became Cleo, Theo, Fifi, Fo, Shmio—a name that evolved from a soft, rhythmic phrase I used while training her. These names aren’t just random sounds; they’re part of our bond, our inside jokes, our shared language with the animals who mean the world to us.
And it makes me wonder—is this a global thing? Do pet owners around the world do this? I’m convinced they do. The human-animal bond is universal, and love has a way of inspiring the weirdest, most wonderful pet names, no matter what language you speak.
So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the ridiculous, affectionate, and totally inexplicable names we give our pets. Because in the end, it’s not about the words themselves—it’s about the love behind them. 💕
Now, tell me—what’s the weirdest nickname you’ve ever given your pet? Drop it in the comments!