Pickles McButterpants the Muffins Slayer of Gardiner in his commemorative winner’s frame. Pickles won Nationwide’s top whacky pet name prize. Contributed photo

Pickles Mcbutterpants The Muffins Slayer. That’s the prize-winning name of a cat in Gardiner.

Each year, Nationwide, self-proclaimed as the nation’s pet health protection leader, recognizes the most imaginative and unique names among its roster of four-legged members, according to a press release. After a lengthy look at the company’s database of more than 1.1 million insured pets, the top 10 wackiest dog and cat names were put to a public vote that ran April 4-9.

Pickles Mcbutterpants The Muffins Slayer was among those nominated, ultimately being voted the wackiest name among 20 finalists.

“I had seen an ad for a cat named Pickles and I thought it was an awesome name,” Pickles’ mom, Kelli Hoover of Gardiner, said in the release. “So, when I got a new kitten, I knew he would be Pickles, but it didn’t sound just right for him, so we added McButterpants to it.”

But it wasn’t until the family was enjoying their muffins that he went crazy over them and wouldn’t leave them alone. Hence, Pickles Mcbutterpants The Muffins Slayer.

To commemorate the win, the pet parents of Pickles received a custom canvas portrait of their pet; a one-year subscription for monthly delivery of pet toys and treats; and $100 reward card redeemable for gift cards from some of the nation’s top retailers.

Pickles Mcbutterpants The Muffins Slayer beat out other finalists such as Boba Pett, Foo Foo Cuddly Poops, Ruth Bader Kitsburg, Tayroar Swift and Lady Cleocatra Meowington.

Word on the Street is an online-only feature about trending happenings in central Maine. If you have an idea for our next Word on the Street, email Amber Carter at ambercarter@mainetoday.com.