Growing up scribbling comics in the margins of my notebooks taught me that a sidekick's name should do a lot of work. For a mischievous little partner, I'd pick 'Gizmo' if I wanted inventiveness and mechanical pranks, or 'Boggle' for a goblinish trickster who loves riddles. Names like 'Gizmo' suggest tools and traps; 'Boggle' hints at mind-bending schemes and slapstick confusion. Both feel like they could live comfortably next to a hero with a straighter name.
I also lean toward names that allow for nicknames and escalation. Start with 'Sprout' and let them evolve into 'Sprout the Spry' or 'Sproutzilla' as their antics grow. Other solid choices include 'Fizz', 'Knuck', and 'Puck' — short, memorable syllables that actors can throw around with comedic timing. Tone matters: 'Puck' has Shakespearean mischief built in, while 'Fizz' whispers of bubbly chaos and soda-stash pranks.
If the sidekick is animal-like, I might pick 'Scragg' for a scruffy street-urchin vibe, or 'Tinker' for a clockwork companion. For a childlike, lovable
troublemaker, 'Moppet' or 'Bobo' work well. Ultimately I choose names that inspire voices, physical gags, and a sense that this character will always be one scene ahead of the hero — and honestly, giving them a slightly ridiculous name is half the fun.