I think it helps to get to know them a little bit. Sometimes you end up with a nickname. Paddy O'Hara is my rabbit's name. It was a compromise between me and my husband which was actually my dad's suggestion. I call her trouble a lot or Miss O'Hara.Myother roommate calls her sassy paws.
Where I work, the snotty stuck up rabbit is Amelia which seems fitting for her. The goofy sweet Flemish Giant is Fezzik (from Princess Bride). The dwarf is Groovy Truvy. We also had Icing and Puck (from) hockey and Sparkle the lop eared mixed breed. I knew a holland dwarf named Gepetto.
My dog is named Nike because he chewed a pair when he was a puppy.
My parrot is Glory because she is a beautiful blue and needed something special. We also have a parrot named Scarlet because of her colors.