Jimothy
jim-uh-thee
What does Jimothy mean?
Jimothy is the nickname of a beloved raccoon in Seattle who went viral across the internet in the summer of 2026. Short and round in shape, Jimothy likely has a congenital spinal condition that contributes to its distinctive appearance. The furry creature got its moniker after marketing specialist Kiana Hall spotted him running around the city and immediately thought of the name.
Jimothy has inspired fan art, tattoos, merchandise, and even a Google Search animation.
Where does Jimothy come from?
Jimothy entered internet culture in July 2026 after Hall filmed the unusually shaped raccoon in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood and posted it on social. Hall described the animal as “a silly and round little guy” and gave him the affectionate human-style nickname Jimothy.
Veterinarians report that Jimothy appears to have short spine syndrome, a rare congenital condition in which an animal’s spinal column develops in a shortened form. The condition can create a compact body, short limbs, and a round silhouette.
Within days of Hall’s social post, Seattle residents turned Jimothy into a folk hero. Local artists made paintings, stained-glass pieces, sculptures, murals, and tattoos in Jimothy‘s likeness. Seattle city officials hosted a community gathering and declared the moment “Jimothy Summer.” Footage from a year earlier also surfaced from Seattle resident Ben Trammell, giving fans a rare look at what appears to be baby Jimothy before the raccoon’s rise to internet stardom.
Jimothy‘s celebrity reached far beyond Seattle, drawing national coverage and calls for people to give the raccoon space and avoid feeding or approaching him. Videos and depictions of the little raccoon flooded social media, and brands jumped on the trend, with a dedicated Google search feature and a cameo in the Roku City screen saver on its branded smart TVs.
Examples of Jimothy
Dear Thriends, I made a Jimothy doll, and I couldn’t be happier with how he came out. ❤️🦝
New Jimothy Spotting in Ballard 👀 Protect Jimothy at all costs!!
Who's having a Hot Jimothy Summer? 🦝
Who uses Jimothy?
People use Jimothy as the raccoon’s proper name, often with affectionate, jokingly reverent language. Online, Jimothy is a symbol of resilience, local pride, and the odd little joys that can unite strangers for a brief moment.
NOTE
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Jimothy like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Jimothy that will help our users expand their word mastery.
