Oda's had the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland in his brains since volume 2! This establishes that Oda was most likely planning to use Wonderland as a theme since he did eventually in WCI arc.
Oda established using Carrot as a name...though there names are technically different in Japanese.
Quick and easily agitated, rabbits need to be checked and not left unattended lest they want an ass kicking.
Apparently Rabbits can fly!!! It's canon.
@CarrotForNakama was right.
Oda established rabbits can be stronger than one normally thinks.
Luffy respects rabbits and will help when needed.
Rabbits have protected Luffy before. Potential personality trait.
A jaguar (Pedro) with a rabbit (Carrot) hat. Coincidence?
A rabbit has shown to mimic a cat. Mimicry a potential personality trait?
Minks were introduced. Oda had to have concept art of each race on the list. Plus Bepo and Faust gave us Mink possibilities.
Rabbit doll that looks similar to Carrot trapped around fire?! Part of her concept?
The Sunny is riding a Rabbit Wave. Later a Rabbit Mink rides on Sunny.