100 of the Most Popular Puppy Names
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Half the fun of getting a new puppy is coming up with a name. Will your inspiration come from a favourite book, a game you love to play, or perhaps from a baby name book? Rover.com just released the most popular dog names and we're highlighting the top female and male names to inspire you.
50. Winnie
Coming in as the 50th most popular female name is one that has Welsh, English, and Native American origins meaning “fair one” or “white, smooth and soft.” That might be suit a white and smooth greyhound; the breed is also known to be sweet, quiet, and graceful.
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49. Charlie
Charlie appears twice on the list. Once here as the 49th most popular female name and later on the male list. Interestingly, both female and male Charlie are spelled the same. Traditionally, the male version was spelled as Charley—but Charlie—with an “ie,” suits both genders, thank you very much.
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49. Jasper
Jasper is a popular human name in England, but its origins are actually in Greece. So if you have a dog breed with Greek origins like the Cretan Hound, Greek Shepherd, or a Kokoni, then Jasper which means “treasurer” is quite fitting for the furbaby you treasure.
48. Koda
Maybe the popularity of this male name stems from the dogs named Koda in the film Eight Below. After all, Koda could be inspired from Kodiak Alaska.
47. Hazel
According to Rover, 94 per cent of pet parents consider their dog part of the family, and 36 per cent of all dog names are decidedly human. Not to mention old-timey names are making a huge comeback in human baby names.
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47. Ace
A nickname that is on the nose for any pet parent that deems their furbaby the “best” or “number one.” Ace is also among the best Australian dog names, according to Rover.
46. Kona
In Hawaiian, Kona means lady. At Starbucks, Kona is a light coffee blend with caramel and floral aroma.
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46. Sam
Who hasn’t met a dog named Sam? It’s an eternally popular, catchy one syllable name that dogs can recognize. Sam is the ticket for any loyal, kind, and outgoing dog.
45. Cody
This Gaelic pedigree was hugely popular in the human world in the 1990s. With that Gaelic influence, it’s no wonder Cody is on second on Rover’s list of most popular Irish dog name for the pet parent who is a Hibernophile—a lover of all things Irish. It totally fits an active and loyal dog, like an Irish Setter.
44. Annie
Annie ranks on two lists: This one as the 44th most popular and the third most popular cute female dog name at Rover. Annie sure suits the sweet and calm disposition of a Collie or English toy spaniel.
44. Bandit
A spot-on name for dogs that are smart, tough, and independent. The natural patch on one eye is a clever way to disguise himself—or at least he thinks it is. But we really know who stole the piece of chicken from the counter. This name fits an Australian Cattle dog or Bull Terrier.
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43. Olive
Five per cent of dog names are food-focused and that trend is here to stay, Rover reports. The up and comers coming straight from the pantry and onto a name tag are Couscous, Crisco, Cheetos, Pasta, and Ramen.
43. Apollo
Dog lovers refer to the Great Dane as “The Apollo of Dogs in Size and Spirit.” And at least 30 inches at the shoulder and up to 175 pounds, Apollo is tailor-made for a big dog whose loving nature is as big as his heart, but it would be hysterically ironic to name a feisty Chihuahua Apollo.
42. Dixie
This adorable name is befitting of a sweet dog with plenty of charm and spunk—like a Miniature Pinscher or Tiny Fox Terrier.
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42. Baxter
Who swooned over the adorable shaggy Border Terrier named Baxter in the Legend of Ron Burgundy movies? Wasn’t Baxter just irresistible curled up next to Will Ferrell wearing matching pajamas and headgear?
41. Maya
Pet parents who are fans of the prolific poetic, Maya Angelou, may be inclined to name their little girl Maya. The name means “water” and is well-suited for water dogs like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Newfoundland.
41. Thor
Rovers says Fantasy flicks influenced pet names like Thor are up 34 per cent. Lovers of Marvel comic heroes or maybe just of Chris Hemsworth, who played Thor, might engrave this name on their dog tag.
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40. Emma
Emma has been widely popular and in the top three for human baby names for the last 10 years, so it’s no surprise pet parents who think of their furbabies as part of their own family would be drawn to beautiful names like Emma.
40. Diesel
It’s a strong name with a little bite—but a friendly nip, not a toothy one. You can probably throw some credit towards action movie star Vin Diesel. He’s strong with a soft side, kind of like the Pit Bull. No surprise then that Diesel is on the list of best names for Pit Bulls according to Rover’s data.
39. Izzy
Whether it’s a nickname for Isabelle or a four-word moniker, Izzy is a short and sweet to get your dog’s attention. It’s ranked 39 of the most popular names for females and gives the impression of a spunky and independent dog breed with a sweet, cuddly side.
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39. Blue
Willie Nelson sang about a dog named Ole’ Blue, and there was the popular Nickelodeon show, Blue’s Clues, with a (blue dog with blue spots) cartoon puppy that sniffs out clues to help his human host. Whatever the inspiration, Blue is crazy popular for Pit Bull parents, Rover reports.
38. Lexie
Greek for “defender of man,” this is the name for dogs big or small with a loyal and protective nature. Sure, they have their sweet side, but it’s probably reserved for family members only.
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37. Lady
Pardon the pun, but Lady is a perPETual favourite. Who can forget Lady, the pampered Cocker Spaniel from Lady and the Tramp? We gravitate towards those soulful eyes and long flowing ears, but Lady is well-suited for any breed or mix who is pretty and precious.
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37. Beau
You know your Beau—he’s the neighbourhood charmer, getting the attention of human and furry females alike. He might be the strong, silent type—unless he’s a Husky breed. They are strong and loveable but silent—not so much as they love to howl and “talk.” Beau is one of the best male names for Huskies according to Rover.
36. Layla
Just as Eric Clapton made Layla famous by crooning lyrics, “turned my world upside down,” our furbaby turns out household’s upside down, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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36. Bruno
German for “shield” or “armor” Bruno digs into 36th place of the most popular male dog names, but Bruno also muscled his way to the best big dog name and best names for a Husky list, according to data collected by Rover.
34. Millie
We’re not sure if Millie Bobby Brown, the English actress that plays Eleven on the Netflix hit Stranger Things is behind the 34th most popular female dog name, or it’s just United Kingdom influence in general; Millie is the seventh most popular female name in the United Kingdom.
33. Jackson
Millennials are more likely to become pet parents before becoming human parents. According to Pet Business, seven out of 10 millennials own a pet and 56 are dog parents. Interestingly enough, for the sixth year in a row, Jackson has been the number one human baby name according to BabyCenter. Maybe this nudged the choice for Jackson for pups, too.
32. Sasha
Could Sasha be popular because it’s the name of former President Barack and Michelle Obama’s youngest daughter? Or could it be because Sasha means “helper of mankind?” Whatever the reason, it landed at 32 and quite high on Rover’s most popular tough female dog name in fifth place.
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31. Pepper
Spot on for a black dog, and Pepper is part of the rising trend toward food names. In Baltimore, food names rose 20 per cent. Pepper is most popular in Charm City, followed by Peanut and Oreo—which by the way, sounds very similar to “oriole” as in the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
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31. Lucky
Lucky has stood the test of time. It was certainly more popular back in the day when dogs were given “dog” names, like Spot, Rover, and Fido. But even in a time when human names are common, Lucky remains steadfast.
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30. Riley
We wouldn’t be surprised if pet parents scrolled through the baby name registry and borrowed Riley for their furbaby. In recent years, it’s been in the top 30 for (human) girl’s names. And Riley holds second place on Rover’s most popular Irish dog name list.
30. Moose
Rover reports 12 per cent of pet parents have named their dog after an animal, plant, or nature. Not surprisingly, Moose aptly suits big dogs with stellar reputations for being large-and-in-charge, but who are secretly gentle giants.
29. Lulu
A sweet girl is sure to come sprinting when she hears you call Lulu. It’s essentially saying her name twice. Maybe it’s a popular girls name because Lulu is the NASDAQ symbol for the spandex-loving fans of Lululemon.
29. Buster
Buster is a time-honoured favourite, but recently, Buster, an English Springer Spaniel used his superior sniffing skill set to discover weapons during the Iraq war—saving thousands of lives. He’s since passed on, but Buster is a name of heroic proportions.
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28. Zoe
Fun-loving, free-spirited, and the life of the party—kind of like a pug who relishes being the centre of attention. Zoe’s Greek origin means “life” after all, so it’s spot on for dogs who grab life by their teeth.
28. Riley
Riley ranks higher on the female side, but Riley as a male name is ranked number one for most popular Irish male name according to Rover’s data.
27. Henry
Old-timey names are on trend for parents choosing human baby names, so it stands to reason why Henry is on this list. This name is on target for waterfowl hunting breeds like the Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and English Setter.
26. Abby
Perpetually adorable and always joyful, Abby lands in the 26th spot and also makes the list of female cute dog names, according to Rover.
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26. Bailey
A popular human name for girls, boys—and dogs. Bailey appears twice on this list. While we won’t give away the female ranking spot just yet, we can tell you that Rover reports Bailey is the 48th most popular name on the Irish drinking name list.
25. Elly
We’re halfway to the number one name, and we can make an educated guess why Elly made 25th. Elly was ranked 1,348 in popularity in 2018 and already up to 1,229 for 2019 for human babies, according to Baby Center. It seems Elly will be just as popular in the nursery as at the dog park.
25. Dexter
Sounds like a good name for a beefy and stocky dog with a tough attitude. Maybe pet parents watched Dexter, the Showtime series about a vigilante serial killer. Or could it be favoured because Dexter is a popular hipster name?
24. Piper
Speaking of hipster names, Piper is one that is trending upwards for human babies, according to Baby Center. Pet Parents are scooping it up for their own furbaby—inspired by humans or maybe the character Piper in Orange is the New Black or Pixar’s adorable sandpiper named Piper.
24. Gus
Rugged and folksy with a Wild West vibe, the origin is actually Scottish. It seems like it is well-suited for a good-ole bloodhound relaxing on the front porch after a day of trail running sniffing out evidence.
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23. Mia
Short and sweet with Latin origins meaning “mine” or “wished-for child.” In this case, wished-for dog. And apparently, Miami likes the name for their beach-loving pups as Mia coasts into the number five as the most popular female dog name in Miami, according to Rover.
23. Finn
Finn, the character in the latest Star Wars franchise, is a pretty cool dude. He started as a First Order stormtrooper but ditched them and joined the Resistance on a heroic mission. Finn is a favoured name on the most popular Irish dog name list at number three.
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22. Ruby
Ruby seems to suit girl pups who love grass under their feet. Besides the 22 spot here, Ruby is on the list of most popular country female dog names, according to Rover.
22. Ollie
With its old-timey cool, Ollie is a retro name synonymous with character traits like sweet and goofy—as in Oliver “Ollie” Hardy of the famed Laurel and Hardy comic duo.
21. Ellie
A super sweet name for your little pooch. Ellie is popular nationwide but beg your pardon—Ellie, and it’s sweet as honey disposition is the 10th most popular country female dog name, according to Rover.
21. Jake
Strong. Independent. Loyal. Happy. Loveable. So many words to describe the 21st most popular, all-around-good-name for a good dog.
20. Nala
The Lion King is a cherished favourite and Simba has a heart that roars for Nala. Rover says pet parents often look to their favourite character in a book or movie to name their beloved furbaby.
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19. Rosie
Rosie has been a traditional favourite name for British girls and Rover says Rosie is the eighth most popular female name for dogs in the United Kingdom. Given the fondness of the royals and all things British, we can see how Rosie is popular in the States.
19. Murphy
Murphy is about as Irish as you can get. And Rover says pet parents with Irish last names are about 14 per cent more likely to give their dog an Irish name versus pet parents without Irish last names.
18. Gracie
Gracie is also the eighth most popular country dog name for girls. It sure suits the precious furbaby who is sweet, charming, and refined when she needs to be but is quick to play hard to get when she runs off with the frisbee.
18. Winston
Gamers who play Overwatch may favour Winston for their energetic pup with a big and strong attitude. Either way, the gorilla strength and Tesla Cannon that is Winston is the clear choice for the dog who is a brut (but also like to cuddles on the couch).
17. Roxy
Roxy isn’t a shy pup with her tail between her legs; she’s a girl with moxie and sass. And while Roxy is also the sixth most popular female country dog name, not necessarily quiet and demure. Roxy is more like singer Miranda Lambert, who sings powerful lyrics that empower women.
17. Zeus
Basically, any dog named after a supreme Greek god is going to command attention and hey, it’s the third most popular name for male Pit Bulls. It’s pretty awesome to be associated with the god of sky and thunder, no matter what your breed.
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16. Coco
Could the inspiration stem from fashion icon Coco Chanel? Or because Coco is a beloved pet name in France and Spain? Or maybe it’s the hit Disney movie? Whether you have a French breed like a Briard, French Bulldog, or Dogue de Bordeaux or a dainty Yorkshire Terrier Coco is très mignon (very cute!)
16. Jax
League of Legends grand master of arms, Jax might have inspired the popularity of this name. In this video game, he is aloof and sarcastic, characteristics some pet parents may see in such breeds like the Basenji, Alaskan Malamute, or Shiba Inu who love their families but tend to be a little reserved cool and distant with strangers.
15. Lily
Plant-based names are delightful for a pretty furbaby girl who doesn’t mind getting her paws dirty when she’s digging up your flowers in the garden. Plant-based pup names are a favourite in Minneapolis, Minnesota and according to Rover, Lily is up 46 per cent there.
15. Teddy
Some dogs look and feel as cuddly as a cherished teddy bear, so it’s totally believable to choose Teddy as a moniker for breeds like a curly and fluffy Golden Doodle or oh-so-fuzzy Chow Chow. Plus pet parents in Bean Town choose Teddy as the fourth most popular male name according to Rover.
13. Penny
Penny is one of the adorable dalmatians in the childhood favourite, One Hundred and One Dalmatians and it’s the seventh most popular female country dog name, courtesy of Rover’s data.
13. Toby
Toby is an all around good “guy” kind of name. Maybe your guys a little shy like Toby, the mild-mannered human resource officer from the Office or maybe the way he howls or steals your socks reminds you of country music “bad boy” Toby Keith. Toby can be anything you want to be, and the Brits think Toby is keen landing the 10th most popular male dog name in the United Kingdom.
12. Chloe
It’s sweet, sassy, and sounds flowy and feminine all at the same time. And it certainly suits a feisty little nugget like a Chihuahua—which other pet parents thought too because it’s the eighth most popular female name for Chihuahuas, according to Rover.
12. Bentley
A British manufactured luxury car and the 11th most popular regal dog name according to Rover. It would appear that luxury and regal traits are befitting of a posh pup.
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11. Sophie
What will your posh pooch choose—a diamond-studded tiara or a fascinator adorned with feathers? Rover reports a surge of dogs named after the royal family and Sophie took the crown (first place that is) for most popular name followed by George, Prince, Charlotte, and Harry. (Sophie, Countess of Wessex is Prince Edward’s wife.)
10. Maggie
A classic southern girl name and wouldn’t you know it—also the fifth most popular country dog name for females, according to Rover.
10. Tucker
Calm and cool is Tucker. He’s a dog you can depend on in the clinch. Kind of like Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL. Ravens’ fans in the Charm City revere Tucker so much it’s the third most popular male dog name in Baltimore, according to Rover data.
9. Stella
Surely we can see how Stella, French Bulldog, in TV sitcom Modern Family would influence pet parents. Stells steals the show with her antics. Rover says Frenchie parents thought the same thing and made Stella the third most popular female French Bulldog name.
9. Oliver
Could it be Oliver is hugely popular because of Oliver, the photogenic Pit Bull? His story is inspirational—as a former shelter dog turned brand ambassador for Bzees shoes, he’s not only famous but famous for being super lovable. And that’s a good reputation to spread for misunderstood Pit Bulls.
8. Bailey
Bailey is so popular it made three lists on Rover. As number eight here, she also flirted her way onto the most popular cute dog name in sixth place and lapped her way to 48th place on the most popular drinking name list.
8. Bear
If you have a big brown Labrador Retriever with a broad face—much like a brown bear—you might choose Bear for him. He looks like a bear and eats as much as one too. Bear roams onto Rover’s most popular big dog name list and settles in at fifth place on Rover’s most popular country dog name for males.
7. Molly
Oh, sweet Molly, a time-honored favourite and is the most popular Irish dog name for lassies according to Rover. And Molly is almost as popular in the United Kingdom, charming her way into third place for most popular female dogs name, according to Rover.
7. Duke
Who hasn’t eaten Bush’s baked beans or at least seen the commercial? Duke is the handsome reddish golden retriever who is forever trying to give away the Bush family secret recipe. And that old fashioned country vibe of picnics and baked beans bodes well for Duke on Rover’s most popular country dog names where Duke stands proudly in sixth place.
6. Sadie
Always dependable and loyal, Sadie is a homespun name for an old-school-cool dog like a Beagle, and it’s also the fourth most popular country dog name for girls according to Rover data.
6. Rocky
Philly pride is a thick as the beefsteak on a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. And dog names inspired by real (and fictional) famous locals are and fictional people are up 20 per cent according to Rover and Rocky wins the title with Eve and Amber Rose in second and third.
5. Lola
“Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.” Lola steals your heart and buries it in the yard, but she always brings it back, and you just can’t help but love her. Celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, Chris Rock, Carnie Wilson and Madonna (Lourdes’ nickname is Lola) could have served as inspiration.
5. Jack
That’s a fact, Jack! Yep, it’s just simply a dependable name for any stellar dog. Plus, there’s that popular Amazon series, Jack Ryan, that everyone is binging on to serve as inspiration for the hero of a dog in your life.
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4. Daisy
Daisy is sweet as the day is long and just as pretty too. Daisy is the 4th most popular dog name overall, but Rover data reports Daisy is the fourth most popular in Detroit and in the United Kingdom, but it’s the country life where Daisy reigns supreme. According to Rover, Daisy is the most popular female country dog name.
4. Buddy
Buddy is a perennial favourite because quite frankly, what dog isn’t your buddy? Buddy is popular in the Motor City. It ranked fourth most popular male dog name in Detroit’s top dog names, according to Rover.
3. Lucy
Lucy has been popular for humans for the last 10 years, and pet parents often turn to baby name registries for inspiration, so it’s not a shocker that Lucy is the third most popular female dog name and the sixth most popular for Pit Bulls girls. Plus pet parents love Lucy for their Australian Shepherd breeds so much it’s the 11th most popular name for them.
3. Cooper
Could pet parents be moved to pay homage to the well-accomplished CNN reporter Anderson Cooper? He is the epitome of the cool silver fox. Intelligent, humourous, and fair; it’s not fake news that Cooper is the third most popular male dog name.
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2. Luna
Luna has been on a steady incline for human names and is currently sitting at the 10th most popular via Baby Center data. Could Luna sudden’s jump be due to Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s baby girl, Luna Simone? We dare say yes. And if we’re getting breed specific, Luna is the second most popular Pit Bull name for girls, according to Rover.
2. Charlie (Boy)
It’s so hip and old-school cool that Charlie is a favourite for girls and boys pups. It’s actually the eighth cutest dog name, and if you want to turn Charlie into Charles, you would be in good company with the United Kingdom pet parents who choose Charles their second most popular name, according to Rover.
1. Bella
“Every girl” is how author Stephenie Meyer described Bella, of the Twilight Series. And every dog can be a Bella because Bella can be sweet, feisty, sassy, quiet and shy and be a giant breed like a Newfoundland or a tiny one like a Toy Poodle. And interestingly, given its Italian origins, it also ranks for most popular Italian dog names, according to Rover.
1. Max
Let’s get back to the basics. Max—it’s short but with oh-so-much substance. These three letters mean “greatest” and who doesn’t think their little boy is the greatest dog on the planet? Plus, it sounds super cool in the dog park and since it’s only three letters, it stands out nicely on a name tag or dog dish.
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