Pets
100 of the Most Popular Puppy Names
Half the fun of getting a new puppy is coming up with a name. Will your inspiration come from a favorite 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. These 12 other breeds don’t bark too much.
50. Gunner
The 50th most popular male name suits the sporty and tough hunting dog breeds like the German Shorthaired Pointer, Labrador retriever, or English Springer Spaniel. Or a dog who “guns” for balls in the backyard.
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.
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. Princess
Some dogs breeds just have that posh appearance fitting of a princess. Maybe that’s why emperors and their families loved to pamper the Shih Tzu, Pekingese, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These dogs enjoyed a life of luxury as the royal lap sitter of aristocratic ladies.
48. Koda
Maybe the popularity of this male name stems from the dogs named Koda in the films, Snow Dogs or Eight Below. After all, Koda could be inspired from Kodiak Alaska.
47. Hazel
According to Rover, 94 percent of pet parents consider their dog part of the family, and 36 percent of all dog names are decidedly human. Not to mention old-timey names are making a huge comeback in human baby names.
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. And Rover ranks Kona among its 35 best Hawaiian dog names.
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. Belle
A proper name for the Belle of the doggy park. Meaning “beautiful” and likely popular from the Disney favorite Beauty and the Beast, you can’t go wrong when you name your own little beauty this traditional favorite. These are the 18 best dog breeds for kids.
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 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. If you have a Bandit of your own, you’ll definitely want to check out these 15 secrets dog trainers won’t tell you for free.
43. Olive
Five percent 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 (and the AKC) 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. These 13 tiny dog breeds are small in size but big on the cuteness factor.
42. Baxter
Who swooned over the adorable shaggy Border Terrier named Baxter in the Legend of Ron Burgandy movies? Wasn’t Baxter just irresistible curled up next to Will Ferrel 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 percent. Lovers of Marvel comic heroes or maybe just of Chris Hemsworth, who played Thor, might engrave this name on their dog tag. Don’t miss these cutest dog breeds as puppies.
40. Emma
Emma has been widely popular and in the top three for human baby names for the last ten 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. Speaking of getting your attention, here are 12 secrets your dog wants to tell you with her tail.
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. Any defender of man deserves nutritious dog food—find out what brands vets buy their own dogs.