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The 150 Best Puppy Names of 2024

Silly, serious, nostalgic. Here are the year's top puppy names to choose from, according to trend reports, canine experts and doggie data.  

Most Popular Dog Names 2023
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The most popular dog names in America

You have a new bundle of furry joy, but what name could possibly be worthy of that cute, roly-poly belly and those sweet puppy kisses? You’re not alone if you’re struggling to pick from a seemingly endless list of puppy names.

“Choosing a name for the newest member of our family can be a daunting task, but there are so many places to look for inspiration,” says Mindy Tenenbaum, CEO of DNA My Dog, which uses its extensive testing records to compile dog name trend reports. One idea: “Exploring the language, culture and heritage of your pup’s ancestry can offer a wealth of inspiration,” she says.

Still stumped? Turn to funny dog names for the pups who make us laugh or Disney dog names for fans of everything in the Magic Kingdom. Take dog name inspiration from popular TV characters, your favorite cities, history, travel, nature and more. Or look at the trends.

We compared multiple lists of popular puppy names and talked to experts who closely monitor dog name trends, including Tenenbaum and Trey Ferro, the CEO of Spot Pet Insurance. Several categories in particular have spurred pet parents’ creativity, including nature-based names, classic pet names, names traditionally reserved for people and celeb-inspired names—hello Reese Whiskerspoon! Read on for the 150 best puppy names of the year—we’re sure you’ll find some paw-some monikers to howl over.

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About the experts

  • Mindy Tenenbaum is the CEO of DNA My Dog, which uses its extensive testing records to compile dog name trend reports. She has a background in canine rescue and a master’s degree in veterinary science and uses canine breed DNA testing to help rescue dog parents learn more about their adopted pups.
  • Trey Ferro is the CEO of Spot Pet Insurance, where part of his job is to identify pet trends, including popular dog names. He is a staunch advocate for animal welfare, actively supporting rescue organizations and philanthropic initiatives.

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Popular girl puppy names

She’s the cutest, newest member of your family, so only the best girl dog names will do. Many of the most popular puppy names this year also happen to be popular baby names. “Over 86% of pup parents consider their dogs to be part of the family, so it comes as no surprise that we name our dogs as if they were our children,” says Tenenbaum. So which name topped the list for girl dogs? That would be Luna.

  • Luna (No. 1 girl dog name)
  • Bella
  • Daisy
  • Lucy
  • Bailey
  • Rosie
  • Lilly
  • Hazel
  • Ivy
  • Molly
  • Rubie
  • Chloe
  • Nala
  • Stella
  • Lola
  • Zoe
  • Sadie
  • Maggie
  • Coco
  • Roxy
  • Haxel
  • Ivy
  • Penny
  • Ginger
  • Abby

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Popular boy puppy names

It just so happens that the best boy dog names tend to follow human monikers too. But there are also some non-human names below that might just match your little man’s personality—or furry coat.

  • Charlie
  • Buddy
  • Tucker
  • Max
  • Cooper
  • Bear
  • Jax
  • Jake
  • Duke
  • Hank
  • Milo
  • Leo
  • Teddy
  • Rocky
  • Beau
  • Oliver
  • Winston
  • Bentley
  • Jack
  • Ollie
  • Zeus
  • Blu
  • Toby
  • Louie
  • Finn

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Cute puppy names

There’s no cuter puppy-dogger in the world than yours. Choosing pet names is fun and exciting, but sometimes it’s a daunting task. And there are some names you should simply steer clear of. For example, don’t choose names that sound like common words (treat!) and commands (sit and no), Tenenbaum says. Research also shows dogs respond better to names with crisp consonants and long vowels. With that in mind, check out these paw-some options for your cutie-pie.

  • Marley
  • Astrid
  • Lux
  • Gracie
  • Archie
  • Benji
  • Jett
  • Arlo
  • Tilly
  • Lovey
  • Gunner
  • Chippy
  • Kiwi
  • Grant
  • Carmen
  • Kenna
  • Remi
  • Cookie
  • Brock
  • Frankie
  • Honey
  • Dolly
  • Loki
  • Micah
  • Declan

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Short and sweet puppy names

There’s a reason so many people choose short monikers or develop shorter nicknames for their pups. “Dogs respond best to short, simple names, so it’s best to avoid choosing a long name with more than two syllables,” says Tenenbaum. “The longer the name, the easier it is for things to get lost in translation and lose your dog’s attention.” Here are some unique dog names you’ll love that are just four letters.

  • Dart
  • Kong
  • Ooki
  • Tita
  • Yeti
  • Bitty
  • Demi
  • Pint
  • Mimi
  • Beta
  • Rafa
  • Zeke
  • Inky
  • Ajax
  • Eros
  • Daxi
  • Kiko
  • Enzo
  • Tank
  • Bebe
  • Kaya
  • Xena
  • Suki
  • Lacy
  • Diva

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Trendy pop-culture puppy names

Pop culture imparts oodles of inspiration for puppy names. This year, pet parents are inspired by box office hits, iconic entertainers, athletes and the nostalgic return of the ’90s. “We’re reasonably expecting a major increase in new pet [insurance] claims from pets named Oppy (from Oppenheimer), Barbie, Ken and Wonka,” says Ferro. He is also anticipating an increase in Taylor Swift–related names and sports ties with nods to winning teams and popular players.

  • Swiftie
  • Kelce
  • Este
  • Karma
  • Cardigan
  • Dunn (Crystal)
  • Megan (Rapinoe)
  • Wednesday Addams
  • Alanis (Morissette)
  • Bjork
  • Blossom
  • Drew Barrymore
  • Nirvana
  • Brad Pitt
  • Ginger Spice
  • Brittney (Griner)
  • Halle Berry
  • Celtic
  • Trae (Young)
  • Mariner
  • Shaq
  • Furby
  • AI
  • Princess Peach
  • Rito

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Adorable food and drink puppy names

You could just eat up that adorable puppy face, so why not choose a fun and flavorful puppy name that pays tribute to your favorite eats and drinks? We’ve got menu options from breakfast to dinner and everything in between, including all-the-rage charcuterie board items. Check out this list of drool-worthy names we’re serving up for you.

  • Prosecco
  • Fizz
  • Green Bean
  • Trix
  • Cheerios
  • Beer
  • Parsley
  • S’more
  • Baguette
  • Brie
  • Stilton
  • Fig
  • Prosciutto
  • Quince
  • Cornichon
  • Tiramisu
  • Chocoflan
  • Eggsy Benedict
  • Everything Bagel
  • Chardonnay
  • Stella Artois
  • Peanut Butta
  • Pop Tart
  • Gogurt
  • Gimlet

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on trending puppy names, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience as a reporter who has covered dogs and pets for seven years. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources and experts, including those who monitor dog name trends. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Mindy Tenenbaum, CEO of DNA My Dog; email interview, Jan. 8, 2024
  • Trey Ferro, CEO of Spot Pet Insurance; email interview, Jan. 8, 2024
  • Rover: “Most Popular Dog Names in the USA”
  • DNA My Dog: “Top 10 Dog Names of 2023”
  • Spot Pet Insurance: “2023 in Pet Insurance: Unveiling Trends, Paws, and Policies”

Lisa Marie Conklin
Lisa Marie is a freelance writer and animal lover specializing in cat and dog content for Reader's Digest. She is particularly passionate about animal behavior, animal wellness and enhancing the human-animal bond. Her dog, Archer, provides plenty of inspiration with his cute antics and sometimes perplexing behavior. In addition to Reader's Digest, Lisa Marie's byline appears in The Healthy, Realtor.com, Family Handyman and Taste of Home. When she’s not writing, you can find her working on a jigsaw puzzle, reading cozy-mystery novels or planning her next trip to Scotland.