The results are in! Here are the top dog names for 2025.
Naming a family dog is the ultimate group project, one that kids and adults take pretty seriously. Working together, each person tosses out their favs, whether silly (Goober?) or sweet (Clover!). This task actually hits close to home as my gang just adopted a rescue mutt and needed a suitable name. Some of my own dog-name ideas, like Mona and Linus, were roundly shot down. Stevie was also a contender, but in the end, we went with Honey, as it matches the shade of her silky coat.
We could have cut out the middleman, however, and turned to the pros who know dogs best: the American Kennel Club (AKC). This organization recently crunched its trusted data and came up with the top dog names for 2025. If you’re about to add a pet to your family and need a few ideas, check out the winners below (they’re all best in show!).
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more pets, cleaning, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How did the AKC identify the most popular dog names?
The AKC identifies the most popular dog names by gathering info from two databases: its purebred dog registration and its Canine Partners mixed-breed enrollment.
According to the AKC, the number of registrations for dog types is proprietary, but the reliability of its data is more than sound. While other pet companies, like Chewy and Rover, also compile dog name lists, the AKC, at 141 years old, is the world’s largest registry of both purebred and mixed-breed dogs. The nonprofit was founded in 1884, and when it comes to canine research, education, sports and events, it’s top dog.
What are the most popular dog names of 2025?
Ready for the most popular dog names of 2025? For girl dogs, the No. 1 name is Luna, and for boy pups, it’s Max. It seems that Luna’s got some staying power: The name is a repeat from 2024. In fact, the popular dog names for females remained steady this year, with the top four all repeating in the same slots—Bella at No. 2, Daisy holding strong at No. 3 and Lucy in the No. 4 slot. And welcome, Ruby! She’s the new doggo in the fifth spot, moving up from 16th in 2024.
The bigger news is on the boys’ side this time around, as Max is back at No. 1 (replacing Milo, the top boy dog name in 2024). Milo actually had a rough year, as he didn’t just leave first place—he tumbled out of the top 10 and all the way down to No. 12. In better news, Hank is the new No. 2 on the list, vaulting from 35th, and Teddy is in the same No. 3 spot as last year. Rounding out the top five boy-dog names are Cooper at No. 4 (up one spot) and Gus at No. 5.
The top 10 boy dog names
Who’s a good boy? Your sweet puppy, of course. Here are the top 10 boy dog names:
- Max
- Hank
- Teddy
- Cooper
- Gus
- Bear
- Duke
- Maverick
- Charlie
- Finn
The top 10 girl dog names
Got a female pup in your house? Here are the top 10 girl dog names:
- Luna
- Bella
- Daisy
- Lucy
- Ruby
- Willow
- Maggie
- Penny
- Nova
- Sadie
Were there any big surprises in the top 100?
The big surprises in the top 100 dog names were mostly found with the boys, with Max returning to top dog status and Hank moving up so much. Boy dogs also receive human names at a pretty high rate, per the AKC, with 20% sporting traditional people names that rank high on the list, like Max, Cooper and Charlie.
The movie Frozen still dominates both boy and girl dog names, which means you’ll likely hear Olaf and Elsa at the dog run. And while the popular dog names always make headlines, the ones at the bottom are also kinda cool. The last names on the lists this year are Uma for girls and Zen for boys.
What are the big trends in dog names right now?
There are several fun fads leading the way. Here’s a look:
Pop culture
TV, books, movies, video games and more—popular media sources are the basis for lots of dog names in the top 100 this year. For boys, there’s Ken and Allen from Barbie, Loki and Thor of the Marvel Universe, Simba from The Lion King and Bruno, a character in Encanto.
Girl dog names in this category include Bella from Twilight, Nala of The Lion King, Zelda from The Legend of Zelda and Ellie, the star of The Last of Us, which is both a game and a TV series.
Musical stars
So many musicians inspire dog names, like Bowie (David, of course) and his alter ego, Ziggy (Stardust); legendary pop and funk star Prince; and Ozzy (Osbourne), the heavy metal star and lead singer of Black Sabbath, who just passed away.
On the girls’ side, it’s Taylor Swift, naturally, who’s trending in the dog world, both with her first name and the name Willow, which is a song on her album Folklore.
Great outdoors
Yup, many dog owners are looking to nature when they decide on their furry pal’s name. Popular options (which are suitable for dogs of any gender) include Moose, Goose, Bear, Aspen, Daisy, River, Luna, Sky and Poppy.
Food names
Snacks and beverages are delicious and oh, so sweet—just like your new pet. Loads of trending names for both boy and girl dogs are food-related, such as Whiskey, Mochi, Oreo, Cookie, Peaches, Ginger, Sage, Pepper and (my own!) Honey.
Sports icons
Legends on the court and field continue to inspire dog names, according to the AKC. For boys, think Kobe (Bryant, the NBA superstar) and Travis (Kelce, football pro, three-time Super Bowl champ and Taylor Swift’s fiance).
Female sports stars aren’t as popular among girl dog names, but mythology does influence the list, including with Athena and Freya.
RELATED:
- Here’s Where Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis Are Going Now that Andrew Has Been Kicked Out of the Royal Lodge
- The Horrifying Mistake You’re Probably Making with Your Dog’s Food Bowl—And What to Do Instead
- Attention, Pet Owners! This Is the One Electronic You Must Unplug to Stay Safe in a Thunderstorm
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. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and 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:
- American Kennel Club: “The Most Popular Dog Names of 2025”
- American Kennel Club: “Return of the Max! American Kennel Club Reveals Most Popular Dog Names of 2025”
- American Kennel Club: “Most Popular Boy Dog Names”
- American Kennel Club: “Most Popular Girl Dog Names”
