Deciding what to name a new dog can be a difficult decision to make for both new and experienced pet parents, especially considering all the possibilities out there. Dog owners can choose from a myriad of options, including funny dog names, pop culture references, human names and more. Read on for some tips on choosing the best name for your furry dog.
The best dog names of last year
If you want to get inspired by the latest trends in naming your new puppy, or if you want to make sure you choose a unique dog name, check out the table below. Here we list the most popular dog names in 2023 according to surveys by Rover and the American Kennel Club.
- Lola
- moon
- Bailey
- Sadie
- Pretty
- Margherita pizza
- Willow
- Rosie
- Lucia
- Maggie
- Lily
- Zoe
- Star
- Cooper
- Maximum
- Company
- Charlie
- Teddy
- Bear
- Ollie
- Milo
- Rocky
- Duke
- Finnish
- Leo
Other notable mentions include names like Ginger, Pepper, Molly, and Jack, which are among the AKC’s top 150 puppy names. Rover’s report reveals interesting trends in sports-inspired food, drink, celebrity, pop culture and dog names that are worth watching.
The dos and don’ts of naming your dog
Choosing a name for your dog doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. Owners should keep in mind that, in addition to being easily understood by their dogs, their name does not need to meet any requirements or even fit their appearance or behavior.
You can have a cute little dog and name him something like Zeus or Megatron. Conversely, you could have a large dog, like a German shepherd or pit bull, and name him Bubbles. It doesn’t really matter as long as you love it.
Here are some tips that we believe will help you during the process of choosing a name:
- Have fun with the process
- Consider how easy it will be for them to sign up
- Get name ideas from things you love (books, movies, TV shows, etc.)
- Test out your new puppy’s name and see if he responds well
- Remember that you will call him at dog parks and other public spaces
- Give your puppy a name that makes you happy
- Stress to find the perfect name
- Give them the name of family or friends without asking first
- Focus on whether it sounds like a girl’s dog’s name or a boy’s dog’s name
- Worry about what other dog parents name their dogs
- Make an effort to adapt the name to your dog’s breed
Summary of Money’s best dog names
- Dog owners can look to the latest US trends for dog name inspiration.
- Pet names are often inspired by food products, sports characters and teams, artists, pop culture references and more.
- Dog names don’t necessarily have to reflect how they behave or look.
- The best dog names are ones that they respond well to and that the owner loves.