Choosing your pet’s name is a personal decision.
Whether you spent days agonizing over every possibility or you had your name picked the second you met your pet, it speaks volumes about your personality and how quickly your new companion stole your heart. I love looking at the most popular pet names of the year every chance I get. Each year, we learn what names pets across the country are being called, and trend reports can tell us so much more than just what names are fashionable.
They expose our collective culture, tell stories about our individual personalities, and even reflect our relationships with our animal friends. So if you’re picking a name for a new pet soon or you’re just curious where your pup or kitty ranks, keep reading!
Why You Should Care About Popular Pet Names
Naming your pet is something you should never rush. Sure, it can be fun to see what names other pet parents are picking, but ultimately the best name for your pet will be the one that you feel suits them best. That being said, picking a name is more scientific than you might realize!
As pets gain awareness of their name, they are actually responding to the sound and meter of the words themselves. Shorter names with clearer consonants and vowels will always train easier than complex words. You know every year someone tries to name their dog or cat “Greyson” or “Delilah,” and I swear those pets never learn their names. For this reason, popular pet names tend to stay pretty consistent — names like Max, Charlie, Lola, Cooper, Bella, Lucy, and Daisy have been floating at the top for years. But enough about the names of years past. Who made the list this time around?
What Influences Pet Naming Trends
Looking at popular pet names by year is fun, but seeing the trends within a specific year can be even more insightful. While every name has a story to tell, certain trends prevail each year.
Movies, TV Shows, and Media: This will always be one of the biggest sources of inspiration for new pet names. Between movie premieres and Netflix’s release of original shows at record numbers each year, popular pet names of the year are often driven by on-screen characters. Names inspired by entertainment tend to spike quickly then drop in the years that follow, so if there was a film or TV show that you loved as soon as it came out, there’s a good chance it made the list.
Human Names: The lines between pet names and “people” names are becoming more blurred every year. Pets are members of the family and rightfully deserve a name that will pair nicely with their brothers, sisters, and parents. Names like Oliver, Charlie, Lucy, and Leo often populate both lists of current popular names.
Nature/Plant-Based Names: While not quite as popular as human names, you’re likely to see more nature-inspired names each year. Names like Bear, Willow, Olive, and Hazel were all up this year.
Alright, now that we have a better understanding of what’s influencing the names pet parents are picking, let’s dive into the lists.
Popular Dog Names of the Year
Don’t let the dog stereotypes fool you — cat names can get creative. Whether your cat is a classic calico or a flashy Siamese, they deserve a cool, original name to match. Cats also tend to lean into nicknames more than dogs, which means names like Bear, Oliver, and Walter are all within reach.
Pop culture can impact cat names just as much as it does canine monikers, though certain names tend to stick with felines more than others. Loki, Stella, Cleo, and Simba were all trending this year.
Flower/Plant-Based Names: Dog names borrowed from flowers and plants were more popular than in years prior. Names like Rose, Willow, Daisy, and Hazel made the list.
Your Favorite Foods: Who knows cats better than cat owners? If you’ve got a feline friend of your own, chances are you’re jokingly calling them food names like Tuna, Cheese, or Chicken. It’s a trend that seems to be sticking around for cat names, but not so much for dog names.
Now that you have an idea about what cat parents are naming their fur babies this year, check out the cutest cat names of 2021.
Popular Cat Names of the Year
- Rosie
- Bear
- Lola
Other Popular Pet Names of the Year
Rodents/Rabbits: Peanut, Coco, Nibbles, and Hazel were some of the more popular names for small furry friends this year.
Fish: I’m not going to lie to you, folks. People are really going for it when they name their fish. Classics like Nemo and Dory are always popular, but this year I also saw Bubbles, Ripple, Gonzo, and Sir Swimsalot. Swimsalot deserves an award.
Birds: Birds are pretty similar to fish in terms of naming trends. They seem to favor names with spunk. Kiwi, Mango, Rio, and Pepper were just a few bird names that took flight this year.
Tips for Naming Your Pet
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing — and predicting — popular pet names each year. If you’re still having a hard time picking a name for your pet or you want to make sure you’re choosing wisely, take a look at these tips.
Speak It Out Loud: This may seem like sound advice, but read the names on these lists out loud. Hopefully, by now you have a feeling for which names may or may not work for your pet. But if you run into a name that catches your eye, Google it and pronounce it out loud. You will be saying this name forever — make sure you love the way it sounds.
Pick Names That Are Easy to Say: Speaking of saying it aloud, be mindful of name length and pronunciation. One or two syllable names work best when training your pet to respond. Names that end with a vowel sound also travel farther when yelled — think Luna, Bella, and Oliver.
Consider Your Pet’s Personality: Sometimes the most popular pet names of the year can give you inspiration, but your pet is unique. Try spending a few days with your new pet before you name them. You may find yourself naturally gravitating toward the perfect name.
Be Unique: We spend a lot of time going over these popular names lists, but that doesn’t mean you have to pick a name just because it’s trendy. Everything on these lists is adorable, but my favorite pet names are the ones that are one-of-a-kind. Whether you name your pet after your favorite obscure musician or something completely made up, unique names are always winners.
Final Thoughts
Picking a name for your pet can be difficult, but remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect. They’re your pet after all, and if you love them like I love mine, you’ll figure it out.
Now it’s your turn. What name are you picking for your pet? Do any of your furry companions made the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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