What Are the 60 Most Popular Dog Names in the World?
Marley, Bolt, Beethoven. All recognisable dog names from Hollywood movies. You’ll notice how short these names are, except for Beethoven. Each name is a perfect match to the movie dog because of their personality, so it makes sense you’d want your dog’s name to be a good fit.
After all, getting to name your dog is part of the fun in taking care of one (dog toy shopping, anyone?). And if the name you choose happens to be the most amazing, unique and memorable one in the history of pet names, how proud would you be.
Why Dog Names Matter
When you’ve just adopted a dog or welcomed a pup, you’re likely to go through several dog names. Maybe you go with using something that will describe the dog, like Spot, or an all-time favourite, like Jack. Some people choose to name their dogs after a favourite hero, like Thor, or food, like Waffles, Kiwi or Burger.
The best dog names, as it turns out, are not just about your pet’s personality, your favourite things in life and whatever feels like the easiest to call out. Science can explain why one dog name may be better than another.
Dogs, especially puppies, pay more attention to certain sounds. One-syllable words and two-syllable words are highly desirable because your dog will respond to them quickly. Remember, dogs are only able to learn a handful of words because they process speech the way 14-month old babies do.
How To Choose From Popular Names for Dogs
Although your heart tells you that your female French bulldog would be the star of every Emirati doggie park with a name like Coco Chanel Divalicious, they may not respond too well to the posh moniker.
Short names, like Spot, Jack or even Waffles, are good names when you’re training your dog. These names also have a different sound to command words, like “sit,” “stay” or “come.” Dog experts suggest staying away from names for dogs that may be similar to commands, like Mit (sounds like sit), Ray (sounds like stay) and Crumb (sounds like come).
Still on the subject of commands, try not to use dog names that sound like words they’ve come to recognise as negative: Joe (sounds like “no”) or Brad (sounds like “bad”). Your dog must be able to associate their name to something positive.
Another tip is to go with names that have hard consonants (“c” or “k”) and long vowels (“a” or “e”) at the end. Dogs tend to pick up on those sounds faster, so they’re more likely to come when you call them.
What if you have other pets in the house? It’s a good idea to choose a name for your dog that does not sound similar to your other pet (or pets). They may get confused about who you’re calling: are you calling Polly the pup or Holly the cat?
Now that you have some idea about which names could work for your new dog or pup, let’s run through some of the more popular names for dogs.
What Is the Top Dog Name for 2024?
The most popular dog names vary, from the most common ones for some breeds to typical names for male or female dogs. Overall, the names on the following list are popular ones people typically give to their dogs.
- Bailey
- Bella
- Charlie
- Cooper
- Daisy
- Lucy
- Luna
- Max
- Penny
- Sadie
What Are the Most Popular Dog Names According to Pet Size?
Sometimes, a dog’s size can give you a clue as to what kind of name would be perfect for them. Here are some of the more common names people choose for their dogs that are small, mid-sized and large.
Small Dogs
Whether your fur baby is a pomeranian, chihuahua, border terrier or some other type of small dog, these popular names for the diminutive kind can help inspire you.
- Peanut
- Mini
- Muffin
- Mitzi
- Gidget
- Mimi
- Wicket
- Pepe
- Scruffy
- Toto
Mid-Sized Dogs
Got a dalmatian, poodle, or some other medium-sized dog at home? Check out these popular names associated with mid-sized canines.
- Rylee
- Aria
- Peyton
- Raya
- Lucas
- Sailor
- Shelby
- Marley
- Meadow
- Noah
Large Dogs
When you see the term ‘large dog’, it’s not unusual to think of Beethoven (played by Chris or Kris and other Saint Bernard dogs)— the well-loved movie dog. And then there’s the fictional Great Dane, Scooby Doo.
If you’ve got a sizable canine with a personality to match, these popular names could be a good fit.
- Hades
- Cain
- Ares
- Creed
- Kane
- Barrett
- Bane
- Kaiser
- Drogo
- Kratos
Popular Female Dog Names
Need some inspiration to jumpstart your naming your girl pup? Here’s a list of popular female dog names:
- Aspen
- Bailey
- Coco
- Dixie
- Ginger
- Gracie
- Lady
- Lexi
- Lily or Lilly
- Lola
Popular Male Dog Names
Not to limit your options, but here are some great male dog names you can use to help you find the best one for your canine.
- Ace
- Archie
- Bandit
- Beau
- Bear
- Bentley
- Bruno
- Buddy
- Chandler
- Duke
Most Popular Names for Dogs According to Breed
It may seem surprising, but there are also certain dog names typically associated with specific breeds. Of course, when it comes to naming your dog, this doesn’t need to apply.
- For Golden Retrievers: Bailey
- For German Shepherds: Max
- For American Bulldogs: Nala
- For Labrador Retrievers: Bailey
- For Poodles (Small): Teddy and Coco
Most Popular Dog Names Inspired by Food
As you know by now, people don’t shy away from naming their beloved canines after their favourite food.
- Chocolate
- Hamburger
- Waffles
- Jelly
- Pepsi
How To Know If Your Dog Likes Their Name
A quick recap: Dog’s prefer shorter names. Ideally, a dog's name shouldn’t be similar to any of the commands when they’re in training. Also, it should sound different from the names of your other pets. But what if you really have your heart set on something creative?
Some pet dog names you’re considering may be inspired by a fictional character, a popular sports team or a favourite country. Although these can be fun and meaningful choices, it’s essential to ensure your dog responds well to their name.
Here are some tips to test your name ideas:
1. Observe Your Dog’s Reaction
Spend some time calling your dog by each potential name. Look for these positive responses:
- Their tail wags energetically. A wagging tail is a clear sign of excitement and happiness.
- Their ears perk up. Dogs often perk up their ears when they hear something interesting or familiar.
- They become alert and look towards you. If your dog looks at you or becomes visibly alert when you say the name, it's a good sign they recognise it.
- They come to you promptly. Coming to you right away indicates they associate the name with positive attention.
2. Practise Positive Reinforcement
If you notice only some of these signs, you can encourage a positive response with treats. Use a happy or excited tone when calling their name. Reward your dog with treats whenever they respond positively by looking at you or coming to you.
3. Be Patient
Training your dog to recognise and respond to their name takes time. Be patient and consistent with your efforts. With regular practice, your dog will learn to associate the name with positive experiences and attention.
Should You Change Your Dog’s Name?
Experts agree that changing a dog’s name is not a problem. But some conditions come with this change. Some good reasons for changing their name would be if you’ve adopted a dog from the shelter, you’re getting a new puppy, the dog associates his old name with a negative experience, or that they’re not responding to their current name.
Changing a dog’s name is possible and can be done successfully with some patience and training.
Here’s how:
1. Gradual Introduction
Start by using the new name alongside the old one. For instance, if your dog's old name is ‘Charlie’ and you want to change it to ‘Max’, start by saying ‘Charlie-Max’ and gradually drop the ‘Charlie’ over time.
2. Consistent Use
Use the new name consistently in all interactions. This helps your dog get used to hearing it in different contexts.
3. Positive Association
Just like with training a new name, use treats and affection to create a positive association with the new name. Every time your dog responds to their new name, reward them.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Regular practice sessions, where you call your dog by their new name and reward them for responding, will reinforce their learning.
When is it not a good idea to change your dog’s name?
Keep the dog’s current name if you’re looking after a dog that has been surrendered after years of being in a loving home. If you’re adopting a service dog, they may associate their name with something important, so it’s best to keep it.
Remember, dogs are adaptable creatures, and with consistent training and positive reinforcement, they can learn to love and respond to their new name just as well as their old one. By observing your dog’s reactions and being patient, you can ensure that the name you choose will be one they respond to with joy and excitement.
Choose a Name Your Dog Will Love
Choosing your dog’s name can be a fun exercise especially when everyone in the family joins in. You can put a few names to a vote. Use a bit of science with your selection. Observe your dog’s reaction to their moniker. See how they feel about it.
And make sure you’re comfortable calling it out in public. If Coco Chanel Divalicious rolls off the tongue and your dog happens to respond, then you’ve found their perfect name.
Take Good Care of Your Dog
Finding the right name for your dog is just the first step to being a loving guardian to your pet. You also need to ensure they have everything they need to be happy and healthy.
Check out our collection of dog supplies today!
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