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As a foster volunteer, I’ve had the opportunity to encounter numerous pets and the distinct names they’ve been given. Some names are timeless, like Max and Bella, reminiscent of the classic lap-dog era. Others draw inspiration from pop culture – pets named Chewbacca and Lady Gaga are not uncommon.
We’ve recently passed through a fruit phase (Apricot, Mango, Apple, Raisin, Kiwi), film directors (George, Lucas, Alfred, David, Stanley, Robert, Martin, Clint), and royalty (Kate, Elizabeth, William, Diana, Charles).
From Bubbles to Arya, the range of names is limitless. Pet names often carry a piece of the pet’s history or reflect aspirations for a pet. New pet parents, just like new baby parents, may find inspiration within their family history… or on their countertops. Let’s explore the current trends among pet parents when it comes to naming their companions. And if you’re not finding the right name, try these black dog names, silly pet names, and pit bull names.
Most popular dog names
- Charlie
- Lucy
- Max
- Bella
- Cooper
- Luna
- Buddy
- Daisy
- Jack
- Lola
Most popular cat names
- Charlie
- Luna
- Leo
- Lucy
- Max
- Bella
- Milo
- Sophie
- Jack
- Stella
Most popular rabbit names
- Peter (from “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter)
- Beatrix (in honor of Beatrix Potter, the author)
- Alice (from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”)
- White Rabbit (also from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”)
- Eeyore (from A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh”)
- Benjamin (from “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny” by Beatrix Potter)
- Mopsy (a character in Beatrix Potter’s stories)
- Bilbo (from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”)
Popular pet bird names
- Sunny
- Tweety
- Peep
- Feather
- Kiwi
- Blue
- Mango
- Cherry
- Pip
- Echo
- Rio
- Robin
- Starling
- Flap
- Dove
- Jasper
- Merlin
Popular pet names
These pet names are favored by pet parents across the board.
- Rocky
- Lily
- Chloe
- Oliver
- Tucker
- Sadie
- Bailey
- Zoey
- Duke
- Ruby
- Milo
- Rosie
Popular pet names inspired by TV
These names not only pay homage to iconic TV characters but also add a touch of pop culture flair to your pet’s identity.
- Arya (inspired by “Game of Thrones”)
- Mabel (from “Only Murders in the Building”)
- Daryl (a nod to “The Walking Dead”)
- Eleven (for “Stranger Things” fans)
- Greg (a bit of Greg sprinkles from “Succession”)
- Walter (from “Breaking Bad”)
- Dexter (inspired by the show of the same name)
- Sugar (nickname of Natalie from “The Bear”)
- Buffy (a tribute to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”)
- Mulder (from “The X-Files”)
- Scully (for fans of “The X-Files”)
- Sydney (from “The Bear”)
- Roman (or Romulan from “Succession”)
- Phoebe (a nod to “Friends”)
- Negan (for “The Walking Dead” enthusiasts)
- Don Draper (from “Mad Men”)
- Ross (a reference to “Friends”)
- Willow (from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”)
Popular pet names inspired by mythology
Mythology has long been a source of inspiration for pet names. Here’s a list of popular names inspired by myths and legends.
- Athena (Greek)
- Thor (Norse)
- Apollo (Greek)
- Freya (Norse)
- Zeus (Greek)
- Hera (Greek)
- Odin (Norse)
- Persephone (Greek)
- Anubis (Egyptian)
- Freyja (Norse)
- Loki (Norse)
- Artemis (Greek)
- Ra (Egyptian)
- Hades (Greek)
- Amaterasu (Japanese)
- Bastet (inspired by Egyptian mythology)
- Hermes (Greek)
- Epona (Celtic)
- Fenrir (Norse)
- Selene (Greek)
Popular pet fish names
Whether you’re adopting a goldfish, bettas, or any other type of fish these popular fish names with add a splash of fun.
- Bubbles
- Nemo
- Fin
- Splash
- Gill
- Flounder
- Dory
- Jaws
- Goldie
- Swimmy
- Flash
- Neptune
- Coral
- Rainbow
- Sharky
- Scaley
- Triton
- Ariel
*Most popular dog and cat names from TrustedHousesitters.com
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