Pet Naming Trends 2026

Sourced trend data from the American Kennel Club, Rover, and pet industry surveys -- updated annually.

Top 5 Most Popular Pet Names (2024 Data)

Names on the Rise

Beyond the established favorites, several names are climbing fast. These are names that have shown significant year-over-year growth in registration and survey data:

Key Trends We Are Watching

Human Names Continue to Dominate

The trend of giving pets human names -- Charlie, Oliver, Daisy, Lucy -- shows no sign of slowing. This reflects a cultural shift where pets are increasingly treated as family members. The AKC reports that over 60% of top dog names are also popular baby names.

Food Names Keep Growing

Food-inspired names like Mochi, Waffles, and Biscuit are among the fastest-growing categories, particularly for small breeds and kittens. Rover's data shows food names up 15% year-over-year for dogs under 25 pounds.

Mythology and Nature Names

Names drawn from mythology (Loki, Freya, Apollo) and nature (River, Willow, Storm) continue to rise, particularly among owners of large and working breeds. These names combine meaning with distinctiveness -- they are unique without being unpronounceable.

Cross-Species Crossover

More names than ever work for both dogs and cats. Luna, Bella, Milo, and Stella appear in the top 10 for both species. This reflects a broader trend of owners choosing names based on personality rather than species stereotypes.