Posted: October 2, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
The American Kennel Club on Wednesday unveiled the most popular names for dogs, according to a survey of 2007 AKC registrations, and “Fido” was nowhere to be found among the top 20.
Instead, “Bear” and Lady” top the list of most common male/female dog names in the United States. In addition to Lady and Bear, rounding out the top 10 dog names are Belle/Bell/Bella, Princess, Mae/May, Blue, Max/Maximus/Maxwell, Rose, Daisy, and Duke.
Traditionally, dog owners have chosen names based on a puppy’s appearance or personality, such as “Spot” or “Sassy,” according to Lisa Peterson, AKC spokeswoman. “Today we are seeing human names, such as ‘Jack’ and ‘Molly,’ and names that reflect a pet’s stature in the home, such as ‘King’ and ‘Princess,’ gain popularity as more people consider their dog a valued member of the family,” she said.
|
Top male dog names |
Top female dog names |
| 1. Bear |
1. Lady |
| 2. Blue |
2. Belle/Bell/Bella |
| 3. Max/Maximus/Maxwell |
3. Princess |
| 4. Duke |
4. Mae/May |
| 5. Buddy |
5. Rose |
| 6. Jack |
6. Daisy |
| 7. Prince |
7. Grace/Gracie |
| 8. King |
8. Baby |
| 9. Bailey |
9. Molly |
| 10. Rocky |
10. Maggie |
| 11. Harley |
11. Sadie |
| 12. Jake |
12. Ann/Annie |
| 13. Shadow |
13. Star |
| 14. Lucky |
14. Lily/Lilly |
| 15. Hunter |
15. Angel |
| 16. Dakota |
16. Coco/Cocoa |
| 17. Lou |
17. Sophie/Sophia |
| 18. Midnight |
18. Lucy |
| 19. Cooper |
19. Abby/Abigail |
| 20. Buster |
20. Marie |
When naming a dog, the AKC also offers the following tips:
- Keep it short and sweet to get your dog to be responsive. Use a name that is one or two syllables, ending with a vowel, such as “Sadie” or “Rocky.”
- Avoid a name that is too long or difficult to say. A name such as “Sir Barks A Lot” will confuse your dog.
- Avoid names that sound like commands. Names like “Joe” sound like “no” when called.
- Try a name for a day or two. Remember any dog name will be a 10- to 15-year commitment.
- After you choose a name, make sure you use it often so he learns it quickly.