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.

• 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.