Always Essential DogsDid Your Dog's Name Make The List Of The 100 Most Popular Female & Male Dog Names?
Choosing a name for your dog requires a little inspiration and plenty of thought. After all, this is a name that you’ll be saying every day for years to come. Like baby names, dog names trend in popularity. It’s unlikely you’re meeting a lot of toddlers named Ethel today, and similarly, you probably don’t meet too many dogs named Lassie anymore.
Trending Dog Names
Just like baby names, dog names rise and fall in popularity. The number of dogs named after “Frozen” characters rose 900 percent the year after the movie came out, for example, so for a while, you probably met more than one “Olaf” at doggie daycare. Names from movies and books like “Twilight” and “Game of Thrones” have maintained popularity over time, and the Disney universe of characters has helped inspire names like “Loki,” “Thor,” “Simba” and “Kylo.”
Food and drink are favorite themes, too. You might meet a “Whiskey,” “Porter” or “Oreo” on your daily walks. And at least 20 percent of dogs have human names like “Max” or “Charlie.” Sports figures are a perennial favorite (the year Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees, “Jeter” was in the top 10 dog names) and so are sports and outdoor activity-inspired names like “Ruger” or “Blaze.” If you’re looking for a less common name, try our list of unique dog names. Nature-themed dog names continue to be popular, with themes like “Daisy” or “Willow.” Food- and drink-themed names are also a favorite, with girl dog names like “Ginger,” “Honey” and “Cookie” making the list.
If you’re lucky, you’ll meet your dog, get to know him a bit, and come up with an inspired choice.
How to Choose a Dog’s Name
It’s not all just in a name. A female puppy’s name is an important part of her training and socialization. Take some advice from experts in the field:
Choose a name with one or two syllables. These are easiest to say and short enough to keep your dog’s attention.
Consider a name with hard consonants, which may be easier for dogs to hear than sibilant sounds, like “Gracie” or “Bailey.”
Try not to choose a name that sounds similar to a command. Avoid names like “Kit,” which sounds like “sit,” or “Poe,” which sounds like “no.”
When a dog hears her name, it’s a signal that whatever is coming next is meant for her. So use her name frequently in a positive context so she doesn’t associate it with punishment or anything negative or scary.
Don’t name a dog something that sounds a lot like the name of another family member. If your daughter is “Annie” and the dog is “Franny,” the dog (or your daughter) may be confused and not know when to respond.
