Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

These are the most popular dog names in the world

By

Adopting a new dog is an exciting time in your life, and there are plenty of decisions to be made. While choosing the perfect veterinarian and picking out a dog bed are important, one of the first decisions you need to make is selecting a name for your dog, and there are several factors to consider. How will your dog’s name sound when you’re calling him in from the backyard? Do you want to name your pup after a popular movie character? Do you prefer traditional names like Fido or Spot? Let’s take a look at the most popular dog names to help you decide upon the perfect name for your new pooch. 

A beagle puppy walks through grass.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The top 10 most popular dog names

Here are the 10 most popular dog names in the world. Perhaps you’ll find the perfect name for your new pup somewhere on the list. 

  1. Luna: Meaning “moon,” Luna is also the name of a popular character in the Harry Potter franchise, Luna Lovegood. 
  2. Max: Short for Maximilian, meaning “greatest,” the name surged in popularity after the 2000 release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, the titular gladiator. 
  3. Bella: Meaning “beautiful” in Italian, but the name’s current popularity may have something to do with Twilight’s Bella Swan. 
  4. Lola: A common woman’s name in Spanish and other Romance languages, Lola is the shortened form of Dolores, which means “sorrows.” The name derives its meaning from one of the Virgin Mary’s titles, Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores, Our Lady of Sorrows. 
  5. Molly: In Medieval times, Molly was a common nickname for Mary. In modern times, it is frequently used as a given name. Author James Joyce gave the name to Molly Bloom, wife of his main character in Ulysses. The name has been popularized more recently in the Harry Potter series; the Weasley matriarch is named Molly. 
  6. Charlie: A diminutive of both Charles and Charlotte, Charlie means “free man.” Popular characters named Charlie include Charlie Brown, the main character in the comic series Peanuts, and Charlie Harper of Two and a Half Men, portrayed by actor Charlie Sheen.
  7. Buddy: While many names have commonly used nicknames, Buddy was once a nickname for a friend and later became an independent name. Famous name-bearers include rock icon Buddy Holly, basketball player Buddy Hield, and TLC’s Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro. 
  8. Rocky: Derived from Rock, which means “rest,” the name Rocky became wildly popular thanks to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise, which centers on boxer Rocky Balboa. 
  9. Jack: A traditionally English name, Jack means “God is gracious.” Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films may be responsible for the name’s recent resurgence. 
  10. Lucy: Lucy comes from the Latin name Lucius, stemming from the word lux, which means “light.” Famous Lucys include Lucy Ricardo of I Love Lucy, played by Lucille Ball, as well as actors Lucy Liu and Lucy Lawless. 
Recommended Videos

A chocolate Labrador retriever puppy lying on stone tiles.

Some names are universal

Compiling a list of the most popular dog names requires more work than you might think. After collecting data from studies conducted by animal welfare charities, insurance providers, and dog registries, Budget Direct released a list of the most popular names for male and female dogs in various countries. Many names appear in several countries, but in some, a few unique names cropped up. For example, Mel, which means “honey” in Portuguese, makes the list of the most popular names for female dogs in Portugal. 

Different countries use names… differently

Research shows that male dogs are more likely to have human names than female dogs, but there is one exception: Buddy. The most popular dog name in North Macedonia and Indonesia, a native language variation of Buddy is also commonly used in Lithuania. Draugas, which means “friend,” is a popular Lithuanian take on the name. Names that native English speakers consider boy names or girl names may not be used the same way in other countries. Leedi, a derivative of Lady, is the most popular name for male dogs in Estonia, while Lucky—typically viewed as a male dog’s name in the United States—is one of the most popular names for female dogs in Portugal.  

A woman in a sweater holds a sleeping black and white French bulldog puppy.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Choose a name you love

If you want to ensure several pups at the local dog park won’t answer your call, steer clear of naming your dog Luna or Bella, the most popular names for female dogs in an impressive 30 countries. You’ll also want to skip naming your dog Max, the most popular male dog name in the world. Whether you name your dog after a favorite fictional character, or you choose a more old-fashioned name like Spot, we recommend sticking to something that’s short and easy to say. 

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
A new study about sleeping with pets in your bed has some surprising results
Wait — is sleeping with cats better than sleeping with dogs? What new research says
A woman with red hair sleeping with a dog and clothes on

Pets have a way of taking up a whole lot of space in our hearts and beds. Even small dog breeds and cats can become serious cover hogs. With dogs, the inclination is instinctual — they're pack animals that naturally stick together. Cats are generally considered aloof (and nocturnal), but these domesticated sofa lions also love their cuddles. Sleeping with pets of either species can (literally) give you the warm and fuzzies.

Yet, if you're going by stereotypes, you would think sleeping with dogs has far more significant benefits than catching Z's with cats. A new study may have you tossing and turning — you may already be doing so if you're co-sleeping with a dog. In a 2024 Scientific Reports study, researchers noted that sleeping with dogs could hurt sleep quality. The authors did not find the same issue for people who reported sleeping with cats.

Read more
These are 12 of the cutest dog breeds ever
This is tough one to answer, but we'll give you several options
A West Highland white terrier sits outside in the sun

When you're a true dog lover, every pup you pass is the cutest one you've seen all day. Whether it's a lazy bulldog snoozing in a stroller or an athletic Greyhound galloping in the park, nothing beats watching a dog doing what they love. After all, the cutest dogs are the happiest dogs!
But when it comes to selecting cute dog breeds, decisions can be much trickier. No two are the same, and every breed has its own special qualities that make owners fall in love. If you think your dog is the cutest pup you've ever seen, you're certainly not alone. But do you know the best part? Everyone who thinks their dog is the cutest is completely right!
In our humble opinion, these are the 12 cutest dog breeds you will ever see. Are your favorite dogs on the list?

Poodle mixes

Read more
Why does my dog lick me so much? There are actually several reasons
It might be more than to give you slobbery kisses
Dog licking human sitting on couch

If you've ever been around a dog, you've likely been on the receiving end of a lick or two. Traditionally, people associate licks with kisses. However, if your dog is constantly slobbering all over you, you may wonder: Why does my dog lick me so much? Is something wrong?

Also, there's a totally untrue rumor that dogs don't love us but merely use us for food. That said, the idea that a dog's licks are also a sign of affection is also something of a myth. Your dog may have other motives for treating you like their personal ice cream cone. Some are as sweet as your favorite frozen novelty, while one may leave a saltier taste in your pup's mouth. Here are several reasons why your dog licks you, plus when to be concerned and how to curb the behavior if you want.
Why does my dog lick me so much?

Read more