Skip to main content

These are the most popular pet names for the past 100 years

Choosing a name for a dog or cat is a big decision for pet parents everywhere. To find the most popular pet names for the past century, FirstVet, a video consultation service, scoured New York’s Hartsdale Pet Cemetery to compile a list of the most commonly used pet names.

Whether you want to name your furry friend something more traditional, or you prefer to go against the grain with an unusual name you won’t hear at every dog park, we’re here to share the results.

A young girl playing with two dogs.
Helena Lopes from Pexels

Why naming pets is important

It’s human nature to anthropomorphize, or assign human characteristics to animals, trees, the elements, and even inanimate objects. Giving something a name helps us empathize with it. Once our pet has a name, they become an official member of the family.

Recommended Videos

Unsurprisingly, we like to think of our pets as magnificent, regal creatures, something strongly reflected in the names we give them. While it’s never been number one on the list of most popular names in any given decade, Princess is the most popular name overall — and has been for the past 115 years — while King, Queenie, Duke, and Lady have also been popular pet names for over a century. 

How we choose pet names

Pet names are often influenced by characters in popular books, films, and television shows, and popular media sometimes takes common pet names into account. For example, one of the most popular cat names is Tiger, which may be down to the characteristic stripes found on tabby cats. After Winnie-the-Pooh‘s sudden rise in popularity in the 1960s, a variant of the name, Tigger, also skyrocketed to the top of the list of common cat names.  

Following the release of cult classic film Mad Max in 1979, Max became the most popular name for dogs. The name’s popularity remained steady in the following decades, especially after the release of Gladiator, the film that catapulted Russell Crowe to stardom, in 2000. During the 1980s, Smokey became one of the most common names for cats (and remains popular to this day) after Motown singer Smokey Robinson saw a massive surge in popularity. 

Popular dog names through the decades

Using data from Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, which was founded in 1896 and serves as the final resting place for over 80,000 pets, FirstVet released a list of the most popular pet names in every decade. For dogs, the names were decidedly more feminine from the 1930s until the 1980s. The most popular names in each decade are:

  • 1930s: Queenie
  • 1940s: Tippy
  • 1950s: Sandy
  • 1960s: Lady
  • 1970s: Brandy
  • 1980s: Max
  • 1990s: Max
  • 2000s: Max

As you can see, once the name Max arrived on the scene, it stuck around for good. 

Two blue-eyed white kittens snuggling.
Peng Louis from Pexels

Popular cat names through the decades

Unlike the available data for pet pooches, there isn’t as much on hand for our feline friends. The earliest data starts during the 1960s. Let’s take a look at the most popular names for cats through history. 

  • 1960s: Cindy
  • 1970s: Ginger
  • 1980s: Tiger
  • 1990s: Smokey
  • 2000s: Smokey

Besides the influence of Smokey Robinson, the popularity of Smokey is partially due to the Burt Reynolds and Sally Field film Smokey and the Bandit, which spawned numerous sequels and made-for-TV movies.  

Chihuahua and Siamese cat being held together.
Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels

Recent naming trends

While we won’t be returning to Winterfell every week these days, Game of Thrones made a significant impact on popular dog names. Between 2018 and 2019, Sansa enjoyed a 24% increase in popularity. However, the Queen in the North didn’t quite make the top-10 list, which included names like Luna, Buddy, Rocky, and (as expected) Max.

The Avengers franchise also had a massive impact on pet names in more recent years, particularly with cats. According to pet insurance company Trupanion, Loki and Pepper made the list of the top 50 most popular cat names in 2020. (Thor and Spider-Man also saw an uptick in popularity with dog owners, but neither the god of thunder nor everybody’s favorite web-slinger made the cut for Trupanion’s top 50.)

From our favorite characters in the wizarding world to the latest superhero, the list of America’s most common pet names is constantly evolving. As new pop culture trends emerge, so, too, will popular pet names. We just hope Max stays popular. 

Topics
Mary Johnson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Best reptile pets: 5 affectionate reptiles to welcome into your home
These friendly reptiles will make great additions to your family
Basking Chinese water dragon

When you picture an adorable pet, you probably don't visualize an iguana. Reptiles aren't generally considered the cutest of animals, but that doesn't mean you can't find a cuddly one. Whether you're looking for a new buddy for yourself or for your lizard-obsessed kid, there's a reptilian beast out there that will work great in your home.

With proper socialization, these guys can learn to be handled daily, some even by children. If you want a new pet that enjoys human company, consider one of the most affectionate slitherers — they're the best reptile pets for handling.
Are reptiles high maintenance?

Read more
70 cute dog names for every vibe: From cottagecore to Y2K
These unique dog names are inspired by aesthetics, like barbiecore
A corgi dog standing in front of a pink background looks up and to the side with big eyes

If you spend enough time on social media -- particularly sites like TikTok, Pinterest, or Tumblr -- you'll become familiar with "aesthetics." These are moods or styles that influence art, clothing and decor choices, and even what someone posts online. Any vibe can be an aesthetic if it drives your style choices, so why not let your favorite aesthetics inspire your new dog's name as well?

These canine monikers range from timeless to eccentric (and everything in between), but they all have one thing in common: They're all sure to put a smile on your face. Whether they remind you of something adorable, something nostalgic, or something totally epic, these cute dog names are the perfect wealth of information to start your search with. We hope this list leaves you feeling inspired!
Cottagecore dog names inspired by the cute, woodsy aesthetic

Read more
Beagle 101: Key things to know before getting one as a pet
What makes beagle dogs so special
Little girl playing with a beagle

Beagles are lovable dogs who melt hearts with their soulful eyes and long, silky ears. They conjure up images of a pack of hounds out on a hunt, a playmate hanging out with a kid, a hiking companion, or even a cuddle buddy at the end of an adventurous day. The beagle dog breed is certainly all of these wonderful things and more.

It’s believed that the ancestors of the people-loving beagle were small hunting dogs that English gentlemen used to track hares in the 1500s. Today, two varieties of beagles are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC): the 13-inch beagle and the 15-inch beagle. The smaller dogs are under 13 inches in height, while the larger ones can measure over 13 and at or under 15 inches. Both have short coats and come in a variety of colors, with the most common being the tri-colored black, white, and tan. The other colors of the beagle dog breed are white and red, and the less common lemon and white. However, there is so much more to this dog than its looks.

Read more