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The most popular dog names, ranked

The most popular dog names, ranked
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If you have a dog named Spot, Fido, King or Rex, then congratulations: Your pooch is rarer than you might think.

Dog names have evolved over the years. We’ve even seen major changes in pet-name trends since President Ronald Reagan introduced his family dog, Lucky, in 1985. Nowadays, that name ranks way down, at No. 99, on this list. 

Today, dog names often sound much more like people names. So what’s the No. 1 dog name in America today? Barkbox recently sifted through its databanks and came up with this definitive ranking.

60. Pepper

girl dog names

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A dog named Pepper could add just the flavor your family needs.

Here, Amy Tran and her daughter, Serene Ho, cuddle their newly adopted dog, Pepper.

59. Thor

Canine Breeds Compete In National Dog Show Held Outside Of Philadelphia

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This Marvel-ous (see what we did there?) dog name has jumped a couple of spots — from No. 61 to No. 59 — since 2019.

This bulldog named Thor won Best in Show at the National Dog Show in 2019.

58. Louie

Veterinarians Flooded As

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Louie, Louie, oh baby, what a good boy. 

Here, a dog named Louie gets a checkup at Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital in Los Gatos, California.

57. Willow

World's Top Canines Compete At Westminster Dog Show

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Somewhat like Willow Smith, this Willow whips her tail back and forth.

Donna Smith sits with Willow, an Irish Wolfhound, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.

56. Hank

Milwaukee Brewers

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The Milwaukee Brewers rescued Hank the Dog when he wandered into their spring training facility before the start of the 2014 season. 

Here, Hank takes the field before the opening game against the Atlanta Braves at Miller Park in 2014.

55. Gus

Sonoma-Marin Fair Host Annual Ugliest Dog Contest

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This one-eyed, three-legged Chinese Crested dog named Gus was crowned the world’s ugliest dog back in 2008.

Gus was also the name of one of the friendly, anthropomorphic mice in the 1950 Disney classic “Cinderella.”

54. Marley

Marley, the Dog from

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You won’t need to worry about a thing with a dog named Marley.

Here, one of the dogs that played Marley in the 2008 movie “Marley and Me” visits Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.

53. Mia

Bulldog, Mia

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This bulldog, named Mia, would love to share a basket of french fries with you.

Since 2019, the name Mia has lost a little steam. It fell from the 49 spot to No. 53.

52. Moose

2016 Royal Tour To Canada Of The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge - Victoria

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For dogs who need names befitting a much larger creature, Moose is a popular option.

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge played with a dog named Moose on her family’s 2016 Royal Tour of Canada.

51. Diesel

Westminster: Best In Show

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A dog named Diesel might fuel all of your big adventures.

Heidi Radcliffe takes a break with her English mastiff, Diesel, during the Westminster Dog Show in 2014.

50. Koda

Lucheons

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Koda is a shortened form of the name Dakota, which translates to “friend” or “ally” in the Dakota Native American language.

Here, former Senator Scott Brown’s staffer escorts the Massachusetts Republican’s dog Koda on the subway in Washington D.C..

49. Ollie

US-COMIC CON-ATMOSPHERE

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This is Ollie. Ollie got all dressed up as the Green Arrow superhero for the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.

Ollie is often an abbreviation for Oliver, which also appears later in this list.

48. Dexter

Iranian Engineer Returns To U.S. After Suspension Of Immigration Ban

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The name Dexter has taken on grim associations since the 2006 premiere of Showtime’s serial killer thriller of the same name, but it’s still a popular dog name.

Here, Iranian engineer Nazanin Zinouri gets an enthusiastic greeting from her dog, Dexter, as she arrives at an airport in South Carolina. Zinouri’s return was delayed by former President Donald Trump’s travel and immigration bans.

47. Scout

John Beargrease sled dog marathon

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A dog named Scout will always keep you on the path to excitement.

This particular Scout, left, led his sled dog team in a marathon near Duluth, Minnesota.

46. Finn

2016 Humane Society Of The United States To The Rescue! New York:  Saving Animal Lives

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The name Finn saw an uptick in popularity from 2019 to 2020, rising eight spots year over year.

Heiress and activist Amanda Hearst accompanies a dog named Finn on the red carpet at a 2016 Humane Society of the United States event.

45. Leo

Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally To Be Held Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

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He is Leo — hear him bark?

Leo the Pomeranian hangs out at the Big Engine Bar with his owner, Mary Hanson, during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

44. Gracie

Annual Westminster Dog Show Takes Place In New York City

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Fans of the movie “Miss Congeniality” will remember Sandra Bullock’s turn as Gracie Hart, the tough-as-nails FBI agent who goes undercover to thwart a terrorist plot as a contestant in the Miss United States pageant.

But Gracie the Neapolitan mastiff needs no disguise at this competition. Here, she yawns a big mastiff yawn at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2018.

43. Ruby

Duchess Of Cornwall Visits Dents Factory

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Many pet parents choose to name their precious companions after this gemstone.

Ruby, a lucky rescue dog, received a special doggy cake from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2015.

42. Teddy

Donald Trump Jr. Campaigns For His Father In Las Vegas

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If your pooch is cuddly, just a like a Teddy bear, the name Teddy might suit him just fine.

Here, Donald Trump supporter Sandi Steinbeck of Las Vegas holds up her dog, a Shih Tzu named Teddy, at a rally for the then-Republican presidential nominee in 2016.

41. Rosie

Pet-A-Porter - Fashion Show

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Like Rosie the Riveter, a dog named Rosie can do it — and by “it,” we mean brighten your day.

Rosie the Beagle shows off her Woozie Wear yellow raincoat at the Pet-A-Porter dog fashion show in 2005.

40. Coco

Pride Walk And Rally Held In Washington DC

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Coco, a maltipoo puppy, wore her colorful rainbow sunglasses to a Pride rally in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2021.

“Coco” was the title of a 2017 Disney animated film about a Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a musician. The titular character is the boy’s great-grandmother.

39. Roxy

Seagull Patrol Dog Protects Diners From Losing Their Meals At Sydney Opera House

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Roxy works as a seagull patrol dog in Sydney, Australia. 

This intrepid dog chases away any pesky birds who would swoop in to steal diners’ food.

38. Murphy

143rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

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Murphy the Skye terrier competes at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2019.

The name Murphy is a common surname of Celtic origin. It translates to “sea warrior” in Gaelic.

37. Loki

A Yorkshire terrier named Loki plays wit

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In Norse mythology, Loki is a shapeshifting trickster. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Loki is the “God of Mischief,” played by Tom Hiddleston.

Here, a Yorkshire terrier named Loki enjoys a crisp fall day in Munich, Germany.

36. Toby

Therapy Dogs Soothe Harried Passengers At San Francisco Int'l Airport

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Ever wonder why so many dog names are short (one or two syllables) and end with a vowel sound? Some dog experts believe shorter names are more likely to catch a puppy’s attention and that vowel sounds help distinguish a name from other words.

The name Toby follows both of those guidelines.

35. Winston

Westminster: Best In Show

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Compared with Loki or Toby, Winston is a name for a much more serious fellow.

Here, a long-haired Dachshund named Winston shows off his puppy-dog eyes at the 2014 Westminster Dog Show.

34. Ellie

150th Ryedale Agricultural Show

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Ellie is an equally popular name for dogs and human children. Ellie ranks No. 35 on the list of the most popular baby girl names in the United States.

Here, Ken Dolan from Middlesbrough, England sits with his Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Ellie (left) and Belle at an agricultural show in 2016.

33. Zeus

BOSTON, MA. - AUGUST 4: Ashton Synn, of Braintree, a pirate with Rogues' Armada, prepares to take a selfie with a dog named Zeus at the Boston Seafood Festival on August 4, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Mary Schwalm/MediaNews Group/Boston Heral

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In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is the king of the gods.

Here, a dog named Zeus poses for a photo at the 2019 Boston Seafood Festival.

32. Piper

SOMERVILLE, MA. - SEPTEMBER 8: A 3 month old shepherd mix named Piper licks her nose as she enjoys a dish of doggie ice cream at the Somerville Dog Festival on September 8, 2019 in Somerville, Massachusetts. (Photo By Mary Schwalm/MediaNews Group/Boston H

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A three-month-old shepherd mix named Piper enjoys a doggy ice cream at the 2019 Somerville Dog Festival in Somerville, Massachusetts.

The name saw an uptick in popularity after the premiere of the supernatural series “Charmed.”

31. Nala

Dutch Royal Family Summer Photocall

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Nala is the lioness heroine in the 1994 Disney classic “The Lion King.”

The Dutch royal family has a dog named Nala.

30. Lily

Pet-A-Porter - Fashion Show

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Here comes the bride. We hope the groom brought treats. 

This fancy little pup is Lily. Lily modeled this Vivienne Westwood dog bridal look at the Pet-A-Porter dog fashion show in 2005.

29. Jack

2018 Crufts Dog Show Day Four - Best In Show

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This Irish Water Spaniel, named Kandrelli Jack Snipe — Jack, for short — competed at the 2018 Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England.

Jack is also a popular name for baby boys in the United States. It ranks at No. 19 on the list of the most popular.

28. Chloe

Worried Pet Owners React To Massive Pet Food Recall

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Chloe is a popular name for dogs and humans in the U.S. Chloe ranked as the No. 24 most popular baby girl name in 2019.

Here, a dog named Chloe gets a checkup at a veterinarian’s office in Miami.

27. Sophie

Oprah Winfrey's Personal Growth Summit

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Oprah had a beloved dog named Sophie for many years.

Here is a photo of the inseparable pair arriving at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 2000.

26. Penny

Celebrities Visit Build - February 26, 2020

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A dog named Penny would be invaluable to any family.

Susan Sarandon had a dog named Penny who lived to age 17.

25. Rocky

The pets (L-R) spitz dog

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Front and center, this dog named Rocky looks striking in his feather hat.

The name’s origin stems from the Italian name Rocco, which means “to rest,” but many rightly associate the name with the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa of movie fame.

24. Riley

SLUG: FX-STAND20 DATE: 09/15/2007 PHOTOGRAPHER: Tracy A. Woo

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This golden retriever named Riley emerges clean and dry after a bath at Bark ‘N Bubbles in Herndon, Virginia.

Riley is the 30th most popular name for baby girls in the United States.

23. Oliver

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Fashion designer Valentino had a pug named Oliver back in 1997.

Here, Oliver and a housekeeper pose in front of Valentino’s villa in Rome, Italy.

22. Milo

Gray resident Rebecca Wilkinson, 19 years old, is autistic and recently obtained a new service dog n

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This obedient chocolate lab is Milo, a service dog who helps his human companion, 19-year-old Rebecca Wilkinson.

In the 1986 four-legged adventure flick “The Adventures of Milo and Otis,” Milo is a curious kitten who befriends a pug puppy.

21. Bentley

Silver Oak Jumper Tournament In Halifax

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Shhh! Bentley is taking a nap at a horse-jumping show in Halifax, Massachusetts.

The name, of British origins, is associated with high society and luxury cars.

20. Jax

Can't keep a good dog down -- Bad-to-the-bone pooch named Ja

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This is Jax, a rescue mutt who used a dog wheelchair to get around for 15 of his 17 long years.

His rescuer and human companion, Caryn Rosenthal, said that with his wheelchair, Jax would run for miles on the beach and never let anything stop him.

19. Maggie

Six Years After Sandy Hook, Traumatic Grief Still Grips Newtown Every Day

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This golden retriever named Maggie is a comfort dog in Newton, Connecticut. 

She works with a group called K9 Comfort to bring a calming influence and plenty of snuggles to people in need.

18. Harley

Heat Wave Grips New York City

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Some Harleys have two wheels, others have four paws.

This Harley, a New York City dog, cools off near a sprinkler in an Upper East Side park.

17. Duke

Dogs Rescued From Hurricane Dorian Up For Adoption During EYs Annual Connect Day

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A dog named Duke would be a noble addition to any pack.

Animal rescuers with Second Chance Animal Services helped this little guy to safety when he was found wandering around the Bahamas in the path of Hurricane Dorian. 

Along with other homeless cats and dogs, Duke was evacuated to Massachusetts, where he attended this adoption fair.

16. Zoey

Nutrish's Yappie Hour Hosted By Rachael Ray - 2016 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE

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Evelyn Torres and her dog Zoey enjoyed Nutrish’s Yappie Hour at the 2016 South Beach Wine & Food Festival Presented.

The musical NBC TV series “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” racked up five Emmy Award nominations in 2021, adding more fuel to the popularity of the name.

14. Tucker

In ICUs, A Furry Friend To Comfort Patients

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This therapy dog named Tucker can’t get enough belly rubs from visitors to the hospital where he works. 

Therapy pets are used in hospitals to calm and distract anxious and uncomfortable patients.

13. Stella

A Doberman Pincher named Stella leads he

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A Doberman Pincher named Stella leads her owner as she parades in the 2006 “Barkus” Mardi Gras dog parade in New Orleans.

12. Molly

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill

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Irish independent Senator David Norris poses with two Jack Russell terriers, Molly and Winnie, outside the Department of Environment in Dublin.

Norris was advocating for stricter regulation of dog breeding establishments in the country.

11. Buddy

Long Island Begins Phase 3 Of Reopening, Allowing Restaurants To Seat Inside At 50 Percent Capacity

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Golden retrievers Buddy and Barley enjoy a wild rumpus at Six Harbors Brewing Company in Long Island, New York, a brewery run by their human family.

The two dogs helped their owner, Mark Heuwetter, deliver beer during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

10. Lola

A dog named Lola walks through the water at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, California, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017.

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Who wouldn’t love a day at the beach with a playful little lady named Lola?

For example, here’s a dog named Lola trotting through the water at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

9. Sadie

Veterinarians Flooded As

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This brave dog named Sadie sat dutifully in the front seat while she got a vaccine against canine influenza in 2018.

The name Sadie is Hebrew in origin and means “princess.”

8. Daisy

A pug named Daisy is brought to the stag

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Daisy competed for the title of World’s Ugliest Dog in 2012, but she’s far too cute for such a crown.

A Chinese crested dog named Ugly Mugly took home bragging rights at the competition.

7. Bailey

Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Meets With Voters Ahead Of NH Primary

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Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has a golden retriever named Bailey. 

While Bailey’s human mom made a run at the office of President of the United States, the cheerful dog was a fixture on the campaign trail.

6. Max

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Visit Cumbria

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A dog named Max would be a mighty companion.

Here, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pets some dogs named Max, Paddy and Harry during a public appearance in Keswick, England.

5. Cooper

17th Annual National Dog Show

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Here, a bichon frisé named Cooper awaits his turn to compete in the National Dog Show in 2018.

In Old English, a cooper is a barrel maker.

4. Lucy

Embark Dog DNA Testing Startup

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This is Lucy. Lucy is having a blast playing in an office. 

This particular office is the headquarters of Embark, a dog DNA testing company in Boston.

3. Charlie

Dogville Launches Interactive Pop-Up For Pups In New York City

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These two business-casual pals are Bailey and Charlie. 

They’re visiting Dogville, an interactive pop-up for pups In New York City.

2. Luna

Big Freeze Brings Snow, Ice and Flooding To The UK

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This is Luna’s first snow day, and she’s enjoying it a lot, thank you very much.

Luna is frequently near the top of the list of the most popular dog names.

1. Bella

Woofin Paws Pet Fashion Show

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Did someone order two patriotic pups? These Boston terriers are Bella and Bruno, and they’re participating in the Woofin Paws pet fashion show in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Bella is the most popular dog name in America, according to Barkbox.