The latest survey into U.S. dog naming trends suggests owners are getting increasingly creative when deciding what to call their new canine friend—a fact seemingly recognized by just how few of the following breeds share their names.
John Smith, founder of personalized pet gift provider Yappy.com, told Newsweek: “Choosing the perfect name for someone is one of the most important things you can do - especially if it’s for your four-legged friend.”
He added: “There’s a lot in a name and they need to fit the dog they’re given to—what would be good for a bichon frise might not work for a husky!
“Yappy has noticed a surge in popularity in certain names for specific breeds showing us just how much the perfect name means to our customers.”
The site analyzed more than 300 dog breeds and over 193,000 dog profiles generated on its site during 10 months, from January 1 to November 5, 2021.
Read on to find out which are America’s most popular dog names by breed in the U.S.
Affenpinscher: Frankie
This cute terrier-like toy Pinscher breed of dog has a fun name to go with its feisty character.
Akita: Niko
This large dog breed originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan is frequently given a name meaning “victory” in Greek.
American Pit Bull: Rocky
Rocky is a recognizably appropriate name for these muscular medium-sized dogs with a solid build.
Basset Hound: Otis
This short-legged breed of dog in the hound family has a sweet and affectionate temperament, which is possibly reflected in this urbane name.
Beagle: Daisy
The beagle is a breed of small scent hound and the floral Daisy is a fitting name for this popular breed.
Bichon Frise: Snowy
These cheerful dogs pack a lot of personality into their small size, while their white coat is an obvious reason for many owners opting for the name Snowy.
Boxer: Tyson
Like the American Pit Bull, these muscular dogs are a natural fit for forenames widely associated with boxing, such as Tyson.
Border Collie: Milo
These highly intelligent and exceptionally energetic breeds of dog are commonly called Milo, a name of German origin, meaning “soldier” or “merciful.”
Border Terrier: Archie
This British breed of small, rough-coated terrier frequently goes by the name which is the diminutive of the German name Archibald.
Cavachon: Molly
The Cavachon is a mixed breed dog–a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise dog breeds, and these characters are most frequently matched with the diminutive of the Hebrew feminine name Mary.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Charlie
These toy type of spaniels are rather unsurprisingly, yet endearingly, often called Charlie.
Chihuahua: Coco
The Chihuahua is one of the world’s smallest breeds of dog and many are given the primarily female name of American origin Coco.
Chow Chow: Lola
Chow Chows are sturdily built dogs originally hailing from northern China, while their most popular name this year is the short form of the Spanish name Dolores, meaning “sorrows.”
Cockapoo: Lulu
Also known as a Spoodle or Cockerdoodle, this dog is crossbred from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, while Lulu is a girl’s name of Arabic origin meaning “pearl.”
Cocker Spaniel: Lucy
This breed of gun dog is active and good-natured, while its name possibly reflects the breed’s English origins.
Corgi: Ollie
Widely rated as being among the most agreeable of all small house dogs, many Corgis have been given the name Ollie.
Dachshund: Otto
Also dubbed the wiener dog, the Dachshund is often given a name in keeping with its German heritage.
Dalmatian: Finn
These medium-sized dogs are noted for their unique white coat usually marked with black-colored spots, while the name Finn appears fairly appropriate as it means “fair or white.”
Dobermann: Duke
The Doberman Pinscher is a medium-large breed of domestic dog, which appears well suited to the no-nonsense name Duke.
Dorkie: Jackson
The Dorkie is a mixed breed dog, a cross between the Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier, which many owners purportedly decide to call the Old English name Jackson.
English Bulldog: Bentley
This medium-sized, muscular and distinctive dog breed is often given the Old English name Bentley, meaning “woodland with bent grass.”
English Toy Terrier: Rocco
This small breed of tan and black toy dog group terriers are often given the male Italian name Rocco.
French Bulldog: Winston
The French breed of companion dog is still commonly associated with British World War 2 leader Winston Churchill, hence its name.
Foxhound: Abby
These large hunting hounds are thought to frequently be given the gender-neutral name of English origin, Abby.
Frug: Cash
The Frug is a cross between a purebred French Bulldog and Pug and owners of many of these dogs opt for the traditional English male Cash.
German Shepherd: Zeus
The German Shepherd is one of America’s most popular dog breeds, with many of their masters deciding patriarch of the Greek gods Zeus is a safe bet for a memorable name.
Great Dane: Goose
Also dubbed the German Mastiff or Deutsche Dogge, the breed reflects an apparently growing trend for naming your four-legged friend after another animal.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Hercules
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large yet good-natured breed, and the name of the Greek demigod feels like a good fit.
Greyhound: Eddie
Owners of these sighthound bred for coursing game and racing are apparently keen for this no-nonsense male name of English origin.
Hungarian Vizsla: Bowie
The Vizsla is an affectionate dog breed from Hungary, many of whom have been given the achingly cool name presumably referring to pop icon David Bowie.
Irish Doodle: Daisy
A mix of Irish Setter and Poodle, the adorable Irish Doodle is often given the delightfully dainty name Daisy.
Irish Setter: Murphy
This energetic and affectionate breed of gundog has been given a name directly referring to its Irish heritage.
Jack Russell: Jack
These small terriers with origins in fox hunting have arguably not been blessed with the most creative dog name by owners.
Labradoodle: Cooper
Labradoodles are a crossbreed created by mixing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard, Miniature, or Toy poodle, while this breed is commonly called Cooper, recognized as 2021’s most popular pet name for male dogs.
Labrador Retriever: Bailey
This British breed of retriever gun dog is commonly called Bailey, a traditionally male given name originally derived from the Old English term “bailiff.”
Maltipoo: Ollie
Maltipoos are a popular cross of the Maltese and Toy or Miniature Poodle and this breed joins Corgis in frequently being named Ollie.
Miniature Poodle: Max
These noble-looking dogs boasting a slender muzzle and long neck often have the appropriately diminutive name Max.
Old English Sheepdog: Nora
The Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England, while Nora originates as a short form of Honora, a common Anglo-Norman name, ultimately derived from the Latin word “Honor.”
Pomeranian: Bear
Pomeranians are a breed of dog of the Spitz type and these toys are also included in the trend for naming our four-legged friends after other animals.
Pug: Winston
Pugs boast physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail, with some viewing these dogs as doppelgängers of wartime British politician Winston Churchill.
Rottweiler: Moose
These alert and powerful animals are considered to be one of the oldest dogs breeds, with origins stretching back to Roman times, while many owners appear content to name these noble canines “Moose.”
Schnauzer: Emmy
A Schnauzer— meaning colloquially “mustache”, or “whiskered snout”—is a dog breed type originating in Germany between the 14th to 16th centuries, while the name Emmy is a girl’s name meaning “work” and “universal.”
Schnoodle: Scout
This particularly cute cross between a Miniature Schnauzer and a Poodle is popularly given the name Scout, primarily a gender-neutral title of U.S. origin.
Scottish Terrier: Hamish
The Scottie is a breed of terrier originating from the Scottish Highland and it is little wonder the Scottish name Hamish, a form of James, is used on this dog type.
Springer Spaniel: Molly
This breed of affectionate and excitable gun dog shares the diminutive of the Hebrew feminine name Mary with Cavachons.
St Bernard: Maverick
The Saint Bernards is a breed of very large working dog from the Western Alps and the gentle giants often go by the English name Maverick.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Penny
This British breed of short-haired, medium-sized terriers can have a fearsome reputation, yet their name belies this stereotype, as these dogs are often called the English diminutive of the Greek name Penelope.
Weimaraner: Boone
The Weimaraner is a large and powerful beast originally bred as a hunting dog, while the name Boone is a boy’s name meaning “blessing” and “lucky.”
Welsh Terrier: Izzy
These hypoallergenic hounds are terriers originating from Wales and were originally bred for hunting foxes, rodents and badgers, while Izzy is primarily a gender-neutral name of U.S. origin translating as “God Is My Oath.”
Whippet: Luna
This sighthound breed originating from the U.K. are commonly given the most popular dogs’ name for girls in 2021, Luna, meaning “moon” in Latin.
Yorkshire Terrier: Bella
One of the smallest dog breeds of the terrier type is also given a highly popular name; Bella, which is related to the Latin word for “beautiful.”
