Stereotypical choices like Lucky, Rover and Felix have fallen out of favour with pet owners
Like baby names, the names people choose for their beloved pets rise and fall in popularity as time goes on. Stereotypical choices like Lucky, Rover and Felix have fallen out of favour these days – and you're more likely to hear an owner shouting for “Loki” at your local dog park.
At the end of 2024, Luna emerged as the most popular name for both cats and dogs for the fifth consecutive year, The Mirror reports. Derived from the Latin word meaning moon, this feminine name has also been on the rise in recent years, and was the 62nd most popular name for baby girls in 2023 according to the Office for National Statistics.
Another popular pet name is Milo, which ranks number two for cats and number four for dogs. Bella, Coco and Willow also featured in the top 10 for both animals, according to a Pets At Home survey of more than eight million owners.
Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, Veterinary Services Director at Pets at Home, said: “Adding a pet to the family is an exciting time, but selecting a name for your new arrival is a big decision.
“When choosing a name for your pet, aim for something short, clear, and easy to say. One- or two-syllable names are ideal, as they are easier for pets to recognise and respond to. Avoid names that sound too similar to training commands or other names in the household to prevent confusion. Consider your pet's personality, appearance, or unique traits to find a name that feels fitting. Most importantly, choose a name you enjoy saying—you’ll be using it often.”
More than half of British adults own a grand total of 38 million pets. A survey of UK households revealed that there is a 13.5 million registered dog population, and 12.5 million cats.
Brits also share their homes with 1.5 million birds, 1.3 million domestic fowl, 700,000 tortoises and turtles, 1 million rabbits, 700,000 guinea pigs, 600,000 wheel-spinning hamsters, 600,000 snakes, and other reptiles. Does your pet's name feature in the Pets AT Home top 10?
TOP CAT NAMES
- Luna
- Milo
- Bella
- Simba
- Coco
- Nala
- Willow
- Oreo
- Loki
- Daisy
TOP DOG NAMES
- Luna
- Bella
- Teddy
- Milo
- Poppy
- Lola
- Daisy
- Coco
- Buddy
- Willow
