The 10 most popular dog names for 2017 show that human and pop-culture inspired names were the pick of the litter. Max was the most popular name for male dogs and Bella was a firm favorite as a female dog name.
The people at Rover.com, one of the larger U.S. networks of pet sitters and dog walkers, crunched the numbers and came up with their fifth annual report of which dog names were trending for the year.
Rover.com said some names were influenced by newsmakers such as “Wonder Woman,” Taylor Swift and “DoggoLingo.”
The report also noted that pets were increasingly being named after their owner’s favorite icons, with films such as “Game of Thrones,” “Stranger Things” and “Star Wars,” influencing names.
Over 40 percent of all dog names were human and there was a definite rise in names based on powerful women, with a 21 percent uptick in names like Oprah, Madonna and Katniss and an 88 percent increase in the name Ivanka.
Hipster names are apparently back as well, OregonLive.com noted, with Brooklyn and Mason proving to be extremely popular, although pet owners were also drawing inspiration from local landmarks and bestowing pets with names such as Tabor and Hoyt.
There seems to be some 90s nostalgia thrown into the mix, with Rover.com reporting that names inspired by “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the Spice Girls and “Harry Potter” making up three percent of all dog names this year.
Furthermore, the name Nirvana increased by 171 percent and the name Kurt rose by 46 percent, with Daria growing by 104 percent.
Interestingly enough, the U.K.’s top dog names reflect a different trend, leaning more towards popular children’s names, The Independent noted.
Top of the list for male dogs was Alfie, while the name Poppy was most popular amongst female dog names.
What does all this mean? According to Brandie Gonzales, pet lifestyle expert for Rover, these trends reflect growing familial relationships between modern pet owners and their dogs.
“This year, more than ever, we’re seeing pet ownership redefining the modern definition of family and home life Gonzales said in a statement.
“In that same vein, pet parents have become more thoughtful about the dog naming process, as is typical for a parental figure. They use it as an opportunity to express something about themselves and the way they feel about their dog.”
The top ten female dog names per Rover.com are:
Bella
Lucy
Daisy
Luna
Lola
Sadie
Molly
Bailey
Maggie
Sophie
The top ten male dog names per Rover.com names are:
Max
Charlie
Cooper
Buddy
Jack
Rocky
Bear
Tucker
Oliver
Duke
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