Popular Dog Names Biography
Following my recent article entitled "The art and science of naming a dog" I received a number of queries from readers asking me about what the most popular dog names were. When I started to check several different online resources, it became clear that there were some differences depending upon geographical location. Therefore I decided it might be best to compile a composite list which would include the most popular dog names used by English speakers.
The task turned out to be a bit more complex than I had expected. I managed to find a number of lists from the United States, several from the United Kingdom, two from English speaking Canada and two from Australia. The lists came from a number of sources: rescue and adoption agencies, dog tag registrations, animal hospitals and pet supply manufacturer's surveys. I limited myself to lists published in the last two years since I suspect that there are annual trends in naming dogs in much the same way that there are annual trends in the naming of human babies.
There is one group of dog names often seen in the news which do make the lists of most popular. These are the names of dogs owned by U.S. presidents. Thus we find current President Barack Obama's dog Bo (with its alternate spelling Beau), former President George W. Bush's dog Barney, his predecessor President Bill Clinton's dog Buddy, and his predecessor President George Bush's dog Millie, do have their names in the lists of the most popular names. However it is difficult to know whether these dog names are popular because they are associated with such high ranking and famous people, or whether these presidential dogs were given their names because they were familiar and popular and might make their politically powerful owners seem to have more in common with their citizens who might have pets with the same well-liked and down-home names.
In any event, here is my snapshot of the most popular dog names in the major English-speaking countries on this planet.
Popular dog names, and a lot of unusual dog names too - for Border Collies, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers ... Terriers, Weimaraners ... not forgetting the humble but rightly-popular Crossbreeds!
When you want to choose a name for your dog you can come here for inspiration. These are all real names of real dogs that I have known, or who I've competed with in Obedience, Working Trials, and Agility. Sometimes one of the most popular dog names fits the bill, other times you want something more special.
List of Male Dogs' Names
List of Bitches' Names
I love to see how people name their dogs. Take a look at all the tough, butch names in the German Shepherd dogs, for instance - then contrast with the soft names of the Doberman bitches - Purdey, Gemma, and Girl.
See how the Border Collies are mostly called by zippy, one-syllable dog names. These are fast dogs, and need to hear their name in a hurry. Call them by a long name and they've covered another fifty yards before they hear you! Some of the most popular dog names for Border Collies, and sheepdogs generally, suggest their habitat - Moss, Willow, Hemp, Glen, Mist. Other names tell us what they do - Sweep, Nip, Dash, Tip. And others show us where they come from - Gael, Cariad, Scott, Rhys. Then there are the newer popular dog names from the Agility ring - Whizz, Bomber, Zig, Tizzy.
German Shepherd Dogs - Alsatians, tend to German names - Volker, Drax, Greta, Eva, or tough names - Rip, Rocky, Bandit, Sabre, or names showing that they're top dog - King, Prince, Duke, Kaiser. And with Rottweiler dogs it's all about size - Bear, Zeus, Maxi.
Popular dog names for Labradors include gamebird names - Grouse, Teal, Drake, names which describe this chunky, boisterous dog - Buster, Ranger, Timber, and softer names for the bitches - Hazel, Bella, Daisy.
Golden Retriever owners like to describe their dog - Bracken, Ruff, Honey, Amber, and have names reflecting their work - Storm, Heather.
Nobody seems to take Bearded Collies seriously - we have Bouncer and Bodger, while the Whippets seem to be members of a Gentleman's Club - Rupert, Jeremy, Thomas ...
Popular dog names for Terriers tend to be sparky for the boys - Sprocket, Skipper, Digger, Midge, and pretty for the girls - Lucy, Bambi and Lizzie.
And the great favourites, Crossbreeds? We seem to see them as nearest to us! Most of their names are people's names - Jamie, Bobby, Annie, Molly, and the rest are all "character" names - Mutley, Pepper, Biff, and Muffet.
Choosing a name for your dog can be such fun! But do have a look at our Dog Names feature for some things you should bear in mind before choosing.
Following my recent article entitled "The art and science of naming a dog" I received a number of queries from readers asking me about what the most popular dog names were. When I started to check several different online resources, it became clear that there were some differences depending upon geographical location. Therefore I decided it might be best to compile a composite list which would include the most popular dog names used by English speakers.
The task turned out to be a bit more complex than I had expected. I managed to find a number of lists from the United States, several from the United Kingdom, two from English speaking Canada and two from Australia. The lists came from a number of sources: rescue and adoption agencies, dog tag registrations, animal hospitals and pet supply manufacturer's surveys. I limited myself to lists published in the last two years since I suspect that there are annual trends in naming dogs in much the same way that there are annual trends in the naming of human babies.
There is one group of dog names often seen in the news which do make the lists of most popular. These are the names of dogs owned by U.S. presidents. Thus we find current President Barack Obama's dog Bo (with its alternate spelling Beau), former President George W. Bush's dog Barney, his predecessor President Bill Clinton's dog Buddy, and his predecessor President George Bush's dog Millie, do have their names in the lists of the most popular names. However it is difficult to know whether these dog names are popular because they are associated with such high ranking and famous people, or whether these presidential dogs were given their names because they were familiar and popular and might make their politically powerful owners seem to have more in common with their citizens who might have pets with the same well-liked and down-home names.
In any event, here is my snapshot of the most popular dog names in the major English-speaking countries on this planet.
Popular dog names, and a lot of unusual dog names too - for Border Collies, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers ... Terriers, Weimaraners ... not forgetting the humble but rightly-popular Crossbreeds!
When you want to choose a name for your dog you can come here for inspiration. These are all real names of real dogs that I have known, or who I've competed with in Obedience, Working Trials, and Agility. Sometimes one of the most popular dog names fits the bill, other times you want something more special.
List of Male Dogs' Names
List of Bitches' Names
I love to see how people name their dogs. Take a look at all the tough, butch names in the German Shepherd dogs, for instance - then contrast with the soft names of the Doberman bitches - Purdey, Gemma, and Girl.
See how the Border Collies are mostly called by zippy, one-syllable dog names. These are fast dogs, and need to hear their name in a hurry. Call them by a long name and they've covered another fifty yards before they hear you! Some of the most popular dog names for Border Collies, and sheepdogs generally, suggest their habitat - Moss, Willow, Hemp, Glen, Mist. Other names tell us what they do - Sweep, Nip, Dash, Tip. And others show us where they come from - Gael, Cariad, Scott, Rhys. Then there are the newer popular dog names from the Agility ring - Whizz, Bomber, Zig, Tizzy.
German Shepherd Dogs - Alsatians, tend to German names - Volker, Drax, Greta, Eva, or tough names - Rip, Rocky, Bandit, Sabre, or names showing that they're top dog - King, Prince, Duke, Kaiser. And with Rottweiler dogs it's all about size - Bear, Zeus, Maxi.
Popular dog names for Labradors include gamebird names - Grouse, Teal, Drake, names which describe this chunky, boisterous dog - Buster, Ranger, Timber, and softer names for the bitches - Hazel, Bella, Daisy.
Golden Retriever owners like to describe their dog - Bracken, Ruff, Honey, Amber, and have names reflecting their work - Storm, Heather.
Nobody seems to take Bearded Collies seriously - we have Bouncer and Bodger, while the Whippets seem to be members of a Gentleman's Club - Rupert, Jeremy, Thomas ...
Popular dog names for Terriers tend to be sparky for the boys - Sprocket, Skipper, Digger, Midge, and pretty for the girls - Lucy, Bambi and Lizzie.
And the great favourites, Crossbreeds? We seem to see them as nearest to us! Most of their names are people's names - Jamie, Bobby, Annie, Molly, and the rest are all "character" names - Mutley, Pepper, Biff, and Muffet.
Choosing a name for your dog can be such fun! But do have a look at our Dog Names feature for some things you should bear in mind before choosing.
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