It can be hard to find - or agree on - the right name for your new dog or puppy, but the process of working it out should be fun for you and your family. To help inspire you, we've combed through our Petlog data and presented you with the most popular dog names from 2022 at the bottom of this page. We've also put together a list of our best tips for choosing the perfect name for your four-legged friend - we hope we can help you to make your mind up!
Top tips on how to name your dog
Finding your newest family member can be a very long process, and deciding on their name can also take a while. Luckily, we've got some top tips from our dog-loving community to help you get there. Read on.
The most popular names end in a vowel
Our dogs rely on sounds to understand us. Names ending in a vowel are often easier for your dog to understand, because they force you to change the tone of your voice. It also makes the name easier for your dog to pick out among all the other words you may be saying in everyday conversation.
Avoid names that sound like commands
Part of having a pet is teaching it commands, but choosing a name that sounds similar to a command can end up confusing your dog. For example, the name 'Bo' and the word ‘no’ sound similar, which can lead to your dog not understanding the command.
Think carefully about picking a complicated name
Many people like the idea of a unique dog name. However, make sure you consider how long the name is, and if it will be simple for your dog to understand. As an example, ‘Queen Tammy Tickle Toes’ is likely going to be too lengthy and realistically, too much of a mouthful for you to say when calling your dog. If you're adamant about giving your dog a long name, you may want to shorten it or use a nickname that makes it easy to yell out (and for your dog to discern) in the park.
Try swapping between different names
If you are tossing up between a few names, try out each name on different days. This is a good way to discover which name is easiest for you and suits your dog the best.
Find inspiration in your interests
Naming your dog after someone or something you like is always a great way to find a name, so think about characters from your favourite books or TV series to spark some fun ideas.
Avoid giving an adult dog a new name
If you are getting/adopting a dog who already has a name, it is confusing for them to suddenly change it. If you are really set on changing their name, go with something that sounds quite similar (e.g. from Arianna' to Brianna') to make the transition a lot easier.
Double syllable names
Another top tip is to choose a name with a double syllable - as with names ending in a vowel, double syllables are easier for your dog to understand. Double syllable names are usually a lot easier to say, too.
Pick a name completely different to names of other pets or family members to avoid confusion
Avoid confusion for your dog and other family members by selecting a name that doesn't sound similar to any other names of pets or family members. For example, Jack and Jill will be fine, but Rob and Bob may be difficult for the dog to tell a part.
Practice calling out their name
This is a really important tip, as it will ensure you're comfortable with your choice of name, especially when practicing your dog's recall. If you don’t feel comfortable calling out their name in your garden, or across your local park, it probably isn’t the right fit for you.
Try to avoid controversial names, or names with negative connotations attached to them, as this would be inappropriate to call out and could result in confrontation from fellow dog walkers.
Consider your dog's personality
Finally, get to know your dog’s personality before making a firm decision on its name, as it just might not be the right fit. Use their personality as inspiration. If you've got a dog that's endlessly curious, for example, a name like George (from the monkey cartoon, 'Curious George') would be fun and it would tell a story about your dog.
2022's most popular dog names
- Luna
- Teddy
- Bella
- Milo
- Coco
- Daisy
- Blue
- Lola
- Willow
- Poppy