Trending Dog Names for 2025: What’s Hot Now (and Why)

The Top 10 Trending Dog Names (2025)

Drawing from the latest widely cited lists and year-over-year trend reports, these names are consistently near the top going into 2025:

1. Luna
2. Bella
3. Charlie
4. Max
5. Daisy
6. Lucy
7. Coco
8. Milo
9. Cooper
10. Teddy

Why these? They’re short, friendly, and training-clear, and they appear repeatedly across current roundups and official lists (AKC + leading industry datasets). In AKC’s most recent top-names release, Luna leads female names and Milo dethroned Max for males; these names also surface in multiple 2024/2025 summaries and media recaps.

Bonus trend: Media roundups and Rover’s annual report highlight surges tied to celebrities and shows - think Taylor, Bluey, Kelce, and yes, cheese-forward Provolone.

Food & Drink Names

Foods: Calzone, Chive, Provolone, Mochi, Tempeh
Drinks: Prosecco, Margarita, White Claw

Why they’re trending: Foodie names are a perennial hit, and recent year-over-year jumps (like Provolone) are documented in Rover’s 2024 trend report; media roundups echo the same “snack-inspired” wave. Mochi also appears across multiple popular-name lists.

Humorous & Punny Names

Mary Puppins · Harry Pawter · Woofie Goldberg · Jimmy Chew · Bark Ruffalo

Why they work: Puns deliver personality - and show up annually in “wackiest names” campaigns from major insurers. Great for social media; just keep recall clarity in mind.

Human-Style Names Are Still Booming

Classic human names (Henry, Oscar, Milo, Daisy, Lucy) stay popular because they’re familiar and easy for families and vets. AKC’s latest list underscores this continuing shift.

How to Choose the Best Name (Trainer-Approved)

• Simplicity: Stick to 1–2 syllables for faster recognition.
• Clarity: Avoid command sound-alikes (e.g., “Joe” ≈ “No”).
• Personality fit: Let your dog’s energy, size, coat color and temperament guide you.
• Park test: Say it at distance and in noise. Hard consonants (K/T/R) carry better.
• Nicknames: Pick something that shortens well (e.g., Moch for Mochi).
• Longevity: Make sure you’ll love calling it years from now.

Editor’s Picks by Theme

Pop culture (2025-friendly): Bluey, Taylor, Loki, Ken, Simba, Kelce

Foodie & drink: Mochi, Provolone, Chive, Calzone, Prosecco

Human-style classics: Henry, Mia, Lucy, Oscar, Milo

Short & punchy (great recall): Rex, Nyx, Jax, Kit, Zed

‍Nature vibe: Willow, River, Cedar, Skye, Nova

‍Canada-coded: Maple, Banff, Tofino, Yukon, Hudson

‍

FAQ (on-page content)

What are the most popular dog names in 2025?
Luna, Bella, Charlie, Max, Daisy, Lucy, Coco, Milo, Cooper, and Teddy keep ranking at the top across recent lists and trend recaps.

Which trends are growing fastest?

‍Pop culture (Taylor, Bluey, Kelce), foodie names (Mochi, Provolone), and human-style names keep accelerating into 2025.

Are short names really better for training?
Usually yes. One or two syllables with crisp consonants carry better in noisy environments.

Can I rename an adopted dog?
Absolutely. Pair the new name with rewards for 1–2 weeks and phase out the old name.

Do designer or place names work in real life?
They can—just test for clarity and choose a comfortable nickname if the full name is long.

Source notes & context

• AKC lists remain the most widely cited official top-name datasets; in 2024 Milo overtook Max for male dogs while Luna led females. These are the latest official rankings available heading into 2025. American Kennel Club+1
• Rover’s annual report (2024) highlights trend surges driven by entertainment, sports, and the grocery aisle (yes, Provolone). Also: “It-girl” and celeb-inspired names rising. PR Newswire+1
• International/market-specific roundups (e.g., Ireland) echo similar patterns: pop culture, food/drink, places, and human names—useful for global readers. The Sun