Most popular pet names by US state | 2023 pet names study
We at FurPetVo love diving deep into the wonderful world of pets and their people. For National Pet Month in May, we explored the most beloved dog and cat names across the United States — uncovering delightful regional trends, cultural influences, and even some wonderfully unique monikers.
Our 2023 study analyzed over 50,000 pet names registered on furpetvo.com, sorting them by popularity, geographic region, and pet type. While national favorites reveal broad preferences, the real charm lies in how location shapes naming choices — from ranch-inspired nicknames in Texas to literary tributes in Portland.
2023 top dog names nationwide
The five most popular boy dog names across the U.S. are Charlie, Max, Cooper, Buddy, and Jack. The top five girl dog names are Lucy, Bella, Luna, Daisy, and Lola.
2023 top cat names nationwide
For cats, the top five boy names are Charlie, Leo, Max, Milo, and Jack. The top five girl cat names are Luna, Lucy, Bella, Sophie, and Stella.
National 2023 highlights
- The five most popular food-inspired pet names are Pepper, Ginger, Honey, Cookie, and Peanut.
- About 13% of cats are named after a food or drink item.
- Aspen is the most popular city used as a dog name; Salem tops the list for cats.
- The top five character names for cats are Tigger, Simba, Zelda, Chester, and Thor.
- The top five character names for dogs are Winnie, Zeus, Gizmo, Thor, and Mickey.
Key 2023 state and city highlights
Pet names tell stories — about where we live, what we love, and who we are. Let’s explore how regional culture shines through in the names chosen for our furry companions.
Texas
Texas pet names reflect the state’s rich ranch heritage, cowboy spirit, and Spanish linguistic influence. Among the top 100 pet names are Austin, Dallas, Rooster, Dolly, June Bug, Paco, Pinto, Chief, Banjo, and Brisket. In Houston — home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center — space-themed names like Apollo, Astro, Astra, Star, and Cozmo appear frequently in the city’s top 50 pet names.
Portland
As a literary hub, Portland draws inspiration from classic and contemporary fiction. Top pet names include Romeo and Juliet; Jay, Daisy, and Gatsby; Atticus; Huck and Finn; Harry, Hermione, and Dobby; and Pip and Bentley. Author names also make frequent appearances: Oscar, Zora, Edith, Ernest, Franz, and Edgar — proving that a well-read pup named Edgar is absolutely on-brand.
California
California leads the nation in food-named cats, with Pickles, Bean, Peanut, Taco, Sushi, and Pumpkin all ranking among the top 100. You’ll even find multiple cats named Pop-Tart, Ramen, and Parmesan. In Los Angeles — the entertainment capital — pop culture runs deep: Gatsby, Mickey, Simba, Minnie, Elsa, Winn Dixie, Zelda, Yoshi, Yoda, Elvis, and Biggie all feature in the city’s top 100 pet names.
Louisiana
Cajun and Creole French culture infuses Louisiana’s pet-naming traditions. Beignet — the iconic New Orleans pastry — ranks as the 10th most popular dog name in the state. Historic New Orleans also inspires feline monikers: Voodoo, Bijou, and Roux all land within the top 30 cat names.
Colorado
Colorado’s mountainous landscape shapes its pet names. Bear ranks 20th among the state’s most popular dog names — a fitting tribute to local wildlife. Other top 50 dog names include Scout, Aspen, Moose, Rocky, and Ash.
Alaska
In Alaska, names echo the state’s rugged wilderness and Indigenous heritage. Common choices include Denali, Koda, Nanook, Aurora, and Yukon — reflecting both natural grandeur and cultural resonance.
