Top Dog Names & Most Popular Cat Names in the US & UK, 2026

Whether you’re thinking about welcoming a pup or you’re a pet sitter daydreaming about your future four-legged friend, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we break down the top dog names and most popular cat names of 2026 — the perfect light read during your house sit or ahead of bringing your new fur baby home. And to no surprise, Luna, Bella, and Charlie took the top spots for both our canine and feline friends.

To go beyond just the most common pet names, we’ve sourced popular ideas inspired by trends new and old — from classic literature and Western films to reality TV, sports stars, and nature-inspired themes. All curated with FurPetVo’s community insights and real-world naming data from furpetvo.com.

A joyful golden retriever and a sleek black cat sitting side by side, both wearing festive bandanas

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Names Worldwide

Based on over 280,000 pet profiles across FurPetVo’s network, these are the most beloved dog names of 2026:

  1. Luna
  2. Bella
  3. Charlie
  4. Daisy
  5. Ruby
  6. Lola
  7. Rosie
  8. Poppy
  9. Molly
  10. Lucy
Infographic showing the top 5 dog names — Luna, Bella, Charlie, Daisy, and Ruby — displayed with playful paw-print icons

Top 10 Most Popular Cat Names Worldwide

Interestingly, cat owners share strong naming preferences with dog lovers — Luna, Charlie, and Bella dominate the top three. Here’s the full list:

  1. Luna
  2. Charlie
  3. Bella
  4. Coco
  5. Leo
  6. Milo
  7. Lily
  8. Max
  9. Lucy
  10. Cleo
Colorful illustrated chart comparing top cat names across regions, featuring Luna, Charlie, and Bella as central highlights

Top Dog Names by US State

Regional flair shines through when it comes to dog names. From coastal charm to mountain-town tradition, here’s how naming trends vary state by state:

  • California: Luna, Bella, Charlie
  • Texas: Luna, Bella, Charlie
  • New York: Luna, Charlie, Bella
  • Florida: Bella, Luna, Cooper
  • Hawaii: Koa, Nala, Bella
  • Oregon: Charlie, Daisy, Luna
  • Ohio: Hank, Mocha, Ruby
  • Wyoming: Olive, Oliver, Rosie

Across the board, Luna remains the nation’s favorite — appearing in the top three for 27 states. Bella follows closely, anchoring itself in 24 states, while Charlie holds steady in 22.

Top Cat Names by US State

Just like dogs, cats reflect local personality — whether it’s mythic (Loki in Alaska), literary (Arya in Iowa), or delightfully quirky (Bacon in Nebraska). A few regional highlights:

  • California: Luna, Leo, Charlie
  • Florida: Luna, Bella, Oliver
  • Massachusetts: Luna, Leo, Lucy
  • New Jersey: Luna, Charlie, Loki
  • Hawaii: Loki, Mango, Pumpkin
  • North Carolina: Luna, Willow, Charlie
  • New Mexico: Luna, Charlie, Lulu
  • Ohio: Bella, Lucy, Benji

Luna appears in the top three for 23 states — reaffirming her status as America’s most universally adored feline moniker.

Looking for something more distinctive? FurPetVo members love drawing inspiration from nature (Willow, Ember, River), pop culture (Artemis, Gizmo, Freyja), and even food (Mochi, Olive, Coco). Whatever resonates with your pet’s spirit — and your own — is the perfect name.