The Most Popular Dog Names for 2026

Choosing the perfect name for your new pup is one of the first—and most fun—decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. Whether you’re inspired by pop culture, looking for something timeless, or want a name that reflects your dog’s unique personality, the trends of 2026 offer something for everyone.

A joyful golden retriever puppy sitting on a sunlit grassy field, wearing a simple blue collar

We analyzed thousands of FurPetVo pet profiles to uncover the most popular dog names of the year, plus the trendiest rising stars, regional favorites, and names tailored to specific breeds. From top picks like Luna and Max to newcomers like Brisket and Andarna, here’s what pet parents are loving right now.

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Names of 2026

Looking for a tried-and-true favorite? These are the dog names FurPetVo pet parents chose most for 2026:

  • Luna
  • Bella
  • Daisy
  • Charlie
  • Lucy
  • Max
  • Cooper
  • Milo
  • Bailey
  • Buddy

Trendiest Dog Names of 2026

If you’re looking for something more modern, here are the names that had the biggest surge in popularity this year:

  • Andarna
  • Rosie
  • Remi
  • Gus
  • Jasper
  • Honey
  • Poppi
  • Nox
  • Brisket
  • Bandit

Top Dog Names by State

If your dog is named Bella, they’re in good company. Bella is the No. 1 name in almost every state in the U.S., according to our database. The only outliers:

  • Massachusetts, where the most popular dog name is Joey
  • Washington, D.C., where the most popular dog name is Luna

Top Dog Names by Breed

Breed can influence a dog’s name choice more than you might think. Here’s a sample of FurPetVo customers’ most popular names by dog breed:

  • Airedale Terrier — Lucy
  • Akita — Kuma
  • Alaskan Malamute — Koda
  • American Bulldog — Bella
  • Australian Cattle Dog — Luna
  • Beagle — Daisy
  • Bernese Mountain Dog — Bear
  • Border Collie — Luna
  • Boxer — Bella
  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever — Bear
  • Golden Retriever — Joey
  • German Shepherd — Luna
  • Havanese — Bella
  • Irish Setter — Murphy
  • Papillon — Bella
  • Pomeranian — Bella
  • Siberian Husky — Luna
  • Whippet — Luna
  • Yorkshire Terrier — Bella
Side-by-side collage showing six dogs of different breeds wearing personalized collars with names like 'Luna', 'Bella', 'Daisy', and 'Milo'

Top Dog Name Trends

Dog names often reflect what’s happening in the world around us—from pop culture to food trends. Here’s a look at the biggest naming themes pet parents embraced in 2026.

Food-Inspired Dog Names

Tasty names are on the rise!

  • Tater (+450%)
  • Muffin (+161%)
  • Marshmallow (+150%)
  • Pickles (+133%)
  • Cinnamon (+92%)

Fantasy-Inspired Names

From books to shows, fantasy names are going mainstream.

  • Andarna (+600%)
  • Meleys (+300%)
  • Draco (+61%)
  • Frodo (+10%)

Nature-Inspired Names

Botanical and earthy names are in full bloom:

  • Maple (+96%)
  • Poppy (+95%)
  • Hazel (+60%)
  • Juniper (+17%)

Vintage Baby Names

Old-fashioned baby names are becoming pup picks:

  • Millie (+66%)
  • Winnie (+61%)
  • Teddy (+41%)
  • Mabel (+14%)

Baby Name Crossovers

Some of the most popular names for human babies are trending among pets too:

  • Oliver (+78%)
  • Olivia (+63%)
  • Emma (+56%)
  • Noah (+9%)

Classic Rock Music Legends

  • Ozzie (+150%)
  • Bowie (+135%)

New Dog Names

Welcome to the pack, puppers! These names appeared for the first time in our FurPetVo pet profiles:

  • Pling
  • Jam
  • Dodge

Our Favorite Unique Dog Names

  • Orion
  • Nori
  • Sherlock
  • Chaos
  • Shorty
  • Fenway
A playful mixed-breed dog leaping mid-air against a backdrop of autumn leaves, with a chalkboard-style graphic overlay listing fun name categories: 'Food', 'Fantasy', 'Nature', 'Vintage'

Whether you want a name that’s traditional or totally out there, this year’s trends are full of options to inspire the perfect name for your pup.