There’s a lot that goes into preparing to bring home a new pet, purchasing supplies, puppy proofing your home, and committing to the time commitment that comes with bringing home a new dog. One decision that often gets put off - is what to name the newest family member. It’s often easier to name a dog once you have gotten to know their unique personality.
There tend to be 2 types of pet parents when it comes to choosing a name, those who want a unique name that’ll help their puppy stand out, and those who believe that some names are classic for a reason. If you fall into the second group, this blog will be a great resource to help you name your new pet. The list below will give you the 50 most common names for male and female dogs, so you can choose the name that best suits yours.
Read More: Military Dog Names
50 Most Common Names for Male Dogs*
Name | Total Pets | Description |
Milo | 1762 | A sweet and gentle name, often chosen for small to medium-sized dogs. |
Max | 1260 | Short, strong, and popular, a classic choice for many dogs. |
Charlie | 1230 | A classic and friendly name, a popular choice for its versatility. |
Leo | 1049 | A strong and courageous name, short for Leonard or Leopold. |
Teddy | 981 | A cuddly and lovable name, often used for fluffy dogs. |
Oliver | 978 | A sophisticated and popular name, meaning "olive tree." |
Rocky | 908 | A strong and resilient name, suggesting toughness and adventure. |
Cooper | 907 | A popular and trendy name, often associated with energy and playfulness. |
Loki | 896 | A mischievous and playful name, inspired by the Norse god. |
Bear | 831 | A large and lovable name, often used for big, cuddly dogs. |
Buddy | 764 | A classic and affectionate name, perfect for a loyal companion. |
Your Pet | 694 | A placeholder for the actual name chosen. |
Winston | 676 | A classic and dignified name, often associated with leadership. |
Bruno | 655 | A strong and friendly name, meaning "brown" in German. |
Toby | 654 | A sweet and gentle name, often used for friendly and approachable dogs. |
Ollie | 643 | A friendly and approachable name, a common diminutive of Oliver. |
Simba | 619 | A strong and majestic name, meaning "lion" in Swahili. |
Zeus | 617 | A powerful and commanding name, inspired by the king of the gods. |
Jack | 609 | A classic and simple name, a popular choice for its versatility. |
Finn | 571 | A short and friendly name, of Irish origin. |
Archie | 544 | A classic and friendly name, often associated with warmth and charm. |
Duke | 543 | A regal and dignified name, suggesting nobility and leadership. |
Louie | 541 | A fun and energetic name, often a diminutive of Louis. |
Apollo | 535 | A powerful and majestic name, inspired by the Greek god. |
Bentley | 527 | A luxurious and elegant name, suggesting a pampered dog. |
Jax | 500 | A strong and modern name, short for Jackson. |
Oreo | 488 | A sweet and playful name, often used for black and white dogs. |
Ace | 485 | A strong and confident name, suggesting skill and prowess. |
Tucker | 483 | A playful and energetic name, suggesting enthusiasm and activity. |
Moose | 463 | A large and lovable name, often used humorously for big dogs. |
Koda | 462 | A strong and loyal name, meaning "friend" in Dakota. |
Gus | 452 | A friendly and approachable name, short for Augustus. |
Blue | 448 | A cool and calming name, often chosen for dogs with blue eyes or coats. |
Shadow | 432 | A mysterious and intriguing name, perfect for a dark-coated dog. |
Benji | 432 | A sweet and affectionate name, often used for smaller dogs. |
Jasper | 424 | A trendy and unique name, often associated with a gemstone. |
Maverick | 414 | A free-spirited and independent name, suggesting a nonconformist. |
Thor | 405 | A powerful and mighty name, inspired by the Norse god of thunder. |
Lucky | 403 | A cheerful and optimistic name, perfect for a dog who brings good fortune. |
Murphy | 403 | A fun and playful name, often associated with Irish heritage. |
Hank | 395 | A strong and reliable name, often associated with dependability. |
Beau | 387 | A sophisticated and charming name, meaning "handsome" in French. |
Theo | 374 | A short and sophisticated name, short for Theodore. |
Benny | 371 | A friendly and approachable name, a common diminutive of Benjamin. |
Coco | 363 | A sweet and playful name, often used for dogs with brown fur. |
Goose | 356 | A silly and endearing name, often used humorously. |
Bandit | 346 | A playful and mischievous name, perfect for a dog with a bit of a rebellious streak. |
Gizmo | 343 | A quirky and playful name, perfect for a gadget-loving or unique dog. |
Frankie | 341 | A fun and energetic name, often a diminutive of Francis. |
Henry | 332 | A classic and sophisticated name, popular for its timeless appeal. |
50 Most Common Names for Female Dogs*
Name | Total Pets | Description |
Luna | 3449 | A mystical and enchanting name, meaning "moon" in Latin. |
Bella | 2245 | A beautiful and elegant name, meaning "beautiful" in Italian. |
Daisy | 1439 | A cheerful and bright name, inspired by the flower. |
Lucy | 1263 | A classic and friendly name, a popular choice for its simplicity. |
Nala | 1118 | A strong and exotic name, meaning "gift" in Swahili. |
Coco | 981 | A sweet and playful name, often used for dogs with brown fur. |
Lola | 962 | A fun and sassy name, often used for playful and energetic dogs. |
Willow | 881 | A graceful and elegant name, inspired by the willow tree. |
Stella | 837 | A bright and shining name, meaning "star" in Latin. |
Lily | 786 | A delicate and beautiful name, inspired by the flower. |
Nova | 770 | A bright and unique name, meaning "new" in Latin. |
Penny | 746 | A sweet and charming name, often used for small dogs. |
Chloe | 745 | A popular and trendy name, meaning "young green shoot." |
Rosie | 721 | A sweet and cheerful name, often a diminutive of Rose. |
Ruby | 700 | A precious and vibrant name, inspired by the gemstone. |
Molly | 697 | A classic and friendly name, a popular choice for its warmth. |
Bailey | 683 | A friendly and approachable name, often used for medium-sized dogs. |
Mia | 680 | A sweet and elegant name, meaning "mine" in Italian. |
Sadie | 671 | A sweet and friendly name, often a diminutive of Sarah. |
Winnie | 662 | A cheerful and playful name, often a diminutive of Winifred. |
Zoey | 619 | A trendy and modern name, a variation of Zoe. |
Millie | 615 | A sweet and charming name, often a diminutive of Mildred. |
Your Pet | 590 | A placeholder for the actual name chosen. |
Maggie | 589 | A friendly and approachable name, often a diminutive of Margaret. |
Pepper | 575 | A spicy and energetic name, perfect for a dog with a bit of a kick. |
Ellie | 571 | A sweet and friendly name, often a diminutive of Eleanor. |
Sophie | 562 | A classic and elegant name, meaning "wisdom" in Greek. |
Hazel | 554 | A warm and earthy name, inspired by the hazelnut tree. |
Poppy | 546 | A bright and cheerful name, inspired by the flower. |
Piper | 509 | A playful and energetic name, often associated with music. |
Olive | 491 | A sophisticated and elegant name, inspired by the olive tree. |
Honey | 488 | A sweet and affectionate name, perfect for a loving companion. |
Gracie | 470 | A sweet and charming name, often a diminutive of Grace. |
Roxy | 451 | A fun and energetic name, often used for playful and lively dogs. |
Lulu | 450 | A playful and sweet name, often used for small dogs. |
Athena | 444 | A strong and powerful name, inspired by the Greek goddess. |
Ginger | 397 | A spicy and lively name, often used for dogs with red fur. |
Maya | 369 | A mystical and exotic name, of Sanskrit origin. |
Cleo | 365 | A classic and elegant name, short for Cleopatra. |
Cookie | 361 | A sweet and playful name, perfect for a sweet-natured dog. |
Mochi | 357 | A sweet and unique name, inspired by the Japanese rice cake. |
Maple | 353 | A sweet and natural name, inspired by the maple tree. |
Harley | 350 | A strong and cool name, often associated with motorcycles. |
Princess | 348 | A regal and elegant name, perfect for a pampered dog. |
Ivy | 342 | A graceful and elegant name, inspired by the climbing plant. |
Charlie | 336 | A classic and friendly name, a popular choice for its versatility (also used for males). |
Lilly | 335 | A delicate and beautiful name, a variation of Lily. |
Phoebe | 335 | A cheerful and friendly name, meaning "radiant" in Greek. |
Zoe | 322 | A short and sweet name, meaning "life" in Greek. |
Lady | 320 | A classic and elegant name, suggesting sophistication and grace. |
Read more: Best Names for Boy Dogs
The most important thing is to choose a name you love and that suits your puppy's personality. Consider how the name sounds, how easy it is to call out, and how your puppy reacts to it. No matter what you choose, your new companion is sure to fill your life with love and laughter.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
There’s a lot of excitement that comes with bringing home a new pet, excitement about buying the new bed they’ll nap in and the new toys they’ll play with. And excitement about naming them and all the trips and adventures you’ll take together. But bringing home a pet also means thinking about how you’ll care for them when they become sick or injured, and how you’ll help make sure they can get the care they need when they need pet.
Spot pet insurance plans can help pet parents get up to 90% cash back on covered vet bills, so that they can focus on caring for their pet and worry less about the cost of their care. Spot offers customizable pet plans meaning pet parents have the flexibility to create a plan that can best fit their pet’s needs and their budget. Pet parents can select their deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit from a range of options, and can add preventive care coverage for a small fee, allowing them to receive reimbursements on the routine veterinary services every pet needs like, vaccines, annual wellness exams, and dental cleanings.
To learn more about how pet insurance works, or if pet insurance is right for you, or for expert tips on how to care for your pet, visit our blog.

With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.

I’m Charlie: canine enthusiast with a knack for figuring out why my dog, Dallas, is more infatuated with tennis balls than me. My lifelong passion for dogs has created a dedication to help other pet parents better understands their furry family members!
*Based on 2024 policy administrator data.