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The 100 Most Popular Male and Female Dog and Cat Names of 2020
Which names will reign supreme this year? The results are in for 2020’s most popular dog and cat names in Canada. If you’ve ever named a pet, you know how important it is to find the perfect name—one that matches their unique personality and maybe says a little about you, too.
Much like human baby names, dog and cat name trends rise and fall each year. They also shine a light on the things that matter most to us. The names we choose for our pets are often a direct reflection of our passions and preoccupations. And they tell a story about the people, places, and stories that defined our year.
That’s why every year at Rover, we take a look at our database of tens of thousands of pets to uncover pet name trends and discover what people are naming their dogs and cats—and what stories those names can tell us about the state of Canadian pet parenthood.
Our community's dog names can confirm: We've never experienced a year quite like 2020. It's a year when pet adoption rates soared and many people spent more time at home than ever snuggled up with their pets. From old favourites topping the male and female dog name charts to the unique monikers folks are giving to their pandemic puppies, some of the names pet parents have chosen for their furry family members this year are as surprising as 2020 itself.
Bella ranked number one as 2020’s top female dog name, followed by Luna, Lucy, Daisy, and Molly. Last year, Molly took the number three spot but was edged out by Lucy and Daisy this year. Slowing in popularity is the name Sadie, which fell off the top 10 in 2020.
Top 5 Male Dog Names
The number one most popular male dog name in 2020 is Charlie, followed by Max, Milo, Cooper, and Leo. Last year, Buddy took the number five spot but was edged out by Leo this year.
Top 5 Female Cat Names
Luna ranked number one as 2020’s top female cat name, followed by Bella, Lucy, Lily, and Nala.
Top 5 Male Cat Names
The number one most popular male cat name in 2020 is: Milo! Oliver came in second place, Charlie in third, Leo in fourth, and Max in fifth.
Pets Are Named After Favorite TV Shows
The hit TV series Schitt’s Creek is so beloved that many Canadians are naming their pets for the show’s most memorable characters.
The name Twyla took the number one spot for most popular dog name, up 93% compared to last year. The number two spot goes to Alexis, which is up 38% in popularity. Third place went to Stevie, followed by Johnny in fourth and David in fifth.
More Celebrity Pet Name Inspiration
Pet owners are continuing to name their cats and dogs after famous Canadian stars. The top 5 most popular for cat and dog names are:
Nelly (Furtado)
Carly (Rae Jepsen)
Drake
Shawn (Mendez)
Shania (Twain).
However, Nelly and Drake are trending down, while Carly, Shawn and Shania are trending up.
Cat owners are more likely to name their pets after these celebrities than dog owners.
Popular Food Names Are On the Move
The common dog names Poutine and Cookie are down this year, 15% and 18% respectively. But 2020 put the name Maple Syrup on the map—multiple dogs in Canada are now named after the beloved treat.
We also found out that there is quite the ketchup feud, reflected in this year's pet names. Let's take a look:
While most food names are trending down in 2020 for both dogs and cats, dogs named Ketchup are trending up 51%.
While ketchup’s origins aren’t necessarily traced to Canada, it’s a beloved condiment across the country. French’s ketchup rose to Canadian fame in 2020 for sourcing their tomatoes from Leamington Ontario, after their rival, Heinz, pulled out of the region.
Look out! There's a new ketchup on the block: Primo’s, which claims to be 100% Canadian. Regardless, it's clear ketchup is popular among dog owners, and the name is here to stay.
Don't Forget Beverages! Coffee and Alcohol Names Are Always Winners
Cats named Caesar are trending up (153%). Caesars, the cocktail, originated in Calgary.
The top 5 most popular sweets-inspired dog names are:
Oreo
Honey
Mochi
Cocoa
Brownie
The top 5 most popular sweets-inspired cat names are:
Oreo (wow—popular among both dogs and cats!)
Honey
Mochi
Cocoa
Brownie
The top 5 most popular coffee-inspired dog and cat names are: