Your dog’s name is more than just what you call them. A name has significant meaning, and the names we choose for our dogs often reflect the things that matter most to us. Whether they showcase our passions and interests or reflect what’s happening in the world around us, 2022 saw a lot of new dogs, and (unsurprisingly) a lot of new dog names.
To better understand the meaning behind these names, and what they can tell us about the people, places, and stories that defined the past year, we dove deep into the Rover database of over a million pet parents to determine the most popular dog names of 2022.
In honor of our 10th year reporting on pet names, we’ve uncovered everything from ever-popular dog names to the most popular dog names by state, as well as how dog names have trended over the last decade. Let’s dig in!
The Top Trending Dog Names of 2022
The top trending dog names this year are:
- Fezco
- Cassini
- Mossberg
- Mirabel
- Kyna
- Mommy
- Monka
- Tohru
- Frederico
- Beige
Check Out the Top Dog Names and Trending Dog Breeds by State
Did you know the names we give our pets can vary by state? Or maybe you’re interested in your state’s trending names or breeds. Simply hover over each state to discover the top names and breeds—the results may surprise you!
Cheers to 10 YEARS of Reporting on Dog Names in the US
To celebrate 10 years of national pet name trends, we’ve compiled the top trending names over the last decade. Pop culture plays a role in many trends throughout the world, and pet names are one of them: Names from popular shows and movies have won out over the years.
Fezco from the hit show Euphoria won top spot this year, with Grogu and Mando trending in 2020 and 2021 from The Mandalorian. T’Challa from Black Panther topped the charts in 2018, and Elwood, the World’s Ugliest Dog winner, rose to the top in 2013 when he unfortunately passed away.
After 10 Years of Bella, Luna Took the #1 Spot
With 10 years of covering pet names under our belts, we decided to take a look at the most popular dog names over time. While Max has stayed consistent as the top male dog name over the years, Luna has finally surpassed Bella as the top name for female dogs this year.
We’ve included Luna’s ranking for each of the last ten years, so you can see how it’s gained popularity.
Top Trending Names for Popular Dog Breeds
Know any Labs named Luna? That’s probably because it’s the most popular name for Labs right now. Check out the most popular dog breeds and see the accompanying top names that go with them for both males and females.
These Celebs Were Great Sources of Inspiration for Dog Names This Year
2022 put Keanu Reeves, Stanley Tucci, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, and Steve Buscemi on the map for dog names.
‘90s fashion was in this year, and so were dog names inspired by stars of the ‘90s. Dogs named Julia Roberts (135%), Robin Williams (85%), Samuel L. Greyhound (85%), and Brad Pitt (51%) are trending up this year.
You may have heard of various dramas involving the Don’t Worry Darling cast and ex-cast. Was Shia LaBeouf fired? Did Harry Styles really spit on Chris Pine? The only thing we know for sure is that the dog name Florence is trending up 31% while Olivia, Harry Styles, and Chris are trending down 12%, 15%, and 33%. We should also mention that there are dogs named Shia Laruff…
The Royal Family’s Influence Reaches Pet Names
Lilibet (282%), William (24%), Lili (24%), Elizabeth (35%), Jubilee (7%), Diana (6%) and Archie (2%) are all trending up this year. Louis, Harry, Kate, Windsor are all trending down.
Meghan is trending up 51%, and 2022 put the name Meghan Barkle on the map.
Popular Musicians Made Their Mark on Dog Names
Musician-themed dog names have always been a popular choice, and 2022 is no exception. With millennial artists having their fair share of the spotlight, these celebrity names are popping up. Bieber is trending up 185%. Spears is up 135%, and Jlo is up 118%. Doja Cat (up 85%), Jimin (up 35%), and Styles (up 25%) were trending as well, with honorable mentions Dolly Barkin and Mr. Worldwide also catching our attention.
10 years after the iconic drop of the hit song Gangnam Style, the dog name Psy is trending up 135%.
Despite Beyonce dropping her new album in 2022, Beyonce was more popular as a dog name in 2021 than it is in 2022.
Music lovers’ tastes are as eclectic as ever. Music-inspired names Jimmy Buffet, Justin Timberlake, Quincy Jones, Benny Blanco, Gnarls Barkley, Ke$ha, and Frenchie Montana appeared on the list for dog names this year.
Inspired by hip hop legend Biggie Smalls, the name Diggie Smalls appeared on the list for dogs in 2022. Other hip-hop inspired dog names new to the list in 2022 include Andre 3000, Pdiddy, Rick Ross, and Eazy-E.
Dolly Parton continues to inspire in 2022, with Dolly Barkin making the list for dogs in 2022.
Ready to rock? 1980’s music-inspired names Gene Simmons, Ozzy Pawsborn, Steven Tyler, and Eddie Van Halen were new to the list for dogs in 2022.
Britney had quite the year. Dogs named Toxic were new to the list in 2022.
Spice up your life! Baby Spice appeared on the list for dogs in 2022.
Beatbox appeared on the list for dogs in 2022.
The dog names Meghan and Stallion are each trending up, 51% and 85% respectively.
With the new album release, the dog name Taylor Swift is trending up 10%, and we expect this to increase even more.
We Love the Creativity of These Unique Dog Names
Feeling some type of way this year? The names Uh Oh, Doomsday and Damnit appeared on our list of unique dog names for the first time in 2022.
Also new in 2022 are the dog names Grandpa Max, Lamp, Math, Subpoena and Fudgie the Whale.
Pandemic-Inspired Names Are Taking a Nosedive
While the dog name Covid trended up the last two years for obvious reasons, we are starting to see a shift this year. The name Covid is trending down 85% from last year, with Rona and Fauci also trending down 27% and 55% respectively. The only Covid-inspired name that’s up? Pfizer: It’s up 185% from last year.
All Sides Are Represented in This Year’s Politics-Influenced Names
- The dog names Warren (35%), Donald (26%), Mitch (18%), Alexandria (18%), Nancy (6%), and Bernie (4%) are all trending up this year.
- Joe, Kamala, Trump, and Biden are all trending down.
- Shout out to 2022 for putting the dog names AOC, Flotus, and Vice President on the map.
- There are several Golden Retrievers named Joe B.
- Past political figures continue to inspire, with Herbert Hoover and Martha Washington making the list for dogs in 2022.
Pets Named After Beloved Celebrities Who Have Passed
The top trending dog names inspired by the beloved celebrities who passed away in 2022 include: Ivana (285%), Betty (32%), Estelle (18%), and Meatloaf (16%).
Even though Farrah Fawcett passed away in 2009, the names Farrah Fawcett and Farrah Pawcett appeared on the list for dogs in 2022.
Inspired by the beloved actress Olivia Newton John’s passing, there are now dogs named Olivia Newton.
An Always Popular Category, Television-Inspired Names Continue To Thrive in 2022
First up! Here are some highlights we love: The dog name Squidward emerged this year. Ted Lasso was new to the list for dogs in 2022. There are officially dogs named Anna Delvey, and we’re wondering if they’re up to no good.
Euphoria-inspired dog names steal the show
We know popular TV shows can influence pet naming trends, and it’s clear how much when Euphoria took screens by storm this year. The #1 trending dog name of 2022 is Fezco (up a whopping 2,385%!), with Fez (up 63%), Rue (up 35%), and Faye (up 24%) following suit.
The Mandalorian’s impact on name trends continues in 2022
If you tuned in to our dog names report last year, you might remember Grogu landing in the number one position for trending names. The Mandalorian undeniably inspires dog names across the US, and here are a few of this year’s highlights:
- Fett (35%), Cara (32%), Grogu (28%), Boba (11%), and Baby Yoda (5%) are trending up.
- Luke (-15%), Fennec (-15%), Jabba (-23%), Cobb (-30%), Mandalorian (-40%), Pershing (-49%), and Peli (-82%) are trending down.
- Rancor is new to the top dog names list this year.
We’re “Running Up That Hill” for these Stranger Things-inspired dog names
The Stranger Things hero we didn’t know we needed, Erica is trending up 151% for dogs. Also trending up are Jonathan (85%), Joyce (35%), Hopper (18%), Dustin (13%), Jim (13%), Victor (12%), Murray (10%), Billy (8%), Nancy (6%), Eddie (4%). The name Kate Bush made the list for the first time in 2022.
Also! If you want to see a cat named Vecna, check out our 2022 Most Popular Cat Names.
Are dog parents team Eve? Check out these Killing Eve-inspired names
2022 gave us the series finale of Killing Eve, and without revealing any show spoilers, we can tell you that dogs named Carolyn and Eve are up 385% and 23%. Konstantine and Villanelle are trending down 15% and 40%.
While her appearance was brief, Helene left an impression. The dog name Helene popped up on our top dog names list for the first time this year.
Pam & Tommy set the record straight, and Pamela is now a trending dog name
We officially stan Pam and so do these pet parents. With the 2022 release of biographical drama miniseries Pam & Tommy, the dog names Pamela, Pam, and Tommy are trending up 66%, 29%, and 8% respectively.
It’s just the beginning for Severance-themed dog names
The most popular Severance-inspired dog names are Mark, Helly, Burt, Dylan, Peggy and Irving. And while only Mark (17%) and Helly (10%) are trending up slightly, we expect these names to take off in 2023 as the show gains traction.
Where you lead, Gilmore Girls-inspired dog names will follow
So many of us turned to nostalgic favorites during the pandemic—equally for comfort and entertainment. Gilmore Girls was at the top of our rewatch list. The top trending Gilmore Girls-inspired dog names are Rory Gilmore (85%), Lorelai (28%), and Jess (25%). Dean, Sookie and Luke are all trending down.
Wildly, Paul Anka is trending up a whopping 985%, and while it’s possible the inspiration is songwriter and actor Paul, we believe these dogs’ namesake is more likely after Lorelai’s beloved dog named Paul Anka.
Outlander gave us the dog named “Dougal Mackenzie The Pug” and many more
Books-turned-tv hit, Outlander, is proving to be quite the inspiration for dog names, ye ken. Milady and Milord are both trending up, 785% and 85%.
While the first name Jaime is trending down 21%, his family name Fraser is thriving at 89% this year.
Beloved character Murtagh is trending up 35%, along with Fergus 7%.
Shout out to 2022 for putting the dog names Bonnie Lass, Bonnie Claire, Jaime Fraser, and Dougal Mackenzie The Pug on the map.
No-drama surrounding these Yellowstone-inspired names
The top trending Yellowstone-inspired name for dogs is, well, Yellowstone—trending up by 485% in 2022.
Other related names include: Dutton (294%), Teeter (125%), Rip (100%), John (81%), Beth (64%), and Kayce (31%).
These dog names are here to slay another day as the top RuPaul’s Drag Race-influenced names
The Drag Race (and just general drag queen love) fandom is undeniable with the top trending queen-inspired dog names being:
- Alyssa up 128%
- Jaida up 47%
- Trinity up 25%
- Jinx up 24%
- Katya up 22%
- Bianca up 16%
- Violet up 8%
- Yvie up 5%
- Bosco up 3%
The dog names Slay, Michelle, and Ru are also trending up 35%, 22% and 14% respectively.
You’ve found the beware advantage and now have to name your dog one of these Survivor names
Survivor was in its Renaissance era the last couple of years, and the dog names show it. The most popular Survivor-inspired dog names are:
- Sandra (up 71%)
- Rob (up 55%)
- Jeff (up 9%)
- Ozzy
- Tyson
- Russell
- Amanda
“While I may be a Shih Tzu, I’m all bark and no bite.” — Sutton, the dog
It appears that every Real Housewives franchise is inspiring dog names across the US. And while we could go on and on about it (ahem, Dorit), we’ll stick to some highlights:
Beverly Hills: The top trending Real Housewives of Beverly Hills-inspired dog names are Denise (110%), Yolanda (42%), Sutton (27%), and Lisa (25%). Crystal, Erika and Kyle are all trending down 11%, 15%, and 21% respectively. 2022 put the dog name Dorit on the map.
New Jersey: RHONJ dog names are trending high to the sky like Teresa’s wedding hair. The top trending Real Housewives of New Jersey-inspired dog names are Teresa (160%), Jen (142%), Margaret (12%), and Dolores (8%).
Atlanta: Despite her departure from Bravo in 2017, Phaedra is the #1 trending dog name inspired by the Real Housewives of Atlanta. The name Kandi is trending up by 96% for dogs—should Kandi Koated expand to pet accessories, anyone?
House of the Dragon-influenced dog names are heating up in 2022
- Inspired by the Hand of several Targaryen kings, the name Hightower appeared on the list for dogs.
- With the launch of the Game of Thrones prequel, House of Dragon, the name Targaryen is trending up 185% for dogs.
- Inspired by Prince Daemon Targaryen, the name Daemon is trending up 45% for dogs.
Dog names inspired by hit tv show The Bear
Are there dogs named after the new hit show The Bear? Yes chef! The most popular are Richard, Chef, Richie, and Bear. 2022 also put the dog name Carmy on the map.
Love Island dog names are not as popular in the US but still pop up
Despite the curse of the yellow bean bag, Love Island UK-inspired names are still buzzin’. At the top are Luca (34%), Andrew (14%), Adam (9%) and past contestant Laura (4%).
I got a text! And it says that the dog names Tasha, Danica, Paige, Jacques, and Dami are all trending down.
Dog parents are keeping up with the Kardashian names
Love em or not, this family is influencing more than lip kits and shape wear. Dogs named North, Scott, Kourtney, Psalm, Stormi, Kim, Kanye, Chicago, Wolf, Kendall, and Reign are all trending up.
Pete and Tristan are trending down 14% and 19% respectively.
Food and Beverage Names Continue To Dominate
Dog names often reflect people’s interests, and that includes their favorite foods. Among the top food-themed names, Hotpot took the #1 spot (up a staggering 1,085%), with Sashimi (up 785%), Pastrami (up 485%), and Yerba (also up 485%) in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place.
More food-themed trends:
- Pizza’s always popular, but the name Calzone is even more so in 2022 (up 435%!).
- Meat and cheese continue to be popular categories: Bologna is up 185%, followed by Feta (up 167%) and Paneer (up 85%).
- Fungi were having a moment this year: The name Morel was up 135% and Chanterelle was up 85%.
- Other popular faves include Oat (up 160%), Maple Syrup (up 107%), Vodka (up 85%), and Cauliflower (also up 85%).
These food-themed names earned honorable mentions: Taco Bella, Seltzer, and Chris P. Bacon.
These food-inspired names were new to the list in 2022:
- Doritos
- Cheddar Cheese
- Cheeto Puff
- Gazpacho
- Stroopwafel
- Taco Bella
- Spicy Nugget
- Mcriblet
- Mcgriddle
Alcohol-influenced dog names are here to stay
- The top trending alcohol-inspired names for dogs are Vodka (85%), Truly (74%), Gin (62%), and Mai Tai (51%).
- Other popular booze-based names on the list include: Cider, Pimms, Mojito, Vino, Martini, Margarita, Merlot, Cosmo, Remi Martin, and Whiskey.
- Trending down this year were Tito, Bailey, Brandy, and Prosecco.
- For the first time, the name Seltzer appeared on the list in 2022.
- Beer-inspired names including Kulshan and Miller Lite were new to the list for 2022.
You might be surprised which caffeine-inspired dog name is trending most this year
- The #1 trending caffeine-inspired name for dogs is Yerba, up by 485% in 2022.
- Tea really had a moment in 2022, both the hot and the gossip kind. Trending tea-inspired dog names include Tea (154%), Matcha (36%), and Boba (11%).
- Starbucks and Tazo were both trending up in 2022, by 22% and 21% respectively.
- Soda vs. pop: Soda (25%) was a trending name for dogs in 2022, while Pop was trending down.
- Coffee-inspired names Dutch Bro and Dunk’N were new to the list for dogs in 2022.
These Movie-Inspired Names Are Trending in the Box Office
Nostalgia is in, and so are these throwback dog names
- Nostalgia was big for dog names in 2022, with the Back to the Future-inspired name Delorean appearing on the list for dogs.
- The name Happy Gilmore appeared on the list for dogs in 2022.
- Scarlet O’Hara appeared on the list for dogs in 2022.
- Let’s hope these pups are sweeter than their namesake—Gretchen Wieners was new to the list for dogs in 2022.
- Madmax was new to the list for dogs in 2022.
Marvel is a mainstay dog name category, and 2022 is no different
Marvel-inspired dog names new to the list in 2022 include: Remy Lebeau and Stan-Lee.
Marvel inspired more pet names than DC this year. The top 10 trending superhero names for dogs include:
- Peter Parker (285%)
- Asgard (185%)
- Vision (94%)
- Spidey (94%)
- Ultra (68%)
- Colter (66%)
- Kingpin (51%)
- Viper (40%)
- Wolfgang (40%)
- Zemo (39%)
Studio Ghibli is iconic, and so are the dog names it inspires
Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Kiki’s Delivery Service continue to be great inspiration for dog names year after year. The top trending Studio Ghibli-inspired names are Satsuki (185%), Boh (68%), Chihiro (58%), Ursula (39%), Haku (31%), Mei (11%), and Kiki (6%).
The dog names Jiji, Kamaji, Moro, and Tombo are trending down 2%, 15%, 21% and 29% respectively.
For the first time, we saw dogs named Mononoke, Zeniba, Ket, and Kokiri.
Harry Potter: inspiring wizards and dog names alike for 21 years
Gryffindog, Mad Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, and Azkaban were new to the list for dogs in 2022.
The top 5 trending Harry Potter dog names this year are:
- Ron (48%)
- Lupin (40%)
- Hermione (25%)
- Severus (25%)
- Ginny (6%)
If you want to look up more magical dog names, check out our black dog names list.
With its 2022 release, Top Gun: Maverick is showing up in dog names
Some trends really do come back around: 36 years after Top Gun’s original debut, the names Cruise (53%), Goose (12%), Maverick (6%), and Cyclone (18%) were trending for dogs in 2022.
Pet Parents are Enchanted by Encanto
One year after its release, Encanto-inspired names are trending up for dogs in 2022. In fact, five of the top 10 Disney and Pixar-themed dog names were inspired by the hit movie, with Mirabel (up an astounding 1,485%!), Isabella (up 93%), and Bruno (up 26%) among the top.
Honorable mentions include Augustin, Madrigal, and Abuela, which all appeared on the list for the first time this year.
From Newcomers to Legends, These Sports Names Are on the Rise
These legends retired in 2022, and dog parents are ready to celebrate them
The dog names Felix, Serena, and Sylvia are trending up in 2022. This year also put the dog name Stormy Sue on the map. It’s no surprise that these names are popular, as sports legends Allyson Felix, Serena Williams, Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird all retired this year.
Men’s baseball: Shohei, Twinky and Bux are up to bat
- The dog name Shohei is up 185%. Shohei Ohtani, nicknamed “Shotime”, is the perhaps the best pitcher and hitter since Babe Ruth.
- The dog name Twinky is up 174% this year. Are the Twins becoming the sweetheart MLB team among pet parents? More evidence of this: The dog names Bux (151%) and Buxton (145%) are trending up.
- The dog name Judge is trending up 13%: The Yankee star and MVP is even more of a household name after this season. Unfortunately, the name Stanton is trending down 65%.
- Jaylen is up 85%: Perhaps it was the trade rumors that encouraged Celtics fans across the country to show their support for their homegrown star, Jaylen Brown.
Women’s basketball: These dog names are a slam dunk in 2022
- WNBA serves as great inspiration for dog names. Starting with teams, the dog names Monarch (185%), Liberty (18%), Storm (7%), Comet (2%), and Sky (1%) are all trending up. Bandit, Spark, Ace, and Mystic are all trending down.
- The dog name Candace is trending up a whopping 77%, potentially inspired by the fandom surrounding Chicago Sky legend Candace Parker.
- Mystic’s star Elena Delle Donne is crushing the court and inspiring pet parents. While her team name may be trending down for dogs, the dog name Elena is trending up 39%.
Men’s soccer: Ahead of the World Cup, Gio and Weston are trending
- USMNT’s young star, Gio Reyna is influencing dog names this year. Gio is trending up 17% and Reyna trending up 5%.
- Weston McKennie, arguably the USMNT’s best player, is inspiring dog names. Weston is up 13%.
Men’s football: Diggs, Lamb and Stamkos are the ones to beat this year
- Diggs is up 51%. No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills! Big Game favorite Bills are showing support for their star wide receiver.
- It makes sense that the WR1 and rising star of America’s favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, would be one of the top risers of the year. Lamb is up 160%.
- Even though Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t win the cup, their third straight appearance garnered some name recognition. Dogs named Stamkos are trending up 185%.
Ready, set, go! These F1-inspired names have their foot on the gas pedal
While there have been fans forever, the Formula 1: Drive to Survive docudrama took the US by storm in the last couple of years. The top eight most popular F1-inspired dog names are:
- Max
- George
- Roscoe
- Sebastian
- Russell
- Hamilton
- Charles
- Pierre
The past two Olympics left an impression on pet parents
Shoutout to 2022 for putting the dog names Simone Biles and Suni Lee on the map.
The dog names Eileen (Gu) and Chen (Nathan Chen) are trending up 18% and 185%.
Technology Is Prolific, and These Dog Names Prove It
- 2022 officially put iPhone and Macintosh on the map for dogs.
- The top-trending tech-inspired names for dogs are Dell (135%), Meta (125%), Sony (97%), Elizabeth (22%), Alexa (15%) and Zoom (11%).
Cha Ching! Here Are a Few Dog Name Trends Inspired by Money
- According to our calculations, Bitcoin was trending up 35% for dogs.
- There are more dogs named Bear than Bull in the US.
- The name Bank is trending up 45%.
It’s Classic Video Game Names Leading the Pack This Year
- Inspired by the nostalgic arcade game, Pac Man made the list for dogs in 2022.
- The top 3 trending video game-inspired names for dogs are Lara Croft (85%), Brewster (10%) and Tommy (8%).
- The top 5 most popular by volume (in the US) are Daisy, Zelda, Harvey, Yoshi and Kirby.
Find a Dog Name With Rover’s Dog Name Generator
The Top Pet Names 2022 report was developed by Rover between September and October 2022. Results are based on analysis of millions of user-submitted pet names provided by pet parents on Rover.com. This report is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the brands, celebrities and businesses mentioned within.
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