Seattle, WA – (Dec. 3, 2024) – Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, today released its twelfth annual Top Pet Names Report, chronicling the fun and unique naming trends that emerged in 2024. The report analyzes millions of user-submitted pet names provided by pet parents on Rover and breaks down the most influential trends leading up to the year’s end.
The number one most popular male dog name in 2024 is Charlie, holding the top spot for the second year in a row after dethroning longtime frontrunner, Max, in 2023. Milo ranks first for most popular male cat name, overthrowing Oliver who held the top spot for five years in a row. Luna remains the number one most popular name for female dogs and cats for the second consecutive year.
Parents won’t be surprised to hear that everyone’s favorite Blue Heeler, Bluey, captured the hearts of pet people nationwide. The main character’s name surged 58% for dogs and an impressive 122% for cats, claiming the number one trending spot overall for both.
“The pet names we choose are a look into our latest cultural obsessions and our sources of joy,” said Nicole Ellis, Certified Professional Trainer and Rover Pet People Panelist. “This year’s report reads like the magazines we used to love flipping through—the names are equal parts tabloid-worthy and total comfort food.”
Other cultural trends and obsessions inspiring pet names in 2024 include celebrity “it girls”, chart toppers and heartthrobs, in addition to sports icons on the home field and abroad. Pet parents also took inspiration from their favorite creature comforts, including tasty treats, TV shows and movies, famed fashion houses and social media trends–how demure.
Other names experiencing growth in 2024:
Sport-Ball
- Brunson is the top trending sports-related dog name in 2024, up 161%, which is fitting after Jalen Brunson reportedly took a hometown discount for the New York Knicks this offseason.
- Number two on the bench for dogs is Wemby (after basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama), up 127%, followed by Witt (+111%), inspired by professional baseball shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
- After ranking as the overall top trending dog name of 2023, Kelce (as in Travis and Jason) takes fourth place in the sports category this year (+51%).
- Other top trending sports names include: Purdy (+47%), Bronny (+32%), Diggs (+31%), and Messi (+29%).
- New dog names in the category include: Sweet Simone (Biles), Caitlin Clark, Shohei, Luka “Dogcic”, CeeDee, and Amon-Ra (St. Brown).
More Cheese, Please
- From canine Calzones to feline Proseccos, pet parents can’t get enough of trending culinary names. Topping the trend for dogs this year, there’s a three-way tie between Calzone, Chive, and Provolone—all are up 211% compared to last year.
- On the flip side, Cilantro is trending down 68%, with fewer people choosing a dog name that (some say) tastes like soap.
- Casserole and Twinkie are both trending up 84% for cats.
- New to the list this year for dogs is a classic treat: Sardine.
Taste Makers and Chart Toppers
- When it comes to the top trending “celebrity names”, Taylor Swift led the pack, up 461% for dogs and 459% for cats.
- (Harry) Styles ranked first for both cats (+509%) and dogs (+70%) in the “music names” category, while Tyler (the Creator) is up 46%, making paws-itively purrfect cat monikers.
- Celebrity heartthrobs won the hearts of cat parents this year, with Ryan (Gosling and Reynolds) trending up 120% and Post Malone up 109%.
- New to the list (but not the charts) for cats this year: Eilish, Justin Timberlake and Kelly Clarkson.
- In memory of the late country music star of the same name, Toby Keith is trending up 145%.
Lights, Camera, Names!
- Fans of Dune are naming their furry friends Gurney (+511%), Atreidies (+ 361%) and Chani (+73% for dogs, +64% for cats)
- Carmy, the main character of the hit series The Bear, is up 123% this year for dogs and 169% for cats.
- Keeley Jones and Teddy Lasso scored big this year, both are trending up by 61% for dogs in 2024.
- Bluey is the nation’s top trending dog and cat name of the year, but other names inspired by the show, like Judo (+73%), Stripe (+67%) and Pom Pom (+40%) are all trending up for dogs, as well.
Fashion, TikTok & Snoop
- Fashion-inspired names for pups on the up include Saint Laurent (+611%), Alaia (+140%) and Louis Vuitton (+111%). Not on the best dressed list? Lagerfeld, Wintour and Gucci. Woof.
- Cats named Void are trending by a 121% increase, likely influenced by the popularity of black cats on social media.
- After taking over the Olympic Games, the name Snoop Dog is trending again, up 38% among dogs in 2024.
For a full list of the top dog names and trends of 2024, as well as the top dog names in 8 metro markets across the US, please visit here. To see the top male and female cat names and trends of 2024, please visit here. Top Pet Names reports were also created for Canada and France, and The Top Dog Names reports are available for the UK and Spain.
In addition to the digital report, Rover also collaborated with popular social media creator Matt Hobbs (also known as Puppy Songs) on a musical rendition of this year’s top 10 trending names. Check it out here.
Methodology
The Top Pet Names 2024 report was developed by Rover between September and October 2024. Results are based on analysis of millions of user-submitted pet names provided by pet parents on Rover.com. The top 20 trending pet names are based on year-over-year growth with a minimum of 200 pets added in 2024, per name. Nationally trending pet names by category (e.g. sports, celebrity, food) are based on year-over-year growth with no minimum of new pets added, per name. The most popular pet names are determined by the total volume of pets with any given name. This report is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the brands, celebrities and businesses mentioned within.
About Rover
Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Rover is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects pet parents with pet providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, drop-in visits and training in select markets. To learn more about Rover, please visit www.rover.com.
Contact:
Kristin Sandberg
pr@rover.com
360-510-6365