Top Trending Pet Names in the U.S.A

How do you know when something’s made a major cultural impact? It starts popping up in the names we give our pets!

We name our pets after our favorite singers, the main characters of the movies we love, the trendy foods we crave, and the year’s hottest aesthetics in fashion. Rover’s database of millions of user-submitted dog and cat names reflects some of the biggest moments in our culture in 2026, from the rise of cottagecore to the latest protagonists taking BookTok by storm and beyond.

Since 2012, we’ve highlighted the most popular pet names in the US. This year, we’re taking things even further by looking back at the impactful trends that have come and gone (or stuck around!) since we began the Top Pet Names journey 15 years ago. If you need some dog name ideas to add to your list or if you’re just curious about the top trending cat names out there, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get into it.

Top 10 Trending Dog Names in the US

Popular animated series drove the No. 1 and No. 2 top-trending dog names this year, with Rumi (KPop Demon Hunters) and Lumi (Lumi and the Great Big Galaxy) rising to the top.

Sports made an impact off the field, with Melo ranking third (nickname of basketballers LaMelo Ball and Carmelo Anthony), followed by everyone’s favorite halftime performer, Benito (Benito Martínez Ocasio AKA Bad Bunny).

Rounding out the top five is Ducky, inspired by the currently trending cottagecore aesthetic. Leading ladies Beatrice (Ponies) and Lottie (Yellowjackets) made their way off-screen and into the No. 6 and 7 spots on this year’s list, while Junie ranks No. 8 – inspired by the bestselling Junie B. Jones graphic-novel revival of the same name.

Completing the top ten list is Cannoli (a classic treat) and Maisey (a classic name made popular again due to a vintage revival).

Top 10 Trending Cat Names in the US

Chicken Nugget is the No. 1 trending cat name in 2026, driven by the viral talking chicken nugget meme (AKA Gegagedigedagedago or Omega Nugget). The name Miracle ranks second, likely inspired by the highly anticipated adult animated series of the same name. In third place is Badger (cottagecore), followed by Sundae (a sweet treat) and Hector (vintage revival) making up the top five.

The list continues with Umi (Japanese for “sea” or “ocean”) and Tiggy (cottagecore), Coffee (the ever-popular beverage) and Laila (musical artist “Laila!”), with Dani (Ted Lasso character Dani Rojas) rounding out the top ten.

Categories Driving This Year’s Top Trending Names

What’s trending in pop culture defines what’s trending in how we name our pets. This year’s biggest categories of pop culture pet names spotlight major events and new favorites for pet parents in 2026.

Trend 1: Cottagecore

The gardening! The baking! The coziness! Cottagecore is the ultimate reminder to take life a little slower and appreciate all the cuteness out there. Those reminders make cottagecore-inspired names the perfect picks for pet parents seeking more tranquility and gratitude for life’s precious gifts (like our pets).

New and cozy names this year include Snail, Gnome and Currant for dogs, and Elderberry, Partridge and Shrew for cats.

Trend 2: Vintage Revival

All that thrifting we’re doing nowadays must really be rubbing off on pet parents, who increasingly choose nostalgic human names for their dogs and cats.

Rare vintage names making a comeback this year include Zephaniah and Clotilde for dogs, and Opaline and Jedediah for cats. The name Prunella was new this year for both pet types.

Trend 3: Movies and Television

Our favorite onscreen characters always play a major role in the names we give our pets, and this year is no different. Names from the latest trending films and shows are on the rise!

New names inspired by the big screen this year include Dek (from “Predator: Badlands”), Reze (from “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc”) and Slurp (from “Wednesday”) for dogs. New for cats are Kamek (from “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”), Kleya (from “Andor”) and Makima (from “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc”).

Trend 4: Music

Similarly, music is always a huge inspiration for pet parents. Musicians in particular this year are influencing the most trending dog names, while songs are topping the charts in trendiest cat names.

New to the playlist this year is Sombr and Clairo for dogs, and Jungkook and Shaboozey for cats. Opalite appeared on the list for the first time, for both dogs and cats.

Trend 5: Books

More and more bookworms are discovering their next read through BookTok, an online community of readers and writers dedicated to spreading the word about great stories. Some of the biggest BookTok titles this year have really influenced how we name our dogs and cats, and with names like these, your pet’s personality is sure to jump off the page!

Bookish names appearing for the first time include Kiela (from “The Spellshop”), Elide (from “Throne of Glass” series), and Lidia (from “Crescent City”) for dogs. For cats, newcomers include Casteel (from “Blood and Ash” series), Sgaeyl (from “The Empyrean” series), and Beetee (from “Sunrise on the Reaping”).

Trend 6: Food

Food is a classic pet name category, and not just because many of our dogs and cats are so food motivated. Food-inspired names also capture a seriously broad spectrum of pet personalities, appearances, and vibes—or they can be totally random, which is a lot of fun, too!

New names on everyone’s lips this year include Cronut, Harissa and Dalgona for dogs, and Cookie, Pandan and Sir Biscuit for cats.

Trend 7: Sports

The year’s star athletes have really made an impact on the court—and on our pets’ names. The names being cheered at soccer, basketball, and baseball games are particularly popular!

New to the roster this year are Haaland, Bukayo and Diggins for dogs, and Vinícius, Haliburton and Nacua for cats.

Trend 8: Nu-Goth

Nu-Goth is hot this year, so it’s no surprise that many pet parents are embracing the macabre with how they name their pets.

“Nu” names this year include Nosferatu, Peraline and Vamp for dogs, and Hexley, Familiar and Enchantress for cats.

Pet Names: The Ultimate Historical Record

Some trends in pet naming are new this year, while others have endured from years past. The constant is the inspiration they take from the world around us.

Since 2012, Rover has tracked the biggest trends in the names we choose for our pets, and a clear pattern has emerged: Within months of a major cultural event, names associated with that event begin to rise.

So let’s throw it back to some of the biggest trending dog names—and the events that inspired them—from the past 15 years. You’ve probably met a dog or two with one of these names!

Read More from Our Pet Names Library

Inspired by these categories? Using the millions of names in our dataset, we’ve pulled more name examples and inspirations for you to peruse. These names are listed by order of popularity so you can get a sense of how common a name may be.

The Top Pet Names 2026 report was developed by Rover between August and October 2026. Results are based on an 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. If you use any of our data and findings, we kindly ask you to link back to our pet names page.

Interested in learning more about services on Rover?

Dog Boarding | Pet Sitting | Dog Walking | Doggy Day Care | House Sitting | Dog Training | Cat Boarding | Cat Sitting