Your cat or dog’s name is more than just what you call them—it’s also the feelings it evokes as you say it. A name has significant meaning, and the names we choose for our pets 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 cats and dogs, and (unsurprisingly) a lot of new pet 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 took a deep dive into our database of pet parents on Rover to reveal the most popular pet names of 2022.
We uncovered everything from ever-popular pet names to the most well-known names by rank, as well as some truly unique names we can’t get enough of. Let’s dig in!
The Top Trending Cat and Dog Names of 2022
Fastest-growing dog names:
- Julius
- Harrison
- Button
- Duff
- Nuka
Fastest-growing cat names:
- Tiggy
- Marbles
- Ariel
- Boomer
- Gaston
Food-Inspired Pet Names Cute Enough To Eat
The top five food-related dog names:
- Burrito (up 907%)
- Gravy (up 607%)
- Mint (up 407%)
- Kimchi (up 373%)
- KitKat (up 307%)
The most popular (by volume) new-to-the-list food-inspired names for dogs in 2022 were Beef, Pepperoni, Oat, Pie, and Pizza. Nostalgic sweet treats were trending for dogs this year, with the #1 trending dessert-inspired name being Twinkie (up 407%). Other trending sweet-inspired names include Jello (up 107%), Candy (up 47%), and Oreo (up 25%).
The top five food-related cat names:
- Donut (up 577%)
- Biscuit (up 552%)
- Banana (up 377%)
- Brownie (up 377%)
- Pickle (up 377%)
Funny cat names often reflect people’s interests, and that includes their favorite foods. Cat lovers can agree: Donut was the #1 trending food-inspired cat name in 2022, and was up a whopping 577%! Honorable mentions include Beef, Chili, Brisket, Poutine, Burger, and Cornichon.
The most popular dessert-inspired name for cats is Oreo, but Gelato, Sherbet, Jello, and Snickerdoodle are new to the list this year.
These Alcohol-Inspired Pet Names Have Us Buzzing
The top five booze-inspired dog names:
- Gin (up 607%)
- Cider (up 107%)
- Mojito (up 82%)
- Martini (up 73%)
- Vino (up 73%)
New to the list for dogs this year include Vodka, Chardonnay, and Port.
The top five alcohol-inspired cat names:
- Merlot (up 278%)
- Cosmo (up 217%)
- Pinot (up 110%)
- Vino (up 77%)
- Scotch (up 44%)
New to the list this year are Grigio, Beer, Fizz, and Prosecco.
Pour Over These Caffeinated Beverage Names
Trending caffeinated drink-inspired dog names:
- Monster (up 507%)
- Latte (up 115%)
- Cola (up 60%)
2022 put the dog names Starbucks and Tazo on the map.
Trending caffeinated drink-inspired cat names:
- Monster (up 527%)
- Boba (up 277%)
- Matcha (up 377%)
- Soda (up 227%)
- Coffee (up 177%)
- Chai (up 40%)
We’re Howling For These Music-Inspired Pet Names
For dogs names, Elvis (129%), Nipsey (107%), and Rihanna (107%) are all trending up in the music category. BTS is also having a dog name moment with Jin trending up 57%. Suga and V are new to the list in 2022. Mozart is trending up 140% with both Ludwig and Johann new to the list. Dolly Parton also appeared on the dog names list for the first time in 2022.
For cats, the most popular music-inspired cat names are: Harry, Billie, and Elvis. New this year are the cat names Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, and Yeezy.
TV Shows Are Persuasive, And These Dog and Cat Names Prove It
Grab some Eggos and get ready: Stranger Things-inspired names are definitely a hit this year, with Murray (up 178%), Will (up 107%), and Eleven (also up 107%) making up the top-three. Other trending names are Hopper (up 73%), Chrissy (up 57%), Robin (up 37%), and Billy (up 32%). Vecna was a newcomer this year, appearing on the list for dogs for the first time.
The top Stranger Things-inspired cat names are:
- Lucas (up 877%)
- Eleven (up 677%)
- Eddie (up 297%)
- Nancy (up 277%)
- Murray (up 137%)
- Jim (up 77%)
- Mike (up 77%)
- Hopper (up 77%)
- Max (up 23%)
Dustin was new to the list for cats this year.
The Rings of Power controlled more than Middle-Earth
With the much anticipated series Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power finally streaming in 2022, the dog names Bronwyn and Nori are trending up 107% and 79% respectively. The name Disa appeared on the list for the first time in 2022.
The cat name Smeagol is trending up 377%. Precious…
Yes, Chef! Dog names inspired by The Bear
FX’s hit series The Bear put the names Neil and Carmy on the list in 2022.
Out-of-this-world dog names inspired by What We Do in the Shadows
Fourteen years after Twilight’s release, What We Do in the Shadows proves vampires are still hot. The names Colin and Jenna are trending up by 306% and 27%.
The name Nadja appeared on the list for the first time in 2022.
Dog names inspired by Trailer Park Boys
Trailer Park Boys’ Julian and Randy were trending up 257% and 173% respectively.
You’ve found the beware advantage and now have to name your dog one of these Survivor names
- Ozzy (up 26%)
- Tyson
- Russell
- Jeff
- Rob (up 107%)
- Sandra (up 7%)
Amanda made the list for the first time in 2022.
Check out these Better Call Saul dog names
Inspired by popular TV series Better Call Saul, the name Saul was trending up by 707% in 2022.
It’s just the beginning for Severance-themed dog names
Severance-inspired names Mark (607%), Burt (232%), and Peggy (32%) were trending up for dogs in 2022.
Euphoria-inspired cat and dog names steal the show
Spoiler alert, Euphoria-inspired dog names Cassie (129%), Nate (81%), and Maddie (65%) were trending up for dogs.
The top trending Euphoria-inspired cat names are Elliot (up 202%), Faye (up 177%), and Maddie (up 127%).
These dog names are keeping Ozark going
Ozark-inspired names Marty and Ruth were trending up 38% and 22% respectively.
Lady Whistledown is hard at work
Here are the most popular Bridgerton-inspired dog names:
- Duke
- Simon
- Penelope
- Daphne
- Duchess (up 19%)
- Kate (up 73%)
Most popular Bridgerton cat names:
- Duke (up 260%)
- Duchess (up 63%)
- Daphne (up 52%)
- Kate (up 27%)
Bridgerton Season 2 put the name Anthony on the map for cats.
Only Murders in the Building characters are persuasive with dog owners
Only Murders in the Building-inspired names Bunny and Mabel were trending up by 76% and 50% in 2022.
Here are the top trending Kardashian-inspired cat names
- Mason (up 377%)
- Khloe (up 277%)
- Pete (up 177%)
- Dash (up 27%)
New this year: Scott, Reign, Kanye, North, Tristan, and True.
Hey Kitty Girl! RuPaul’s Drag Race influenced cat names this year
Trinity (277%), Jinx (267%) and Bosco (177%) are trending up this year among cat names. The names Shea, Alyssa and Kennedy are new to the list in 2022.
And just like that, Sex and The City cat names are back in 2022
The cat names Samantha and Charlotte are trending up 277% and 85% respectively.
Bell ringing cat names inspired by Selling Sunset
The names Christine, Jason, and Heather were all new to the list for cats in 2022.
Grab The Popcorn: These Movie-Inspired Pet Names Rose To The Top
Batdog? Batman’s influence extends beyond Gotham
Batman-inspired dog names Bruce and Wayne were trending up 25% and 257% respectively, Bruce Wayne was trending up 177% for cats.
Top Gun academy approved dog names
Top Gun top dogs Rooster and Pete were trending up 182% and 60%. For cat names, Pete is up 177%, Bernie is up 127%, Tom is up 30%, Maverick is up 27% and Mickey is up 23%.
Disney/Pixar classics and new favorites alike are inspiring pet names
The most popular dog-influenced Disney and Pixar names are Nala, Bruno, and Simba.
But we also saw names from Lightyear, Turning Red, The Amazing Maurice and Tron like Sox (557%), Priya (307%), Maurice (257%), Rox (107%) and Jin (57%) are trending up in 2022. New to the list this year are the dog names Camilo, Luisa, Rouky, Volt, Augustin, and Alisha.
Similarly to dog names, Simba, Nala and Felix are the most popular Disney and Pixar cat names this year.
Ming (227%), Sox (277%), Pico (244%), Maurice (77%) and Mei (77%) are trending up. New this year are the cat names Alma, Darby, Dolores, Duchess, and Miriam.
Lumos! These Harry Potter names lit up the charts this year
25 years after its initial release, Harry Potter continues to inspire dog and cat names.
The top trending Harry Potter-inspired names for dogs are:
- Lupin (up 207%)
- Snape (up 107%)
- Fluffy (up 17%)
- Dobby (up 12%)
- Hagrid (up 7%)
- Hedwig (up 7%)
Dobby was the most popular (by volume) Harry Potter-inspired name for dogs in 2022.
The top trending Harry Potter-inspired names for cats are:
- Lupin (up 277%)
- Fluffy (up 85%)
- Myrtle (up 77%)
- Hedwig (up 77%)
- Weasley (up 44%)
- Severus (up 27%)
Harry was the most popular (by volume) Harry Potter-inspired name for cats in 2022.
Marvel and DC are a mainstay for dog and cat names, and 2022 is no different
The top Marvel and DC inspired names for dogs are Peter (up 140%), Bruce (up 25%), and Loki (up 12%).
For cat names, the top trending are Peter (up 227%), Thor (150%), and Tony (up 86%).
Video Game Nostalgia Is Real
Ready, set, play: Pet parents are feeling nostalgic about video games of the past…and their pet names are proof! Old school video game names are making a comeback this year, with Mario (up 140%), Link (up 73%), Zelda (up 13%), and Kirby (up 7%), trending up in 2022.
Canadians Get Name Ideas From Their Favorite Athletes
The top trending sports-inspired names for dogs are:
- Josh (up 707%)
- Valerie (up 307%)
- Higgins (up 90%)
- Nate (up 82%)
- Ranger (up 57%)
And while they’re not trending, the dog names Cooper, Frankie, Moose, Ace and Chase are popular in Canada.
The top trending sports-inspired names for cats are:
- Ranger (up 377%)
- Bernie (up 127%)
- Frankie (up 27%)
After the late basketball legend Bill Russell, the name Bill was trending up 177% for cats.
Once Again, Cannabis Cat And Dog Names Are Trending
Most popular cannabis dog names:
- Blaze (up 47%)
- Pax
- Mary (up 27%)
- Puff
- Khan (up 407%)
- Rasta (up 57%)
- Doobie
Cannabis and cat name highlights:
- 2022 put Pax on the map for cats.
- The most popular (by volume) cannabis-inspired name for cats was Puff.
- Cheech was trending up 177% for cats.
Travel And Destination Dog and Cat Names Are In
Tokyo was the #1 trending destination-inspired name for dogs in 2022, trending up 262%. Vegas is trending up 119%, along with Maui, up 17%. Beach vacations are trending in Canada, with the names Chile, Bora Bora, Mykonos, and Tulum all new to the list for dogs in 2022.
Covid-Influenced Names Have Been Up For Two Years But They're Starting to Wane
Like the virus itself, some strains of Covid-inspired dog names are still trending: The names Delta and Pfizer are up 15% and 6% respectively. The names Covi and Rona, however, are trending down in 2022. On the cat side, the names Johnson and Rona were new to the list in 2022.
These Pets Are Still Treated Like Royalty
Popular royal-influenced dog names include Archie (up 6%), George (up 2%), Louis, Elizabeth (up 257%), Kate (up 73%) and Diana (up 7%). Following the birth of Harry and Meghan’s daughter, the name Lilibet appeared on the list for the first time in 2022, and is inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth’s childhood nickname.
Similarly popular, the British cat names Prince (85%), Charlotte (85%), Lizzie (44%), George (27%) and Kate (27%) are trending up this year.
These Pet Names Are A Nod To Those Who Have Passed
Top trending dog names inspired by beloved celebrities who passed away in 2022 are Betty (up 167%), Bob (107%) and Taylor (34%). The passing of Seinfeld star Estelle Harris put the name Estelle on the map for dogs in 2022.
For cat names, the name Betty is trending up 377%, after the late and great Betty White. Basketball legend Bill Russell inspired cats named Bill to trend up 177%. Soprano’s star Tony Sirico influenced the cat name Tony to trend up 87%.
More Cat and Dog Names
The Top Pet Names 2022 report was developed by Rover between September and October 2022. Results are based on analysis of tens of thousands 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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