Top dog names & most popular cat names in the US & UK, 2026

Whether you’re thinking about welcoming a pup or you’re a pet sitter daydreaming about your future four-legged friend, you’ve come to the right place!

Here, we break down the top dog names and most popular cat names of 2026 — the perfect light read during your house sit or ahead of bringing your new fur baby home. And to no surprise, Luna, Bella, and Charlie took the top spots for both our canine and feline friends. 

And to go beyond just the most common pet names, we’ve sourced popular ideas inspired by trends new and old. From Bridgerton and Wuthering Heights to Western movies, The Real Housewives, and popular sports stars — it’s all a scroll away…

Top 10 most common dog names in the world

Out of the 280,000 pets here at TrustedHousesitters, the most common dog names were Luna, Bella and Charlie - no surprises there! For the top 10 overall, explore the table below.

Top 10 most popular cat names in the world

And what about the top cat names? It turns out that there is a big overlap between dog and cat parents - with Luna, Charlie and Bella also ranking in the top 3 most common cat names in the world. For the full breakdown, explore the table below.

Top dog names by US state 

Want to know the most common dog name in your state — or curious about what pets are called in neighboring states? Check out the table below for the top dog names across the US.

Top cat names by US state 

For the most popular cat names in your state, explore the table below — and remember, if you’d like a more unique name for your equally unique feline friend, keep reading for pet names inspired by current trends, pop culture, nature and more.

Most common dog names in the UK

Live in the UK and curious about the top dog names favored by local pet parents? We analyzed over 40,000 pet profiles here at TrustedHousesitters to whittle down the list — explore the table below for the top 10 dog names in the UK right now.

Most popular cat names in the UK

And what about our feline friends? We analyzed over 26,000 pet profiles on TrustedHousesitters to uncover the top 10 most popular cat names in the UK. Take a look below for a little inspiration!

Top dog names in the US by breed

Have a specific dog breed in mind? Take a look below at some of the most popular dog names by breed across the US — you might just find the perfect fit for your new furry friend.

Top dog names in the UK by breed

Looking for a little inspiration from across the pond? Check out the top dog names by breed in the UK below.

Most popular cat names in the US by breed 

And what about the new feline friend in your life? We analyzed the most popular cat breeds at TrustedHousesitters — explore the top names for each breed below.

Most popular cat names in the UK by breed 

And now for a few cat name ideas from across the pond! We analyzed the most popular cat breeds on TrustedHousesitters and uncovered the names that top the list. Scroll down for plenty of UK cat name inspiration.

Pet names inspired by The Real Housewives

Can’t get enough of the glamorous lives of The Real Housewives, or have a feline who wouldn’t mind flipping a few tables of her own? We analyzed the top pet names on TrustedHousesitters — and some are inspired by the leading ladies themselves. Take a look below for inspiration!

• Lisa (RHOBH)
• Kyle (RHOBH)
• Kim (RHOA)
• NeNe (RHOA)
• Luann (RHONY)
• Ramona (RHONY)
• Kandi (RHOA)
• Kenya (RHOA)
• Jill (RHONY)
• Vicki (RHOC)
• Shannon (RHOC)
• Heather (RHOC)
• Karen (RHOP)
• Ashley (RHOP)
• Denise (RHOBH)
• Camille (RHOBH)
• Brandi (RHOBH)
• Yolanda (RHOBH)
• Margaret (RHONJ)
• Melissa (RHONJ)

Pet names inspired by sports stars

Big sports fan? Give your new furry friend a winning name inspired by the pros. Below, you’ll find pet names on TrustedHousesitters inspired by iconic NFL, NBA, and MLB players.

NFL (American Football)

There are a whopping 187 dogs named Sam on TrustedHousesitters — and an even more impressive 492 dogs named Cooper! Check out our list below for NFL-inspired pet names.

• Sam (Sam Darnold) 
• Kenneth (Kenneth Walker) 
• Patrick (Patrick Mahomes)
• Travis (Travis Kelce) 
• Cooper (Cooper Kupp) 

NBA (Basketball)

• LeBron (LeBron James) 
• Stephen (Stephen Curry) 
• Luka (Luka Dončić) 
• Nikola (Nikola Jokić) 

MLB (Baseball)

• Juan (Juan Soto) 
• Kyle (Kyle Tucker) 
• Bryce (Bryce Harper) 
• Mike (Mike Trout)

Pet names inspired by Bridgerton

Or maybe you have a taste for the romance and scandal of the hit TV series Bridgerton? It turns out several Bridgerton-themed pet names have caught on with owners in both the UK and the US.

On TrustedHousesitters alone, 165 cats are named Theo, 95 dogs are named Violet, and 59 cats answer to Daphne — plus one reptile, naturally.

Looking for a little inspiration? Scroll down for pet name ideas inspired by the iconic period drama.

1. Daphne (Daphne Bridgerton) 
2. Simon (Simon Basset) 
3. Anthony (Anthony Bridgerton)
4. Kate (Kate Sharma) 
5. Penelope (Penelope Featherington)
6. Colin (Colin Bridgerton)
7. Charlotte (Queen Charlotte)
8. Lady (Lady Whistledown) 
9. Eloise (Eloise Bridgerton) 
10. Violet (Violet Bridgerton) 
11. Francesca (Francesca Bridgerton)
12. Gregory (Gregory Bridgerton)
13. Hyacinth (Hyacinth Bridgerton)
14. Portia (Portia Featherington)
15. Prudence (Prudence Featherington) 
16. Philippa (Philippa Featherington) 
17. Edwina (Edwina Sharma)
18. Mary (Lady Mary Sharma) 
19. Marina (Marina Thompson)
20. Theo (Theo Sharpe)

Top Bridgerton-themed pet names in the US

Curious how popular Bridgerton-inspired pet names are on TrustedHousesitters? Lady claimed the number-one spot — ideal for a prim and proper pup. Close behind was Simon, a name fit for a truly distinguished gentleman dog. And of course, Penelope — a name worthy of only the classiest cats and most well-mannered canine companions.

US states with the most Bridgerton-inspired pet names

Curious to know how popular these Bridgerton-inspired pet names are in your state and beyond? Take a look below to find out.

Top Bridgerton-themed pet names in the UK

As expected, there are some crossovers between the UK’s favorite Bridgerton-inspired pet names and those in the US. Take a look below for the Brits’ top picks inspired by the show.

Pet names inspired by Wuthering Heights

Bedazzled by one of the most intense love stories in literature, and even more excited for the new film adaptation, starring none other than Margot Robbie? If you’ve recently re-read the novel ahead of the film release, get some Wuthering Heights-themed pet name inspiration below! (And for the record, we’ve got 128 dogs named Nelly here at TrustedHousesitters — coincidence? We think not).

1. Catherine (Cathy Earnshaw) 
2. Heathcliff
3. Nelly (Nelly Dean) 
4. Edgar (Edgar Linton) 
5. Isabella (Isabella Linton)
6. Joseph 
7. Margot (Margot Robbie) 
8. Jacob (Jacob Elordi) 
9. Alison (Alison Oliver)
10. Martin (Martin Clunes)

Valentine’s-themed pet names

Valentine’s Day or not, we pet parents are feeling the love when it comes to our furry friends — 365 days a year. And it turns out that owners across the globe adore naming their pets after the theme of love and romance. Take a look below for the Valentine’s-themed pet names popular here at TrustedHousesitters, and the US cities where pets are most likely to be given love-inspired pet names.

Food-inspired dog names

If all of these pet names have got you feeling hungry, we’ve got you - it turns out that pet parents across the world simply love naming their pets after food. In fact, 477 dogs are named Olive here at TrustedHousesitters — along with 238 named Cookie, and 489 named Pepper! Scroll down for more foodie dog name inspiration.

1. Cookie 
2. Peanut
3. Oreo 
4. Mochi 
5. Olive 
6. Honey 
7. Pepper
8. Coco
9. Nacho 
10. Maple 
11. Pumpkin
12. Biscuit 
13. Pickles
14. Noodle 
15. Muffin 
16. Sugar 
17. Kimchi 
18. Brownie 
19. Cupcake 
20. Jellybean

Pet names inspired by pop culture

It’s no surprise that many of the top dog and cat names on TrustedHousesitters are inspired by pop culture. With 149 dogs named Billie and 187 named Harry — coincidence? That might be a stretch…

And if you’re a pop culture fan like the rest of us, scroll down for some of the biggest celebrities in showbiz to inspire your new furry friend’s name.

• Taylor (Taylor Swift)
• Drake 
• Billie (Billie Eilish) 
• Olivia (Olivia Rodrigo) 
• Sabrina (Sabrina Carpenter) 
• Harry (Harry Styles) 
• Doja (Doja Cat)
• Timothée (Timothée Chalamet)
• Pedro (Pedro Pascal) 
• Florence (Florence Pugh) 
• Sydney (Sydney Sweeney) 
• Emma (Emma Stone) 
• Jacob (Jacob Elordi)
• Paul (Paul Mescal) 
• Dave (Dave Chappelle)

Western movie dog names

Got a soft spot for iconic cowboy attitude or Western lone drifters, and think it sort of lines up with your new pet’s personality? No problem — we’ve got you covered with a few Western movie dog names and cat names below - which, by the way, all exist here at TrustedHousesitters. 

In fact, this community is home to an impressive 318 pets named Bandit, and 216 dogs named Billy - which we can safely assume were named after the notorious Billy the Kid.

• Wyatt (Wyatt Earp, Tombstone) 
• Doc (Doc Holliday, Tombstone) 
• Jesse (Jesse James, The Assassination of Jesse James) 
• Billy (Billy the Kid, Young Guns)
• Annie (Annie Oakley, Annie Get Your Gun)
• Butch (Butch Cassidy, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) 
• Sundance (The Sundance Kid, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) 
• Bandit (Smokey and the Bandit) 
• Hondo (Hondo) 
• Rio (One-Eyed Jacks) 

Vintage dog names

Not to hark back to the past, but sometimes the oldies can be goodies — especially when it comes to cute dog and cat names. In fact, 522 cats and dogs are named Winston here at TrustedHousesitters - along with two reptiles. 

Henry is also a popular one — with 339 dogs, 166 cats and even 12 horses named after the infamous Tudor king. For more vintage pet name inspiration, take a look below.

1. Henry
2. Walter 
3. Betty 
4. Arthur 
5. Winston 
6. Eleanor 
7. Beatrice
8. Dorothy
9. Edna 
10. Theodore

Human names for dogs

Popular cat and dog names aside, have you ever considered giving your new furry friend a human name instead? Pet parents on TrustedHousesitters certainly have.

In fact, there are 806 dogs and 471 cats named Max, 681 dogs named Milo, and 509 cats named Leo. Scroll down for more human-inspired pet name ideas.

• Max 
• Cooper
• Milo 
• Oliver 
• Sadie 
• Teddy 
• Leo 
• Chloe
• Harper
• Finley

Pet names inspired by nature

Some of the top dog names on TrustedHousesitters are inspired by one of your pup’s favorite places — the great outdoors. With more than 1,000 pets named Willow and nearly 1,500 named Daisy, it’s clear that the natural world provides plenty of inspiration for pet parents.

• Willow 
• River 
• Daisy 
• Aspen 
• Luna
• Ivy 
• Storm
• Jasper
• Sky 
• Maple

Pet names inspired by the seasons

Got a pup with fur as white as snow, or a kitten as sweet as a spring bloom? You wouldn’t be the first pet parent to look to the seasons for name inspiration.

More than 270 dogs are named Blossom on TrustedHousesitters, along with 129 cats and even two birds. And 226 dogs are named Sunny — plus 10 reptiles!

If you’re looking for more seasonal pet name ideas, scroll down for inspiration.

• Snow/Snowy 
• Holly
• Blossom
• Meadow 
• Sunny 
• Dahlia 
• Amber 
• Nutmeg 

Pet names inspired by your pet’s appearance

Naming your pet after their looks sure is popular — unsurprisingly, there are over 250 cats named Ginger at TrustedHousesitters, along with 191 dogs named Shadow, and 93 named Mocha. 

• Shadow 
• Snowball 
• Midnight
• Smokey
• Cocoa 
• Pepper 
• Blondie
• Brownie 
• Ginger
• Spot/Spotty 
• Patch 
• Socks 
• Mocha 
• Goldie

French pet names

Got a feline friend with a certain je ne sais quoi, or a French Bulldog who needs a name to match? Explore a few French pet name ideas below (and some of their meanings).

• Bijou – Jewel
• Luna – Moon
• Chouchou – Cutie/Favorite
• Belle – Beautiful
• Éclair – Like the pastry 
• Gaston
• Coco
• Mimi 
• Nala 
• Félix

Methodology

We analyzed all 280,000 pet profiles on TrustedHousesitters to determine the most popular pet names in the world, and in the US and UK specifically.

Useful resources

• Top pet names of 2025: study findings
• Top US pet names of 2024
• 155 popular cat names to suit every cat and kitten
• Most popular pet names by US state | 2023 pet names study
• 200 popular puppy names for your perfect new pooch
• Popular dog names for your new pup