When Lassie Come Home hit theaters in 1943, the loyal collie stole hearts nationwide. But today, “Lassie” doesn’t even crack the top 1,000 dog names, according to New York City dog registration data.
With nearly half of U.S. households owning at least one dog, naming a new pup remains a fun but tricky task. To find the most popular dog names by breed, Best Dog Names analyzed NYC dog name data alongside American Kennel Club breed popularity rankings.
Since New Yorkers tend to prefer smaller breeds—like shih tzus and Yorkies, which rank higher in the city than nationally—we adjusted our analysis accordingly. Mixed breeds were grouped with their primary breed, and we assumed naming trends in NYC reflect broader national patterns.
While not a perfect snapshot, this data offers a peek into the trends and creativity behind how Americans name their dogs. Read on to see the top names for the country’s most beloved breeds.
Read more: Most Popular Dog Names in Illinois
Most popular dog names by breed
10. German shorthaired pointer
Female:
1. Luna
2. Ellie
3. Ginger
Male:
1. Java
2. Mila
3. Henry
9. Rottweiler
Female:
1. Bella
2. Roxy
3. Chloe
Male:
1. Nala
2. Rocky
3. Max
8. Beagle
Female:
1. Daisy
2. Bella
3. Lola
Male:
1. Max
2. Buddy
3. Charlie
7. Bulldog
Female:
1. Mia
2. Zoey
3. Petunia
Male:
1. Sasha
2. Rocky
3. Diesel
6. Dachshund
Female:
1. Lucy
2. Bella
3. Lola
Male:
1. Doxie
2. None
3. Milo
5. Poodle
Female:
1. Poodle
2. Bella
3. Luna
Male:
1. Poodle
2. Teddy
3. Charlie
4. German shepherd
Female:
1. Bella
2. Luna
3. Harley
Male:
1. Max
2. Rocky
3. Jack
3. Golden retriever
Female:
1. Bailey
2. Daisy
3. Ginger
Male:
1. Buddy
2. Charlie
3. Max
2. Labrador retriever
Female:
1. Bella
2. Luna
3. Lucy
Male:
1. Max
2. Charlie
3. Buddy
1. French bulldog
Female:
1. French
2. Lola
3. Luna
Male:
1. French
2. Winston
3. Rocky
Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka. This story originally appeared on Best Dog Breeds and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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