These Are the Most Popular Dog Names of 2020

A few of the usual favorites made the list, but several of the top dog names for 2020 were super creative!

By Leah Lopez Cardenas December 07, 2020

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Want to know which dog names were most popular this past year? Rover’s list of top dog names for 2020 included classic names like Max and Bella that continued to trend, but some surprisingly creative new ones that have never before graced the list also made it to the top this time.

Rover's annual list of top dog names is based on the brand’s database of millions of pets, and contains many tried-and-true suggestions as well as some that may surprise you (let’s be honest though, nothing surprises us anymore in 2020). While Bella, Luna, Max, and Charlie were some of the most popular names for dogs back in 2019, see which names topped the list this year.

Top 100 Male Dog Names 2020

The classics prevailed in this category, and according to Rover, Oliver and Leo trended up since last year. Did your favorite boy dog name make it in the top 100?

With ears standing at attention, the bright border collie is always alert.

| Credit: Purple Collar Pet Photography / Getty

RELATED: 260 Clever Name Ideas for Boy Dogs

Top 100 Female Dog Names 2020

It’s no surprise that Bella is #1 again this year, given that Isabella is also in the top 10 most popular girl baby names for 2020, as dog owners across the country expand their families (with both human kids and fur kids). Though Rover says that Stella and Chloe have risen in popularity, while Lily dropped from #5 in 2019 to #15 this year.

RELATED: 240 Creative Girl Dog Names for Every Letter of the Alphabet

Food Dog Names Trending in 2020

Amid the pandemic quarantine, many of us took up new hobbies like baking bread (#noregrets) and have spent more time cooking and eating at home vs. going out to restaurants. That trend seems to have trickled into this year’s top dog names, with adorable food-based names topping the list, including the name Sourdough for the first time!

Sourdough
Waffles
Wheatie
Croissant
Toast
Roti
Tart
Arepa
Pumpernickel
Crackers
Pinot Noir (Our other BFF in quarantine besides our dogs)
Pinot G
Whiskey Girl
Whiskey Bear
Sazerac
Rose
Gimlet
Cider
Cortado
Barista
Espresso
Coffee
Brew

RELATED: 153 of the Cutest Food Names for Dogs That Like Snacks as Much as You Do

Dog Names Inspired by Trending Celebrities and Entertainment in 2020

From actors, to musicians, to athletes, to video game characters, pet parents were some of these entertainers’ biggest fans this past year.

Though they’re not part of Rover’s list, we’d like to give 2020 National Dog Show winner Claire the Scottish Deerhound, TikTok famous sheepadoodle Bunny the talking dog, Jennifer Aniston’s new puppy Lord Chesterfield, and Reese Witherspoon’s French bulldog puppy Minnie Pearl honorable mentions for dog name inspiration.

RELATED: Taylor Swift’s Cats Top the List of the Most Searched for Celebrity Pets of 2020

Most Popular Dog Names in 2020 for Sporty Dogs

These names are for the doggos that perk up when you start putting on your running shoes.

Cavalier
Spark
Aces
Sun
Hornet
Raptor
Laker
Mamba
Black Mamba
Storm
Texan
Eagle
Saint
Steeler
Charger
Neymar
Novak
Sloane

RELATED: 190+ Cool Names for Your New Dog

Unique Dog Names in 2020

The one thing always top-of-mind this past year, some pet parents literally named their new dogs after the pandemic (*cringe*). But luckily that’s not the only source of creativity for distinctive dog owners in 2020.

Covi or Covie (up 1,159% this year!)
Rona
Corona (a name fit only for 2020 … though we don’t recommend it)
Dr. Fauci
Chuggington
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Beerus
Sohla
Chewbacca
Empress

RELATED: 150+ Unique Dog Names That Are As One-of-a-Kind As Your Pup

Cutest Dog Names Trending in 2020

Babe
Sugar Baby
Sweet Pea
Angel Baby
Creme
Cappuccino (might we instead suggest Puppuccino?)
Love
Amor (Spanish for “my love”)
Habibi (Arabic for “my love”)
Liefde (Dutch for “my love”)

RELATED: 150+ Cute Names for Your Adorable Pup

Top Pun Names for Dogs in 2020

These punny names will have you absolutely rolling over in your chair and barking with laughter!

Sherlock Bones
Karl Barx
Bark Wahlberg
Ozzy Pawsborn
Winston Furchill

RELATED: 150 Funny Dog Names for Your Hilarious Pet

Our Tips for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Dog

If you still need a name for your new furry family member, keep putting thought into it. What you name your dog matters, as the sound of the name can influence how easy it is to train your dog to come when called, and just like with human baby names, help gives your pup a unique identity! Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect name for your pooch:

Choose a name that’s easy to pronounce and easy for your dog to distinguish among other words so you can better train her to come when called.
You really love your pet, so incorporate other things you’re passionate about to show your pup you love her, too!
Incorporate your family history or cultural heritage to give your dog a name that ensures she is truly a member of the family.
Use coat color to inspire her name, like Shadow for a black dog, Snow for a white dog, Cocoa for a brown dog, or Domino for a dual-toned black-and-white pup.
Your favorite movies and TV shows and the characters that make them great can be a fun source of name inspiration. A name like Hermione for the Harry Potter fan or Lady, Lilo, or Jasmine make magical names for dogs with Disney fanatic parents.