Pet Names: How to Choose the Perfect Name for Your Pet

This article was written by veterinarian Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, and canine behaviorist and trainer Clarissa Fallis. Additional contributors include T.J. Banks, Allison Gray and Katie Jenison.

Choosing the Perfect Pet Names

Have you agonized for days over what to call your new pet?

When you value a pet as a family member, you take care of choosing pet names. However, subconsciously, it seems wider society can influence our choices.

• Just as there are for children, there are trends for pet names.
• Pet names change over the decades, reflecting a pet’s place in life.

But what makes pet names even more interesting is how they evolve over time and what this evolution says about a pet’s role in our lives.

How Pet Names Have Changed Over Time

For years now, we’ve been moving away from names like Fido and Spot toward classic “people” names for pets.

Post–World War II

To illustrate how pet names have evolved over the years, let’s take the example of presidential pet names.

• In all, there have been more than 100 “First Dogs” in the White House.
• 30% of those presidential pups were given human names, such as Barney, Millie, or Charlie.

Most of these human-like names were given to pets who lived after World War II. This points to a trend — going back several decades — of pets having human-like status.

Pre–World War II

OK, so what about pet names before World War II?

Again studying those presidential names for clues, we find some particularly quirky names. These include:

• The understated names Him and Her for Lyndon Johnson’s Beagles.
• The witty Veto for the assassinated president James Garfield’s dog.
• The say-it-as-you-see-it name of Drunkard for George Washington’s dog.
• The ultimate in dog names: Fido, as used by Abraham Lincoln.

All of this raises a thought about whether the fun has gone out of dog names by opting for human ones. Do you still strive to find an interesting or quirky pet name?

Why We Choose Certain Pet Names

At a recent meeting of the International Society of Anthrozoology, researchers looked into what influences our choices:

• 25% of people looked to popular culture, such as musicians, actors, sports stars, or celebrities, for names.
• 22% of pets were named after non-famous people (Max, Ben, etc.).
• 20% were named for something about their character or appearance (Fluffy, Spot, Patch, Shaggy, etc.).
• 19% were named for something to do with the pet’s origin or an object (Pumpkin, Biscuit, etc.).

People with a strong creative streak are more likely to buck these trends with novel names.

The Characteristics of a Good Pet Name — For Dogs and Cats

Take a quick look at any chart of the most popular pet names, and those human names dominate.

But a couple of things seem to make a name extra appropriate for a pet:

• Pet names tend to be shorter than human ones. This makes sense, especially when trying to get a dog’s attention in the park. Shouting, “Ted, come!” is less of a mouthful than “Nebukanezer, here!”
• We like pet names ending in a “y” or long “eee” sound. You can do this with pretty much any pet’s name by just adding a “y” to the end.

How to Choose a Good Name for a Dog

It doesn’t matter if your new dog is from a shelter, a rescue organization, or a breeder — all dogs need a name.

Depending on the circumstances, your dog may have a name from their previous family, a name given by the rescue or shelter, or no name whatsoever.

If your pup already has a name, you always have the option of changing it to something you like or a name you think suits your pet’s personality better.

6 Tips for Choosing a Great Dog Name

Here are a few tips for choosing a good name and helping your dog get accustomed to their new identity: Avoid dog names that sound like obedience cues.

1. Avoid names that are the same as those of friends or people in your household.
2. Short, 1- or 2-syllable words are often easily recognizable by your dog.
3. Consider the sound of the letters.
4. Choose a dog name you won’t mind saying in public.
5. Consider waiting 1–2 weeks before deciding on a name for your dog.

Want more inspiration? See our full list of 100+ of the best dog names on the planet:

Show Me the Names

How to Get Your Puppy Used to Their Name

If this is the first time your dog has had a name, it may take a while for them to learn their identity. Here’s how to train a puppy to know their name:

• Start by using the name in general situations, but don’t say it excessively.
• Next, have your dog sit or stand in front of you.

How to Get a Dog Used to a Brand-New Name

Sometimes people don’t like their dog’s name but don’t want to change it because the dog already knows it. But it’s never too late to change your dog’s name. With the right type of training, it can be easy to teach a dog to respond to a new name.

Here’s how to train a dog to recognize a different name:

• Begin by saying the new name right before the old one.
• When your dog focuses on you, remember to reward heavily because they are learning something new.
• After a couple of weeks, drop the old name and just say the new one.

One Note About Changing an Older Pet's Name

An important element to consider when deciding whether to change a newly adopted pet’s name is their mental health. Shelter/rescue pets who come from stressful environments may need the stability of their old name to help them adapt to a new home.

• If an animal has an anxious personality, it may be wise to forgo changing their name until they settle in.

What About Cat Names?

Many of the same tips above apply to cats as well, particularly ending the name in a “y” or long “eee” sound.

• Some animals respond better than others to a name change.
• Dogs are usually easier to train, whereas cats can be more difficult to train, so it may take longer for them to respond to a change in name.
• Kittens will be more responsive to a name change because they haven’t had the name as long.
• Other animals who respond well to new names? Rats and rabbits.

The important thing to remember is all animals respond differently. The best thing you can do for them is be patient and understanding while going through the transition.

More Inspiration for Your Pet’s Next Name

Coming across a Buddy or Bella may not be very uncommon, but how many pets named Khaleesi have you met? Here’s some additional inspiration if you’re looking for a more creative pet name.

Creative Inspiration from Pop Culture for Pet Names

Pop culture offers a treasure trove of ideas for creative and unique pet names. From movies and TV shows to books and music, you can find a wide array of inspiring pet names that reflect your interests and your pet’s personality. Pop Culture-Inspired Pet Names:

Choosing pet names from pop culture can be a fun way to showcase your favorite characters and stories. It also gives your pet a name that is both memorable and unique, setting them apart from the usual names.

10 Unusual Pets’ Names and Their Meanings

The origin of many names may surprise you. From pop-culture references to ancient hero inspirations, pet names can be fascinating and sometimes even require an explanation. The following pet names are unusual, but they’re not without their own stories. Tripp Satchmo Khaleesi Balto Lupin Beowulf Woodstock Tailchaser Firestar Macavity

Sometimes the choices are a perfect fit, and sometimes they just have a few too many syllables. Regardless of how unique a name sounds, the pets are really what make the names special.

Final Thoughts on Naming Your Pet

When all’s said and done, pick a name you like and that suits the animal. This can be harder than you’d think. Here’s how one of us named her pets:

• Widget: An ex-stray kitty who won hearts with her persistent purrs and sense of mischief. She needed a special name to reflect her quirky character.
• Poggle: Poggle the Puggle, Pog the dog, whose name was decided only after a week of indecision. We couldn’t settle on a name that suited her, but Poggle was a name none of us actively disliked. However, now a name other than Pogs is unthinkable.
• Gravos Mushnik: A bearded dragon named after a character in The Little Shop of Horrors. He goes by the name Gravos.

And what if you shorten those names and add a “y” to make that long “eee” sound? Widget becomes Widgy, and Gravos becomes Gravy.

In closing, choosing a name for your pet can be fun. You typically get a lot of suggestions from your friends and family, but go with your gut. Chances are you are going to be living with this new member of your family for multiple years, so choose something you like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

• “Wacky Pet Names 2024.” Nationwide. https://news.nationwide.com/wacky-pet-names-2024/