American Kennel Club Releases Top 20 Dog Names for 2023

If you're considering adding a dog to your family this year, listen up!

When it comes to getting a dog you need to be prepared. Puppy-proof the house. Get a crate. Dog Food. Toys. And get ready to lose a little sleep during potty training.

It would help if you also started brainstorming names before you welcome the new addition to your home. American Kennel Club Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo said in a statement “Choosing a name is a very personal and meaningful decision for dog owners, as dogs are an integral part of our families. People take great care in naming their pet and it’s fun to see if the name fits the dog’s personality.”

With that being said, the American Kennel Club has released their list for 2023 and the most popular names for girl and boy dogs. These lists could be helpful if you're struggling to come up with a name or if you're looking to with something more original, you can avoid these.

Ladies first, right? Let's start with the 10 Most Popular Girl Dog Names for 2023:

And now, the 10 Most Popular Boy Dog Names for 2023:

Of course, the list is ever-changing and American Kennel Club adds that pop-culture references are always big when it comes to naming dogs. For 2023 they saw a surge in the following names:

• Travis (of football and pop-superstar relationship fame)
• Ken (of “Barbie” fame)
• Allen (also of “Barbie” fame)
• Loki (Disney universe of characters, and Norse mythology)
• Thor (Marvel universe, and also Norse mythology)
• Simba (Disney)
• Bruno (of “Encanto” fame)
• Rocket (of “Guardians of the Galaxy” fame)

As an owner of Alan the pup, I'm proud to see a version of my dog's name make the list.

On the girl-name side of things, the Swifties are taking over. American Kennel Club says these pop-culture references are popular for female pups:

• Bella (“Twilight” franchise)
• Taylor (of pop music fame)
• Willow, Abigail, Marjorie, Betty, Inez, Cornelia, Meredith, or August (for all the Swifties out there)
• Leia (“Star Wars” franchise)
• Princess (Disney universe of characters)
• Nala (Disney)
• Minnie (Disney)

To learn more about dog names and general information about dogs visit the American Kennel Club online or on social media.