Top Pet Names 2026: Luna Leads as Rumi and Chicken Nugget Rise

Luna remains a leading choice for dogs and cats, while names including Rumi, Chicken Nugget and Sunnie are gaining ground, according to Rover’s 2026 Top Pet Names Report.

The pet-care marketplace’s 14th annual report analyses millions of user-submitted dog and cat names from around the world. Its findings distinguish established favourites from trending names recording increases in popularity.

In the United States, Charlie ranks first for male dogs and Luna for female dogs. Milo and Luna lead the male and female cat rankings respectively.

Pet Names Reflect Food and Pop Culture

Rover’s report points to food, entertainment and individual personality as influences on naming choices.

“Over the past 14 years, we’ve had a front-row seat to an incredible shift in how people view their pets,” said Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and Rover Pet People Panelist. “Looking back across a decade and a half of data, we see pet names transforming from simple titles to vibrant time capsules of our cultural history, reflecting everything from 2010’s nostalgia to 2026’s newest obsessions. Today, naming a pet is a milestone event that reflects how completely dogs and cats have been integrated into the human family.”

In the US, Rumi, inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, is the leading trending dog name, up 71%.

Chicken Nugget tops the country’s trending cat names with an 82% increase. Sundae also features among the fastest-rising cat names highlighted in the report.

Most Popular Dog Names by Country

Luna ranks first among female dogs in five of the seven countries listed. Male favourites vary, with Charlie, Milo, Leo, Rio and Max taking the top positions.

Fastest-Rising Dog Names Include Sunnie and Baiko

The trending rankings tell a different story from the overall popularity lists.

France’s leading trending dog name, Baiko, increased by 1 802%, while Sunnie rose by 1 287% in the United Kingdom.

Milo, Simba and Luna Lead Cat Name Rankings

Milo is the most popular male cat name in the US, Canada and the UK. Simba leads in Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

Luna ranks first for female cats in six of the seven countries, with Nala taking the top position in France.

Chicken Nugget, Dustin and Patata Gain Popularity

Food-inspired choices feature in the cat trends, with Chicken Nugget leading in the US and Patata in Spain.

France’s Henry recorded a 1 468% increase, while Dustin rose by 981% in the UK.

The rankings show established names holding their positions alongside rising choices influenced by food and popular culture. For owners seeking inspiration, the distinction matters: a rapidly growing name is not necessarily the most common one.

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