The Outdated Dog Name To Retire In 2025

One of the most-enjoyable parts about bringing a new puppy home is determining what to name it. Of course, its given moniker might not matter a whole lot since it will likely have several nicknames anyway — Buddy becomes Bud or Buddy Wuddy; Lucy becomes LuLu or Lucy Goosey; and so on. If you'll be adding a dog to your family soon, you have countless names to choose from, but knowing which ones are the most popular might help you narrow down your decision. Take Luna, which claimed the top spot for the most-popular name in 2023 and remained there the following year.

For more than a decade, as the world obsessed over the "Twilight" film series, the name Bella ranked first for the most-chosen female dog name in the United States, but Luna dethroned it in 2022. It's only been a few years, and there's no reason it shouldn't enjoy the top spot for a decade like Bella did. Plus, if you love the name, that's all that matters, so pick it! However, if you're looking for an unusual or unique dog name that likely won't be shared by another pet at your vet's waiting room, avoid the name Luna. Instead, consider something more creative or even a little comical instead.

Luna is a name that any dog can have, as it doesn't imply breed, size, or temperament. As a more-personalized alternative, try to select a name that mirror's your dog's history or personality. For example, if your dog was a rescue who overcame different obstacles before she met you, Hero or Trooper might be a good choice. If she's a high-energy breed that seems to always be in a good mood, like a Jack Russell terrier, you may want to call her Merry, Happy, or Jolly. You could also stick with a Spanish name and choose Feliz, which translates to "happy" in English.

Factoring in your dog's appearance can also be a good idea during the name selection process. If your canine companion weighs 100 pounds or will when fully grown, you could take a humorous  approach with the name. Go with something that would be more suited for a small dog that weighs under 10 pounds, like Mouse, Mini, or Tinker Bell. You could also choose a contrasting name. For example, if you have a white dog, Raven could be a cute choice. These options probably won't ever appear on any lists of top dog names in the U.S., so you won't have to worry about choosing a name that others have heard a dozen times. Happy naming!