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The Top Dog Names

"a healthy dog or puppy will bring years of joy"

Top dog names change with the times. In the past, many people tended to name their dogs after physical or personality characteristics. These days, as dogs are considered more and more like members of the family, the trend is to give dogs human names.

The Importance of a Name

Many people believe that names affect the way people behave and how they feel, and that the same is true of dogs. Others believe that a dog's name should fit his personality, appearance, gender and even past history. Some people simply like an unusual or unique name. No matter what your preference, choosing a dog name can be hard.

Where Good Names Come From

According to the ASPCA, the top ten male and female dog names are:

1. Max/Molly
2. Buddy/Maggie
3. Jake/Daisy
4. Rocky/Lucy
5. Bailey/Sadie
6. Buster/Ginger
7. Chloe/Cody
8. Charlie/Bailey
9. Bear/Sophie
10. Jack/Zoe

Many of these names reflect the current trend of giving human names to dogs. Others, like "Bear" and "Buddy," reflect a dog's personality or appearance. Names like "Spot," "Patches" and "Frisky" can be a clue to a dog's personality or appearance. Names like "Lucky" or "Drifter" might hint that the dog was once a stray.

Many people name their dogs after favorite celebrities, famous artists or geographical locations. Others choose names that truly reflect the personality of the dog so named. Some choose names that reflect that dog's place within the family or his effect upon the owner's life.

Things to Remember When Choosing a Name

You might notice that all of the top dog names on the ASPCA list have something in common. All of these names are short, easy to say and easy to remember. This is important. If a name is too long or hard to pronounce, your dog won't be able to learn it; he'll lose interest in even listening to you say his name.

A dog name should be easy for your dog to recognize. Ideally, it should have two syllables, and should end in a vowel sound, like many of the names on the list above.

Avoid names that sound similar to your dog's standard obedience commands, however, as these will confuse him. Choose a name that will remain appropriate for your dog throughout his life; don't assume that his youthful personality won't change completely as he grows older, because chances are good that it will. Lastly, remember that whatever name you choose for your dog, you'll have to call it out often in public; avoid embarrassing or overly silly names.

Teaching Your Dog His Name

Once you've settled on a dog name, use it as often as possible. The more often you use your dog's new name, the more quickly he will learn it. Use your dog's name only when you are playing with him, petting him, or trying to attract his attention.

Don't use your dog's name in reprimands; you want him to like the name, and associate it with pleasant events and good feelings, not punishments. If your dog fails to associate his own name with fun and good times, he'll stop responding to it out of anxiety.

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