Holding tightly to the title of most popular name for dogs, “Bella” shot into the lead among feline fans for the first time in 2011. Though the “Twilight”-inspired moniker has ranked top among dog lovers for the past three years, “Bella” squeezed passed “Max” in 2011 as the prime choice for cat owners.
After sorting through our database of more than 485,000 insured pets, we’re ready to reveal the most popular pet names of 2011. Following are the top 10 most common names for dogs and cats, as well as birds and exotic pets:
| Dogs | Cats | Birds and Exotics |
| 1. Bella | 1. Bella | 1. Charlie |
| 2. Bailey | 2. Max | 2. Max |
| 3. Max | 3. Chloe | 3. Baby |
| 4. Lucy | 4. Oliver | 4. Sunny |
| 5. Molly | 5. Lucy | 5. Buddy |
| 6. Buddy | 6. Shadow | 6. Jack |
| 7. Daisy | 7. Smokey | 7. Angel |
| 8. Maggie | 8. Tiger | 8. Daisy |
| 9. Charlie | 9. Charlie | 9. Bella |
| 10. Sophie | 10. Tigger | 10. Coco |
The tendency toward selecting human names for pets appears to continue with almost every name on the top 10 dog names list doubling as a popular name for people. Of the nearly half a million pets insured by VPI, only 13 were named “Fido,” and just 17 came running to the name “Spot,” which indicates a decrease in the popularity of traditional dog names. Though dog owners are rapidly adopting this trend, feline pet parents seem slightly more traditional with the names “Tiger” and “Tigger” lingering on the top 10 cat names list.
Charlie remained in the top spot on the birds and exotic pets list, which consists of the most popular names for feathered friends, lizards, gerbils, rabbits and other companion animals. Several new names debuted on the top 10 birds and exotics list this year including: “Buddy,” “Angel,” “Daisy” and “Coco.”
Mr. Meowgi made our Wacky Pet Names list
Although “Bella” and “Max” remain among the most popular names for pets, thousands of others are sporting monikers of a less conventional form, such as “Shooter Mclovin” and “Mr. Meowgi.” To see some of the more creative names selected for VPI’s Top 10 Most Unusual Pet Names of 2011, visit www.wackypetnames.com.
Are the names of your furry family members on our top 10 list? Leave a comment below and let us know what pet names your companions don!
