Luna – made popular from the Harry Potter character holds the top spot as the most popular name for both cats and dogs in 2024 for its fifth consecutive year.
Animal retailer Pets At Home surveyed more than eight million owners to find the top 10 most popular names. Milo is also a popular choice, ranking number two for cats and number four for dogs, while Bella, Coco and Willow also featured in the top 10 for both animals.
Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, Veterinary Services Director at Pets at Home, said: “Adding a pet to the family is an exciting time, but selecting a name for your new arrival is a big decision.
There are 12.5 million pet cats in Britain
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“When choosing a name for your pet, aim for something short, clear, and easy to say. One- or two-syllable names are ideal, as they are easier for pets to recognise and respond to. Avoid names that sound too similar to training commands or other names in the household to prevent confusion. Consider your pet’s personality, appearance, or unique traits to find a name that feels fitting. Most importantly, choose a name you enjoy saying—you’ll be using it often.”
More than half of British adults own 38 million pets. A survey of UK households of UK Pet Food revealed that there is a 13.5 million registered dog population. UK cats lag slightly at 12.5 million.
Brits also share their homes with 1.5 million birds, 1.3 million domestic fowl, 700,000 tortoises and turtles, 1 million rabbits, 700,000 guinea pigs, 600,000 wheel-spinning hamsters, 600,000 snakes, and other reptiles.
TOP CAT NAMES:
1) Luna – inspired by the Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood and meaning ‘moon’ in Latin
2) Milo – of German origin meaning ‘soldier’ or ‘merciful’
3) Bella – meaning ‘beautiful’ in Italian
4) Simba – made popular from the Disney movie ‘The Lion King’ and similarly of Swahili origin, meaning ‘lion’
5) Coco – Another Disney inspired name from the Day of the Dead film Coco, is also the shorter version of the name Socorro
6) Nala – of African origin, meaning ‘success’
7) Willow – meaning ‘willow tree’ and ‘freedom’
8) Oreo – after the popular American chocolate biscuit
9) Loki – primarily a male name of Scandinavian origin that means ‘trickster god’, the popularity of this name can also be linked to the Tom Hiddleston portrayal of the God of Mischief throughout Marvel movies.
10) Daisy – a flower symbolising ‘innocence’ and ‘purity’
TOP DOG NAMES
1) Luna – meaning ‘moon’ in Latin
2) Bella – meaning ‘beautiful’ in Italian
3) Teddy – meaning ‘wealthy protector’, ‘brave people’, or ‘God’s gift’
4) Milo – of German origin meaning ‘soldier’ or ‘merciful’
5) Poppy – of Latin origin meaning ‘red flower’
6) Lola – a short form of the Spanish name Dolores, meaning ‘sorrows’
7) Daisy – a flower symbolising ‘innocence’ and ‘purity’
8) Coco – a shorter version of the name Socorro
9) Buddy – meaning ‘friend’ this name has also seen a Christmas spike thanks to the movie Elf
10) Willow – meaning ‘willow tree’ and ‘freedom’