Traditionally, names like Fido, Rex, and Rover have been the go-to choices for pet dogs. However, a recent survey indicates a significant shift in naming trends among UK dog owners, leaning towards more contemporary and fashionable options.

According to data gathered by the pet care rewards app Biscuit, the most popular dog name in the UK is now “Luna,” likely influenced by the character Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series. Following closely behind are “Bella” and “Milo.”

The survey analyzed the names of over 330,000 dogs across the UK over the past year. Claire Greenyer, co-founder of Biscuit Pet Care, noted, “Dog owners adore the name Luna – in fact, one in every 72 dogs is named Luna.”

She further explained that new dog owners are encouraged to choose simple two-syllable names that end with a vowel to help dogs recognize when they are being called, and Luna fits this criteria perfectly.

Interestingly, many popular dog names, such as Poppy, Daisy, and Alfie, are now human names, blurring the line between pet and people names.

For those seeking less common names, options like Bruno, Ralph, Oscar, and Dexter have emerged as some of the least popular choices.

Greenyer even suggests quirky names like “Cornflakes,” “Goat,” and “Mozzarella” for those looking to stand out.

Statistically, “Luna” is the name of one in every 72 dogs, “Bella” one in every 78, and “Milo” one in every 92.

The name Milo gained popularity thanks to the character Milo, a Jack Russell Terrier from the 1994 film The Mask starring Jim Carrey.

While Luna is the most popular dog name across all breeds, the survey also highlighted specific naming trends among different breeds.

Luna is the top name for nine breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, and Golden Retriever.

Bella is the top name for five breeds, such as Beagle and Bulldog, while Milo leads for three breeds, including Jack Russell Terrier and Cocker Spaniel. “Lola” has become the most popular choice for smaller breeds like Chihuahua and Pug.

The survey identified the Labrador Retriever as the UK’s most popular breed, accounting for 8.1% of the dog population.

Following this are the Cocker Spaniel (6.8%), Cockapoo (5.9%), Dachshund (3.8%), French Bulldog (3.2%), and Border Collie (2.8%).

The top ten breeds are rounded out by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (2.6%), Jack Russell Terrier (2.3%), Chihuahua (2.2%), and mixed breeds (2.2%).

This survey showcases a clear evolution in how dog owners name their pets, with modern influences reshaping traditional choices.

Read more Dogs News.