Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has today unveiled the UK’s top dog names for 2024, revealing that Bridgerton fever is sweeping the nation, film and tv are reshaping canine trends, and IT girls continue to inspire a new generation of four-legged champions.

BRIDGERTON TAKES THE LEAD

Names like Lord (+790%), Dukie (+290%) and Duchess (+13%) have seen impressive increases, while fan-favourite characters such as Benedict (+591%), Lady Penelope (+190%), and Colin (+22%) continue to leave their paw prints on the nation’s dogs.

This surge reflects a broader movement among pet parents, with new research from Rover revealing that 88% of pet owners are inspired by pop culture, particularly films, music, and TV shows, like Bridgerton. A whopping 39% say they’ve done so because they felt a personal connection to this celebrity or figure, and want their pets name to reflect their interests, while nearly half (47%) say they wanted a unique name and something that stands out.

To celebrate the growing allure of ‘The Ton,’ Rover has unveiled Roverton House, a stunning Regency-style doghouse fit for canine nobility. Making its grand debut in Victoria Park from 30th November to 1st December, this luxurious creation invites London’s most distinguished pooches and their owners to promenade in period style.

Complete with a grand fireplace, an elegant chandelier, and design elements that echo the ballrooms of Regency London, Roverton House offers the perfect setting for pet parents to capture enchanting, period-style portraits of their pups. This unique installation blends nostalgia with the high-society flair of Bridgerton fans, celebrating a surge in regal dog names inspired by the hit Netflix series.

HOWL-YWOOD’S GONE TO THE DOGS

It wasn’t just Bridgerton that got tails wagging this year; Sydney Sweeney’s leading role as ‘Bea’ in Anyone But You sparked an impressive 81% increase in the name’s popularity. With the movie’s nostalgic essence of 2000s rom-coms, Bea rocketed into second place on the trendiest dog names list. Meanwhile, close on Bea’s tail was Baby Reindeer’s complex character Martha (+70%) who stalked her way into the top ten – eclipsing Donny (-9%) in the process.

What’s occurring? – The highly anticipated return of Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas Special saw the names Smithy (+33%) Pam (+19%) and even Dave (+17%) on the rise, with the show’s loveable omelette queen Gwen (+81%) leading the pack. And speaking of anticipated releases, Venom (+891%) soared through this year’s ranks, quickly becoming a go-to name for pet owners looking to give their pups a little extra bite – while the Paddington (+63%) in Peru movie also landed our furry-friend in the top 10 trendiest names.

GOOD FUR-YOU

The rise of the “IT GIRLS” trend has turned this year’s pet names into a star-studded affair, with pups channelling the same girl boss energy as their human namesakes. Beyoncé made a dazzling debut, proving her reign continues, even without a country album award. Meanwhile, the Brat Summer wave sent Charli soaring by an impressive 315% and Taylor-mania has pet owners shaking off the competition, with Taylor (+55%) and Swift (+70%) both trending upwards. Good fur you Olivia (Rodrigo), who also brought the heat with a 78% increase and the comeback queen Kylie (Minogue) gained a solid 28%.

FAST FUR-WARD – 2025 PREDICTIONS

As nostalgia continues to dominate pup culture, Rover predicts a rise in Britpop-inspired dog names in 2025, fuelled by the highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour featuring brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. The names “Liam” and “Noel” are expected to rock the charts, with their iconic swagger striking a chord with music-loving pet parents. Meanwhile, baby hippopotamus and internet sensation, Moo-Deng, is set to inspire quirky and playful pet names next year, with “Moo” in pawticular predicted to see a surge in popularity.

Adem Fehmi, Rover’s canine behaviourist, comments: “Choosing a name for your dog is more than just a fun task, it’s a decision that reflects their personality, your creativity, and sometimes even your sense of humour. It’s fantastic to see how pet parents are inspired by everything from beloved characters to pop icons – adding a creative and personal twist to their pooch’s name. But remember, a name is something you’ll say countless times a day – whether calling them in from the garden or introducing them to new friends. So, while it’s brilliant to embrace originality, it’s also important to balance it with practicality for a name that is clear, loved by all who own the dog, and stands the test of time.”

For more advice on naming your dog, follow Adem’s tips:
Keep It Short and Simple: Try to opt for a name that’s short or can be easily shortened—one or two syllables tend to work best. This makes it easier for your dog to learn their name and distinguish it clearly, even in noisy environments. Short names are also practical for training commands, e.g., “Rover, down.”

End on a High Note
Names with a vowel or vowel-like consonant at the end, such as Bella or Teddy, naturally encourage you to elongate the sound and adjust your pitch when calling. This makes the name more appealing and attention-grabbing for your dog, enhancing recall and response.

Don’t Confurr-se Commands: Choose a name that doesn’t resemble common commands you’ll use, such as Jay (which sounds like “stay”) or Neil (which might be mistaken for “heel”). Test potential names by thinking of rhyming commands and eliminate any that could lead to misunderstandings.

Make sure it’s the whole family’s ‘pup of tea’. You’ll need to mutually agree on your family pup’s name, as you want consistency when teaching commands and calling for your dog’s attention. If other members of the family or carers of your dog start using an alternative name because they don’t like the one chosen, then this could pose a problem.

A name is for life, not for Christmas!: To help determine your dog’s name, make a list of names you love, and really take your time to whittle these down to the one you feel suits your dog best, there’s no need to rush into a name. It can be very useful to observe your dog, their temperament, quirks, and personality as a whole. That being said, avoid ‘trying out’ different names on your pooch while you make your decision. Although naturally you will want to find the ‘right name’, you don’t want to confuse your new pup during this process.

Find out more 2024 pet names data at https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/dog-names/