Traditional Pet Names Face Extinction as Human-Inspired Choices Dominate UK Trends

Britain's most beloved names for cats and dogs have been unveiled in new research, revealing a dramatic shift away from traditional choices toward names more commonly associated with human babies. The data indicates that some classic monikers are now at serious risk of disappearing entirely from the nation's pet population.

The Rise of Human-Inspired Names

Trendy, people-style names like Poppy and Luna have experienced an explosive surge in popularity among pet owners, while once-ubiquitous classics such as Rover, Spot, and Fido have plummeted in favour. This phenomenon isn't limited to just one species – cat owners are equally embracing the trend, with Luna and Poppy also claiming the top spots for feline companions.

The comprehensive data comes from leading pet insurer Petgevity, which conducted an extensive analysis of 11,166 registered dogs and 5,108 cats within their customer database throughout 2025. The findings paint a clear picture of evolving naming conventions across the United Kingdom.

Top Canine Contenders

For Britain's canine companions, Poppy emerged as the undisputed champion with 268 registered dogs bearing the name. Following closely were Luna with 220 occurrences and Willow with 166 registrations, completing the top three positions for dog names.

Feline Favourites Revealed

In the feline world, Luna claimed the crown with 92 registered cats, while Poppy secured second place with 35 occurrences. Interestingly, Nala – inspired by the beloved character from Disney's The Lion King – rounded out the top three with 33 registrations, demonstrating the influence of popular culture on pet naming decisions.

The Decline of Traditional Classics

Petgevity's research reveals just how dramatically traditional pet names have fallen from grace. The company registered a mere four dogs named Rover and only two called Fido throughout the entire year of 2025. Even the iconic Lassie managed just a single registration across the whole of the United Kingdom.

The trend extends equally to feline names, with once-common choices like Marmalade and Whiskers having virtually disappeared from contemporary registrations. Among the 5,100 cats registered last year, only 11 were named Tabby and a mere five received the name Spot.

Expert Insight on the Shift

A spokesperson from Petgevity commented: 'Our figures have demonstrated a substantial transformation in animal naming conventions, with only a small number of older pets keeping some classic names alive. Contemporary owners are far more likely to choose Luna or Bella than traditional options like Mittens or Felix – names that are increasingly common among human children as well.'

Influences Behind Modern Naming Choices

According to a separate survey of 2,000 British pet owners, social media has emerged as a significant influence on naming decisions, with almost two-thirds of respondents acknowledging its impact on their choices. Additionally, nearly a quarter of all pet owners admitted to naming their animals after fictional characters from films, while an equal proportion drew inspiration from television shows.

A Word of Caution to New Owners

As names from popular entertainment gain traction, Petgevity advises prospective pet owners to consider potential future embarrassment when selecting names. The survey revealed that only 37 percent of owners had considered whether their pet's name might prove awkward to announce publicly or call out during veterinary visits.

The Petgevity spokesperson elaborated: 'We do encounter amusing anecdotes of people mumbling their pets' names at veterinary clinics to avoid embarrassment. Consider names like "Lord Volde-tort" for a tortoise, or any other choice you might regret allowing a six-year-old to select.'

Historical Context of Traditional Names

Despite their declining popularity, many traditional pet names boast rich historical pedigrees. Fido, for instance, derives from the Latin phrase meaning 'I trust' and was famously borne by Abraham Lincoln's yellow mixed-breed dog. The sixteenth president, who clearly appreciated classic pet names, also owned cats named Tabby and Dixie.