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Luna, a name inspired by the Harry Potter series, has retained its position as the most popular name for both cats and dogs in 2024, marking its fifth year at the top. Pets At Home conducted a survey with over eight million pet owners to determine the top 10 favourite names.
Milo secured the second spot for cats and fourth for canines, while names like Bella, Coco, and Willow were also common choices for both pets. Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, Veterinary Services Director at Pets At Home, advised: “Adding a pet to the family is an exciting time, but selecting a name for your new arrival is a big decision.”
She further recommended, “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.”
In the UK, more than half of adults own pets, totalling around 38 million animals. According to a UK Pet Food survey, there are 13.5 million registered dogs, with cats slightly behind at 12.5 million.
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Other pets include 1.5 million birds, 1.3 million domestic fowl, 700,000 tortoises and turtles, 1 million rabbits, 700,000 guinea pigs, 600,000 hamsters, and 600,000 snakes and other reptiles sharing homes with Brits, reports the Mirror.
Top cat names
1) Luna – Inspired by the Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood and translates to ‘moon’ in Latin.
2) Milo – A name of German origin, meaning ‘soldier’ or ‘merciful’.
3) Bella – Translates to ‘beautiful’ in Italian.
4) Simba – Popularised by Disney’s ‘The Lion King’, it is of Swahili origin and means ‘lion’.
5) Coco – Another Disney-inspired name from the film Coco, it is also a shortened version of the name Socorro.
6) Nala – Of African origin, translating to ‘success’.
7) Willow – Signifies ‘willow tree’ and ‘freedom’.
8) Oreo – Named after the popular American chocolate biscuit.
9) Loki – A male name of Scandinavian origin meaning ‘trickster god’, its popularity can be linked to Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of the God of Mischief in Marvel movies.
10) Daisy – A flower symbolising ‘innocence’ and ‘purity’.
Top dog names
1) Luna – Meaning ‘moon’ in Latin.
2) Bella – Translates to ‘beautiful’ in Italian.
3) Teddy – Signifies ‘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 shortened 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 seen a spike in popularity around Christmas due to the movie Elf.
10) Willow – Meaning ‘willow tree’ and ‘freedom’.
