8 Top Dog Names of 2022 and Why They're So Popular

The past year was full of memorable pooches from all walks of life, so much so that we’re now in the future! If you are considering adding a furry friend to your household, or even if you’re just curious about popular dog names of the future, you’ll want to check out this list of 8 top dog names of 2022 and why they're so popular. Some of these names may surprise you!

For a lot of pet parents, naming their new puppy is a big deal. After all, you don't want to change your dog's name too many times or too late in their life. This could confuse your dog and make it a little trickier for them to understand what you want them to do.

When it comes to popular dog names, you have the classics like Rover, Rex, and Scout. But maybe you're looking for something more unique like Willow or Tank. If you’re looking for a great dog name for your new pet, you’ve come to the right place.

Below, we’ll break down the top dog names of 2021. Let’s get started.

1 - Molly

Molly is a less common name for female dogs, but it may be rising in popularity because it's the name of a popular character in the Disney film Pete's Dragon. Molly is also used as a nickname for Millie, so that may also be contributing to its rise.

2 - Milo

Milo is a name for the new generation. It's original, fresh, simple, and easy to spell. Plus, it has its own hashtag: #Milo2020. #4 - Rocky: Rocky makes this list for two reasons - it was made famous by Sylvester Stallone in his iconic movie series as well as in other movies like The Dogfather. Plus, you can't go wrong with an adorable nickname like Rocco or Rocko!

3 - Maggie

Maggie is a feminine form of the Irish name Magaidh, which means pearl. It's been popular as a name in the US since the 1930s. Maggie was ranked #14 on the top 100 baby names list in 1936, then reached its peak at #3 in 1937. It has declined steadily since that time. In the late 1980s, it was still in the top 20.

4 - Lola

Lola is a sweet, classic name that has had a resurgence in recent years. In fact, this name has been popular for over 50 years! It's not too surprising that Lola is one of the top dog names for 2022. This name can be shortened to Lol which is an abbreviation for LOL (laugh out loud). There are many different variations that the name Lola may be spelled including Lola, Lolah, and Loly.

5 - Bailey

Bailey has been a popular girl's name for years, but it is now becoming more popular for boys. It is often shortened to Bail or Bay for nicknames. One reason Bailey has risen in popularity as a boy's name is that it no longer connotes femininity as much as it used to. Another possible explanation is the fact that parents are looking for masculine sounding names with a feminine spelling (e.g., Madison, Taylor).

6 - Luna

Luna is a popular choice for many dog owners because it sounds like the Spanish word for moon, hence the name's association with lunar cycles. Luna is also an unisex name that appeals to both male and female owners. 

7 - Penny

Penny may seem like an odd choice, but it's actually been rising in popularity since the turn of the century. People who choose Penny as a name often do so because they love the meaning, which is value or worth. It can also be considered a symbol for wealth. But more importantly than that, it's one letter off from being 'Penelope,' which is the name of Odysseus' wife in Homer's epic poem The Odyssey.

8 - Phoebe