The Hottest Names For Dogs In 2017

Picking a name for your precious pooch can be a tricky business. Should you go with a tried-and-true classic like Fido? Or should you pick something that's a bit more modern? And if you do want a trendy name for your beloved pet, how can you know what names are popular for dogs these days? Look no further! Here are some of the hottest dog names of 2017 to help you find the perfect one for your pup.

Pop culture plays a big role in which dog names are trending. Rover, a network of pet sitters and dog walkers, released the most popular names in their database. Thor made the site's list of Top 100 male dog names, no doubt influenced by the massive popularity of the Thor movies. The latest installment, Thor: Ragnarok holds a 92 percent approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes, so it's no surprise that people want to name their pets after the Norse god of thunder.

According to Rover, names from Harry Potter are becoming increasingly popular with dog owners. Names from the franchise increased by 10 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year, and nostalgic names are still popular in 2017 — apparently names inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter, and Spice Girls comprise 3% of all dog names. If your dog is as loyal as a house elf, Dobby might be a good choice for him. It's a testament to the popularity of the Harry Potter books and movies that these names are becoming more and more popular, even a decade after the last book was published.

If Harry Potter isn't your thing, you could try giving Khaleesi a spin. Thanks to the wild success of the Game of Thrones book series and hit HBO show, names inspired by the franchise are up a whopping 12 percent. Khaleesi is not just growing in popularity with dogs, but also with humans. The name, which was invented for the series by author George R.R. Martin, has been given to hundreds of baby girls since 2014, breaking the top 1000 names for the first time in recorded history.

Human names are huge right now for dogs. In fact, all of the top ten names for dogs according to Nextdoor, a social network for neighborhoods, are names that are also pretty popular for human babies. 

Bella tops the list as the most popular dog name in communities registered with the site, making the name even more popular for dogs than it is for babies. Bella is the 78th most popular given name for baby girls, while Isabella, its more formal version, is ranked fifth. Whether this continues the book theme (think Twilight), or maybe even the influence of celebrities, is unclear. One thing is for sure, Bella is clearly on the rise for pups.

The human name trend also holds true for male dogs. According to Nextdoor, Max is the third most popular name for dogs. This name is also popular as a baby name all over the world. In the United States, it's ranked 118 and it's even more popular in Europe. An abbreviated form of Maximilian, variations of this name have been around for centuries so it makes sense that such an enduring name would also become popular for man's best friend.

If the name Ace is good enough for Batman's dog, it's certainly a good choice for yours! It's one of the most popular names on Pet MD with thousands of people voting in favor of it. While the name was traditionally used as a nickname for human babies, it has recently gained popularity as a given name over the last few years so don't be surprised if you get a few heads turning when you call your pet over to you at the dog park.

While cats and dogs have different personalities, many names will work just as well for a cat as they will for a dog. Bowow.com, an Australian company that sells pet name tags, shared the top names submitted to their site, showing that there is a lot of overlap between the top cat names and the top dog names. Coco proved to be one of the most popular names for both female cats and dogs. It seems that Coco Chanel has influenced both the world of fashion and the world of pet names.

It seems that Bentley has been a hot name for male dogs in 2017, as it ranked at number 12 according to Rover's data. It's safe to say that people are naming their dogs after the luxury car, and why not? Like a motorized Bentley, a dog named Bentley also requires special love and attention.

If you're looking for a dog name, My Dog's Name is a great resource. They have an extensive database of dog names and allow people to save their favorites. Thanks to users' most selected names, the website is able to reveal which names are most popular with people using the site. Milo tops the list of male dog names, which is interesting considering that one of the most famous Milos of all is Milo the cat from the classic children's film The Adventures of Milo and Otis.

If you're determined to stay away from the trending names, you could always go with a clever play on a famous name. Nationwide pet insurance released a list of some of the wackiest names that people have given their beloved pooches. Have a dog that's always ready for her close-up? Try calling her Farrah Pawcett. Other clever names in 2017 include Ozzy Pawsborn Francis, Doc Howliday, and Dog Marley.