Choosing the perfect name for your dog isn’t just a fun task, it’s a big decision that shapes your pup’s life and strengthens your bond. In Australia, certain dog names have become particularly popular, cultural trends being key in influencing what we call our pups. Wondering what names are becoming more popular for dogs in Australia? You’re in the right place. We’ve had a look into the Aussie pooches we help protect to see which names are the most popular.
Why a dog's name matter more than you think
Naming your dog is a key moment in creating that bond with your dog. Their name helps establish their identity and can strengthen the emotional bond between you and your pup.
Short names with strong consonants, like ‘Charlie’ or ‘Coco,’ are easier for your dog to recognize, making training smoother and more effective. So, it really is more than just a name!
The top 10 Aussie dog names: Is yours on the list?
Here are the top 10 Aussie dog names we help cover at Medibank1 , featuring some timeless classics and a few surprises that have risen in popularity in the past year! ‘Luna’ retains the top spot, with the trend of human names dominating traditional dog names continuing into 2025. Old-school names like ‘Spot’ and ‘Rover’ are becoming things of the past!
- Luna
- Charlie
- Coco
- Milo
- Daisy
- Bella
- Archie
- Frankie
- Teddy
- Ruby
Top dog names by breed:
Did you know that breed plays a role in naming too? While Dalmatians might still rock the name ‘Spot,’ other breeds have their own favourite picks. Luna isn’t the most popular name for all types of dogs, see some trends we have noticed in the dogs Medibank helps protect.
- Frankie is the most popular name for French bulldogs, Lola and Coco a close second.
- The name Teddy is the most popular name with Cavoodles, but there are 0 Labrador’s named Teddy (currently).
- Most names are unique! For Cavoodles, only 14.5% of their names are included in our top 10.
- The most popular name isn’t the most popular for everyone. Do you know many Maltese Cross’s named Luna? We don’t, we only know one!
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Naming your pup: Fun tips and tricks
Keep it short and sweet! Two-syllable names are perfect for getting your pup’s attention, and they’re easier to remember during training. Ending in a vowel is also preferred.
It can also be a good tip to avoid names that can sound like common commands. Names like “Sid” or “Sith” for the Star Wars fans, can sound an awful lot like “Sit” to a dog, and can confuse them as they start to learn commands.
Reinforce your pups new name regularly and make it clear when you are talking to them. Use their name during play and when they are being fed. This can make the learning process go smoothly.
If you are adopting your new dog after they have already had a name, then it can be best to either keep the existing name, or transition to one quite similar. It can be a confusing change for them if it is quite a different sounding name, but changing from Charlie to Harley, shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment for your pup.
Why is Luna so popular?
Luna, which means ‘Moon’ in Latin, has become a superstar name. But why? Some say it’s inspired by the quirky Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter, or maybe it's the cool factor from celebs like John Legend and Chrissy Teigen naming their daughter Luna in 2016. The most important reason it’s getting picked for so many pet names could also be its popularity as a name for humans, being a top 15 name in the US.
Trendy dog names: Is yours on the list?
Dog names are all about trends, and pop culture is leading the way. Names like Ken, Loki, Thor, and Simba are gaining ground, thanks to the latest blockbusters and TV hits.
If you look back 10 years to 2015, names like Katniss, Harry and Bella were all top picks as recent movie releases gave fans the perfect dog names.
What isn’t popular anymore?
Some favourites tend to stick around, looking at data from PetSure back in 2021, Luna, Bella, Coco and Charlie were popular names in the top 10. Frankie dropped in popularity and names like Alfie also dropped off the list. Looking back further to 2011, Max, Buddy and Ruby were all once favourites but the name Bella shows it is really lasting the test of time, remaining in the top 10 since 2011.2
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Unique dog names
With Medibank Pet Insurance we see a lot of unique names, and for popular breeds, like a Labrador, under 10% of Labrador’s have a name in the top 10 most popular names.
Want your dog’s name to stand out? Here are a few tips for picking something unique:
- Your pets breed and its background, where does it come from? What is known for?
- Take time to understand your pet’s personality, is there something that stands out?
- Baby name books! There are heaps of free resources that have great ideas.
1 Data is taken from 2024 calendar year for dogs covered under a Meibank Pet Insurance policy.
2 Data taken from the PetSure Health Monitor, 2022.