When Shakespeare asked, ‘What’s in a name?’ he probably wasn’t thinking in terms of pets. But what we choose to call our furry loved ones reveals a lot—not just about our pets, but about ourselves.
You’ve no doubt met a dog named Bella. Or a cat called Charlie. These names have been popular for the better part of a decade. It got me thinking: do we pick our pets’ names because they’re popular, or are there just a lot of great minds thinking alike?
A look into ten years of Petplan’s claims data was revealing. Since we wrote our first pet insurance policy in 2006, Bella has been the top name for dogs and cats. But in 2017, a new contender clawed her way to the top: Luna.
More Petplan-protected pets under age one were named Luna this year than Lucy, Molly, Daisy—or any other popular name for that matter (and they’re not alone). But Luna didn’t come out of nowhere; our data showed the name trending upward over the past three years.
Here’s a look at other popular pet names in 2017:*
Top Dog Names
1. Luna
2. Oliver
3. Charlie
4. Lucy
5. Daisy
6. Leo
7. Bella
8. Jack
9. Max
10. Milo
Top Cat Names
1. Luna
2. Bella
3. Charlie
4. Lucy
5. Cooper
6. Bailey
7. Max
8. Daisy
9. Molly
10. Buddy
The data was conclusive: overall, we’re not very original when it comes to naming pets. Of course, there are always exceptions. Among the sea of Coopers and Jacks, our analysts fetched a few one-of-a-kind names worthy of recognition.
I give the parents of the following pets two thumbs up for creativity:
· Professor Grover Fluffypants
· Uma Furman
· Charlie Brown McBearface
· The Barks (Bark Twain, Bark Ruffalo and Bark Wahlberg)
It’s clear that pet lovers put a lot of thought into naming their furry family members, but I think more of us could take a cue from these creatively named pets and have a little fun with it.
When it came time to name our two dogs, Montgomery and Hermes, Chris and I looked to our own lives for inspiration. Montgomery was named for Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (aka Monty), a senior British Army officer who fought in both World Wars. Given Chris’ service in the British Royal Marines, it seemed apropos.
Hermes was the Greek god of commerce. Quick and cunning, he acted as a messenger of the gods and the link between mortals and the Olympians. He was also the protector of travelers, thieves and athletes. Now our sweet Weimaraner Hermes may not have the guile of a Greek god, but we love him just the same. And his name is a nod to my family’s Greek heritage.
If you’re planning to add a pet to your pack this holiday season, why not go out on a limb? A meaningful name can deepen your personal connection to your pet, while a unique or unusual name can show the world your sparkling sense of humor.
If nothing else, you can rest assured no one else will be calling for Professor Grover Fluffypants when it comes time to go home from the dog park.
*According to Petplan claims data 2016-2017