TRENTON, NJ – Once again, the most popular dog name in New Jersey remains champion. It’s not just New Jersey, this name is the most popular in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland too.
Luna keeps its title as the most popular dog name in New Jersey and in the United States and Canada for the second consecutive year, according to a new study by Camp Bow Wow. The pet care franchise examined its database of nearly 400,000 “Campers” to determine the top 10 dog names and regional and trend-based favorites for 2023.
The top 10 names remain the same compared to last year, with minor shifts. Daisy rose three ranks since 2022, while Cooper and Max each dropped by two and one spots, respectively.
Luna is the top name in most East Coast, West Coast, and Central states, including Texas. The name also ranked first in Nova Scotia. Bella led in the South, including Florida. Seven states broke from Luna and Bella as top picks, opting for names like Lucy in Iowa and Mississippi and Charlie in Utah.
The survey also highlighted a significant increase in owners opting for longer or more formal pet names. Noteworthy examples include Sir Odin Vonbarkenstein and Princess Wigglebottom Vanderbark III.
Names inspired by pop culture continue to surge. The TV series “Yellowstone” likely led to a 254% uptick in the name Dutton and a 60% rise for Rip. Hawkeye, from Marvel, jumped 120%, and Luca saw a 60% boost, possibly due to the Disney film of the same name.
Erin Askeland, Camp Bow Wow’s Animal Health and Behavioral Expert, emphasized the role of a dog’s name in training. Short, two-syllable names are best for training, according to Askeland. She also advised that it’s acceptable to rename a dog after adoption if done with positive reinforcement.