TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Bella continues to reign as America's favorite dog name in 2026, followed closely by Luna and Max, according to the latest nationwide analysis of pet naming trends.
As reported by US News, the rankings are based on more than half a million dog registrations collected between January 2022 and June 2026 through a third-party pet insurance industry partner. The findings reflect naming trends across the United States, where an estimated 56.3 million households own at least one dog.
While classic names continue to dominate nationally, state-level preferences reveal a handful of distinctive favorites, and many owners are increasingly choosing names inspired by movies, mythology, food, and pop culture.
1. Bella Remains America's Favorite Dog Name
Bella tops the national rankings for another year, ahead of Luna and Max. Bella and Luna have alternated between the top two positions since 2023, while Max climbed back to third place after ranking fourth in 2025.
The popularity of Bella and Luna may also reflect multilingual households, with bella meaning "beautiful" in Italian and Spanish and luna meaning "moon."
Rounding out the top five are Coco and Daisy, two names that continue to enjoy enduring popularity among American dog owners.
2. Top 10 Most Popular Dog Names in the US
According to the 2026 rankings, these are the country's favorite dog names:
- Bella
- Luna
- Max
- Coco
- Daisy
- Milo
- Buddy
- Lucy
- Charlie
- Lola
Chewy's separate 2026 naming survey produced a similar result, with Bella, Luna, Daisy, Lucy, and Max occupying the top five positions, underscoring the continued dominance of traditional favorites.
3. Bella Dominates Across Most States
Bella is also the most popular dog name in much of the country.
The name ranks first in 25 states and ties for first in two others, making it the most dominant canine name nationwide. Luna leads in several western and northeastern states, including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, and Washington.
Only a handful of states break away from the national trend with unique top-ranked names.
4. A Few States Prefer Something Different
Several states stand out for choosing names rarely seen elsewhere.
- Hawaii: Koa
- Montana: Barron
- North Dakota: Jack
- Wyoming: Milo
Meanwhile, Wyoming also features unusual favorites such as Sassy and Latte, while Montana's top three includes Sky.
5. Mythology Continues to Inspire Pet Owners
Ancient mythology remains a rich source of inspiration for dog owners.
Among the most popular mythological names nationwide are:
- Zeus
- Loki
- Apollo
- Thor
- Athena
These names reflect the enduring appeal of Greek and Norse legends among pet lovers.
6. Royal Titles Never Go Out of Style
Many owners continue to give their dogs names associated with royalty.
Popular examples include:
- Duke
- Princess
- Lady
- King
- Prince
These names remain regular fixtures in the national Top 100.
7. Food-Themed Dog Names Stay Popular
Food continues to provide inspiration for pet names, particularly sweet treats and snacks.
Some of America's favorite food-inspired names include:
- Oreo
- Honey
- Pepper
- Cookie
- Peanut
- Ginger
State-level favorites also include Latte, which ranks among Wyoming's most popular dog names.
8. Disney and Pop Culture Influence Dog Names
Popular films and television shows continue to shape naming trends.
Characters from Disney's The Lion King remain favorites through names such as Nala and Simba, while 101 Dalmatians inspires Lucky and Penny.
Chewy also notes the growing popularity of names inspired by the children's series Bluey, including:
- Coco
- Buddy
- Chloe
- Jack
- Bentley
- Honey
- Lucky
- Bandit
9. Creative Dog Names Are Becoming More Common
Beyond traditional names, many owners are embracing humorous and highly original choices.
According to Chewy, some of the most creative names submitted by pet owners include:
- Pawpeye
- Trouble Jenkins
- Lady Beast
- Marie Antoinette
- Coco Puffs
- Mac-n-Cheese
- Milky Way
- Mister Moose
- Garbanzo Bean
- Prince Tater Tot
- Gandalf the Grey
- Hollywood
- Chewbarka
- Spicy Sausage
Many of these names reflect owners' interests in movies, literature, food, and wordplay while highlighting their dogs' personalities.
10. The Top 100 Dog Names in America
The complete Top 100 list for 2026 is:
- Bella
- Luna
- Max
- Coco
- Daisy
- Milo
- Buddy
- Lucy
- Charlie
- Lola
- Bear
- Rocky
- Teddy
- Cooper
- Molly
- Bailey
- Sadie
- Nala
- Toby
- Mia
- Bruno
- Chloe
- Maggie
- Zeus
- Leo
- Oreo
- Duke
- Nova
- Willow
- Zoey
- Stella
- Ruby
- Lily
- Rose
- Loki
- Blue
- Jack
- Ace
- Penny
- Gracie
- Harley
- Bentley
- Sophie
- Oliver
- Honey
- Tucker
- Roxy
- Shadow
- Pepper
- Lucky
- Jax
- Millie
- Elie
- Ollie
- Koda
- Winston
- Cookie
- Louie
- Peanut
- Princess
- Lulu
- Ginger
- Piper
- Gizmo
- Finn
- Bandit
- Lady
- Apollo
- Marley
- Riley
- Angel
- Thor
- Lilly
- Hazel
- Winne
- Benji
- Baby
- Remi
- King
- Simba
- Scout
- Hank
- Beau
- Abby
- Poppy
- Dog
- Moose
- Archie
- Prince
- Gus
- Sasha
- Tank
- Izzy
- Athena
- Rex
- Zoe
- Diesel
- Murphy
- Buster
- Frankie
Whether owners choose timeless favorites like Bella and Max or distinctive names such as Chewbarka and Prince Tater Tot, the latest rankings suggest one thing remains constant: dog names continue to reflect not only popular culture but also the personalities and creativity of their owners.
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