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Top Pet Names for 2013

Jan 24, 2014 | Pet Features

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” penned Shakespeare in his famous play, Romeo and Juliet. The bard was right—no matter what you call your new dog or cat, they will still be as lovable as ever. Yet, we still want to pick the name that best suits their personality and features.

Just like parents-to-be pore through baby name books, there is a lot that goes into finding just the right name for your new pet. Sometimes owners will choose names that describe a particular feature of their pet, like Almond, Goldie, Buttercup, Curly, or Freckles. Other times, owners will pick names that have historical or literary ties like Achilles or Balzac. If you’re looking for inspiration, we have a few tips to help you find just the right name for your pet.
1. Choose a name that your pet will easily recognize. Experts recommend that you stick to names that are one to two syllables to make it easy to call out. Also, make sure it is a name that you’re comfortable using in public. A humorous or off-color name may not be as cute when you’re shouting it across the dog park.

2. Try to avoid names that sound similar to commands like No, Stay, Sit, or Fetch. Calling your dog Joe, Jay, Spirit, and Fletcher may cause unnecessary confusion.

3. Select a name that will grow with your pet. Tiny or Kitten may quickly become passé as your pet grows into a large adult.

4. Start with a hard consonant. In a noisy environment, names that start with hard consonants like T, K, or M are easier to hear, making it much more likely your pet will recognize and respond to your call.

5. Don’t rush into choosing a name. Sometimes it is better to wait a few days before selecting a name so that you have a chance to study your pet’s personality and get a better sense of who they are as a pet.

If you’re looking for inspiration, you may want to check out the most popular pet names from 2013. According to Rover.com, the top dog names for 2013 are Max and Bella. Compiling their first gender-distinctive list, they shared the following list of popular monikers:

For the Boys:
1. Max
2. Charlie
3. Buddy
4. Jack
5. Cooper
6. Rocky
7. Riley
8. Toby
9. Bear
10. Harley

On the Girls’ Side:
1. Bella
2. Lucy
3. Bailey
4. Daisy
5. Lily
6. Molly
7. Lola
8. Maggie
9. Sadie
10. Chloe

There are a few similarities on the cat side, with some new names clawing their way onto the list (although not in the top 10 quite yet). Katniss (after the heroine of the new Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire), and Loki and Thor from Marvel’s recent Thor and Avenger’s movies. According to Yahoo.com , here are the top ten cat names for 2013.

1. Oliver
2. Max
3. Tiger
4. Charlie
5. Simba
6. Milo
7. Smokey
8. Leo
9. Jack
10. Kitty

1. Bella
2. Lucy
3. Kitty
4. Luna
5. Chloe
6. Molly
7. Lilly
8. Sophie
9. Nala
10. Daisy

Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more wild? If so, here are some of the wackiest names for 2013 according to VPI.com.

Wacky Cat Names:
1. Cheeto Burrito
2. Fuzzbutt
3. Mama Pajama
4. Lady Fluffington
5. Nut Job
6. Stinky Baby
7. Doctor Whiskers
8. Rum Tum Tugger Too
9. Fatness
10. Pizza Guy

Wacky Dog Names:
1. Sir Knuckles da Dragon
2. HotRod Whoofington
3. Captain Underpants
4. Stinky Monkey
5. Taco Salad
6. Dallas Cowdog
7. Hunk Heartbreaker
8. Ice Bingbing
9. Potato Chip
10. Bunny Money Dogg

Choosing a name for your pet is an exciting and fun process. We hope these tips and top ten names have given you some ideas as you endeavor to find just the right name for your new pet. Now we’d love to hear from you. What did you name your pet or pets and how did you go about selecting a name for them?

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.