You’re almost ready for the new arrival, but naming your new puppy is one of the most exciting moments of bringing the bundle of fluff home. Or contentious… Families can have protracted discussions about what to name the darling new addition. It’s a fine art picking exactly the right name that suits your dog and is unique but popular, while getting the syllable-count spot-on. (Try shouting “Angelina-Ballerina” across the park – too long, too flowery and ever-so-slightly embarrassing). If you have chosen a bitch, then you’ll probably be looking at dog names for girls – although there are plenty that work just as well for both genders. Or if you’re undecided, check out our suggested dog names for boys.
A few tips: two syllables is best. Any longer and you’ll be nicknaming the pup in no time, leading to confusion in your commands. Shorter, and you’ll probably add an “-ie” sound on the end: Rose–Rosie; Pink–Pinkie; Mole–Moley.
The trend for popular culture names always ebbs and flows. Hopefully your wee pup will live well over a decade, so ask yourself whether you’ll still be happy with the name Barbie 15 years down the line. When Frozen came out, there was a 900% rise in dogs named after the film’s characters. Likewise, Moana, Ariel, Minnie, Nala, Arya, and Harley have all risen in popularity.
Avoid naming your puppy anything too similar to members of your family or you’re inviting confusion. So, if your daughter is Ellie, don’t settle on Nellie.
Whatever you alight upon, it needs to roll off the tongue, and suit the dog’s personality. Sometimes incongruity works best. I know a marvellous mini dachshund girl called Hippo – she makes everyone smile.
The most popular dog names for girls
In 2023, the top 10 female puppy names in the UK were:
Luna
Bella
Lola
Poppy
Daisy
Coco
Ruby
Molly
Rosie
Willow
Luna also tops the charts in the US, with Bella also taking the runner-up spot. While further down, Maggie, Lucy, Bailey and Sadie replace Poppy, Coco, Ruby and Molly. The Australians also love Luna, making it their top choice of the year.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
But perhaps you want something more individual. Here are three girls’ names for each letter of the alphabet:
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
