A pet’s name says a lot about both you and your beloved sidekick. Some names are irresistibly cute and feel like a natural fit for many pets, which is why they pop up again and again. These beloved names are perennial favorites among Nationwide pet insurance members, but which ones are the most paw-pular for new pets going into 2026? Here’s what the data has to say.
New pet name trends
Comparing 2025’s most popular names list to recent years, the most common names for both dogs and cats didn’t change too radically. In a slight reordering of the 2024 list, favorites for dogs like Luna, Bella and Milo made an appearance near the top once again, and there were no new names added to the top ten list. Similarly, cat-specific favs like Leo and Oliver made a repeat appearance, with only one new addition to the top list, Pepper, coming in at number 9.
However, among our exotic pets, there was a lot of movement, not to mention several new favorites. Three new top ten names (Cookie, Daisy and Sunny) joined the list, replacing Pepper, Charlie and Milo. Meanwhile, Oreo, Mango and Mochi all grew in popularity.
No matter how popular (or wacky) the name, all these Nationwide-protected pets and their parents can access bonus features to help make staying happy and healthy easy. Members get 24/7 telehealth support at no added cost, discounts on veterinary care at Petco, savings on pet prescriptions at select pharmacies and much more. Not a member? Join the family today at petinsurance.com.
Top of the pups (and kitties and beyond)
Top 10 dog names
- Luna
- Bella
- Milo
- Charlie
- Daisy
- Coco
- Max
- Lucy
- Cooper
- Lola
Top 10 cat names
- Luna
- Milo
- Leo
- Oliver
- Loki
- Mochi
- Charlie
- Bella
- Pepper
- Lucy
Top 10 exotic pet names
- Luna
- Coco
- Oreo
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Cookie
- Mochi
- Daisy
- Sunny
- Peanut
The wacky pack
With hundreds of thousands of new pets protected in 2025, we came across some truly unconventional names. We love the creativity our members bring to naming their pets, and that’s exactly why we honor their originality each year with our Wacky Pet Name celebration.
Nominees for this year’s wackiest canine, feline and exotic pet names will be announced in April with voting to crown the Wackiest Names occurring April 13-17, 2026. Vote once daily for your favorites and help to crown the wackiest of them all!
In the meantime, you can explore the Wacky Hall of Fame to discover the most unique pet names over the years, and generate some ideas for your own one-of-a-kind pet!
