Virginia's top names for dogs in 2023

Popular dog names have changed over the years in Virginia.Photo byHannah LimonUnsplash

Pet names have changed over the decades

Once upon a time in Virginia, the names you heard most often for canines were Rover, Fido, and Spot but there have always been variations and there is a listing of 500 old-school names for dogs. My childhood pups were Peanut, Tico, and Frisky while my cousins had a dog named Taco. Other pets in the neighborhood were called Frisky Miss, Bozo, Tag, Rusty, Bullet, Queenie, and King. My husband had German Shepherds he named Angel and Frisco and my grandchildren's first dog was named Max while their current puppy is called Ziggy.

Human names for dogs and cats are popular now as the top feline name in Virginia is Oliver. WRIC has compiled a list of the top names for 2023 in the commonwealth and you might just be surprised. You can read the full list at the link and the top 10 here. The most popular names in Virginia for dogs in 2023 are as follows in reverse order with their national ranking and percentage rate also listed.

Virginia's Top 10

10. Milo
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 2.55%
– National rank: #11

9. Coco
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 2.62%
– National rank: #7

8. Cooper
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 2.88%
– National rank: #12

7. Lucy
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 3.00%
– National rank: #5

6. Bailey
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 3.02%
– National rank: #8

5. Daisy
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 3.08%
– National rank: #6

4. Charlie
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 3.76%
– National rank: #4

3. Max
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 3.99%
– National rank: #3

2. Luna
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 4.81%
– National rank: #2

1. Bella
– Share of Virginia’s top 50 names: 5.90%
– National rank: #1