THE TOP DOG AND CAT NAMES IN AUSTRALIA FOR 2020 REVEALED – WITH MAJOR INFLUENCES FROM FOODS, ROYALTY AND DISNEY MOVIES

Source: Mail Online (Extract)
Posted: November 23, 2020

Fictional characters from movies and books, snacks and a royal baby have inspired the top dog and cat names of the year, new data finds.

Pet Insurance Australia has compiled the top monikers for pets born in 2020, with Archie – the name of and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby son – taking out the top spots as the most popular name for male dogs and cats.

Luna topped the list for females in both the cat and dog categories – while monikers such as Simba, Casper, and Indiana are trends influenced by movies.

Top Boy Dog Names

1.   Archie
2.   Hunter
3.   Milo
4.   Leo
5.   Shadow
6.   Simba
7.   Bluey
8.   Boris
9.   Charlie
10. Fluffy

Top Girl Dog Names

1.   Luna
2.   Willow
3.   Cleo
4.   Chilli
5.   Hazel
6.   Kiki
7.   Maisy
8.   Angel
9.   Belle
10. Bernie

Hunter, Leo and Bluey topped the list of most popular boy’s name for dogs while Alfie, Teddy, Ollie and Winston were popular among male cats.

Charlie and Milo gained in popularity for male cats and dogs, while Willow proved equally popular for girls in the pup and feline categories.

Cleo, Hazel, Kiki, Maisy, Angel, Belle and Bernie topped the list of most popular female dog names while Frankie, Rosie, and Ruby are trending for cats.

‘This is always a wonderful time of year when we get to showcase some of the wonderful and creative names pet parents are choosing for their canine and feline companions, year on year,’ Nadia Crighton, Pet Insurance Australia spokeswoman, said.

New monikers such as Maggie, Winston, and Bear have appeared on the list this year while Daisy, Coco, and Bella have made its comeback.

Top Boy Cat Names

1.   Archie
2.   Charlie
3.   Milo
4.   Alfie
5.   Teddy
6.   Ollie
7.   Winston
8.   Bear
9.   Buddy
10. Arlo

Top Girl Cat Names

1.   Luna
2.   Daisy
3.   Coco
4.   Frankie
5.   Rosie
6.   Bella
7.   Willow
8.   Lola
9.   Maggie
10. Ruby

Foods also inspired many of the nation’s most popular pet names, including Milo, Weetbix, Oreo, Muffin, Chilli and Ginger.

Popular characters from movies and books topped the list, including Simba, Maverick, Buffy, Casper, Marvel, Alice and Indiana.

Unusual names also emerged on the list, including Nawty, Ajax, Macho and Tarbh.

‘We have some additional interesting categories this year including unusual pet names, and those we commonly see featuring from popular books and movies,’ she said.

‘These lists really give a good feel to how Australian pet owners are choosing to name their forever friend. At PIA we are always so impressed at the level of creativity, and the human characteristics that many of these names represent.’

The research saw an increase in more traditional pet names making a comeback.

‘Names like Fluffy, Shadow, Teddy, and Bear are certainly more traditional names that are seemingly making a comeback into the pet naming world,’ she added.