Choosing a name for your girl dog requires some creative inspiration and plenty of thought. After all, this is a name that you’ll be saying to your new puppy every day for many happy years ahead.
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Like human baby girl names, female dog names rise and fall in popularity. It’s unlikely you’re meeting a lot of human toddlers named “Ethel” at preschool today, and similarly, you probably don’t meet many female puppy dogs named “Lassie” at the dog park anymore.
We’ve compiled the most popular girl dog names from the American Kennel Club’s purebred registration and mixed-breed enrollment data to help you make the best choice.
How to Choose a Girl Dog’s Name
It’s not all about a cute or clever name when you’re naming your girl dog. A female puppy’s name can also make all the difference when it comes to training and socialization. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Choose a name with one or two syllables. These are easy to say and short enough to keep your dog’s attention.
- Consider a puppy name with hard consonants, which may be easier for dogs to hear than sibilant sounds, like “Gracie” or “Bailey.”
- Try not to choose a puppy name that sounds similar to a command. Avoid names like “Kit,” which sounds like “sit,” or “Poe,” which sounds like “no.”
- Don’t name a dog something that sounds a lot like the name of another family member. For example, if your daughter’s name is “Annie,” naming your new dog “Franny” could cause confusion.
Most Popular Girl Dog Names
Take a little time to get to know your new pet. Sometimes, her looks or behavior will inspire the perfect name. But, if you’re still stuck, this list of our top 100 girl dog names may help you decide.
| Luna | Lily | Olive | Lulu | Angel |
| Bella | Nala | Sophie | Harley | Betty |
| Daisy | Molly | Pearl | Belle | Harper |
| Lucy | Piper | River | Violet | Sugar |
| Ruby | Gracie | Tilly | Josie | Chanel |
| Willow | Hazel | Sunny | Charlie | Clover |
| Bailey | Dolly | Ginger | June | Xena |
| Maggie | Bailey | Raven | Abby | Lexi |
| Penny | Remi | Zoey | Gigi | Maya |
| Nova | Maple | Ember | Kimber | Minnie |
| Sadie | Mia | Mabel | Lainey | Aspen |
| Rosie | Pepper | Skye | Zoe | Mocha |
| Millie | Lady | Bonnie | Rose | Sasha |
| Poppy | Birdie | Lilly | Scout | Sassy |
| Stella | Annie | Oakley | Zara | Holly |
| Lola | Dixie | Sage | Peaches | Marley |
| Coco | Roxy | Freya | Sky | Kona |
| Ellie | Chloe | Phoebe | Riley | Cali |
| Honey | Athena | Cookie | Emma | Frankie |
| Winnie | Ivy | Izzy | Layla | Reba |
If you’re looking for a more original name for your girl dog and want to steer clear of popular female dog names, try out these unique dog names. (We’ve got boy dog names, too.)
Trending Girl Dog Name Themes
Just like baby names, dog names rise and fall in popularity. For example, when the movie “Frozen” came out, there was a 900% rise in dogs named after the film’s characters, so there were plenty of “Elsa” girl puppies for a while.
Pop Culture Dog Names
Popular culture is always a trending theme for female dog names. Names from movies, books, TV or streaming series, and music are always coming in and out of style, such as:
- Bella (“Twilight” film and book series)
- Taylor (of pop music fame)
- Willow (a track on Swift’s “folklore” album)
- Nala (“The Lion King”)
- Minnie (Mickey Mouse’s longtime sweetheart)
- Zelda (“The Legend of Zelda”)
- Ellie (“The Last of Us” games and tv series)
Nature Dog Names
Nature-themed girl dog names continue to be popular, with names like “Daisy” or “River.” The night sky is extremely popular, with dog names like “Luna,” “Nova,” or “Stella” all high on the list.
Food and Drink-Inspired Names
Food- and drink-themed names are also a favorite, with female puppy names like “Ginger,” “Honey,” and “Pepper” making the list.
Mythological Dog Names
Mythology is popular for girl dog names, too, with “Freya,” and “Athena” making appearances.