Choosing a name for your female dog requires a little luck and inspiration and a lot of thought. After all, this is a word you’ll frequently be saying for years to come. Like baby names, dog names trend in popularity. You don’t meet many toddlers names Ethel, nor girl dogs named Lassie these days.

Trending Dog Name Themes

Popular culture is always a trending theme for dog names. After the movie “Frozen” was released, there was a 900 percent rise in dogs named for the movie’s characters, so your girl dog might end up with more than one training classmate named “Elsa.” Names from The “Twilight” movies, “Star Wars,” “Game of Thrones” and other icons of pop culture are always coming in and out of style. Don’t be surprised to encounter puppy playgroup pals named “Bella,” “Rey,” or “Arya.”

Nature-themed dog names are in the increase, with 78 percent more dogs named for nature themes, like “Daisy” or “Panda.” Food- and drink-themed names have also increased by 37 percent over the last few years, with girl dog names like “Latte” or “Marzipan.” If you’re looking for a more original name and want to steer clear of popular names, try out these unique dog names.

How to Choose the Dog Name

It’s not all just in a name. A female puppy’s name is an important part of her training and socialization. Take some advice from experts in the field:

• Choose a name with one or two syllables. These are easiest to say and short enough to get your dog’s attention.
• Consider a name with hard consonants, which may be easier for dogs to hear than sibilant sounds, like “Gracie” or “Bailey.”
• Try not to choose a name that sounds similar to a command. Avoid names like “Kit,” which sounds like “sit,” or “Poe,” which sounds like “no.”
• When a dog hears her name, it’s a signal that whatever is coming next is meant for her. So use her name frequently in a positive context so she doesn’t associate it with punishment or something negative.
• Don’t name a dog something that sounds a lot like the name of another family member. If your daughter is “Annie” and the dog is “Franny,” the dog (or your daughter) may be confused and not know when to respond.

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 the top 100 girl dog names may help you decide.

Now that you picked the perfect name, register your dog with the American Kennel Club!