Post-lockdown: What were the most popular puppy names?

Most popular puppy names - puppy lying on the grass with it's mouth open showing tongue
(Image credit: Getty Images)

With pet ownership soaring throughout lockdown, it’s quite likely that – if you were one of the thousands of people to welcome a furry addition to the family – your pooch may now have one of the most popular puppy names around!

Insurance company, GoCompare, carried out research into how many people purchased a lockdown pet, as well as their breed and what they were named. 

Here’s a round-up of the top ten puppy names that UK owners chose – is your canine’s name on here?

1. Luna

Claiming the top spot is Luna – a name which means ‘moon’ and was most commonly given to French Bulldogs, which were also the most purchased breed during lockdown within the UK. 

2. Bella

A staggering 1,492 people choose to name their pup Bella during lockdown, a name which translates as ‘beautiful’ in Italian.

3. Milo

A popular name for dogs (and cats, too), Milo is said to mean ‘fame’ or ‘glory’ in some Celtic languages and was most commonly given to Jack Russell's.

4. Teddy

Meaning ‘protector’ or ‘wealthy’, the name Teddy is most often associated with toy breeds, such as Shih Tzu’s, as a result of the famous stuffed teddy bears lovingly named after US President Theodore Roosevelt.   

5. Buddy

In the fifth spot is the name Buddy, which (unsurprisingly) means ‘friend’.

6. Lola

The shortened or nicknamed version of Dolores, Lola is also the name of a brand of dog toys, so it’s understandable as to why new owners were drawn to it. 

7. Coco

Meaning ‘the celebrated one’, Coco was found to be the most popular name given to Golden Retrievers and Dachshunds. 

8. Bailey

In eighth spot was the name Bailey, which (coincidentally) means ‘bailiff’ in Old English. 

9. Reggie

Last year, 779 canines were named Reggie, which is claimed to mean ‘ruler’s advisor’ – how very grand!

10. Charlie

A favourite amongst Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, King Charles spaniels, and Border Collies, Charlie means ‘free man’ in Old German language.

Chloe Petrylak

Chloe is a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader, who has more than ten years’ experience in creating animal-focussed content. From National Geographic to Animal Planet, Chloe’s passion for creating fact-filled features all about wildlife and the environment is evident. But it’s not just wild animals that Chloe’s fascinated by. Having written more than 75 articles for PetsRadar - and having her very own four-legged friend by her side - it’s no wonder that her love of dogs (and, of course, cats) has grown exponentially.  

Her website, www.chloemaywrites.com, and social media pages - @ChloeMayWrites on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter - showcase her knowledge through daily facts and trivia tidbits. For example, did you know that snails have teeth?!