National Puppy Day: Top dog names and how Bella, Luna, Cosmo, Bubba rank on the list

When it comes to dog names, "Fido" was so popular it's no longer popular.

So says the American Kennel Club, which supplies a list of popular dog names every year in January. (Fido was MIA from that list.) The top dog name is actually a repeat from 2021: Luna. But ... if you live in Florida, the top dog name this year is Bella, which placed second in the "national" list from the AKC.

Why do dog names matter? Well, like humans, it establishes a sense of identity. (Scroll for multiple lists of most popular dog names.)

It’s important to carefully choose a dog’s name, as it will be used for training purposes and will have a significant effect on the dog’s life, Erin Askeland, an animal health and behavioral expert for Camp Bow Wow, said in a press release. “Short names are helpful for getting your dog’s attention,” Askeland states. “A good rule of thumb is to stick to two syllables and avoid names that could sound like commands. For example, Clay is a cute name, but it may sound like ’stay’ to a dog.”

Porcelain bowls, room service for dogs, moist towelettes for pets: Florida resorts gave furry friends luxe treatment

Such a good boy: Flying canines caught some air (25 feet!) at a Florida dog club dog show

Aw, puppers! Life is ruff for these USA TODAY Network-Florida dogs and their humans :)

If you're looking for unique dog names − like Sansa, Bubba, Cosmo or Woosha, which means "dog" in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, according to names.org − American Kennel Club has plenty of suggestions. Some dog names have a touch of irony, like Toulouse, which is a feline character on Disney's "Aristocats."

Below are questions related to dog names, National Puppy Day and National Dog Day.

Is Fido a good name for a dog?

It's pretty cliche to name a dog Fido. To be honest, you'll see Fido in a lot of newspaper headlines because it's so synonymous with the word dog.

The name hardly ever makes "most popular dog name" lists, and the same is true for this year.

Fun facts: The name "Fido" derives from the Latin meaning “to trust or confide in.” Dogs have long had the reputation for being trusty or man's best friend. Before he was president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln had a dog named Fido while he was a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, according to akc.org.

What are the top dog names for 2022?

Camp Bow Wow says the Top 5 dog names for Florida for 2022 are Bella, Luna, Daisy, Cooper and Bailey.

But Luna clinched the nation’s top dog name for a second year in a row, according to Camp Bow Wow’s annual list of top dog names, released in honor of National Puppy Day on March 23. Bella (ranking No. 2) and Charlie (No. 3) held on to their spots this year, too. Rounding out the Top 10, in order according to Camp Bow Wow, are Daisy, Lucy, Cooper, Max, Bailey, Milo and Sadie.

What are the most popular boy name dogs?

According to American Kennel Club's annual list, which comes out every January, these are among the most popular names for male dogs for 2022 (which was released January 2023):

• Max

• Milo

• Cooper

• Charlie

• Teddy

• Tucker

• Buddy

• Bear

• Rocky

• Leo

For those curious, these 10 male dog names trended toward the bottom of the AKC list:

• Oscar

• Otto

• Ozzie

• Rio

• Rudy

• Rufus

• Stitch

• Ted

• Watson

• Willie

Rut-ro :( Dog flu is a thing, and it's nothing to sneeze at

What are the most popular female dog names?

According to American Kennel Club's annual list, which comes out every January, these are among the most popular names for female dogs for 2022 (which was released January 2023):

• Luna

• Bella

• Daisy

• Lucy

• Willow

• Penny

• Sadie

• Maggie

• Rosie

• Ruby

These 10 female dog names trended toward the bottom of the AKC list:

• Mae

• Mazie

• Mina

• Nellie

• Pebbles

• Snow

• Sylvie

• Tootsie

• Ziva

• Zola

When is National Puppy Day?

National Puppy Day is March 23.

When is National Dog Day?

National Dog Day is Aug. 26.

When is National Pet Day?

National Pet Day is April 11.

When is National Love Your Pet Day?

National Love Your Pet Day falls in the same week as Valentine's Day. Offered as an alternative to the most romantic holiday of the year, #NationalLoveYourPetDay is Feb. 20.

When is National Dog Week?

Because a day (every few months) just isn't enough, there is a National Dog Week, too. During the fourth week of September, there are events virtual and in-person that celebrate all things dogs.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Florida?

It varies. There are several beaches in Florida that welcome dogs, so long as they're leashed and their waste is properly disposed. It's best to check with your local newspaper website, county website or a Florida parks and recreation site before bringing your dog to the beach.

And for fun ... When is National Cat Day?

We didn't want to forget our furry feline friends. Cat fans get a day every week (enter #Caturday on Twitter for adorable pics of cats every Saturday), and, of course, a holiday all to themselves: Celebrate National Cat Day on Oct. 29.

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Sangalang is a Florida Audience Team lead producer and social media champ. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byjensangalang.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Most popular dog names for boys, girls, details about National Dog Day