Calling your baby Bingo or Fido might raise a few eyebrows, but some names are no longer reserved for our furry friends.
A growing number of parents are choosing to give their children dog names, and according to baby name consultant Colleen Slagen, there’s nothing wrong with it. ‘Dog names are in, okay?’ she says in a TikTok video. ‘Like, that’s a compliment now.’
Speaking to her 70,000 followers, Colleen (@namingbebe), says she’s seen a ‘huge charge’ in parents calling their newborns typical pet names. One of the most common insults she sees in her comments section is, ‘That’s a dog name’, but Colleen insists they’re a great choice for children.
The name expert divides ‘dog names’ into four categories, the first being ‘cutesy nicknames’, such as Charlie, Daisy, Sophie, Ruby, Sadie and Archie.
Colleen claims she’s also seen a rise in the popularity of ‘short and sweet’ names, including Leo, Max, Chloe and Luna.
She adds: ‘Then we have ‘true dog’ names, Bear, Banjo, Blue. If you went to Australia, you’d see that those names are super on trend, and against your best instincts, you’d start to like them.’
Colleen also rattles through ‘cool’ and ‘edgy’ dog names, such as Cooper, Maverick, Duke and Teddy.
Some of these names could raise eyebrows, but a glance at Blue Cross’s list of most popular dog names could prove Colleen’s point. For instance, many of the top dog names – Poppy, Luna, Bella and Daisy – also appeared in the top 100 baby names for 2024.
Colleen’s video sparked a lively discussion, with many admitting they’ve faced the baby vs dog dilemma.
One user, graceskelly77, commented: ‘I’m obsessed with Lucy but my husband’s reaction was: “That’s a dog name”.’
Sosavanaa added: ‘Love the idea of calling my son Blue. However, I’ve been told it’s a country dog name.’
Another anonymous user wrote: ‘I’m pregnant with a baby boy and my current top names are Milo and Sage. But everyone keeps telling me these are dog names.’
Meanwhile, sdd032115, added: ‘My dog is named Scarlett and so many people told me they wanted to name their daughter that, but they think of my dog.’
Ieva Kubilute, a psychologist at It’s Me and You clinic, says the trend of giving babies dog names reflects a ‘profound emotional connection’.
She tells Metro: ‘For many, pet names evoke feelings of loyalty, unconditional love, and familiarity, making them an appealing choice for a child. In a world where pets are cherished as family, these names can feel comforting and even aspirational.’
However, Ieva warns parents to consider the longevity of naming their children after fleeting baby-name trends.
She says: ‘Parents might love a trendy name at the moment, but it’s important to consider how it will age with the child. A name that feels playful or unique today could be a source of embarrassment or misunderstanding later, especially as trends shift and cultural perceptions evolve.’
Instead, Ieva recommends choosing a name of personal significance, rather than a trend appeal. She explains: ‘Think about how it might feel for your child to carry that name into adulthood. A meaningful choice will always outlast fleeting popularity.’
Nöel Wolf, language and culture expert at Babbel, agrees, and tells Metro that choosing a ‘trendy name’ could lead to second thoughts later on if it becomes overused.
She adds: ‘That being said, opting for a “trendy” name isn’t necessarily a mistake. Popular names are often beloved for good reasons, including pleasing sounds, cultural resonances and ease of pronunciation.
‘If you truly love the name, trust that your child will grow into it. Over time, the name will become a meaningful part of their identity, as opposed to part of a trend.’
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