Most Popular Dog Names of 2023

LAST UPDATED 26 March 2024

This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, Dr Gillian Hill, BVSc (Hons)

As our dog's become a more integral part of the family than ever before, choosing their name is both an exciting and deeply meaningful endeavour. Reflecting on the year that has been, 2023 has brought forth a delightful array of names that reflect both the timeless charm of traditional titles and the trendy influence of pop and sport culture. From deep within the Pet Circle archives, we've rounded up the most popular dog names of 2023, uncovering the trends that have shaped the choices of pet parents Australia-wide.

From the rhythmic beats of chart-topping musicians to the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the latest sports events, our four-legged friends are increasingly being named after the icons that dominate our playlists and arenas. Whether you're a dog lover seeking inspiration for your next pet's name or just curious about the cultural shifts influencing our furry friends, this article is your ultimate guide to the most popular dog names of 2023.

In this article, you'll find:

Top 10 Dog Names

Top 10 Girls Names

Top 10 Boys Names

Most Unique Names

Trending Names

2023 compared to 2022

Top Names by State/Territory

Top 10 Dog Names of 2023

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Teddy
  4. Coco
  5. Milo
  6. Charlie
  7. Ollie
  8. Bella
  9. Frankie
  10. Ruby
In 2023, 'Luna' remained in the top spot for most popular dog name, while 'Daisy' sprinted home for the silver medal and 'Teddy' rounded out the podium finishers.

Top Girl Dog Names

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Bella
  4. Ruby
  5. Willow
  6. Tilly
  7. Nala
  8. Lola
  9. Winnie
  10. Rosie

Top Boy Dog Names

  1. Teddy
  2. Coco
  3. Milo
  4. Charlie
  5. Frankie
  6. Ollie
  7. Archie
  8. Alfie
  9. Winston
  10. Murphy

Trending Dog Names of 2023

Sports-Inspired Dog Names

Inspired by the powerhouse that is the Australia's womens national soccer team, and their inspiring World Cup endeavours, the name 'Tilly' and it's variations 'Tillie' and 'Tilley' have grown exponentially in 2023.

Romping up the charts, 'Tilly' now sits at #15 on the most popular dog names list, up from #27 in 2022.

animation of person playing soccer
treble clef

Pop-Music Insights

From the whimsical to the heartfelt, Taylor Swift's discography has offered a diverse range of options for dog names in 2023.

Names of Taylor's new album or popular songs - 'Midnight', 'Karma' and 'Willow' - have sped up the popular dog names charts in comparison to 2022.

Baby vs Dog Names

It appears that trends in naming extend beyond the boundaries of species, with both dogs and babies often sharing names that reflect current cultural influences. With 60% of the top 30 dog names also appearing in the top 100 baby names for 2023, it seems that pet owners and parents alike draw inspiration from similar sources. Names like Daisy, Charlie, Bella, Ruby, Frankie, Archie and Willow all appeared on both popular dog and baby name lists.

cartoon of baby and dog licking lollipop

Most Unique Dog Names of 2023

  • Louis XIII
  • Beefie
  • Chappy Higgins
  • Trixie Taco
  • Eureka
  • Bobby-Dazzler
  • Harry Pawter
  • Eski
  • Vesper
  • Toohey
  • Tanuki
  • Elminster Fizzbang

Dog Names 2023 vs 2022

Name Rank Change from 2022 % of total Dog Names in 2023 Share of total Dog Names compared to 2022
Luna 0 1.55% ↓ 0.30%
Daisy 0 1.22% ↑ 0.03%
Teddy ↑ 1 1.09% ↑ 0.05%
Coco ↑ 3 0.97% ↓ 0.03%
Milo ↑ 1 0.89% ↓ 0.12%
Charlie ↓ 3 0.77% ↓ 0.39%
Ollie ↑ 2 0.70% ↓ 0.18%
Bella ↑ 2 0.69% ↓ 0.18%
Ruby ↑ 3 0.69% ↓ 0.16%
Frankie ↓ 2 0.69% ↓ 0.30%

Most Popular Dog Names by State/Territory

map of australia

NSW

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Teddy
  4. Coco
  5. Milo

QLD

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Teddy
  4. Coco
  5. Winston

VIC

  1. Luna
  2. Teddy
  3. Daisy
  4. Milo
  5. Poppy

SA

  1. Ruby
  2. Daisy
  3. Luna
  4. Winnie
  5. Teddy

WA

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Millie
  4. Bella
  5. Winston

ACT

  1. Archie
  2. Luna
  3. Rosie
  4. Lola
  5. Daisy