I had a good sniff through this year’s naming data and, once again, Luna has strutted to the top of the leaderboard. Five years running. At this point, she’s less a dog name and more a national institution.
But why this name? And what does it tell us about how Britain chooses to welcome its pups into the family?
Let’s dig in.
Why Luna?
Luna hits the sweet spot of modern dog-naming: warm, gentle and human-adjacent. It sounds affectionate without being sugary, and feels universal across breeds. A Luna can be a dainty whippet or a stocky bully breed. The name flexes.
It also rides the broader cultural wave of celestial, nature-inspired and soft-vowel names. Think Nova, Willow, Atlas, Marnie, Alba. Owners want names that feel meaningful rather than gimmicky.
The Top 10 Dog Names in the UK (2025 Edition)
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular names in the UK this year: Poppy’s Picnic+2Bruces doggy daycare+2
- Luna
- Bella
- Milo
- Teddy
- Daisy
- Max
- Poppy
- Coco
- Buddy
- Rosie
What to take from that:
- The mix of male (Milo, Max, Teddy, Buddy) and female-leaning names shows that naming is no longer purely gender-rigid.
- Many of these names are also baby names in current UK trend charts.
- Names with fewer syllables and soft sounds dominate (e.g., Luna, Bella, Poppy).
- You’ll likely cross paths with at least one “Luna” or “Bella” at your local dog park.
What This Trend Says About Dog Owners
A few things are clear from the 2025 naming data:
1. Dogs are treated like children
The days of Spot and Rover are gone. Modern names mirror baby-naming charts far more than kennel-club registers. Luna would fit perfectly in a school register.
2. Owners want names with emotion
Names are chosen for how they feel, not how they sound shouted across a rainy field. (Though as a dog, trust me, clarity helps.)
3. Soft, melodic names are winning
Short vowels, gentle consonants, friendly rhythms. This reflects the “companion first” mindset taking hold in UK households.
If You Want Something Less Common
Nothing wrong with Luna. She’s popular for a reason. But if you’d prefer your dog not to spin around with six others in the park, here are alternatives rising fast but not yet overused:
- Nova
- Alba
- Marnie
- Rowan
- Pippin
- Elba
- Cleo
- Orion
These keep the same warm, modern energy without blending into the crowd.
How to Choose a Name You’ll Love in 10 Years
A few pointers from a wise dog who hears humans yell names all day:
- Keep it short, one or two syllables are easier for us.
- Make sure it sounds distinct from commands like sit, stay or down.
- Say it out loud in public — if you cringe, pick another.
- Choose something you won’t mind repeating 40 times on a muddy walk or whilst your dog is chasing squirrels.
Want help finding the perfect name?
CrazyDogs has tools made for this moment:
- Dog Name Generator — ideal if you want inspired but unusual.