Classic pet names such as Rover, Fido, and Lassie are rapidly disappearing, according to new data from UK pet insurance provider Petgevity. In 2025, the company registered only four dogs named Rover and two named Fido, signalling a dramatic decline in once-popular monikers.
The trend is similar for cats, with traditional names like Whiskers and Marmalade becoming increasingly rare. Instead, owners are opting for names more commonly associated with humans, such as Luna, Poppy, and Willow for dogs, and Luna, Nala, and Poppy for cats.
A Petgevity spokesperson commented: “You’re much more likely to see a Luna or a Bella these days, than a Mittens or a Felix – names that are also common among human kids.” Despite the shift, nostalgia remains strong, with many owners expressing a desire to see names like Rex and Duke for dogs, and Tigger and Smokey for cats, make a comeback.
The research also explored the pet naming process, revealing that physical appearance (40%) and personality (26%) are the top inspirations. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of owners believe social media trends influence their choice, while a quarter have named a pet after a fictional character from a film or TV show.
Practical considerations also play a role: four in ten owners avoid names that are hard to pronounce, and 37% worry about choosing an embarrassing name they’ll have to tell others. However, only 6% regret their choice, often because the name was too common or didn’t suit the pet.
The Petgevity spokesperson concluded: “But really, what’s in a name? While it’s interesting to look at naming trends, the most important thing for our pets is that they are happy, healthy and well looked after.”
