Every pup is perfectly unique to their owner. And when it comes to man's best friend, deciding your dog's name can be a very special moment. But with all the names out there—family names, pop culture homages, or odes to a favorite celebrity—you might be surprised to find out just how many dogs have some pretty ordinary (and widely used) names. For example, when breaking down the most common dog names—as based on a 2019 survey of Nationwide-insured dogs—you're going to come across an awful lot of Bellas. Curious what other names pop up more than once? Read on to discover the most popular dog name in every state.
Alabama and Arizona: Bella
Bella means "beautiful" in Italian, so it's not strange that it was the most popular female dog name in 2019. After all, why wouldn't you call your pup pal beautiful? (And fair warning, this isn't the last time you'll see the name Bella in this post.)
Alaska: Lucy
This popular pup name is short for Lucille, which is French for "light."
Arkansas: Duke
Duke isn't just the name of the beloved Bush's Baked Beans dog. Turns out, there are a lot of dogs in Arkansas sporting the name, too.
Colorado: Buddy
Want to name your bud Buddy? Head to Colorado. Buddy seems like a fitting name for man's best friend.
California, Connecticut, Delaware, and Florida: Luna
If you're not naming your dog Bella, chances are you're naming them Luna. The name, meaning "moon" in Latin, was also a strong contender for the top dog name of the year, with four states having it as their No. 1 choice.
Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, and Iowa: Bella
These four states have one thing in common: They love the name Bella. But unlike the other states, did you know that Georgia also has a state dog? It's the "adoptable dog," otherwise known as a shelter dog, as decided in 2016.
Illinois: Charlie
If you have a friendly, free-spirited dog, they'll fit in perfectly in Illinois. Most of the pet owners here name their dogs Charlie, a nickname for Charles, which means "free."
Indiana: Luna
Just like many other states, Indiana is a big fan of the name Luna. But that's not the only thing this state shares with others; its top dog breed is the Doberman Pinscher, which is also the top breed for six other states.
Kansas: Bella
It's no surprise that yet another state claimed Bella as its favorite dog name. But what's Kansas' favorite dog breed? The Doberman Pinscher, just like Indiana!
Kentucky: Bailey
In Kentucky, many people name their dogs Bailey. This name comes from the word "bailiff," meaning "law enforcer." So if your dog is the protector of the house, consider naming them the Kentucky way.
Louisiana: Stella
Stella, which means "star," is a common name for dogs in Louisiana. However, the most famous canine Stella doesn't even live in Louisiana. The popular YouTuber Dog Named Stella actually lives in Maine!
Maine and Missouri: Cooper
Cooper is a popular name for dogs in Maine and Missouri. Used as a name for a maker and repairer of barrels, Cooper Dog is also the name of a popular Scotch whiskey.
Maryland: Bailey
Maryland shares a top dog name with Kentucky. But Maryland also has its own state dog: the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minnesota: Luna
All of these states have their fair share of puppy Lunas, but in Massachusetts, you might be more likely to find the name attached to a Boston Terrier, the state dog.
Mississippi: Bella
Yes, more Bellas. Mississippi doesn't have a state dog, but you're liable to find a Yorkshire Terrier named Bella there, since it's the most popular dog breed in the state.
Montana: Sadie
If you're in Montana, you might name your precious pooch Sadie. This name originated as a nickname for the Hebrew name Sarah, meaning "princess."
Nebraska: Max
Think your dog is so great? Then you should live in Nebraska! Many people in this state name their dogs Max, which means "greatest."
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina: Bella
Ah, Bella again. You're used to it by now, but this New York dog fact is pretty unique: Their state dog is a working dog! This includes any kind of working dog, from a guide dog to a police dog.
New Mexico: Buddy
If you live in New Mexico, there's a good chance you named your dog Buddy. And they might very well be a Chihuahua, the state's most popular dog breed.
North Dakota: Louie
North Dakota residents are very fond of the name Louie. This isn't surprising, as it's a variant on Louis, which is the name of a popular American novelist from North Dakota, Louis L'Amour.
Ohio: Lucy
As one of the top dog names of the year, it's not odd that many Ohioans adopted the name Lucy for their pooches. But did you know that Lucy is also the name of a popular Club Petz plush dog?
Oklahoma and Oregon: Bella
Oklahoma and Oregon don't just have the name Bella in common. The most common dog breeds in these states are both "tougher" dogs, with Oklahoma claiming the Rottweiler, and Oregon the Bullmastiff.
Pennsylvania: Luna
Pennsylvania also has a state dog: the Great Dane.
Rhode Island: Cooper
Just like Maine and Missouri, the people of Rhode Island really like the name Cooper for a dog. Unfortunately, there aren't that many dog owners in the state at all, as it ranks seventh for states with the fewest dog owners.
South Dakota: Luna
Pet owners in South Dakota like to name their dogs Luna. And there's a lot of them, too—the state ranks third nationally for number of pet owners.
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah: Bella
These states may share a common dog name, but they all differ when it comes to state dogs. South Carolina is the Boykin Spaniel, Tennessee is adopted dogs, and Texas is the Blue Lacy. Utah doesn't have a state dog at all.
Vermont: Ruger
Vermont's most popular dog name may be common in the state, but it's still unique. Ruger is a name that marks a "tough" demeanor.
Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin: Luna
These states share the same most popular dog name, but Virginia and Wisconsin differ on state dogs: Virginia's is the American Foxhound and Wisconsin's is the American Water Spaniel.
West Virginia: Molly
In West Virginia, you're most likely to name your dog Molly. Originally a derivative form of Mary, Molly means "bitter," but West Virginian dogs are anything but.
Wyoming: Bella
The most popular dog name in this state is Bella, naturally. And the most popular dog breed? The Pembroke Welsh Corgi. How royal!
Kali Coleman Kali Coleman is a Senior Editor at Best Life. Her primary focus is covering news, where she often keeps readers informed on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and up-to-date on the latest retail closures.Read moreFiled UnderAnimals • Pets • State FactsRead This NextThis Is The Most Popular Dog Breed In Every State
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