Dog names, like baby names, have evolved over time. One of the earliest recorded, Abuwtiyuw, belonged to an ancient Egyptian sloughi and likely mimicked the breed’s bark.
For centuries, dogs were named for their traits—like Rover for wanderers or Spot for marked pups. By the 1960s and ’70s, nobility-inspired names like Duke and Lady became popular, but by 1985, The New York Times noted a shift toward humanlike names.
Today, most top dog names in the U.S. are traditionally human, with Bella leading the pack. Pop culture and mythology also influence trends, with names like Loki, Zeus, and Thor climbing the ranks.
Of course, naming trends vary by location. To find Michigan’s top five dog names, Stacker analyzed nearly 811,800 data points from a pet insurance company in late 2023. Read on to see if your pup’s name made the list!
Read more: Most unique baby names in Michigan
Most popular dog names in Michigan
5. Buddy
- National rank: #7
4. Max
- National rank: #3
3. Charlie
- National rank: #5
2. Daisy (tie)
- National rank: #4
2. Luna (tie)
- National rank: #2
1. Bella
- National rank: #1
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