New York Pets Are Most Likely Answering to Bear or Kitty

In 2024, shelters and rescues across New York reported more than 195,000 dog and cat adoptions. That’s a lot of wagging tails and purring friends finding
their forever homes. It also shows just how many families across the state were ready to add a furry companion to their lives.

What We Name Our Pets Says a Lot

Once pets settle in, the next big step is picking the perfect name. Some people choose names that match their pet’s personality. Others just go with something cute and fun to say. New research from Compare the Market looked at which names are most popular in 2025, and the results are adorable.

Bear Is the Top Dog

When it comes to dogs, Bear is the most popular name in the U.S., showing up in more than 230,000 searches. Other favorites include Teddy, Charlie, Daisy, and Lucy. Short, friendly, human names are definitely it when it comes to dogs.

Kitty Rules the Cat World

For cats, simple wins. The most popular name by far is Kitty, with over 780,000 searches nationwide. Other top names include Luna, Lily, and Oliver. Interestingly, Oliver also tops the charts for male cats, while Luna takes the lead for females.

The Global Star: Luna

If there’s one name loved by the world, it’s Luna. Globally, Luna ranks #1 for dogs in 14 countries and for cats in 12 countries. It’s become the go to name for pet owners everywhere, and it’s still growing in popularity.

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Why These Names Work

Experts say names like Bear, Kitty, and Luna stick because they’re easy to say and feel warm and personal. Just like family nicknames, these short and sweet names make it easier to bond with pets.

I wanted to name my dog, 5 Miles because that way I could say that I walked "5 Miles: today. I almost called him "Stay" but I realized that I would confuse him when I would call him: Come here Stay, come here Stay.