Most Popular Dog Names of 2017 (Roll Over, Fido)

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Homeowners who dream of becoming a doggie parent often see the holidays as the ideal time to bring home a wide-eyed new pup. And, soon after this ball of love, fur, and drool clambers into your life, one question prevails: What on Earth should you name your new pet?

If you’re drawing a blank on cool canine handles, you’re in luck: Rover.com, an app that connects pet parents with dog sitters and dog walkers, has compiled its fifth annual list of the most popular dog names of the year. So which monikers rule?

While 44% of all dog names (both male and female) closely track the most popular baby human names (e.g., Max, Charlie, Bella, and Lucy), certain aspects of dog-naming are a bit more freewheeling and fun. For instance, there’s a clear trend among dog owners to pick a name derived from pop culture. Go, nerds!

So if you’ve caught a four-legged Barb or Khaleesi sniffing at your feet this year, it’s no doubt due to the appeal of the on-demand and cable TV shows (“Stranger Things” and “Game of Thrones,” respectively) from which these names come.

According to Rover.com, TV-inspired names for dogs grew 17% in the past year. The name Barb alone is up 182%, and Arya and Snow also wound up as 2017 doggie faves.

Names of real-life powerful women are also surging in pooch popularity. Oprah and Madonna have seen a groundswell, and the number of hounds named Ivanka is up 88%.

Don’t feel left out, followers of the Force! With “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” opening in theaters on Friday, dog names such as Rey, Finn, Luke, and Leia (all characters in the new film) rose in popularity by 70%.

So if you’re thinking of adding a new mutt to your family this year, the following list of top names will either give you some ideas or—if you like to go against the grain—help you decide which names to avoid. Be good to your furball!

Top 20 male dog names

1. Max
2. Charlie
3. Cooper
4. Buddy
5. Jack
6. Rocky
7. Bear
8. Tucker
9. Oliver
10. Duke
11. Toby
12. Bentley
13. Milo
14. Teddy
15. Leo
16. Winston
17. Jax
18. Zeus
19. Louie
20. Murphy

Top 20 female dog names

1. Bella
2. Lucy
3. Daisy
4. Luna
5. Lola
6. Sadie
7. Molly
8. Bailey
9. Maggie
10. Sophie
11. Chloe
12. Stella
13. Lily
14. Penny
15. Zoey
16. Coco
17. Roxy
18. Gracie
19. Mia
20. Nala

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