We Found the Perfect Girl Dog Names for 2021

Leigh Crandall
·3-min read
Photo credit: Hillary Kladke - Getty Images
Photo credit: Hillary Kladke - Getty Images

From Country Living

There's been one silver lining to the tough year that was 2020: the number of pet adoptions increased dramatically and more furry companions found forever homes. With more people working from home, it's a trend that's expected to continue, and one of the best parts about adopting a four-legged family member is picking out their name. If you've added a new four-legged friend to your family (and found yourself searching for dog gifts, heated dog beds, and, yes, dog instagram captions), you'll need to find the perfect name. Here, we've offered suggestions for girl dog names to suit every pooch, from names inspired by story book characters and pop culture references to monikers that are a tribute to favorite foods and nature.

Most Popular Girl Dog Names

If you're thinking of naming your pooch "Bella" or "Luna," you're not alone! According to pet medical insurance company Trupanion, these names topped the list for female dogs in 2020:

  1. Bella

  2. Luna

  3. Lucy

  4. Daisy

  5. Molly

  6. Lola

  7. Sadie

  8. Maggie

  9. Coco

  10. Sophie

  11. Stella

  12. Chloe

  13. Bentley

  14. Lily

  15. Rosie

  16. Harley

  17. Riley

  18. Ruby

  19. Zoey

  20. Penny

  21. Gracie

  22. Piper

  23. Mia

  24. Roxy

  25. Ellie

  26. Abby

  27. Willow

  28. Ginger

  29. Nala

  30. Pepper

Photo credit: Sally Anscombe - Getty Images
Photo credit: Sally Anscombe - Getty Images

Names Inspired by Reality TV and Music

With so much time spent at home this year, it's no surprise that pet names inspired by characters from reality television shows are more popular than ever. According to Rover.com, girl dog names pulled from shows pet parents streamed include:

  • Carol (inspired by Carole Baskin of Tiger King)

  • Ramona, Tinsley, and Sonja (RHONY)

There's also been an uptick in dogs named for musicians, including:

Check your Spotify 2020 Wrapped list for ideas to suit your musical taste (ahem, Dolly Parton).

Photo credit: Ian Payne - Getty Images
Photo credit: Ian Payne - Getty Images

Names Inspired by Favorite Foods and Drinks

According to Rover.com, dog owners really love their beverages, so much so that coffee-and-cocktail-related names have trended upwards this year:

  • Pinot Noir (up 258%)

  • Whiskey Girl (up 58%)

  • Barista (up 58%)

  • Creme (up 18%)

  • Coffee (up 14%)

  • Brew (up 11%)

  • Cappuccino (up 7%)

Other names inspired by drinks and food include:

  • Waffles

  • Apple

  • Peaches

  • Roti

  • Tart

  • Arepa

  • Sugar

  • Bean

  • Mochi

  • Peanut

  • Cinnamon

  • Pancakes

  • Honey

Photo credit: Elizabethsalleebauer - Getty Images
Photo credit: Elizabethsalleebauer - Getty Images

Girl Dog Names Inspired by Nature

This year more than ever, pet owners have appreciated the peace and relaxation a day spent in nature can bring. The great outdoors can also be a great source for dog name ideas:

  • Clover

  • Pansy

  • Bluebell

  • Birdie

  • Cricket

  • Fern

  • Iris

  • Ivy

  • Lark

  • Maple

  • Oakley

  • Sage

  • Sequoia

  • Sierra

  • Sky

  • Rose

  • Aurora

  • Tansy

  • Thistle

  • Summer

  • Winter

Photo credit: fStop Images - Winnie Au - Getty Images
Photo credit: fStop Images - Winnie Au - Getty Images

Names Inspired by Fictional Characters

Looking to a favorite book, film, TV show, or video game for name inspiration is always a popular choice. A few of our top picks:

  • Lyra (His Dark Materials)

  • Lara (Tomb Rader)

  • Jo (Little Women)

  • Lizzie (Pride and Prejudice)

  • Phoebe, Rachel, or Monica (Friends)

  • Arya (Game of Thrones)

  • Hermione (Harry Potter)

  • Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird)

  • Arwen (Lord of the Rings)

  • Buttercup (The Princess Bride)

Photo credit: Lee Thompson - Getty Images
Photo credit: Lee Thompson - Getty Images

Classic, Cute Girl Dog Names

While trendy dog names are fun, there are also plenty of adorable monikers that have stood the test of time you'll want to consider, too:

  • Pebbles

  • Cece

  • Dot

  • Minnie

  • Fifi

  • Lottie

  • Goldie

  • Tillie

  • Queenie

  • Nessie

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