January 8, 2026, 1:26 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Which names are trending for pets? Recent analyses by the animal protection organization TASSO show: Milo, Luna, and Simba will remain top favorites for dogs and cats in 2025—continuing their long-standing popularity. At the same time, the new ranking offers some exciting shifts and small surprises. Here are the most popular dog and cat names in 2025.
What do Milo, Luna, and Simba have in common?
These names not only top the popularity charts for pets once again, but they also provide interesting insights into the naming preferences of German pet owners. An analysis of the TASSO database shows: While some classics maintain their positions confidently, other names are gaining significance or making a comeback. Particularly striking is the continuity—many favorites have been popular for dogs and cats for years.
The Most Popular Dog Names 2025
The Top Ten Dog Names for Males
- Milo / Mailo / Milow
- Balu / Balou
- Charly / Charlie
- Bruno
- Buddy
- Loki
- Rocky
- Leo
- Teddy
- Eddy / Eddie
The Top Ten Dog Names for Females
- Luna
- Nala
- Bella
- Frieda / Frida
- Maja / Maya
- Emma
- Lilly / Lilli
- Amy
- Kira
- Lucy
In 2025, Luna continues to lead the list of the most popular female dog names. For males, Milo—in all its spellings—remains in first place, ahead of Balu/Balou, which has settled permanently in second place. New to the top ten is Teddy, while other names like Sammy or Lucky have lost some ground this year. Overall, the ranking remains remarkably stable.
The Most Popular Cat Names 2025
The Top Ten Cat Names for Males
- Simba
- Leo
- Charly / Charlie
- Milo
- Balu / Balou
- Findus
- Loki
- Sammy
- Felix
- Mogli
The Top Ten Cat Names for Females
- Luna
- Nala
- Lilly / Lilli
- Lucy
- Mia
- Coco
- Mimi
- Mila
- Bella
- Maja / Maya
For cats, much remains the same—and that’s what makes the trend so interesting. Luna and Nala continue to lead the list of female cat names. Coco has firmly established itself in the upper half, while Maja/Maya has made a comeback into the top ten after a temporary drop.
Among male cats, Simba remains unchallenged at number one, closely followed by Leo. Notably, Mogli is back among the top ten names in 2025, confirming the trend toward characters from children’s books and movies.
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Trends in the Most Popular Dog and Cat Names 2025
A look at the current name lists reveals three clear trends: Most popular pet names consist of one or two syllables—three-syllable names still play no role. Short names are easier to call and are better recognized by animals.
Secondly, names from movies, series, and books remain extremely popular. Characters from the Disney classic “The Lion King” are particularly well-represented: Simba and Nala have been favorites for cats and dogs for years.
Yet the undisputed all-rounder remains Luna. The name, derived from Latin (“moon”), has been at the top of the charts for both dogs and cats for over a decade. Why Luna has such appeal is speculative—perhaps pop culture influences play a role, as well as the soft sound of the name.
Is Your Pet’s Name on Trend?
Whether dog or cat, purebred or mixed breed: The TASSO analysis shows that pet owners in 2025 have clear favorites when it comes to naming. If you’ve named your pet Milo, Luna, or Simba, you’re definitely on trend—and share the name with thousands of other pets in Germany. Hopefully, this won’t lead to confusion at the dog park when a call for “Luna” brings four or five female dogs running.