Nation's Leading Pet Insurer Reveals Most Popular Dog and Cat Names for 2005

PR Newswire ^ | December, 2005

[SJackson]

BREA, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holidays and the New Year quickly approach, animal lovers may plan on adding a new pet to their family. Veterinarians from Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) suggest that new pet owners take time to get to know their new fuzzy family member before deciding on a permanent name.

Below are the most popular names for dogs and cats for 2005 among policyholders with VPI, the nation's oldest and largest provider of health insurance for pets.

Dogs 1. Max 2. Baily 3. Buddy 4. Molly 5. Maggie 6. Lucy 7. Daisy 8. Bella 9. Jake 10 Rocky

Cats 1. Max 2. Tigger 3. Smokey 4. Tiger 5. Chloe 6. Shadow 7. Lucy 8. Angel 9. Oliver 10. Simba

For the third year in a row, Max is the nation's most popular pet name, based on an analysis of VPI's 360,000 pet insurance policies.

"Many pet owners consider their pets to be members of their family. As such, they give them human names like Max, Molly or Maggie, which underscores the fact that the human-animal bond is stronger than ever," says Dr. Carol McConnell, manager of veterinary education and services for VPI. "New pet owners should spend quality time with their pets, especially in the first week, to establish daily patterns of behavior and to recognize unique traits in the pet that translate into a name, such as 'Happy' or 'Diva'."

Other suggestions for naming a new pet, says Dr. McConnell, include selecting a name that is short and easy to pronounce, and to be careful not to choose a name that is too similar to a command, such as Neil or Joe, which might be confused with "heal" or "no."

About Veterinary Pet Insurance Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the nation's oldest and largest health insurance provider for pets. Providing pet owners with peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to making the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable for all pet owners. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for thousands of medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional Vaccination & Routine Care Coverage is also available.

Policies are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance policies, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit http://www.petinsurance.com/.

[Logic n' Reason]

Midnight (all black cat)

Misty (all white cat)

Bob (mix - cat - female)

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

5) Felony

[apackof2]

MADDIE
Chow/Lab

[HairOfTheDog]

Yer so ~trendy~

[PoorMuttly]

All this indicates is that the people who INSURE their pets use these names, not that they are the most generally popular.

I happen to know that "Muttly" is the nation's most rapidly growing popular name, among the intelligensia.

I once knew a guy whose cat's name was "Kitler," not that I am recommending it. I had a turtle named Fluffy once.

Me hope this helps.

[pepperdog]

Maybe that's why my Maggie Mae won't pay attention when I call her name, she thinks it's some other Maggie. Well I didn't give her the name, she was already named when I got her.

[NRA2BFree]

My little girl kitty was "Molly McGuire" from the moment I saw her and her brother was "Cowboy" until he dove into my bubble bath, and he's been "Mr. Bubbles" ever since.

[MotleyGirl70]

I had kitty named Boots when I was a little girl.

Lainey is my new kitty. She's a cutie. She's sitting here watching me type this post.

[MotleyGirl70]

Hannibal

He hasn't tried to eat you in the middle of the night has he?

[MotleyGirl70]

What a cute dog :)

[NRA2BFree]

Sorry, I should have put this link so you could see my little FReepers; Molly McGuire and Mr. Bubbles. I just KNOW you all want to see them. LOL :o)

[Moose4]

Well, our two Maine Coon Viking Kitties Livingston and Beauregard are safe from having trendy names, I guess.

}:-)4

[apackof2]

What a cute dog :)

Thanks she is a genius too!

BTW pretty new kitty

[Dog Gone]

Hannibal was a she. I don't think pets of any sex mind when you give them names not usually associated with their gender. They've never complained so far.

Genghis did lunge for my throat several times while having dreams. But he was a he.

[Young Werther]

When I was in the Air Force one of my fellow occifers named his dog "Kitty". What a hoot to hear him calling "Here Kitty!"

This was a black lab and he was trained for hunting and during duck season he was a real good retriever, albeit his name.

[HairOfTheDog]

We named a cat "Free Beer" in college... Though it's kinda dangerous on campus to step out the door and call "Free Beer!"

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I happen to know that "Muttly" is the nation's most rapidly growing popular name, among the intelligensia.

For dogs or kids?

[Ditter]

I was just congratulating myself because out of the dozens and dozens and dozens of cats and dogs I have owned, I have never named any of them those 20 names.
I have had an Odie, Hazel, Sally, Boss, Motorola, Hairy, Tootie, Cookie, Cate, Junior, Charlie, Shelly, Zoe, Doc, Wooly, etc. etc. etc. Thanks for the memories!

[tertiary01]

Curly the Chesapeake and Autumn the Lab. Shadow and Missy are the cats.

[porkchops 4 mahound]

I mean REALLY!

Where the heck is "Dog"? or "Barney"?, or "ZOG"?, or "Spike"?, yeah, where the he!! is "Spike"?, or "Knuckle Head"?, or "Goober"?, ....geeze...

That list isn't dog's names, it "pet's" names.