Copyright MassLive
Boston dog parents are saying a lot with their pet names this year — and not just “sit” or “stay.” According to a new report from Rover, the city’s pet names tell a story about local flavor, nostalgia, and personality. “While the trends change, one thing remains the same: The names dog parents choose to give their pets are often a direct reflection of who they are, what they like, and what’s going on in the world at the time,” Rover notes. “As pet parents ourselves, we know how important a pet’s name is and how much thought goes into finding just the right one — which makes sense, considering it’s likely to be hollered across the house about a million times." Read more: Trending dog names in 2025: Did your puppy’s name make the list? Classic names like Lucy, Charlie, and Maggie still dominate Boston’s dog parks but there’s a growing wave of creativity — and carbs — in the mix. Rover’s annual list shows food-inspired names such as Maple, Honey, Pancake and even Cannoli rising fast among Boston pups. If that sounds like the brunch menu at a North End café, that’s kind of the point. Boston dog owners seem to be channeling their love of local comfort food straight into their pets’ identities. “Pet names mirror the cultural tastes of their humans,” Rover wrote. Read more: Popular cat names in 2025: Trends driving naming decisions, what’s hot and what’s not “Boston is leaning cozy, classic, and a little bit sweet this year.” While this is true for both dogs and cats, feline-parents are leaning more towards pop culture for inspiration. For cats, names like Cosmo, Shaggy, Minnie, and even Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon are clawing their way up the charts. Top 5 dog names in Boston: Lucy Charlie Luna Daisy Maggie More than a name Rover’s data suggests Bostonians are opting for names that feel personal yet playful. The rise of edible and nostalgic names reflects how the city blends tradition with modern comfort — whether in a dog name or a Dunkin’ order. And while there’s no shortage of Lucys and Lunas around the Common, choosing something like Cannoli or Pancake might just make your pup the talk of the dog park.
