Popularity:
The most popular dog name in North America is Sam, Sammie or Samantha (which means "listener"). The second most popular is Max, Maxie, Maxwell or Maxine (which means "the greatest" in Latin). Third is Lady, followed by Bear, Maggie, Buddy, Tasha, Chelsea (or Chelsie), Holly and Shasta. Other very popular names are Brandy, Ginger and Taffy.
"ABC's" of Naming Your Puppy:
Don't rush into naming your puppy the moment you get her home. Oftentimes, people make their selection from lists of female or male dog names, only to find the personality of the newest member of the family to be quite different than expected!
To avoid this, watch him, study his personality, and ideas will begin to form. Sometimes, as soon as you see your new puppy, names will just jump out at you. The classic example of this is a puppy with a large spot on its side, leading to, well, Spot. If you notice big or unusual ears on your new male dog, names such as Dumbo or Spock might come to mind.
When making your decision, discuss the full range of potential puppy names with your whole family. Having your spouse and kids involved in the process is the best way to keep everyone happy.
What to Avoid
Multiple syllable words are easier for dogs to learn and understand. They don't know if you're saying "come here" or "comb hair;" they are responding to the familiarity of the sounds, inflection, and tone in your voice. Avoid one-syllable names, as they can easily be confused with other words or sounds.
This brings us to another point. Steer clear of puppy names that sound similar to a command you will eventually want to teach your new pup. For instance, Mae or Fay might appeal to you, but they sound too similar to the common command "Stay". Will Moe "Go", as in "go get it"? You might end up with one confused pooch-eager to please, but confused never the less!
In a multi-pet household, try to keep names phonetically distinct. Having two dogs called Mo and Jo might seem like fun, but each would have trouble differentiating whether you are calling Mo or Jo, as they sound very similar. Of course, if you're naming a puppy and a kitten, this rule doesn't strictly apply.
Teaching Your Pet His Name
The key is repetition, repetition, and more repetition. Use your dog's name frequently and whenever you are playing with, feeding, or grooming him. Avoid using it in stressful situations, or when he has any kind of "puppy accident." You want him to have a strong, positive connection with his name. If he grows up fearing he has done something wrong when he hears it, you may have trouble getting him to come to you when you need him to (i.e., in an off-leash dog park).
