Boston's Most Popular Dog Names Revealed

BOSTON — The Boston Parks and Recreation Department's Animal Care and Control Division are reminding all city dog owners that the deadline for licensing their pets is fast approaching.

All dogs in Boston require a new license each year, and that deadline is March 31, 2022.

To bring attention to the licensing alert, the Animal Care and Control Division collected data from the previous year to reveal the most popular dog names of 2021 in Beantown.

The most popular male dog name in 2021 was Charlie, having 82 pups registered under that name in Boston, and the top female name with 112 dogs registered was Luna.

The information also provided the most popular dog breeds of registered dogs in Boston. In 2021, the top breeds were Golden Retrievers coming in first with 703 in the city, Chihuahua and German Shepherd tied for second with 442 each registered, and the Beagle, coming in third with 345 registered.

All dog owners need to license their dogs by Thursday, March 31, 2022. Dogs must be licensed if they are older than six months. Owners must provide a copy of their dog's current rabies certificate.

For spayed and neutered pets, owners must submit proof of spaying or neutering if they have not done so previously. Licensing fees are $15 for a neutered male or spayed female or $30 for an intact male or female. The dog licensing fee is waived for service animals and residents age 70 and older. Owners must also pay any outstanding Animal Care and Control fines.

"Not only is licensing your pet the law, but a license is your pet's ID and provides their fastest ticket home if they become lost," said Animal Care and Control Director Alexis Trzcinski. "We like to remind owners that if your dog ever gets out, the chances of being reunited are greatly increased with a license."

TOP 25 MALE DOG NAMES OF 2021
Based on City of Boston 2021 Licensing Data

1. CHARLIE
2. TEDDY
3. OLIVER
4. MAX
5. OLLIE
6. MILO
7. COOPER
8. TOBY
9. ROCKY
10. FINN
11. WINSTON
12. TUCKER
13. HENRY
14. GUS
15. BUDDY
16. LEO
17. BREA
18. LOUIE
19. JACK
20. ARCHIE
21. BENTLEY
22. BRUNO
23. DUKE
24. BAXTER
25. ZIGGY

TOP 25 FEMALE DOG NAMES OF 2021
Based on City of Boston 2021 Licensing Data

1. LUNA
2. BELLA
3. LUCY
4. DAISY
5. PENNY
6. LOLA
7. STELLA
8. MOLLY
9. BAILEY
10. ROSIE
11. MAGGIE
12. LILY
13. SADIE
14. RUBY
15. OLIVE
16. CHLOE
17. SOPHIE
18. WINNIE
19. COCO
20. WILLOW
21. PIPER
22. MILLIE
23. MAYA
24. LULU
25. RILEY

The fine for an unlicensed dog is $50.

Please call (617) 635-5348 5348 or email animalcontrol@boston.gov with any questions about the licensing process or to update your information in the database.

The City of Boston will also host a series of dog licensing and pet vaccine clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from March 5 to June 4 at seven BCYF community centers. For details, fees, and locations please visit boston.gov/animals, call (617) 635-1800.