Go fetch, Pfizer.
Bad dog, Fauci.
The language is not a mean tweet targeting Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House chief medical adviser. It’s directed at dogs of the pandemic-influenced nation in 2021.
For those who acquired pets this past year, an annual report by the pet care company Rover.com revealed that some of the names would make COVID-19 hard to forget.
Fauci was one of the most popular pet names of 2021 – shooting up 270% from 2020. The pet name Covid also vaulted 35%, and dogs named Zoom were up 443% to commemorate a work-from-home life. Dogs named Zoom deserve extra kudos considering bosses may not know if a worker is frustrated with their computer or pooch on a given day. Siri and Google also were technology-inspired pet names on the rise.
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Additionally, dogs were named Dr. Fauci and Pfizer for the first time in 2021 after the COVID-19 vaccine dominated headlines across the nation for the better half of the year.
“The names we choose for our pets often reflect the things that matter most to us, from our passions and interests to what’s happening in the world around us,” a Rover.com statement read. “With soaring pet adoption rates and extra time spent at home over the past year, a lot of dogs and cats were given new names in 2021 that showcase the personalities of both the pet and pet parent.”
What other pet names were a hit in 2021 for Rover’s ninth annual report? Britney Spears, Disney+ and even cryptocurrency (Dogecoin and Bitcoin are legit pet names) inspired pop culture names for new owners.
Grogu, the real name of Baby Yoda from Disney’s “The Mandalorian,” was the top trending dog name in the country. Someone even named their dog Lady Whistledown to commemorate the Netflix hit show “Bridgerton.”
“Each year our annual top pet names report showcases what cultural moments made an impact and clearly, the pandemic was a big factor. From sports to the TV shows we binge-watched, our pets’ names were shaped by a truly unique year,” Rover trend expert Kate Jaffe said in a statement. “With the continuation of work from home, our bonds with our pets have grown even deeper.”
According to Rover’s annual list, which surveyed 1,000 pet owners in the U.S. and examined millions of user-submitted pet names submitted by owners, 61% of pet parents named their animal a human name.
“The naming process is truly a reflection of individuality, as a pet’s personality is the most popular inspiration for pet parents when choosing a name.
The most popular dog names of 2021:
- Female dogs: Bella, Luna, Lucy, Daisy, Zoe, Lily, Lola, Bailey, Stella and Molly.
- Male dogs: Max, Charlie, Milo, Buddy, Rocky, Bear, Leo, Duke, Teddy and Tucker
The most popular cat names of 2021:
- Female cats: Luna, Bella, Lily, Lucy, Nala, Kitty, Chloe, Stella, Zoe and Lola
- Male cats: Oliver, Leo, Milo, Charlie, Max, Simba, Jack, Loki, Ollie and Jasper
A full list can be found here.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/11/30/most-popular-pet-names-2021/8793433002/
