THE WEB PAGES FROM AUSTRALIA AOL SITES

Top 10 Names for Dogs and Cats

February 28, 2009, 10:00 PM Post Comments
| More
Forget Fido or Fluffy. For the sixth year in a row, Max is the most popular name for both dogs and cats. That's the word from Veterinary Pet Insurance, which analyzed its 466,000 insured clients and came up with lists of the top 10 names for dogs and cats. The faithfulness of man's best friend led many in the past to consider Fido the ideal name for a dog. Now pet owners are more likely to name their dog Frank than Fido. In fact, some of the most popular dog and cat names--Bella, Chloe, Sophie and Bailey--also rank among the Social Security Administration's most popular baby names.

Find out how to choose the best name for your pet. The name you choose says a lot about you as an individual.

Only 13 dogs in VPI's database went by Fido in 2008, placing the name at No. 2,866. Rover wasn't far behind at No. 2,534. Surprisingly, some dog names that are more popular than Rover and Fido are Liebchen, Zowie, Munchie, Ginger Snap, Butchie, Dundee and Grendel. Other classic dog names that ranked low in popularity included Lassie (No. 1,572), Pluto (No. 1,009), Patch (No. 667), Spot (No. 659), Fluffy (No. 338), and Rex (No. 138).

This has to be the cutest puppy ever! Click to see photos of this Chihuahua with a perfect heart-shaped marking on his back.

top 10 names for dogs:
1. Max
2. Bailey
3. Bella
4. Molly
5. Lucy
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Sophie
10. Chloe

Find out the 10 best and worst cities for dogs.

top 15 cat names:
1. Max
2. Chloe
3. Tigger
4. Tiger
5. Lucy
6. Smokey
7. Oliver
8. Bella
9. Shadow
10. Charlie

Hey guys, if you want to impress a lady, get a cat. Here's the proof.

"Pets are often viewed as members of the family, treated like members of the family and, as a result, named like members of the family," said Curtis Steinhoff, senior director of corporate communications for VPI. "Max may sleep on his owner's bed, eat gourmet food and wear clothes to go out on the town. Rover probably does not. Max is short, yet easy to distinguish from common commands, so it is easy to understand why it's such a popular pet name."

Who is the top dog? Find out the No. 1 dog breed in America.

Besides being the most common name in 2008, Max also owned the distinction of the name with the most variations. VPI's database includes such Max-inspired pet names as Maximum Max, Max Power, Max Avalanche, Maximus Gladius Spartacus, Minimax, Sergeant Maxwell T. Steel, Max the Moose, Max Crime Fighter, Cherokee Max, Peanut Max, T.J. Maxx, Duramax, Fatmax, Maxmax, Maxator Midnight and Mad Max McNaughty.

Here he is! The world's ugliest dog. Look if you dare!

Loading comments service...

Latest Galleries on AOL

Heat Wave: With temperatures in Sydney and nearby areas hitting about 40 degrees, people are heading for beaches