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These were Boston’s most popular dog names in 2025
The city’s latest dog registration data reveals the names — and breeds — most common across Boston.
If you’ve ever called out for your dog and watched another one turn around, you’re not alone. A new list based on Boston’s 2025 dog registrations shows just how common some names are across the city.
The rankings — based on dog license records maintained by Boston’s Animal Care and Control Division — found Luna to be the most popular dog name in Boston, appearing on 137 licenses. Charlie ranked second with 118, followed by Bella with 94.
Boston’s most popular dog names
- Luna (137)
- Charlie (118)
- Bella (94)
- Lucy (89)
- Daisy (88)
- Teddy (80)
- Milo (79)
- Penny (69)
- Coco (67)
- Millie (66)
The city also released a list of the most common dog breeds registered in Boston last year.
Most common dog breeds registered in Boston
- Labrador retriever (1,961)
- Golden retriever (970)
- Miniature poodle (543)
- Chihuahua (490)
- German shepherd (480)
- Australian shepherd (398)
- Yorkshire terrier (392)
- Shih tzu (388)
- Beagle (338)
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel (311)
City officials shared the rankings alongside a reminder that Boston dogs over six months old must be licensed each year, and the deadline to register them is March 31. The city says licensing helps identify pets and return them to their owners if they get lost.
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Licensing costs:
- $15 for spayed or neutered dogs
- $30 for dogs that are not altered
Fees are waived for service animals and Boston residents age 70 or older.
Owners must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination, and documentation showing whether the dog has been spayed or neutered.
The city says owners who fail to license their dogs may face a $50 fine.
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