Fauci and Chadwick are some of the most popular pet names

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(CNN) -

Dog parks are likely to be full of more puppies named Grogu, Britney and Zoom this year.

Rover.com, the app and website that connects users to pet sitting services, released its ninth annual report on the most popular pet names, including those inspired by the covid pandemic. -19 and, of course, the famous ones. Rising pet adoption rates, combined with the extra time spent at home, has led to some fascinating trends in pet names, according to Kate Jaffe, chief marketing officer for Rover.com.

"Some people may choose a name that they simply think reflects their pet's flamboyant personality," Jaffe told CNN.

"But at the end of the day, what they're really trying to do is honor the relationship they have with their pet and give it a name that shows their pet's personality and also reveals their own personality."

The report, produced between September and October, was based on the millions of user-submitted pet names that owners provided when signing up for Rover.com.

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"Zoom, go get the ball"

This year, the names inspired by the covid increased: the dogs named "Zoom" increased by 443%, while the name "Fauci" increased by 270%.

Names inspired by home tech, like "Siri", were up 131% and "Google" up 63%.

According to Nicole Ellis, Certified Professional Trainer of Famous Dogs at Rover.com, names like "Zoom" are often chosen because they remind owners of an unprecedented time when they developed a closer relationship with their pets.

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Some owners want to call their dogs "covid" to remember the time when they bonded closely with their pet.

"That's the time when we can look back and say, 'A puppy (with a) covid-related name, did you get it during the covid?'

and now we have a great talking point, "Ellis told CNN.

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Celebrity names

Celebrities and musicians have also largely inspired pet names.

Dogs named Boseman increased 1,063%, while Chadwick cats increased 400% in honor of the late actor Chadwick Boseman.

The Britney Spears guardianship battle influenced the dog names Britney Spears and Jamie Lynn, while Crazy - perhaps inspired by their 1998 hit song - rose 68%.

"People feel like they live with a celebrity a little bit, and for most of us, our pets are the celebrities in our lives and what makes us feel so happy and excited," says Ellis.

In contrast, cats named Ellen were down 129%, while Kanye and both Taylor and Taylor Swift had a downward trend.

Jaffe expects names related to Taylor Swift to increase in 2022, as well as Adele's.

While some fans fill the stadiums this football season, others took their obsession with the sport to a new level.

DK, inspired by Seattle Seahawks catcher DK Metcalf, was the hottest football-inspired dog name, with a 563% increase.

Gronk, named after former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski, was the most popular soccer-inspired cat name, with a 276% increase.

Grogu is a popular pet name this year thanks to the popularity of "The Mandalorian".

Other pet name trends

Many dog ​​owners who missed going to the stadium in person also yearned to travel, prompting a rise in names inspired by foreign dishes, especially French.

In the case of dogs, the name Caviar rose 800% and that of Dijon 700%.

As for cats, Baguette was up 600% and Raclette 300%.

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"Since people are a bit deprived of travel, they look to pet names for a way to remember some of the things they miss, and when we give our pets a name inspired by our favorite food or favorite travel destination, it is a way to live that fantasy, "says Jaffe.

Other trends are dogs named Doge for the cryptocurrency craze, space-inspired names, names inspired by tech titans, and vegan food names.

This year, the biggest name for dogs is Bella, followed by Luna, Lucy, and Daisy.

For males, Max ranks first, followed by Charlie, Milo, and Buddy.

The humanization of pets has continued to grow: 61% of pet owners said that their pet already has a human name.

Others say they will give their future pet a human name.

Pet owners often prefer two-syllable human names, such as Simone.

The way these names sound is also a contributing factor to their popularity.

Most pet owners would be comfortable calling out human names in public, according to Ellis.

Many of these names also sound like things owners would ask of their dogs.

According to Ellis, "very simple, short, positive names" are best for dog owners, as are names that can be shortened.

Ellis prefers two-syllable names for dogs, as they are easy to pronounce.

Next year, Jaffe hopes to see the continued influence of pop culture on pet names, as well as names inspired by more specialized interests and passions.

"We all want our dogs to feel loved or special, so that feeling of happiness is very important, and that comes with a name," says Ellis.

Pets Names