#Japan #Tokyo #Dog Names #iPet Insurance #Pet Trends

Pet Name Rankings for 2026

In an exciting release, iPet Insurance Co., headquartered in Koto, Tokyo, has unveiled its latest survey results revealing the top pet names for dogs, cats, and exotic animals in 2026. This year, the company has also included insights into age group preferences, showcasing trends among pet owners.

Overall Rankings

In the dog category, the name "Mugi" has secured the top position for the sixth consecutive year. This name has undeniably become a staple among dog lovers. Following closely, last year's fourth-place name, "Mocha," has risen to third this year. Meanwhile, in the cat category, "Mugi" surged from third to first place, reclaiming its title as the most popular name. Previous champions, "Late" and "Luna," now share the second spot this year.
Interestingly, 2026 marks the return of the name "Uni" which had previously dropped out of the rankings.

Gender-Based Rankings

When examining names by gender for dogs, "Leo" has maintained its dominance among male dogs. Additionally, "Sora" rose from eighth place last year to fifth. For female dogs, "Mugi" continues its reign at number one, while last year's fourth-place "Mocha" climbed to rank two. This indicates a consistent popularity for the name "Mugi" regardless of gender.
In the feline category, male name rankings remain unchanged, with "Leo" still at the top. Among female cats, "Luna" holds steady at number one, while "Late" jumped from eighth to fifth, showcasing changing trends.

Age-Based Rankings

Analyzing pet names by the age of owners reveals interesting trends. Among dog owners aged 20-50, "Mugi" tops the list, indicating its widespread appeal across various age groups. However, for those aged 60 and above, "Coco" takes the lead, while "Momo" ranks third, demonstrating distinct preferences based on age. In the cat owner category, "Mugi" once again shines in many age brackets but is notably replaced by "Kinako" among 30-year-olds.
Furthermore, names like "Uni" and "Omochi" made waves among the younger demographic, highlighting shifting naming patterns.

Breed-Specific Rankings

The ranking for dog breeds shows variations with "Mugi" stepping aside from some breed categories. For Shiba Inus, names like "Komugi" and "Azuki" occupy the chart, revealing that many choices lean towards Hiragana characters. Similarly, among cats, breed-specific preferences have emerged, particularly with the Minuet breed, where names not in the top ten, like "Noah," made an appearance.

Exotic Animal Rankings

With regards to exotic pets, a survey covering eleven species revealed "Omochi" as the uncontested favorite among hamsters, squirrels, and guinea pigs. Notably, other distinct names like "Choco" for degus and "Shiratama" and "Totoro" for chinchillas exemplify individual preferences.

Additional Insights

In a fun twist, the survey also collected data related to the new official characters of iPet Insurance, namely "Uchi no Ko Dai-chan" and "Uchi no Ko Ai-chan." Names resembling these characters attracted attention, with 17 dogs and cats named "Dai" and 34 bearing the name "Ai."

Conclusion

The array of popular names showcases the diversity and fondness pet owners have for their beloved companions. Each chosen name has a story, reflecting the bond shared between owners and their pets. As iPet Insurance continues to highlight and embrace this aspect of pet ownership, the company ensures that these cherished companions are protected with utmost care and love for a lifetime.

For additional inspiration on naming pets, explore these links:

• - Cute Dog Names
• - Cute Cat Names

Survey Overview

• - Dogs and Cats survey: New contracts from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, focusing on zero-year-old pets.
• - Exotic Animal survey: Contracts from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, including rabbits, birds, hamsters, chinchillas, degu, lizards, ferrets, guinea pigs, flying squirrels, hedgehogs, and squirrels.

Note: Rankings in parentheses indicate last year's standings.