The top 10 pet names, according to a recent survey by Veterinary Pet Insurance, are dominated by human names, whereas in the past the most popular pet names were based on some physical or personality trait.
Experts say this reflects the trend of pet-owners seeing their pets as full-fledged family members.
VPI, the nation's largest pet insurance provider, surveyed its 300,000-plus policyholders to determine the most popular pet names.
When it comes to naming your pet, PetPlace.com suggests you might want to observe your new pet for a few days and see if the personality suggests a name. Here are some more pet-naming tips from PetPlace:
Choose a name that your pet will easily recognize. Some experts say the ideal name is two syllables ending with a vowel sound, like Sami or Lassie.
Avoid names that sound too much like standard commands. For example, when you call Snowy or Joe, your pet might only hear "No."
Pick a name that will be just as appropriate once your pet is full-grown. A pup named Damage or Havoc may eventually grow up to be a quiet, stately dog.
Pick a name that you will be proud to call. Shadow or Molly might be less embarrassing than Ooga Booga or HeyYou.
