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Name That Critter: What's The Most Popular Pet Name?

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Chances are, you'll run into a dog or cat named Chloe. That name, however, isn't the most popular, according to a survey.

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By KRISTEN LEVINE

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 14, 2009

Seriously, when was the last time you met a Rover, Fido or Mittens? Clearly, those pet names are passe. So what's hot to replace Spot?

Max is the most popular name given to dogs and cats both for the sixth consecutive year, according to results from Veterinary Pet Insurance's annual pet name survey. The company analyzed a database of more than 466,000 of our nation's insured pets to dig up the most popular names. Here are the results:

Dogs

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

Cats

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

"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, director of communications for VPI.

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

"Max may sleep on his owner's bed, eat gourmet food and wear clothes to go out on the town," Steinhoff said. "Rover probably does not."

Consider these findings from a recent pet owner survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association: 93 percent of pet parents would risk their lives for a pet; 40 percent of us allow pets to sleep in our beds; and half of us carry a pet photo in our wallet.

The most notable increase in popularity since last year was Bailey, which was No. 9 in 2007. Other changes in 2008 include the addition of Sophie (No. 9) and Chloe (No. 10) in place of Jake and Rocky for dog names, and Shadow (No. 9) and Charlie (No. 10) in place of Sophie and Princess for cats. As in 2007, Max joined Lucy and Bella as names popular for cats and dogs in 2008.

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.

When pondering a name for your new best friend, remember that you're labeling your pet for its lifetime. It's a good idea to be creative and thoughtful about the name you select.

"Max is short, yet easy to distinguish from common commands," Steinhoff said. "So it is easy to understand why it's such a popular pet name."

In search of the perfect pet name? Check these books:

"The Complete Book of Pet Names: An ASPCA Book" by George Greenfield (Andrews McMeel Publishing; $1.50, used)

"The Big Book of Pet Names: More Than 10,000 Pet Names" by Eugene Boone (Rsvp Press; $15.95)

"The Best Pet Name Book Ever!" by Wayne Bryant Eldridge (Barron's Educational Series Inc.; $9.99)

"Happy Hound: Develop a Great Relationship with Your Adopted Dog or Puppy" by Susan Daffron (Logical Expressions Inc.; $19.95)

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@fetchingcommunications.com. Keyword: Pet Names, to check out a database of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas pet names, and to ad

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