Anime Characters Dominate Top Trending Pet Names of 2026
Anime characters and pop culture icons have emerged as the dominant trend in pet naming across the United States in 2026, according to data from Rover. The top-trending names are heavily influenced by popular anime series and television shows, with characters from major franchises capturing the largest share of new pet names.
The most popular dog names of 2026 are Rumi, inspired by the character from KPop Demon Hunters, and Lumi, from Lumi and the Great Big Galaxy. Other notable characters in the trending pet names include figures from Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, The Odyssey, and Star Wars: Andor, demonstrating the broad appeal of pop culture in pet naming choices.
Names derived from movies and television shows represent the third highest trending category for pet names in the United States, behind only cottagecore and vintage revival naming trends. This finding indicates that while classic and nature-inspired aesthetics remain popular, contemporary entertainment properties are significantly influencing how Americans name their pets.
The popularity of anime-derived names reflects the growing mainstream appeal of Japanese animation and international streaming content. The dominance of these franchises in pet naming trends suggests that pop culture—particularly anime and streaming series—has become a major cultural touchstone for pet owners when selecting names for their dogs and cats.