2025’s Most Popular Dog Names for Dubuque and the Tri-States

I should first mention that I am in no way tied to this poll of pooch names. Rather, I am the proud owner of one fat tabby named Phineas. He is about as close to a dog as a cat can get, with the way he greets people at the door and supervises absolutely everything. But what’s in a name, really? How did my family decide on Phineas? Many of you have already guessed it. My kids loved Disney’s Phineas and Ferb, and so we got a Phineas. Sadly for the kids, no Ferb ever followed.

So how did you pick your pet’s name?

According to a recent study from U.S. News & World Report, many of us name our pets in much the same way. They could be inspired by pop culture, family favorites, or names that just feel right. That’s how we end up with familiar, well-loved names rising to the top year after year. Using pet insurance data collected from 2020 through early 2025, the study revealed the most popular dog names across the country, including right here in the Tri-States of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Growing up on the farm, creativity wasn’t always the goal, and none of our names made the popular list. Our dogs were named Champ, Annie, Mandy, and Sweety. My sister and her husband went in a slightly more imaginative direction, naming their dogs Pooka and Tank, which somehow fit them perfectly. As for me, the only dog I ever truly owned was named Lilly. She was sweet, but definitely no delicate flower. Lilly loved chasing grain carts, and sadly, that thrill-seeking streak is how her life ended.

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So how do today’s Tri-State dog names stack up?

In Iowa, Bella takes the top spot, followed by Lucy, with Daisy and Luna tied for third.
In Illinois, Bella also reigns supreme, with Charlie and Luna close behind.
And in Wisconsin, Daisy leads the pack, followed by Luna and Max.

When you compare that to the national trends, it’s clear the Tri-States mostly stick to the classics. Nationwide, Luna currently tops the list, but Bella, Charlie, Max, and Daisy continue to dominate across the U.S. Just more proof that timeless names never really go out of style. Wisconsin stands out a bit by putting Daisy at number one, while Iowa and Illinois stay firmly Team Bella. And trust me, we all know why I had to phrase it that way.

So did your dog’s name make the top three? Or are you proudly flying the flag for something a little more unique, like I am? Either way, whether your pup is a Bella, a Tank, or a Champ, one thing’s for sure: around here, good dogs come with great stories, mine did. And that's no matter what name you're yelling from your porch.