Every generation gives its pets a dose of pop culture, but 2025’s list comes straight from the era of VHS tapes and after-school movies. From Wicked witches to ’90s heartthrobs, pet parents are naming their companions after the characters and stories that raised them, Rover reports.

Dogs Go Big, From Broadway To Candy Factories

Dog names read like a movie marathon this year. Forrest Gump shot up 631%, followed by Boq and Gracie Lou Freebush (both over 500%), Galinda and Willie Wonka (331%), and even R2D2 (256%). New arrivals like Dr. Indiana Bones and Edward Cullen add a wink of humor to familiar legends. As families rewatch classics and quote favorite lines, those stories find new life at the dog park.

Movie magic is alive in this year’s pet names. 

Cats Channel Iconic Characters

Cats, never ones to play supporting roles, are channeling larger-than-life personas of their own. The biggest leap? Bill Murray, up more than a thousand percent. Mary-Kate, Sandy Cheeks, Fat Louie, and Jack Sparrow round out a cast of characters that blend comedy, cartoons, and adventure. Deep-cut favorites like Edward Scissorpaws and Junie B. Jones show that movie nostalgia is mingling with childhood storybook memories—a cross-generational love letter wrapped in fur and whiskers.

Why The 90s, And Why Now

There’s something comforting about revisiting old favorites. With modern film and TV franchises recycling endlessly, the 1990s offer a stable cultural touchstone. “Families seem to favor comfort characters during sequel fatigue,” Rover notes, and the data backs it up.

Rewatchable, quotable, and familiar—these names reconnect people to moments that feel safe and joyful. As one entertainment writer told Teen Vogue, sequels and reboots keep “the fan energy alive,” reviving not just stories, but the emotions tied to them.

Pop culture heroes are back in style.

Wicked, Swift, And What’s Next

The trend shows no signs of slowing. With the final Wicked film on the way, expect Elphie, Glinda, and Fiyero to rise again. On the music front, Taylor Swift’s influence is still undeniable—her pets, lyrics, and aesthetic continue to inspire name spikes like Ophelia and Elizabeth Taylor.

Streaming culture makes these shifts fast and unpredictable. A single viral show can change naming trends in weeks. That’s why Rover is already watching names like Rumi, Zoey, and Mira, drawn from emerging titles and international series poised to break big in 2026.

The 90s are rewriting America’s pet name list.

Pop Names Meet Practical Sound

Even when the inspiration is cinematic, the execution is smart. Two-syllable names with vowel endings—Boq, Rumi, Loki—fit the patterns trainers recommend. They’re punchy, fun to say, and easy for pets to learn. The result: fandom meets function.

The Takeaway

Pop culture may cycle fast, but names rooted in shared joy endure. Whether it’s a golden retriever named Forrest or a rescue cat called Elphaba, these choices carry stories we’ve loved—and remind us that nostalgia, much like loyalty, never really goes out of style.