Hillsborough’s Top Dogs: The Votes Are In for 2025's Most Popular Names!

Dog License Renewal and Free Rabies Vaccine Clinic Also Announced

Hillsborough, NJ If you’re welcoming a new furry friend to your home and are looking for a truly unique name, you might want to look beyond the top contenders.

“The Hillsborough Township Clerk’s office has officially crunched the numbers from the 2025 dog license registrations and has announced the town’s reigning champions of canine naming,” said Mayor John Ciccarelli at the December 9 Township committee meeting.

The top ten names for 2025 are: 

• Cooper (leading the pack with 31 dogs)
• Bella (26 dogs)
• Luna (25 dogs)
• Rocky (19 dogs, including the musical "Rocky Raccoon.")
• Penny (including the equally musical "Penny Lane")
• Daisy
• Molly
• CoCo/Cocoa (also "Coco Bear," "Coco Melon," and "Coconut")
• Buddy
• A three-way tie for tenth place between Abby, Oliver, and Charlie 

Honorable Mentions for popularity go to Duke and Lucy. 

While the top names leaned traditional, Hillsborough dog owners clearly have a playful, pop-culture-savvy side. The township boasts dogs named after icons like Dolly Parton, Freddy Mercury, Princess Leia, and Jerry Garcia. And what truly dog-friendly town would be complete without at least one Snoop Dogg? 

"Whether you name your dog after a classic rock star or something completely original, we love seeing all the unique names come through," said Township Clerk Sarah Brake. "It’s a great reminder of how many beloved pets we have in our community.”

Another great reminder is that dog license renewal will begin January 2, 2026. All dogs over seven months are required to be licensed.

The final deadline to avoid a late fee is March 1, 2026. To register, pet owners need a current Rabies Vaccination Certificate (the rabies shot must be valid through October 31, 2026, to receive a one-year license) and Proof of Spaying or Neutering (if applicable). 

With all this in mind, the Health Department is sponsoring a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic on January 10, 2026, from 10 am to noon. 

Dog license applications and more information can be found on the Hillsborough Township website.