
Lucy has bounced Bella as the most popular dog name in Wellesley among 2,762 licensed pups in 2019, with labrador retrievers remaining the most common breed in town by far.
Bella had been the most common dog name in Wellesley for 3 years running, but Lucy was never far behind. 40 Lucys have been licensed for 2019 vs. 30 Bellas. We suppose it’s possible that there are still a bunch of renegade Bellas out there just waiting for their owners to fill out the licensing application.
Here’s the Top 12 list of popular Wellesley dog names:
- Lucy 40
- Bella 30
- Charlie 26
- Teddy 24
- Cooper 24
- Lily 22
- Tucker 21
- Bailey 21
- Brady 21
- Sadie 20
- Lola 20
- Cody 20
Maggie, Buddy and Daisy have fallen off a bit.
Unique dog names in town include the elegant River Song, royalty Princess Katerina and Princess Lola, and superhero Keiko the Wonder Dog. Surprised there isn’t a single Swellesley on the list…
There’s only one Leonberger named Minnie! pic.twitter.com/UXgmyWIL7f
— gordo33 (@gordo33) April 10, 2019
As for breeds, 407 labrador retrievers were licensed in Wellesley. Labs are followed by golden retrievers, golden doodles, labradoodles, and mixed breeds as the most popular dog breeds in town.
Rhodesian ridgebacks, puggles, and Siberian huskies are among other breeds of which there are at least 10 in Wellesley.
If you spaced on registering your dog by the April 1 deadline, you can still get in compliance by filling out the application online or sending it in by mail.

MORE: Wellesley College lays down the bylaw on dogs
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Thanks for once again bringing us the news that matters (at least if you are calling your dog in Centennial Park). On behalf of my beloved rescue coonhound mix Zoey, I note that Zoey and Zoe together account for 20 dogs, tying for tenth place.
True Jane, a more careful consideration of alternate spellings does rearrange things a bit. Have seen that with the Lily/Lilly/Lillie, etc., of the local dog world, too.