Over the last few year’s Australians have been spending more time at home than ever before and it’s no surprise that pet ownership has risen dramatically in that time. And when it comes to our feline friends, cats continue to be much-loved family members. Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia analysed Australian search behaviour to find out the top trending cat breeds, characteristics and names right now. The team looked at 163 million Google search volumes to reveal which cat breeds are in high demand, the temperaments we’re most interested in, and whether or not this differed by state or territory. Whether you’re a cat owner yourself, or just a fan of all things cat-related, read on for the latest ‘paw-some’ cat trends and insights.
Top Cat Breeds Australia
Pandemic-led surge in cat adoption and rescue interest
For many Australians, cats make the perfect companions.
There has been a significant increase in overall pet ownership in Australia, with pets recently providing a source of comfort during a period of greater uncertainty and social isolation. According to Animal Medicines Australia (AMA), 69% of households now own a pet, up from 61% two years ago, and there are an estimated 30.4 million pets across the country. But what does this surge in interest look like when it comes to online searches for a new kitten or cat?
It’s official – we love our cats! In 2021, there were 4.9 million searches for cat adoption, cat rescue and new cats for sale. This represents a year on year (YoY) increase of 5% on 2020, which saw 4.7 million searches for cat adoption, cat rescue and new cats for sale nationally.
Interest in cat ownership increased significantly in April 2020 which saw a huge increase in searches for cat adoption, cat rescue and new cats for sale and was approximately double those in February and March 2020.
Over the last few years many of us longed for the comfort of a new four-legged companion. And for those of us lucky enough to be able to work from home, we had more time and energy to devote to integrating a new pet into the household. According to AMA, 24% of all pet cats in Australia were obtained during the pandemic. Companionship and rescue were the top reasons for getting a cat during this time.1
Our data also revealed that interest in cat adoption and rescue was significantly higher than interest in buying a new cat. In 2021, there were 3.4 million searches for cat adoption or rescue, which is more than double the number of searches for new cats (1.6 million searches). These results correspond to AMA’s findings that the most common methods of obtaining cats are through animal shelters (27%) and friends/family/neighbours’ family (25%). This was followed by breeders (14%), adopting strays (12%), pet shops (9%), vets (6%), other means (5%) and inherited (1%).1
These results show that Australians are an altruistic lot, with many potential owners keen to provide a cat in need with a safe and loving home. There could also be an economic reason for this, as a fostered or adopted cat is likely to be less expensive to obtain than one bought from a pet store or breeder.
1Pets and the pandemic, Animal Medicines Australia
Australia's top trending cat breeds revealed
There’s no doubt about it – Australians are smitten with kittens and cats! But which breeds are we looking for?
Top 10 trending cat breeds
We analysed Google searches of 73 cat breeds and types (pedigree and mixed) to reveal our top 10 breeds nationally, and by state and territory. All top breeds featured are ‘pedigree registered’ breeds.2
#1 Maine Coon

The winner is… the Maine Coon! The Maine Coon took out the #1 spot in search interest nationally, and in every state and territory. In 2021, there were 821,000 searches for Maine Coon, almost double that of the nearest competitor.
A large, semi-longhaired cat, the Maine Coon is big-boned with a rugged, muscular appearance. But despite her size, she’s sweet and gentle, and can easily adapt to any environment as long as she has room to exercise.
#2 Bengal

The striking Bengal nabbed the #2 position nationally, and in every state and territory except for Victoria. With 434,000 searches to its name, there’s plenty of interest in this breed.
The Bengal has the exotic spotted or marbled appearance of a small forest-dwelling wild cat, combined with the domestic cat’s affectionate temperament. Curious and alert, this long, muscular cat needs plenty of room to run, jump and play.
#3 Ragdoll

An ideal apartment breed, the Ragdoll was Australia’s 3rd most searched for breed, with 397,000 searches.
The Ragdoll is a large, easy-to-handle cat, with a plush coat and relaxed nature. It’s her laid-back, tolerant disposition that gives this breed its floppy ragdoll impression. She usually adapts well to change, and gets along with the whole family.
#4 British Shorthair

In 4th place, the British Shorthair received 350,000 searches nationally in 2021, a YoY increase of 23%.
A 19th century British breed, the British Shorthair is a compact yet powerful cat, with a thick dense coat that becomes thicker in winter. She’s playful and affectionate, making a loyal companion for someone living on their own.
#5 Sphynx

Mid-way through the list is the Sphynx, and at 264,000 searches, his unique looks are clearly appreciated by Aussies.
Although she may look completely hairless upon first glance, the Sphynx has a very fine coat similar to peach-fuzz. With an intelligent, lively and amenable nature, the Sphynx is an acrobatic clown that loves to entertain and follow you around the house like a puppy.
#6 Persian

With 259,000 searches, the elegant Persian comes in at #6.
The Persian’s refined looks and soft fur are easily recognisable and well loved. Not known for being an active cat (apart from sudden bursts of kitten-like activity), attention must be paid to the nutritional and exercise needs of this sweet-natured breed.
#7 Siamese

With a history going back to 13th century Thai royalty, the Siamese secured 7th place, with 238,000 searches.
The Siamese is elegant and slender, with an inquisitive face and piercing blue eyes. She’s an affectionate cat that demands affection and dedication from her parent in equal measure. She can be trained to walk on a lead – as long as she wants to, of course.
#8 Norwegian Forest

Nabbing 8th spot and 197,000 searches is the Norwegian Forest cat, a hunter at heart who enjoys chasing toys as if they were real prey.
The Norwegian Forest cat is a semi-longhaired, strong and muscular cat that originally needed to endure the harsh conditions of Norway’s forest environment. A sweet and loving cat, she thrives on plenty of interaction and praise from her parent.
#9 Burmese

Independent and highly intelligent, the Burmese entered 9th place with 191,000 searches.
The Burmese has a short, smooth coat, and a stocky, muscular body. An athletic cat that loves to climb and jump, the Burmese tends to become more placid as she gets older, enjoying nothing more than sitting by the window and watching the world go by.
#10 Siberian

Rounding out our list of Australia’s top trending cat breeds is the Siberian in 10th spot. This fluffy breed saw a 19% YoY increase, bringing in a total of 132,000 searches across the board.
Having to survive Russia’s harsh winters, the Siberian is a strong, medium to medium-large cat, with a long, thick protective coat. She’s an active and playful cat who responds well to games and learning tricks. She loves to be around people, but you’ll often find her perched on the highest of heights, enjoying the view below.
Top 25 Trending Cat Breeds in Australia
Ranking | Breed | Registered Status | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maine Coon | Pedigree Registered Breed | 736,000 | 820,500 | 11% |
2 | Bengal | Pedigree Registered Breed | 439,200 | 434,200 | -1% |
3 | Ragdoll | Pedigree Registered Breed | 365,100 | 397,200 | 9% |
4 | British Shorthair | Pedigree Registered Breed | 284,500 | 350,300 | 23% |
5 | Sphynx | Pedigree Registered Breed | 256,500 | 263,900 | 3% |
6 | Persian | Pedigree Registered Breed | 239,200 | 439,700 | 84% |
7 | Siamese | Pedigree Registered Breed | 231,000 | 237,700 | 3% |
8 | Norwegian Forest | Pedigree Registered Breed | 184,700 | 197,400 | 7% |
9 | Burmese | Pedigree Registered Breed | 186,100 | 190,800 | 3% |
10 | Siberian | Pedigree Registered Breed | 110,500 | 131,600 | 19% |
11 | Devon Rex | Pedigree Registered Breed | 126,200 | 123,600 | -2% |
12 | Russian Blue | Pedigree Registered Breed | 133,400 | 121,000 | -9% |
13 | Munchkin | Pedigree Registered Breed | 111,100 | 99,300 | -11% |
14 | Manx Cat | Pedigree Registered Breed | 70,800 | 78,000 | 10% |
15 | Havana Brown | Not Registered on ANCATS | 110,000 | 67,100 | -39% |
16 | Bombay | Pedigree Registered Breed | 60,600 | 66,400 | 10% |
17 | Himalayan | Not Registered on ANCATS | 69,300 | 66,200 | -4% |
18 | Abyssinian | Pedigree Registered Breed | 60,000 | 61,800 | 3% |
19 | Birman | Pedigree Registered Breed | 46,400 | 60,000 | 29% |
20 | Exotic Shorthair | Pedigree Registered Breed | 60,200 | 56,000 | -7% |
21 | Oriental Shorthair | Pedigree Registered Breed | 51,300 | 50,100 | -2% |
22 | Cornish Rex | Pedigree Registered Breed | 43,300 | 48,000 | 11% |
23 | Toyger | Pedigree Registered Breed | 38,000 | 46,900 | 23% |
24 | Chinchilla | Not Registered on ANCATS | 46,000 | 45,900 | 0% |
25 | Turkish Angora | Pedigree Registered Breed | 36,400 | 45,200 | 24% |
2 Australian National Cats Inc, 2021

Trending cat names
How do you choose the perfect pet name?
Finding the perfect name for your new cat is fun, but can be challenging. You could choose a name to suit his unique personality or looks, or find one that reflects something (or someone) you admire. There’s an overwhelming number of options, so to help inspire you, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia has pulled together a list of the current top trending names.
Much like baby names, pet name trends change each year, and the names we’re loving at the moment are often a reflection of what’s happening in the world around us – from popular culture and celebrities to places and events.
To pull together our list, we analysed search volumes of 404 well-known names and popular cat names in order to reveal Australia’s current trending favourites through a search ‘popularity’ index score based on growth in search and Year-on-Year (YoY) change. We also looked at categories such as movie/TV, music and food to see what is trending. Although this isn’t a definitive list of what Australians are actually naming their cats, you might be inspired by some of the trends and find just the right name for your new fur baby.
Overall name trends
44% (11 out 25) of the top 25 trending cat names are in reference to Movie/ TV Shows, followed by music, which account for 20% (5 out of 25) and Disney at 16% (4 out 25). 8% are traditional male names and the remaining few name taking top places are female, food & classic.
Top 25 Trending Names in Australia
Overall Rank | Name | Category | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cruella | Disney | 40,300 | 1,098,400 | 2626% | 27.26 |
2 | Olivia Rodrigo | Music | 165,400 | 1,625,500 | 883% | 9.83 |
3 | Loki | Movie/TV Show | 167,400 | 1,093,700 | 553% | 6.53 |
4 | Shang Chi | Movie/TV Show | 51,000 | 324,100 | 535% | 6.35 |
5 | Raya | Disney | 35,800 | 196,800 | 450% | 5.50 |
6 | Wanda | Movie/TV Show | 23,700 | 102,500 | 332% | 4.32 |
7 | Lady | Disney | 58,800 | 248,400 | 322% | 4.22 |
8 | Dominic Toretto | Movie/TV Show | 26,200 | 110,400 | 321% | 4.21 |
9 | Agnes | Movie/TV Show | 28,300 | 96,600 | 241% | 3.41 |
10 | Lil Nas X | Music | 182,500 | 609,900 | 234% | 3.34 |
11 | Glass Animals | Music | 70,200 | 220,500 | 214% | 3.14 |
12 | Bucky Barnes | Movie/TV Show | 48,100 | 145,000 | 201% | 3.01 |
13 | Sophie | Movie/TV Show | 61,200 | 182,800 | 199% | 2.99 |
14 | Dodger | Disney | 53,700 | 142,800 | 166% | 2.66 |
15 | Sza | Music | 86,400 | 227,000 | 163% | 2.63 |
16 | Dababy | Music | 296,300 | 752,600 | 154% | 2.54 |
17 | Mimi | Female | 73,200 | 179,500 | 145% | 2.45 |
18 | Diana | Movie/TV Show | 76,500 | 172,300 | 125% | 2.25 |
19 | Coffee | Food | 2,751,000 | 6,166,000 | 124% | 2.24 |
20 | Wonder Woman | Movie/TV Show | 630,000 | 1,237,500 | 96% | 1.96 |
21 | King Kong | Movie/TV Show | 180,200 | 342,300 | 90% | 1.90 |
22 | Felix | Male | 105,300 | 191,400 | 82% | 1.82 |
23 | Joey | Male | 81,500 | 144,900 | 78% | 1.78 |
24 | Pepper | Classic | 172,200 | 305,500 | 77% | 1.77 |
25 | Vision | Movie/TV Show | 96,000 | 150,200 | 56% | 1.56 |
Which name category was the most popular?
How do you choose the perfect pet name?
#1 Movie/TV show
The most searched name category was Movie/TV – perhaps an indication of our favourite pastime throughout the pandemic. This category received 16.3 million searches in 2021, representing a 23% YoY change. There were a number of big Hollywood movies released during the year which is reflected in the list of top five searches below:
Top ten searches:
- #1 Loki
- #2 Shang Chi
- #3 Wanda
- #4 Dominic Toretto
- #5 Bucky Barnes
- #6 Sophie
- #7 Diana
- #8 Wonder Woman
- #9 King Kong
- #10 Vision
Top Trending Movie / TV Themed Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Loki | 167,400 | 1,093,700 | 553% | 6.53 | 3 |
2 | Shang Chi | 51,000 | 324,100 | 535% | 6.35 | 4 |
3 | Wanda | 23,700 | 102,500 | 332% | 4.32 | 6 |
4 | Dominic Toretto | 26,200 | 110,400 | 321% | 4.21 | 8 |
5 | Bucky Barnes | 48,100 | 145,000 | 201% | 3.01 | 11 |
6 | Sophie | 61,200 | 182,800 | 199% | 2.98 | 12 |
7 | Diana | 76,500 | 172,300 | 125% | 2.25 | 17 |
8 | Wonder Woman | 630,000 | 1,237,500 | 96% | 1.96 | 19 |
9 | King Kong | 180,200 | 342,300 | 90% | 1.89 | 20 |
10 | Vision | 96,000 | 150,200 | 56% | 1.56 | 24 |

#2 Music
In 2nd place, another entertainment category. Music received 12.9 million searches in 2021, a 21% YoY increase. Led by Olivia Rodrigo, who released her debut album this year, the artists we’re tuning into are listed below – do any of these inspire a new pet name?
Top ten searches:
- #1 Olivia Rodrigo
- #2 Lil Nas X
- #3 Glass animals
- #4 SZA
- #5 DaBaby
- #6 Cardi b
- #7 Ariana Grande
- #8 Kanye West
- #9 Drake
- #10 Justin Bieber
Top Trending Music Themed Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Olivia Rodrigo | 165,400 | 1,625,500 | 883% | 9.83 | 2 |
2 | Lil Nas X | 182,500 | 609,900 | 234% | 3.34 | 9 |
3 | Glass Animals | 70,200 | 220,500 | 214% | 3.14 | 10 |
4 | Sza | 86,400 | 227,000 | 163% | 2.63 | 14 |
5 | Dababy | 296,300 | 752,600 | 154% | 2.54 | 15 |
6 | Cardi B | 887,500 | 1,044,000 | 18% | 1.18 | 55 |
7 | Ariana Grande | 1,956,000 | 2,240,000 | 15% | 1.15 | 64 |
8 | Kanye West | 1,191,700 | 1,220,000 | 2% | 1.02 | 113 |
9 | Drake | 1,060,000 | 1,054,000 | -1% | 0.99 | 130 |
10 | Justin Bieber | 1,532,000 | 1,384,000 | -10% | 0.90 | 165 |
#3 Disney
A favourite category that’s sure to inspire a new kitten or cat name is Disney. This category had 11.2 million searches and an 18% YoY change. The top Disney search term – Cruella – was also the highest ranked search term overall with a 27.2 index score and over 1 million searches (2626 YoY% increase), Cruella is a new Disney film based on the character Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians.
Top ten searches:
- #1 Cruella
- #2 Raya
- #3 Lady
- #4 Dodger
- #5 Mulan
- #6 Merida
- #7 Chip
- #8 Dory
- #9 Tinker Bell
- #10 Belle
Top Trending Disney Themed Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cruella | 40,300 | 1,098,400 | 2626% | 27.26 | 1 |
2 | Raya | 35,800 | 196,800 | 450% | 5.50 | 5 |
3 | Lady | 58,800 | 248,400 | 322% | 4.22 | 7 |
4 | Dodger | 53,700 | 142,800 | 166% | 2.66 | 13 |
5 | Mulan | 601,800 | 833,200 | 38% | 1.38 | 30 |
6 | Merida | 100,100 | 118,600 | 18% | 1.18 | 52 |
7 | Chip | 246,700 | 290,900 | 18% | 1.18 | 53 |
8 | Dory | 98,400 | 114,700 | 17% | 1.17 | 57 |
9 | Tinker Bell | 226,200 | 258,400 | 14% | 1.14 | 65 |
10 | Belle | 144,700 | 159,200 | 10% | 1.10 | 77 |
#4 Food
Many cat owners look to their favourite foods for ideas on what to name their four-legged friend. With 11 million searches, food had a 51% YoY change, showing just how many of us are searching for food ideas and recipes. How sweet are the name ideas below?
Top ten searches:
- #1 Coffee
- #2 Pumpkin
- #3 Butters
- #4 Affogato
- #5 Dumpling
- #6 Candy
- #7 Mocha
- #8 Chocolate
- #9 Mango
- #10 Cappuccino
Top Trending Food Themed Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coffee | 2,751,000 | 6,166,000 | 124% | 2.24 | 18 |
2 | Pumpkin | 229,800 | 329,500 | 43% | 1.43 | 27 |
3 | Butters | 210,900 | 294,400 | 40% | 1.40 | 29 |
4 | Affogato | 133,300 | 151,600 | 14% | 1.14 | 68 |
5 | Dumpling | 567,000 | 640,000 | 13% | 1.13 | 69 |
6 | Candy | 189,500 | 205,400 | 8% | 1.08 | 83 |
7 | Mocha | 194,700 | 207,300 | 6% | 1.06 | 91 |
8 | Chocolate | 662,000 | 700,000 | 6% | 1.06 | 94 |
9 | Mango | 435,800 | 450,600 | 3% | 1.03 | 105 |
10 | Cappuccino | 172,200 | 176,100 | 2% | 1.02 | 114 |
#5 Male
With 9.8 million searches, male names also included character names and famous icons. The top male name – Felix – is the name of a Korean-Australian K-Pop star as well as a very famous cartoon cat. With 191,000 searches and a YoY change of 82%, could this be the name you’re looking for?
Top ten searches:
- #1 Felix
- #2 Joey
- #3 Da Vinci
- #4 Dexter
- #5 Louis
- #6 Casper
- #7 Zeus
- #8 Sam
- #9 Simon
- #10 Prince
Top Trending Male Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Felix | 105,300 | 191,400 | 82% | 1.82 | 21 |
2 | Joey | 81,500 | 144,900 | 78% | 1.78 | 22 |
3 | Da Vinci | 104,600 | 151,900 | 45% | 1.45 | 25 |
4 | Dexter | 259,000 | 323,100 | 25% | 1.25 | 41 |
5 | Louis | 82,800 | 102,900 | 24% | 1.24 | 42 |
6 | Casper | 110,800 | 137,400 | 24% | 1.24 | 43 |
7 | Zeus | 236,000 | 291,700 | 24% | 1.24 | 44 |
8 | Sam | 101,100 | 123,900 | 23% | 1.23 | 45 |
9 | Simon | 188,200 | 224,900 | 20% | 1.20 | 49 |
10 | Prince | 396,800 | 452,800 | 14% | 1.14 | 66 |
#6 Female
Pet names often reflect what’s trending in baby names, and the top five female names below could inspire you. Overall, this category received 9 million searches, a 5% YoY change. The top trending name, Mimi, which received 180,000 searches (a YoY change of 145%), is also the name of a popular Indian Hindi-language film released recently. Top ten searches:
Top ten searches:
- #1 Mimi
- #2 Lucy
- #3 Stella
- #4 Bella
- #5 Luna
- #6 Pixie
- #7 Zelda
- #8 Jade
- #9 Daisy
- #10 Willow
Top Trending Female Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mimi | 73,200 | 179,500 | 145% | 2.45 | 16 |
2 | Lucy | 115,900 | 167,300 | 44% | 1.44 | 26 |
3 | Stella | 82,200 | 110,900 | 35% | 1.35 | 32 |
4 | Bella | 72,300 | 97,000 | 34% | 1.34 | 34 |
5 | Luna | 104,400 | 139,600 | 34% | 1.34 | 35 |
6 | Pixie | 104,800 | 137,800 | 31% | 1.31 | 37 |
7 | Zelda | 167,400 | 201,300 | 20% | 1.20 | 48 |
8 | Jade | 161,400 | 188,100 | 17% | 1.17 | 58 |
9 | Daisy | 279,900 | 326,100 | 17% | 1.17 | 59 |
10 | Willow | 171,500 | 198,200 | 16% | 1.16 | 61 |
#7 Classic
We also analysed traditional, popular pet names to see what’s trending. Overall, this category had 2.8 million searches – an 8% YoY change. What’s Australia’s favourite classic pet name? It’s Pepper, with 306,000 searches and a 77% YoY change.
Top ten searches:
- #1 Pepper
- #2 Rusty
- #3 Frankie
- #4 Boots
- #5 Socks
- #6 Oreo
- #7 Peanut
- #8 Boo
- #9 Smokey
- #10 Banksy
Top Trending Classic Names
Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pepper | 172,200 | 305,500 | 77% | 1.77 | 23 |
2 | Rusty | 290,900 | 371,700 | 28% | 1.28 | 38 |
3 | Frankie | 182,100 | 222,900 | 22% | 1.22 | 46 |
4 | Boots | 366,800 | 431,300 | 18% | 1.18 | 56 |
5 | Socks | 211,700 | 228,600 | 8% | 1.08 | 86 |
6 | Oreo | 151,800 | 159,800 | 5% | 1.05 | 96 |
7 | Peanut | 157,600 | 164,700 | 5% | 1.05 | 102 |
8 | Boo | 162,000 | 144,000 | -11% | 0.89 | 168 |
9 | Smokey | 343,300 | 296,600 | -14% | 0.86 | 172 |
10 | Banksy | 398,700 | 323,900 | -19% | 0.81 | 176 |
Looking for a new kitten or cat?
Bringing home a new kitten or cat is one of life’s joys, but they’re also a big responsibility. Your new family member is dependent on you to take care of all of his needs, and provide him with a safe and loving environment.
Start by choosing the right breed to suit you and your family. Consider how much time you spend at home each day, how much effort you’re willing to put into grooming, exercise and playtime, and what the ongoing costs, such as food, toys and veterinary care, are likely to be. Remember, cats can live for 15 – 20 years, so make sure you do plenty of research before you commit to a new pet.
If you decide you do want to introduce a new kitten or cat into your life, then why not consider adopting one from an animal shelter? Cats adopted from shelters are desexed, wormed, vaccinated and microchipped, ready to enjoy their new home and family.
Find out more about how Hill’s Pet Nutrition support shelter pets
Helping your cat live its best life
We all love our cats, and try our best to make their daily lives happy and healthy. But if you’re a new pet parent, it can be hard to know how to look after your beloved friend the right way. Fortunately, Hill's Pet Nutrition is here to help. We’ve put together top tips and advice from our pet experts on topics from care, to training to nutritional needs. No matter which breed you adore, we’re there at every stage of your cat’s development to help them live their best life.
Methodology
Hill’s Pet Nutrition used data sourced from Google Keyword Planner to perform a bespoke data study based on over 163 million Google search volumes, to identify changes in search behaviour around cat ownership due to the current climate across Australia. The study identified search volume and interest around cat adoption and rescue, getting a new cat, cat breeds, cat characteristics and cat names, to highlight Australia’s current search interest in ownership and trending cat breeds and cat names.
The data was distilled at a nationwide and state level to provide further insights on cat ownership and the rise in search interest.
All breeds were ranked in two phases, by search volume and by percentage increases. A search ‘popularity’ index score based on growth in search and YoY change was applied, in order to reveal a list of current top trending cat names. Further, for names, data was filtered to reveal the top 50% in terms of search volume in order to avoid anomalies. The data relates only to search term volume, which may not correlate to actual preference of the nation. We can, however, draw the conclusion that the rise in search terms may be indicative of popularity or favouritism.
The study collated and analysed Google searches from September 2019 – August 2021 which allowed isolation of search behaviour in two twelve-month periods (Sept 2019 - Aug 2020 & Sept 2020 - Aug 2021) to provide a YoY comparison.
Data was collated and analysed September 2021.
- Animal Medicines Australia ‘Pets and the Pandemic’, 2021
- Australian National Cats Inc, 2021
Other:
Well-known, popular cat names:
- Pawshake
- Rover
- Researchgate
- Kitty Catter
- Southern Living
- We're All About Pets
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Find Cat Names