The Dogs of New York City Mapped

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Dogs in New York City are not just pets; they are an integral part of the city’s cultural and social fabric. With a population that exceeds 8.8 million people, the city boasts a sizable canine population as well, estimated at over 600,000 dogs. These four-legged residents share the challenges and perks of city living with their human companions.

The map below shows dogs per capita in the New York City by ZIP code created by Nate Rattner.

New York City Dogs per Capita by ZIP Code

A significant concentration of dog owners can be found in the southern part of Staten Island, likely due to the presence of yards in this area. Additionally, there’s a notable cluster of dog lovers in the northeast Bronx. However, Manhattan claims nine out of the top ten ZIP codes with the highest dog populations.

Queens has made its debut at the 27th spot, while Brooklyn appears only at the 24th position. It seems that if you’re not a fan of dogs, Manhattan might not be the ideal place for you.

As for ZIP code 10006, a small area surrounding One World Trade Center, it boasts the highest overall density of dogs, with one dog for every three humans. This phenomenon may be related to income levels and the proximity of 10006 to the Hudson and East Rivers, Battery Park, and a few smaller green spaces.

The Most Popular Dogs Names in New York City

The most popular dog names in New York City often reflect the diverse and vibrant culture of the city. According to the NYC Dog Licensing Dataset, names like “Bella,” “Max,” and “Luna” remain perennial favorites, along with “Charlie,” “Coco,” and “Lola.” These names represent a mix of traditional and trendy choices, with a strong emphasis on names that are easy to call out in the city’s bustling streets and parks.

Additionally, many New Yorkers choose names inspired by their favorite pop culture icons, foods, or neighborhoods, making the dog-naming tradition in the city as diverse and creative as the city itself.

Top 25 most popular dog names in New York City

1. Bella – 1035
2. Max – 821
3. Luna – 718
4. Charlie – 717
5. Coco – 658
6. Lola – 618
7. Rocky – 598
8. Lucy – 542
9. Daisy – 485
10. Lacky – 468
11. Teddy – 466
12. Buddy – 455
13. Bailey – 454
14. Milo – 419
15. Toby – 404
16. Princes – 371
17. Leo – 354
18. Name – 345
19. Molly – 343
20. Chloe – 334
21. Cooper – 334
22. Oliver – 330
23. Penny – 328
24. Mia – 316
25. Oreo – 301

In addition, the popularity of dog names can vary markedly from neighborhood to neighborhood in New York City.

Below is the map of the most distinctive dog names per New York borough created by Reddit user Nrg800.

To create this map, the most common names in each borough were compared to their overall usage in the city. Any name that appears less than 5 times in a particular borough is not taken into consideration.