Embrace Pet Insurance announces popular Irish pet names

In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, Embrace Pet Insurance (Embrace) announced the most popular Irish pet names from their database as well as Irish dog breed fun facts.

According to Embrace,¹ Irish alcohol brands are a top contender for Irish pet names with almost 200 pets named Guinness, 3 named Harp after the Irish Lager, and a Smithwick, named after the popular Irish red ale-style beer. The database also identified 400 dogs and cats named Whisky and more than 150 were named Jameson.

Clover, which means meadow flower, is the name of over 230 pets, and Finnigan, the Gaelic name meaning “little fair one,” but for over 1,180 pets they are simply Finn. Other top Irish pet names are 6 pets named Ireland, 85 pets named Dublin, and only 1 Galaway. The release also shared that almost 2,000 pets are named Bailey, 1,100 Murphys, and almost 630 Luckys.

Along with popular pet names, Embrace also shared fun facts about Irish setters, Irish wolfhounds, and Irish terriers. Setters are high-spirited and best known for their red coats. These pets are famously known for being great for families because they are sweet-tempered. Multiple presidents have had this breed as pets, including Presidents Nixon, Truman, and Regan.

Built like greyhounds, Irish wolfhounds are shaggy-coated and muscular. Wolfhounds can run fast and males can stand nearly 3 feet tall. Embrace shared that wolfhounds have stood, and fought, alongside the Celts as early as 600 BC. The final Irish dog breed Embrace highlighted was the Irish terrier. The Irish terrier is a medium-sized dog that is the only dog that has a fiery red coat. Bold and courageous, these dogs are also known for being the dog of choice for actor Clint Eastwood in his heyday, according to the release.¹

Reference

Popular Irish pet names and dog breeds, inspired by St. Patrick’s Day. News release. Embrace Pet Insurance. March 6, 2023. Accessed March 17, 2023.