Entertainment

The Definitive List Of 'Star Wars' Pets Names

by Lara Rutherford-Morrison

As all the anticipation for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, out December 18, reaches a fever pitch, Banfield Pet Hospital knows exactly what we need right now: The definitive listing of Star Wars-themed pet names, ranked according to popularity. I’m sad to admit it, but I have never had a pet named after a Star Wars character. However, I did use to dress my dog up as an Ewok and pose him among my Star Wars Micro Machines play sets and action figures (I was REALLY COOL in middle school, guys), so, needless to say, this survey hits me right where I live.

To find out which Star Wars names are most popular among our cats and dogs, Banfield Pet Hospital and its research team, Banfield Applied Research & Knowledge (BARK. heh.), analyzed its database of almost 2.9 million animal patients. A spokesman for the veterinary company explained, “With nearly 25,000 pets in our database named after characters from the Star Wars franchise, we are excited that our clients are just as enthusiastic as we are about the saga.”

The “winner” of this popularity contest is perhaps unsurprising, given his resemblance to a giant dog: Chewy. (The more formal "Chewbacca" is also listed separately at number 6.)

Almost 3,500 pets in the Banfield database are named after the “walking carpet”; close followers on the list include Luke, Leia, and Yoda. Vader is the first character from the Dark Side on the list (“Anakin” also shows up in the #9 slot). These fifteen characters make the top spots:

  1. Chewy
  2. Luke
  3. Leia
  4. Yoda
  5. Vader
  6. Chewbacca
  7. Obi
  8. Wicket
  9. Anakin
  10. Boba
  11. Princess Leia
  12. Ewok
  13. Lando
  14. Jabba
  15. Darth Vader

Banfield notes that 17 pets in their database are named after Jar Jar Binks, “the nemesis of many Star Wars fans.” (Do these people hate their pets, or what?)

Banfield also lists its favorite “creative names,” including,

  1. Jabba the Mutt
  2. Boba Fetch
  3. Chewbarka
  4. Luke Skybarker
  5. Darth Meow

With Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to smash holiday box offices, we can bet that we’ll be seeing a lot of dogs and cats named “Rey” and “Finn” in the next year. And with a whole new crop of Star Wars names to play with, pun-loving pet owners will no doubt have a field day crafting clever monikers for their furry and feathered friends. Because I am biologically incapable of resisting a good pun, here are my contributions to the new school of Star Wars pets*:

  • Captain Furs-ma
  • Purr Cat-eron
  • Meows Kanata

And for those sci-fi lovin’ hipsters out there with chicken coops in their yards:

  • Kylo Hen and General Clucks.

You’re welcome.

*For those of you haven’t already memorized all the new characters from The Force Awakens — although I literally cannot imagine a better use for your time — names you have to look forward to include “Captain Phasma,” “Poe Dameron,” “Maz Kanata,” “Kylo Ren,” and “General Hux.”

Images: Courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital; Giphy (1, 2, 3)