You know those lists of the year’s most popular dog names? During the late ’90s, my name—Molly—was, in fact, among the top 3 female dog names in English-speaking countries. A dubious honor, perhaps, but one that has inspired a fascination with dog naming trends over the years.

Like everything, name trends evolve. So while there’s nothing wrong with naming your dog Molly—I’m personally rather attached to the name—choosing a name for your new puppy requires a level of originality, an adorable quality of its own, and of course a relationship with the cute dog itself.

Of course you think your dog is adorable! That’s why your new dog requires a cute dog name. But there are other qualities that will help you find the perfect cutie-pie name. Is your girl dog cool-cute? Maybe she needs a name inspired by a female musician (we have some of those, below). Maybe your pooch is a cute small dog. Try something from our list of names inspired by cuddly animals or our list of names especially for tiny dogs. Sweet dog names get a little extra oomph in our list of sweet-and-salty names. And if your big dog needs a cute name, don’t miss the geography-inspired ideas we’ve compiled.

Here’s our collection of cute dog names to help you find the ideal designation for your cuddly friend.