Boris is one of the fastest growing names for puppies

Boris is one of the fastest growing names for puppies, a new survey shows, with its popularity having almost tripled in the past year.

The Prime Minister’s moniker is a particular favourite for labradors, cocker spaniels and pugs, according to UK pet insurance company More Than’s findings.

Research shows the name’s popularity has increased since Mr Johnson moved into 10 Downing Street last year.

Boris is now the 74th most common title for a puppy in Britain, jumping from 128th. The name is also the 48th most popular for a kitten, rising from 123rd, The Times reported.

Boris is one of the fastest growing names for puppies, a new survey shows, with its popularity having almost tripled in the past year (stock photo)

Faye Archer, 41, who lives with her husband Steve in Richmond, north Yorkshire, gave her fox-red labrador puppy the name Boris because of his furrowed brow.

She bred a litter of five puppies and named them all after figures who had made the news this year.

‘Boris Johnson always looks like he has a lot of worry going on,’ she told the publication. ‘Boris the puppy doesn’t have a lot of worry but he’s probably the quieter one of the group.

‘That’s why we called him Boris – because he seems like he gets pushed into a corner.’

One of her other puppies, all five weeks old this weekend, was labelled Hancock, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock, because he is more ‘boisterous’ and has a ‘bit more swagger about him’.

The Prime Minister’s (pictured) moniker has especially been used for labradors, cocker spaniels and pugs, according to UK pet insurance company More Than’s findings

The other three female puppies are called Gigi, after model Gigi Hadid, Jenner, after Kylie Jenner, and Babs, after actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who died last week, aged 83.

Meanwhile, Matt Frost, 43, admitted he renamed his seven-year-old cat Gordon, Boris, because he didn’t feel the pet suited the ‘serious’ original title.

Katy Conway, 40, revealed to the publication that she named her 12-year-old Yorkshire springer spaniel Boris before the moniker increased in popularity.

She said this was because she found Boris to be a cute name you wouldn’t necessarily call your child.

The name Luna came out top in the findings for both puppies and kittens this year, while Snoopy, the beagle in the Peanuts comic strip, was less popular, dropping from sixth most common last year to 347th (stock image)

The name Luna came out top in the findings for both puppies and kittens this year, while Snoopy, the beagle in the Peanuts comic strip, was less popular, dropping from sixth most common last year to 347th. 

Pet ownership has increased this year, with a recent Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) study finding two million young Britons have recently bought pets.

A further 16 per cent of all 24 to 35-year-olds – 1.8million people in total – have said they are planning to get a pet soon. The PFMA said it believes this was driven by millennials feeling lonely at home during lockdown.

More Than’s Graham Nicholls said: ‘Dogs and cats have provided solace to millions of Brits during this difficult year, and for many new pet owners, it’s provided that much-needed company and boost for our mood. 

‘For those who already have a pet, spending more time at home has meant we’ve become closer to them.’