10 most popular UK pub names revealed

Data from ukphonebook.com, which used its business search to find all pubs registered in the UK, showed the top 10 most popular pub names since 2020.

It also found the types of pub names that have become more popular. Animal-related names have increased in popularity with 6.5% more pubs named after animals in the past three years.

Furthermore, names that are royalty based have also seen a 7.7% rise. However, other themes had decreased including sports, religion and food-related names.

Including ‘inn’ as part of a pub’s name has increased and now more than a quarter (28%) of UK pubs have inn as part of their moniker but, since 2020 16% of new pubs chosen to include inn as part of their name.

Pubwiki founder Kevan Wilding said: “Pub names are really interesting if looked at from an earlier date.

“There were many thousands of beer houses opened in the 1850s with a sign outside giving a beer house its name. Some of these went on to become the modern-day locals we still know.

“In Hertfordshire for example, nearly every other building in the high street was once a pub but later, the licensing laws became stricter.”

Name themes

Fabric of community

The variety of pub names is part of the charm and experience of visiting the venues, according to the Campaign for Real Ale national chairman Nik Antona.

He added: “Pubs are part of the fabric of community life across the UK, providing a safe place to meet and socialise, offering a community hub for activities and events.

“As well as being vital to local economies, they help bring people together, tackling loneliness and social isolation.”