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Georgia: Here Is Our 2023 Most Popular Dog Name

Dogs, in most cases, are not just pets. They are a part of the family. Therefore, a lot goes into selecting the proper name. Earlier this week, U.S. News and World…

Adorable welsh springer spaniel dog breed in evening
Stock Photo / Getty Images

Dogs, in most cases, are not just pets. They are a part of the family. Therefore, a lot goes into selecting the proper name. Earlier this week, U.S. News and World Report released the most popular dog names in every state, and in Georgia, the name is also the winner in 36 other states.

“We analyzed dog names from Alaska to Florida and every state in-between to uncover Americans’ favorite pup names,” Scott Nyerges, U.S. News’ 360 Reviews senior editor, said, in a quote released in the report. In total, over 800,000 data points were reviewed and analyzed to determine this information.

Here is what you need to know about Georgia’s selection. Of East Coast states, only Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont do not agree with Georgia. However, every other state on the East Coast does. Iowa, which has “Lucy” as their most popular dog name, is the state closest to Georgia that selected a different dog name.

Georgia Loves Naming Dogs “Bella”

“Americans in 2023 are big fans of name references from books in modern pop culture and ancient mythology,” Nyerges continued. Twilight and the Nickelodeon show Bella and The Bulldogs are two examples of infamous Bella fictional characters in the mainstream. Actress Bella Thorne is from Florida

In addition to the Peach State, “Bella” also rules the southeast and the southwest (minus California). It’s a name that can be short for “Isabella” or stand alone. According to Baby Names, “The name Bella is primarily a female name of Italian origin that means Beautiful.”

Here Are Some Other Fun Pup Name Facts For 2023

The most common name referencing food is “Oreo.” Three of the five states that love the name “Luna” were based in New England. Hawaii had the most unique name, with “Boo” being the most popular across the islands. Montana also had “Luna” as its top choice, but it tied with “Molly,” so this was the only state where two names were crowned. Names that made a single appearance include “Lucy” and “Cooper.”

Georgia Has One of the Most Affordable Christmas Vacations in the U.S.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S. Also, Georgia has one of the most affordable Christmas vacations.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Most Affordable Christmas Vacations in the U.S.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

Rowhouse in Lancaster, PA

Getty Images / 2windspa

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

Clock tower telling the story of the pied piper in Frakenmuth Michigan.

Getty Images / Michael Deemer

Las Vegas, Nevada

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Skyline

Getty Images / Sean Pavone

Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.

Lake Country in Georgia

It'll be too chilly to swim, but there's something to be said for visiting the beautiful Lake Country in Georgia during the holidays. Many tourists recommend staying at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. It's positioned along 30 acres of lakefront shoreline. How beautiful.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.