Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Reveal the 2 Names They’re Considering for Their New Dog as Family Debate Heats Up
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Reveal the 2 Names They’re Considering for Their New Dog as Family Debate Heats Up
Dave QuinnWed, October 14, 2026 at 2:40 PM UTC
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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos with their new dog on the Monday, Oct. 12-episode of ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’Credit: Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney -
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos revealed that their newly adopted rescue dog’s name isn’t official yet, despite introducing him as Javi on Live the day before
Their three adult children have weighed in on the naming debate, with daughter Lola favoring Javi and other suggestions including Gizmo
The couple asked their studio audience to choose between Lucas and Javi, with Javi winning by a landslide, though the final decision remains unresolved
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have adopted a new dog, but there’s one thing they haven’t settled yet: his name.
Though the Emmy-winning talk show hosts and couple introduced their newest four-legged family member as Javi on Tuesday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, Ripa revealed on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that the name isn’t actually official. Instead, the family is still debating whether to stick with Lucas, the name the rescue organization first named the pup, or go with Javi (short for Javier), which Consuelos suggested because he suspects the rescue dog may be part Havanese.
And it turns out their three adult children — Michael, Lola and Joaquin — have some thoughts on the matter, too.
“The kids have gotten involved,” Ripa, 56, told the studio audience on Wednesday, revealing that they’d been suggesting all sorts of names the night before.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuleos with sons Michael, Joaquin and daughter LolaCredit: Kelly Ripa/Instagram
According to Consuelos, their daughter Lola is firmly in favor of Javi, while the couple’s other kids have been floating alternatives, including Gizmo.
But their parents aren’t particularly interested in their input. “Our children are adults. They do not live with us,” Ripa said. “I was like, ‘Stay out of it, you don’t live here!’ ”
“They have no vote,” Consuelos, 55, interjected.
But even Consuelos has been entertaining other possibilities. Ripa revealed that her husband had suggested the name Romulus that very morning, a choice she was quick to shoot down.
“I was like, ‘Yes, nothing rolls off the tongue more like Romulus!’ ” she quipped. “That’s a bigger dog name. That’s a big dog name.”
For now, though, the couple is sticking with their two finalists: “Let’s just keep it down to the two we have. Lucas or Javi,” Ripa insisted.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos with their new dog on the Monday, Oct. 12-episode of ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’Credit: Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney
Changing a dog’s name is nothing new for their family. Their beloved late Shih Tzu, Chewie, was originally named Lola, but they changed it to avoid confusion with their daughter.
“She looked like Chewbacca, so we were like, ‘Chew-becca!’ ” Ripa recalled.
Their other dog, Lena, was originally named Angelina, after Angelina Pivarnick from Jersey Shore. Consuelos revealed that he’d actually wanted to call her Lea, so their two dogs could have Star Wars-inspired names.
“Chewie and Lea. It would have been very Star Wars-ean,” he joked.
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“Well, that ship has sailed. Her name is Lena,” Ripa replied.
Mark Consuelos and his dog, LenaCredit: Kelly Ripa/Instagram
As for their newest addition, Ripa admitted she was still undecided on a name but acknowledged that Javi, Consuelos’ choice, was growing on her. “I do like the name!” she said. “Like, when you go to the vet, say, ‘Javi Consuelos.’ That does sound [right].”
To help settle the debate, the couple turned to their studio audience, asking them to vote by applause for either Lucas or Javi. The latter won by a landslide.
“America has spoken!” Consuelos declared, noting the show would also conduct an Instagram poll. (As of Wednesday morning, Javi is winning 77% to 23%).
Ripa made it clear that the audience’s opinion carried more weight than her children’s. “I’m certainly not going by the kids,” she said.
The naming debate comes just two days after Consuelos first met the rescue pup during Live‘s Adopt a Dog Week. He immediately bonded with the dog — who came from New Jersey organization Pet ResQ Inc. — holding him throughout Monday’s host chat and even suggesting the name Javi before the couple had officially decided to adopt him.
By Tuesday, they had announced the adoption, with Ripa sharing her belief that their beloved dog Chewie, who died in February 2025 at age 17, may have played a role in bringing the new pup into their lives.
“I bet Chewie sent Javi here for us,” she recalled thinking when she first saw the dog, who reminded her of their late companion.
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The pup has yet to move into the couple’s home as they await medical tests, but Ripa has already begun preparing for his arrival.
“We are like expectant parents,” she said Tuesday. “I started nesting last night. I couldn’t sleep.”
“It’s exciting,” Consuelos said Tuesday.
“We’re very excited,” Ripa added.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
