The names Buster, Coco and Max have long been favourites when it comes to christening pets.

But a charity reckons the popular monikers also make them among the most unlucky names when it comes to avoiding being rehomed.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home says the likes of Charlie, Princess and Tigger could also find themselves more likely to wind up at an animal centre.

The most common names of dogs and cats being brought into the animal charity's three centres by their owners over the last 12 months include Max, Charlie and Buster for dogs, while Coco, Tigger and Princess lead the way for cats.

In between July 2013 and July 2014, the most common dog breed arriving at Battersea was the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the average age of animals arriving was one year and one month old for cats and nine months for dogs.

Carly Whyborn, Battersea's head of operations, said: "Out of the 9,000 animals Battersea takes in every year, there are certain names which seem to be more unlucky for pets.

"The top five names in each category are lovely but seem to be more common in our three centres in London, Brands Hatch and Old Windsor. Battersea cares for all these homeless dogs and cats, regardless of their name, and hopes animal lovers will give a second chance to all the unwanted Busters, Charlies and Cocos out there."

Nine-year-old Coco is one example of a cat whose owner could no longer care for her and was brought to Battersea in London with her brother Romeo. The black and white duo can live with children over 13 years old and will need to be rehomed to a house with a garden.

For more information on rehoming a cat or a dog from Battersea, call 0843 509 4444.