Ballarat City Council figures show there are 202 Mollys in the municipality, with Max second on 162.

The figures, released as council is being swamped with new registrations ahead of its first ever animal audit, list all cat and dog names in Ballarat from Abba Dabba to Zyxx.

There are 3856 different names among the 12,871 dogs and cats registered in the city.

The top 10 shows Ballarat residents tend to favour more human names for their pets.

Molly and Max are clearly in front, and Jack, Jessie, Sam, Lucy, Toby, Chloe, Bonnie, Charlie and Maggie round out the top 10.

Further down there are 56 Rustys in the area, nudging out Rex (47), Buster (45) and Smokey (43).

Some pet names are out of this world, with five Vaders - named for the dark lord in Star Wars - while there are only two Yodas, and no Skywalkers.

Star Trek also rates a mention with four Spocks - it must have something to do with the pointy ears.

Ghostbusters fans will recognise Zuul, but Zwarte Zyra and Zyxx round out the end of the alphabet.

Abdillah Barge Arse is among the ruder names, but is beaten for the first place alphabetically by Abba Dabba, five different spellings of Abby and the ABC.

Lady is listed 23 times, with Lady Bell and Lady Clara each listed once, while Duchess and Empress add a touch of class.

Knights also rate a mention, with Sir Edmond, Sir Mick III, Sir Reginald, Sir Totie and Sir Winston Beethoven.