Newman appears 68 times at rank 1,542 — a surname used as a pet name with a very clear reference point for anyone who watched Seinfeld. The postal worker neighbor, played by Wayne Knight as a magnificently petty antagonist, made "Newman" into a single-word punchline that's now available for dogs.
The Seinfeld Reference
Jerry Seinfeld's arch-nemesis Newman gave the name an indelible comedic association. When Jerry said "Newman," drawn out, slightly disgusted, and it became one of the most recognizable line readings in sitcom history. Naming a dog Newman is almost always a Seinfeld reference, and it works best on dogs whose personality runs to the self-interested: a beagle who steals food, a pug who regards you with mild contempt, a dog who arrives expectantly whenever food is nearby. The reference lands immediately with anyone over 35.
Paul Newman Alternative Reading
Some Newman-named pets are almost certainly referencing Paul Newman — Hollywood legend, salad dressing magnate, philanthropist, rather than the sitcom character. That reading produces a more dignified, blue-eyed-dog-with-presence energy. Both work, and both are recognizable. The human name at /names/newman shows it as genuinely rare as a given name, confirming it's used almost entirely as a surname.
Surname Name, Clear Intent
Newman is a name that tells a story in one word. Whether the story is "beloved antagonist" or "silver-screen legend" depends on the owner, but the audience has enough information to find their own reading. Compare with Dave for similarly anti-precious male dog names.