Adding a new feline member to your family is a joyful experience. Cats are spirited creatures that give us comfort when we are low and make us laugh when we are sad. One of the most important decisions to make after adopting your cat is what name you will call it.
Picking a cat name is not always easy. There are many choices out there, and it can be hard to narrow it down. Some ideas for cat names come from your cat’s appearance and personality. You can pick something that reflects your interests. You can also go with a male or female name, depending on your cat.
If you are in the process of naming your new cat and are looking for some naming ideas, read on. We have tips to help guide you in your naming journey.
How To Choose a Cat Name
Whether this is your first cat or you are a long time cat owner, you may have a name you have always wanted to call your cat. However, just as with baby names, the name you’ve picked doesn’t always fit the cat you’ve got.
Perhaps you don’t have a cat name in mind but are facing a naming mind block. Maybe you want to give your cat a name that suits them, but you’re struggling to come up with something creative and suitable. We have some tips to get the creative juices flowing and help you find the perfect name to suit your new cat.
What Does Your Cat Look Like?
Cats come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Take inspiration from your cat’s appearance. Does it have distinctive coloring or an interesting coat? Maybe its whiskers remind you of someone you know. Choose a name based on the color or pattern of your cat’s coat. Name it in honor of a celebrity or character you love.
Here are some examples of how to name based on appearance:
- Black and White Cat Names: There are plenty of names to choose like Domino, Pepper, and Tails. Are you a classic movie lover? Name your cat after an actor like Fred Astaire, who frequently wore tuxedos in his films.
- Orange or Golden Cat Names: Food is a great place for inspiration if you have an orange or golden-colored cat. Good choices include Pumpkin and Honey. If you’re not interested in having a cat named after food, you could pick something like Rusty or Sunshine.
(Read more: 184 Names for Orange Cats) - Size-based Cat Names: Sometimes, the size of your cat is its defining feature. If you have a large cat, like a Maine Coon, you can choose a name like Godzilla or Bruiser. For a small cat, names like Pip or Shorty can work. You can even be ironic and choose a big cat name for a small cat or vice versa.
- Names for Cats With Interesting Markings or Fur: Common cat breeds with interesting markings include Tabbies, Calicos, and Tortoiseshells. If you have one of these breeds, names like Patches and Speckles will reflect their markings. If you have a cat with interesting fur or no fur, you can go with Silky or for a Sphynx cat, Ramses.
There are many options out there when it comes to cat names based on appearances. The good thing about going the naming route is that you can pick a name quickly. There’s no need to wait and learn about your cat’s personality, but you still have a name that suits them.
Get To Know Your Cat
If you are not in a hurry to name your cat, then taking the time to get to know their personalities and their quirks is an excellent way to come up with a creative name that reflects who your cat is. Just like people, cats are different creatures. Your new cat is not going to be the same as any other cat. Choose a name as unique as your cat.
- Names for Cats with Big Personalities: Some cats are shy and skittish. Others are not afraid to let you know they are there and that they are in charge. To reflect your cat’s big personality, pick a name like Maximus or Major. If you have a large cat with a big persona, represent both of these features with a name like Thunder or Bear.
- Names for Funny Cats: Some cats have a natural gift for humor. If your cat cracks you up when he comes into the room, you can name him after a comedian like Costello or Lucille. If your cat has a funny walk, Wiggles might work as a name. If they are just a clown, you can name them Goofy or Jester.
- Names for Independent Cats: If your cat is capable of taking care of itself and doesn’t want you to be so clingy, pick a name that suits its independence. For roamers, a name like Maverick and Ranger might be fit best. For an aloof, regal cat, Sovereign or Duchess will probably suit them perfectly.
- Names for Talkative Cats: Is your new cat a talker? This is a great personality trait for name inspiration. Name your talker Chatter, Babbles, or Echo. If your cat is on the quieter side, Whisper is a good choice.
It can take time to get to know your cat and find a name that suits them. Remember, you will have your cat for a long time, so choosing the perfect name is worth the wait. If you name your cat something that doesn’t suit them, you can always rename them.
Origin Story
Just like superheroes, all cats have an origin story. How did they become a member of your family? Did you adopt them from a shelter, or did they show up one day on your doorstep? This story can be a way you pick a name for your new cat.
- Names for Shelter Cats: If you’ve adopted your cat from a rescue shelter, names from film and literature can be your inspiration. There are many orphans in books and movies. Choose a name like Oliver, Twist, Annie, or Bruce Wayne. Other great names for rescue cats are Hope, Lucky, and Treasure.
- Names for Stray Cats: If you found your cat on the street, you can pick a name that reflects where you found them, like Alley or Flora, if they were in an abandoned lot or field.
- Names for Gifted Cats: Did someone give you your cat? You can pick a name that honors the person who gave you the cat. Think about your relationship and pick a name that reflects that.
If your cat had a tough life before they came to you, you might be reluctant to remember that in their name. Your cat’s life experiences made them who they are, though, and choosing a name that reflects that can help you remember their previous life and how lucky you both are that you found each other.
What Is Your Cat’s Breed?
Just like dog breeds have different appearances and personalities, so do cats. If you have a purebred cat and want to pick a name that suits that breed, here are a few suggestions by breed:
- Maine Coons: These are large, friendly cats. They have a distinctive ruff of fur across their chests and long bushy tails. They are good hunters and one of the oldest breeds in North America. Names for Maine Coons include Grizzly, Lion, and Chewbacca (or Chewy)
- Siamese: This is a very elegant breed. They have contrasting colors on their bodies and extremities and can have blue eyes. A medium-sized cat, they are very sociable. You can choose a name from their native Thailand, such as Dara (Evening Star) or Sunti (Peace). For a blue-eyed Siamese, a name like Sapphire or Lapis might fit.
- Persians: A medium-sized breed, these cats have round faces with big eyes and small, rounded ears. They typically have a flat face. They tend to be docile and sweet. As their name suggests, the breed originates from Iran. Popular names for this breed include Jasmine, Sebastian, and Princess.
- American Short Hairs: These cats are descended from the ones brought over by early settlers to protect cargo from mice and rats. They have a distinctive tabby coat that comes in many colors. Fun names for this breed are Tigger, Tabby, and Kitty.
There are dozens of other cat breeds, so don’t worry if we haven’t mentioned it. You can still pick a suitable name. Learn more about the breed and what makes it distinctive. You can choose a name that honors the native home of the breed. If your cat’s breed has distinctive features, like blue eyes, you can pick a name based on that.
Does Your Cat Respond To Certain Sounds?
One of the main purposes of giving your cat a name is to be able to call it.
Cat experts have discovered that cats respond to some sounds more than others do. They seem especially attuned to the long “e” sound.
If you pick a name with that sound, you should have no problem getting their attention. Here are some examples:
- Zeke
- Mickey
- Rocky
- Phoebe
- Sammy
You can pick a name with the long “e” sound at the end or in the middle. If you don’t like these options, don’t worry. Your cat will learn to recognize its name and will come when you call it, whether it has the long “e” or not.
Think About Yourself
If you haven’t found a name you like based on your cat’s appearance or personality, you might want to look at yourself for inspiration. What are some things that you like that can be fun cat names?
- Hobbies: Your hobbies are a big part of who you are, and if you have been doing them for a long time, you probably know a lot about them. Some cool, hobby-based names for cats could be Purl (knitting), Fender (cars), Banjo (musician), or Java (computer programming).
- Movies and TV Shows: We’ve already given examples of how you can choose a celebrity or character inspired cat name based on appearance and personality, but you don’t need to find a connection. There isn’t anything stopping you if you have a favorite character you’ve always wanted to name your cat after. If you want a cat named Bilbo, go ahead and name him that.
- Travel-Inspired Names: Have you done a lot of traveling and want to remember your favorite locations by naming your cat after that? That can be a creative and unique way to come up with a cat name. Pick a city name, like Cairo or Adelaide. If you have a favorite landmark or museum, you can name your cat after that.
Looking into things you enjoy can be a great source of names. These are only a few suggestions for ideas.
Pair Names
Having more than one cat can be a wonderful experience. You can have double the love from your pets, and they can keep themselves company when you are not around. If you are adopting more than one cat at a time or you are bringing a new cat into a home that already has a cat, you might want to choose names based on their relationship:
- Siblings: While animal sibling relationships are not the same as human sibling relationships, if they are raised together, they can have a tight bond. If you’ve adopted sibling cats, give them the names of a famous sibling pair. Some options include Venus and Serena, Bart and Lisa, and Hansel and Gretel.
- Friends: There are many famous friends from history and literature that you can name your cats after, like Anne and Diana, Ben and Jerry, and Pebbles and Bam-Bam. Even if you already have a cat, you can probably find a name that goes with the one you already picked.
- Romantic: If you have cats that you want to mate, it makes sense to choose the names of a romantic couple. Famous couple names are Romeo and Juliet, Jim and Pam, and Mickey and Minnie.
Other fun names for cat pairs can be:
- Opposites: Salt and Pepper, Yin and Yang, Sun and Moon
- Two Parts of One Word: Pip and Squeak, Bumble and Bee
You can choose similar-sounding names, like Nora and Cora, but this may cause confusion when you’re trying to get only one cat’s attention.
Choosing names for two cats can be easier than for one cat if you want to go with a matching set like the ones suggested above. There are many possibilities, from real-life couples to objects that go together. Have fun with it.
International Cat Names
There are quite a few common cat names that are used in the United States, such as Leo or Simba. If you like the idea of using a popular name but want to add an international flair, find out what the version of “Leo” is in other countries.
- France: Tigrou, Gribouille, and Isis are all popular names. Tigrou is the French version of Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh. Gribouille is a character on a TV program.
- Spain: Leo and Lola are the most popular names, but Bimba is gaining traction. It means girl in Italian, so Spaniards are also looking abroad for cat names.
- Portugal: Lua and Baltazar top the list of cat names. Lua means moon, a name that shows up in other languages.
If the name Kitty is too on the nose for you, but you like the spirit behind it, then you can name your cat “cat” or “kitty” in another language.
- Bulgarian: Kotka
- Japanese: Neko
- Swahili: Paka
There are over 7,000 languages in the world, so you can get really creative when picking your cat’s name.
Give Your Cat a Famous Name
Cats abound in pop culture, literature, and in the homes of the rich and famous. Give your cat the name of one of these famous kitties and see if some of that star power will rub off on you.
- Mr. Bigglesworth: From Austin Powers, Dr. Evil’s cat was played by a hairless Sphynx cat.
- Grumpy Cat: With a face that launched a thousand memes, this Persian’s real name was Tardar Sauce.
- Orangey: Orangey is most famous for playing “Cat” in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, although he showed up in several other movies.
- Garfield: If your cat hates Mondays and loves lasagna, name him after this famous cartoon cat.
- Felix: Another cartoon cat, Felix, is a black and white cat who’s been around since 1919.
Whether choosing a real-life inspiration or a fictional one, there are plenty of famous cat names you can look to for ideas.
Short and Sweet is Best
The best cat names are short and easy to say. You want your cat to be able to recognize their name when you say it. A name with too many syllables can be confusing. If you want to give your cat a name like Princess Esmerelda Silkerton, choose a nickname that you can use on a regular basis, like Esme.
Don’t Choose These Cat Names
Good Taste and Social Convention
Some cat owners are quirky and like to push boundaries when it comes to naming their pets. If you are like this, choose an edgy name. However, try to exercise good taste when picking a name. Try to imagine yourself calling your cat’s name in the dark or getting bad news from the vet. Do you want it to have a rude name at this time?
Names to avoid are:
- Dick
- Bong
- Rabid
- Charles Manson
There are many clever name possibilities out there. You do not need a name that sounds like a middle school boy picked it for laughs.
Avoid Dangerous Sounding Cat Names
While people might think that dogs are more likely to be dangerous and will avoid one named Crusher, it is important to remember that not everyone likes cats and can be afraid of them. Some cats are touchy, and their claws are vicious.
To keep your friends and family members comfortable around your cat, choose a name that conveys gentleness. Avoid names like:
- Satan
- Beast
- Lucifer
Although it’s unlikely that a cat will cause real harm, you want to make sure that you aren’t giving people the wrong impression when it comes to your sweet kitty.
Overused Cat Names
Although there is nothing wrong with using a popular cat name, if you want to be creative and find a unique name, you should avoid these extremely common names:
- Max
- Tiger/Tigger
- Kitty
- Mittens/Boots
- Fluffy
- Tabby
- Puss
- Midnight
If you know other cat owners, you probably know cats with these names. Again, they’re perfectly acceptable but best avoided if you don’t want your cat to have the same name as dozens of others.
Gender-Based Cat Names are Popular
One of the defining features of your cat is their gender. Many cat owners choose to give their cat a masculine or feminine name. Within each category, there are several different ways to pick a name.
Male Cat Names
Is your cat a macho man or a little gentleman? Some boy cats will let you know they are boys, so honor their masculinity with an unambiguously male name. You can choose a human name, a name from pop culture, or something funny. The options are endless.
Human Names for Cats
There are endless human names you can choose for your male cat. If you have a friend or family member that you are close to and want to honor, you can name your cat after them. Other popular human names for cats include:
- Teddy
- Oscar
- Toby
- George
- Oliver
- Cody
Food Names for Cats
Some foods sound more masculine than others do. A food name could be a great choice if you have a cat that likes to eat.
- Pickles
- Nugget
- Beans
- Crackers
- Sprout
- Wings
Popular Culture
We’ve talked about choosing a name from popular culture, whether after a literary character or a TV star. Here are a few more names that you might consider if you want your cat to have a pop-culture name:
- Thor (Marvel Superhero)
- Hobbes (from Calvin and Hobbes)
- Jabba (from Star Wars)
- Bandit (from The Office)
- Binx (from Hocus Pocus)
Unique Cat Names
As we have already noted, some cat names are very common. If you want to find a unique name for your male cat, consider these options:
- Cowboy
- Milton
- Leon
- Hamilton
- Yoshi
- Magnum
Female Cat Names
If you are looking for a sweet name for your little lady, you can choose a name specifically for a female. Just like with male cat names, you can choose a name from popular culture or a human name.
Human Names for Cats
Is there a girl you were great friends with when you were children or a girl’s name that you just particularly like? Use that or another human name for your cat, like:
- Lucy
- Chloe
- Gracie
- Molly
- Missy
- Penelope
Cute Cat Names
If people cannot stop commenting on how cute your kitten is, you might want to pick a name that is just as cute as they are:
- Angel
- Fluffy
- Lulu
- Bitty
- Bessie
Pop Culture Names
Just as with male cat names, there are plenty of names from popular culture that you can use for a female cat, such as:
- Snowball (from The Simpsons)
- Matilda (from the Roald Dahl Novel)
- Lizzo (the singer)
- Kitty White (also known as Hello Kitty)
Flower Names for Cats
Flower names are particularly feminine. They can be elegant or cute, so no matter your cat’s temperament, there is a flower name for them.
- Rose
- Violet
- Daisy
- Lily
- Tulip
- Willow
Unique Cat Names
For your unique female cat, there are many options available. Some of the less common names you can choose from include:
- Frida
- Opal
- Minerva
- Buffy
- Silvia
Puns are Always Fun
Now, some people might roll their eyes at a punny cat name, but if you want to pick something clever that will make you chuckle whenever you say it, you cannot go wrong with a pun name. There are many options out there, or you make up your own.
- Catty LaBelle
- Cat Sajak
- Chairman Meow
- Kitty Purry
- Genghis Cat
- Catzilla
- Catsup
There are many fun directions you can go if you want to give your cat a punny name.
Crowdsource the Cat Name
Are you still unsure what to name your cat? If you are having trouble narrowing down your choices, get some help from your friends and family. Hold a social media poll to choose the winner. Invite your friends over to meet your cat and see what they think the name should be. Sometimes it helps to have someone not as close to the situation make the decision for you.
Another fun way to name your cat is to have them name themselves! Put the names you are considering on index cards, and whichever one your cat steps on will be their name. It’s a quick way to get a name and a fun story to tell.
The Name You Choose Is Perfect
Naming your cat might feel stressful now, but remember that as decision making goes, it is pretty low stakes. No matter which name you choose, you have picked the right one for your cat. If you don’t like it, you can change it, but your cat doesn’t really mind what name they have.
More Cat Names:
