How to Name Your Cat

Name Your Cat

There are literally millions of names you can choose from when selecting the name of your new cat or kitten. With so many options, it can be almost overwhelming, and sometimes the great number of possibilities can make it seem like there is no appropriate name for your feline friend. This name is likely to follow your cat through life, and the selection must fit them well; talk about pressure! So how do you go about choosing the perfect name for your kitty?

Appearance

Some cats earn their names because of their appearance. Many names are based on the color of the feline. Shadow, Ebony, and Midnight are fitting names for some black cats. Ivory, Marshmallow, and Cotton may be ideal for a clean white cat. Pumpkin and Tiger fitting for orange cats. Other cats’ strange traits may be used to designate a name. A Scottish Fold, with round eyes, a round head, and folded ears, could aptly be named Owl.

Personality

The personality of the cat in question may give them a name, and hopefully a flattering one. Lovebug, Sweetie, and Honey may be the best names for your extremely affectionate feline. A feisty fireball of a kitten may be better suited to a name like Rocket, Zippy, or Mischief, while a calm cat may be called Zen or Karma. A cat with a tough demeanor, or one who thinks they have it, may be called Buster or Bruno.

Literature, Movies, Popular Cats

Good literature and entertainment provides a basis for good naming conventions, and many cats are well-suited to a name based on a book, play, or even a movie. Perhaps the name chosen belongs to a cat in what it is based on, such as O’Malley (based on Thomas O’Malley of The Aristocats) or Felix (for the ever-popular Felix the Cat). Others may not share the species, but the name is fitting, such as Lady (another Disney name, this time from The Lady and the Tramp) or Larka (a popular name from a book called The Sight.)

Other Ideas

There are so many other possibilities; the options are limitless. Plants may provide the ideal name for a new cat; Daisy, Lily, and Oak are just the beginning of these possibilities. Nature may influence the name in other ways; Sunshine, Cyclone, or Mist may be fitting for your cat. Human names may also fit your new feline. Some of the most regal felines carry names such as Elizabeth, Reginald, or Samantha.

Tell us, what is your cat’s name, and why did you pick it?

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Comments

    • Sharon Leaning
    • February 15, 2014
    Reply

    My tabby cat is named Frank

  1. Reply

    My cat is jewel/jp.x

  2. Reply

    My cat is jewel/jp.x

  3. Reply

    “batuffolo”

  4. Reply

    Cottonball and because she looked like a little cottonball when we got her

  5. Reply

    Velcro…because he stuck to me like Velcro

  6. Reply

    Smudge because of the black smudge mark on his nose x

  7. Reply

    Oskar, Aja

  8. Reply

    Oskar, Aja

  9. Reply

    Oskar, Aja

  10. Reply

    Oskar, Aja

  11. Reply

    Oskar, Aja

  12. Reply

    I have 2 cats one is patches and the other is mocha I got these cats from people who didnt want them anymore

  13. Reply

    Winkle – She winks; Dave – our youngest son liked an extreme biker with that name; Tigger – Disney character, tho our’s is gray not orange; Little Bit – always in a little bit o trouble; and many more who are now our critter angels in heaven.

  14. Reply

    Winkle – She winks; Dave – our youngest son liked an extreme biker with that name; Tigger – Disney character, tho our’s is gray not orange; Little Bit – always in a little bit o trouble; and many more who are now our critter angels in heaven.

  15. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  16. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  17. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  18. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  19. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  20. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  21. Reply

    I named a white cat with a few dark spots Shadow cos she followed me. Another was Kitty PI cos he was into everything. Mom named one of her babies Brat, cos she was one! I can’t think that we have ever given a cat a “normal” name – its always been something weird!

  22. Reply

    Ozzy The Cat – VINO I was a crazy kitten(still am) named after Ozzy Osbourne !! 😀

  23. Reply

    peekaboo because he would always hide his face when I kissed him

  24. Reply

    peekaboo because he would always hide his face when I kissed him

  25. Reply

    peekaboo because he would always hide his face when I kissed him

  26. Reply

    yoshi, because I love Super Mario games

  27. Reply

    Nina (Ricci) & Gucci, two women perfumes that I like so much. ♥ ♥

  28. Reply

    Layla – song saying when she arrived at our house. A gift to me from my hubby. DD my hubby’s initials. JD my initials. Love our three fur babies-who are 12 14 and 15.

  29. Reply

    Layla – song playing when she arrived at our house. A gift to me from my hubby. DD my hubby’s initials. JD my initials. Love our three fur babies-who are 12 14 and 15.

  30. Reply

    Layla – song playing when she arrived at our house. A gift to me from my hubby. DD my hubby’s initials. JD my initials. Love our three fur babies-who are 12 14 and 15.

    • Kittens Whiskers
    • February 16, 2014
    Reply

    Shitara is such a pretty name! And I’m so glad you rescued Blacky from the streets 🙂

  31. Reply

    I have 2 cats, my girl is Miss Mandy she is a silver grey Persian aged 6 years. My boy is Polykatt a beautiful long haired tabby aged 5 years, he was found abandoned at my work (Polynesian Spa) he was only a couple of weeks old and in very poor health. With loads of TLC he is doing great.

  32. Reply

    Her Name is Gemma we got her from a friend who’s daughters cat had a litter of kittens we had to put our poor Tess down in September 2002 we still miss her terribly .

  33. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  34. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  35. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  36. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  37. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  38. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  39. Reply

    I have two cats one is a female cat an hymalayan cat and I called it Shitara because she walks like a princes and got it from an animal asyllium and my other cat I found it on the streets ad was already about 1 and a half years old bot stole my heart a gorgeous black cat looks like a panther and we called it Blacky, love my cats like my own family!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  40. Reply

    Smokey because of her color .

  41. Reply

    Smokey because of her color .

  42. Reply

    Smokey because of her color .

  43. Reply

    Aww, glad to hear that Polykatt is doing great. You have a good heart!

  44. Reply

    Aww, glad to hear that Polykatt is doing great. You have a good heart!

  45. Reply

    Aww, glad to hear that Polykatt is doing great. You have a good heart!

  46. Reply

    I’m so glad you took them in. You have a good heart 🙂

  47. Reply

    Lol! Perfect name!

  48. Reply

    You have three! (can’t get that song out of my head now…Layla ♪ You’ve got me on my knees ♪ lol)

  49. Reply

    You have three! (can’t get that song out of my head now…Layla ♪ You’ve got me on my knees ♪ lol)

  50. Reply

    You have three! (can’t get that song out of my head now…Layla ♪ You’ve got me on my knees ♪ lol)

  51. Reply

    Cute names for kittehz! I have a friend who named her son’s middle name after her favorite perfume – Jovan.

  52. Reply

    Love it! That’s a cute name for a kitty!

  53. Reply

    Aww, so sweet 🙂

  54. Reply

    Ozzy is adorable!

  55. Reply

    Ozzy is adorable!

  56. Reply

    Ozzy is adorable!

  57. Reply

    All cute names, but I love Kitty PI!

  58. Reply

    All cute names, but I love Kitty PI!

  59. Reply

    Sounds like you are a cat lover from way back! Your reason for “Little Bit” is too cute!

  60. Reply

    Sounds like you are a cat lover from way back! Your reason for “Little Bit” is too cute!

  61. Reply

    Perfect name!

  62. Reply

    Perfect name!

  63. Reply

    I used to have a cat named Smokey, because of his color! He was the sweetest, most loving cat ever! Regards to your Smokey 🙂

  64. Reply

    I used to have a cat named Smokey, because of his color! He was the sweetest, most loving cat ever! Regards to your Smokey 🙂

  65. Reply

    I used to have a cat named Smokey, because of his color! He was the sweetest, most loving cat ever! Regards to your Smokey 🙂

  66. Reply

    I’m so sorry about Tess 🙁 I hope Gemma brightens your day and helps to ease the pain.

  67. Reply

    I’m so sorry about Tess 🙁 I hope Gemma brightens your day and helps to ease the pain.

  68. Reply

    I’m so sorry about Tess 🙁 I hope Gemma brightens your day and helps to ease the pain.

  69. Reply

    Cute names, both!

  70. Reply

    Cute names, both!

  71. Reply

    Cute names, both!

  72. Reply

    Not sure why my comment to you is not with your comment, but in case you didn’t see it…I really love the name Shitara, it does sound fitting of a princess 🙂

  73. Reply

    Yes she does we absolutely adore her & she adores us poor Tess had CRI ( Chronic Renal Insuffiency ) disease she was nearly 16 years old .

  74. Reply

    My Aunty always rescued the stray kittens or someone would dump on her doorstep because they somehow knew they were going to a good home .

  75. Reply

    My Aunty always rescued the stray kittens or someone would dump on her doorstep because they somehow knew they were going to a good home .

  76. Reply

    My name is Lil Princess Bunny because I am missing my right rear paw and I hop like a bunny.

  77. Reply

    The mostly white one is Fancy Girl cause Fancy feast was the only she would eat when we got her original name was Mama’s kitty(1st owner) and the black one is Bud E Mustache 1. Bud was my grandpa’s nickname and I adopted him the day before my grandpa’s birthday 2. His late brother was nicknamed Buddy 3. He has a mustache as you can see in my profile pic

  78. Reply

    The mostly white one is Fancy Girl cause Fancy feast was the only she would eat when we got her original name was Mama’s kitty(1st owner) and the black one is Bud E Mustache 1. Bud was my grandpa’s nickname and I adopted him the day before my grandpa’s birthday 2. His late brother was nicknamed Buddy 3. He has a mustache as you can see in my profile pic

  79. Reply

    watch out!

    • Sa R
    • February 25, 2014
    Reply

    My cats get their names by colour or character and are named:Fluffy (white), Pewter, Parquet (light red), Whoopi-Whoopee (shining black), Tucows (white with black big spots), Pitzpon (tiny in Hebrew).

  80. KIYO – as she was meowing like ‘cheeeeeeyuo..’ when she was very small

  81. SILVI – cartoon character

  82. all cats I have / had are/were stray cats. KIYO was about to taken away by a pest controller. SILVI walked by our house.

  83. Reply

    Bastet, as the Ancient Egyptian cat-godess….

    • Casey
    • August 28, 2014
    Reply

    My cat’s name is Lily…my husband and I got her after my grandma passed away last year. Her name was Lillian, and she was often called Lily for short, so that’s where I got the name.

    • Linda B
    • August 29, 2014
    Reply

    My 13 year old black tomcat is called Mika. He was 8 weeks old when he came to live with us and he was a real race machine. So we called him Mika after Finnish Formula 1 pilot Mika Hakinnen ♥

  84. Reply

    Linda B says:
    “My 13 year old black tomcat is called Mika. He was 8 weeks old when he came to live with us and he was a real race machine. So we called him Mika after Finnish Formula 1 pilot Mika Hakinnen ♥”
    From: https://www.kittenswhiskers.com/how-to-name-your-cat/comment-page-2/#comment-2364

  85. Reply

    Casey says:
    “My cat’s name is Lily…my husband and I got her after my grandma passed away last year. Her name was Lillian, and she was often called Lily for short, so that’s where I got the name.”
    From: https://www.kittenswhiskers.com/how-to-name-your-cat/comment-page-2/#comment-2361

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