Cat Names: 1,000+ Best Boy & Girl Cat Names (With a Vet-Built Name Generator)

How do you choose the right name for your cat?

The right cat name is short, clear and different from words your cat hears all day, with a sound you enjoy saying. Cats pick out high, crisp sounds well, which is why a name with an ee sound at the end, such as Ollie or Kiki, so often “works” at home.

A good cat name also passes a practical test. Say it out loud in a happy voice, then in a calling voice from another room; if it feels awkward either way, keep looking. Avoid names that rhyme with “no”, “sit” or the name of another pet, because a cat learns by sound, not meaning.

A name works best when it is tied to good things from day one. Say it before meals, play and cuddles so it builds a positive association, and never use it to scold. If you love plant names, check them first: lilies are deadly to cats, and naming a cat Lily is fine, but keeping the flower in the house is not.

Do cats really know their names?

Cats really do know their names: a 2019 study in Scientific Reports found that pet cats can tell their own name apart from similar-sounding words. Researchers at Sophia University and the University of Tokyo tested 77 cats by playing four ordinary words, then the cat’s name, and watching for ear and head movements.

The cats lost interest as the plain words played, then turned an ear or head when their name came up. Cats living in homes picked out their name more reliably than café cats, which hear many names from many visitors. That is a good argument for one name, used by everyone in the family, in the same way.

A cat that ignores its name has not failed the test; it may simply see no reason to come. Most cats respond fastest when the name means feeding or play, or tasty treats. Even cats named by rescue volunteers before adoption can link that name, or a new one, to good things within a couple of weeks.

What are the best boy cat names?

The best boy cat names are short, warm and easy to call, such as Leo, Oliver, Charlie, Felix, Archie and Toby. Many of the most-used male cat names are also popular baby names, which tells you families treat their cats as part of the household.

Boy cat names fall into a few clear groups. Classic picks include Oliver, Henry, Arthur and Charlie. Old-fashioned human names like Stanley, Harold and Walter give a cat instant character, and mythic names such as Loki, Atlas and Zephyr suit bold, adventurous cats.

A boy cat’s look can also lead the way: Onyx for a glossy black tom, Rusty for a ginger, Smokey for a grey. Food names are a hit too, from Mochi to Meatball. Use the generator above and set “Gender” to Boy for a fresh shortlist every time.

See the full list of 350+ male cat names, with meanings and vet notes for boys.

What are the best girl cat names?

The best girl cat names are soft-sounding and easy to call, such as Bella, Lily, Nova, Ivy, Rosie and Stella. Many new cat owners pick a name in the first week, but a cat may live 15 or more years, so choose a name that will still suit a dignified senior cat.

Girl cat names often follow the cat’s look. Pearl and Opal suit a white cat, Sable a black one, and Ginger or Peaches a rare orange female. Elegant names like Duchess, from the classic animated film, suit a cat who expects to be served first.

Human names make wonderful girl cat names too: Edith, Mabel, Clara and Hattie all feel warm and a little funny on a cat. Cute names like Mittens, Pixie and Lulu suit playful kittens, and rare names like Rune, Wren and Lyra stand out at the vet’s office.

See the full list of 440+ female cat names.

What are good cat names by coat color?

Good cat names by coat color describe the fur at a glance, such as Midnight for a black cat, Ginger for an orange cat, Smokey for a grey cat and Snowball for a white cat. Color names are among the most searched cat names in the US, because coat color is the first thing people notice.

Black cats suit names like Shadow, Midnight and Binx, the talking black cat from Hocus Pocus. Orange cats wear food and sunshine names well, such as Pumpkin, Mango and Cheddar. Grey cats suit Misty, Ash and Slate, while white cats suit Snowball, Ghost and Yuki, which means “snow” in Japanese.

Two-tone and patterned cats have fun options. A tuxedo cat can be Oreo, Tux or Panda, and a calico can be Patches or Cleo, short for Cleopatra. Tabbies suit Tigger, Jasper and Clover. Set the generator’s “Coat color” filter to see dozens more.

Full lists: black cat names · orange cat names · grey cat names · white cat names.

What are cute and funny cat names?

Cute and funny cat names make people smile when they hear them, from sweet picks like Peanut and Button to grand titles like Professor Snugglesworth. A funny name suits a cat with a big personality, and it becomes a great story every time a friend asks.

Plain human names are some of the funniest choices, because a cat called Kevin, Gary or Linda sounds like a coworker. Grand titles work the same way: Professor Snugglesworth, Lord Fluffington or Chairman Meow. Food names add to the fun, such as Meatball, Pickles or Gnocchi.

Cute names are usually small and soft, such as Pip, Bean and Button. A stage name like Figaro, the kitten from Pinocchio, suits a dramatic cat, while Gus suits a round, easy-going one. Unusual color words like Indigo add charm. Keep the long version for the vet form and a one-syllable version for daily use.

What are unique cat names?

Unique cat names are words few other cats share, often drawn from mythology, nature, books or other languages, such as Atlas, Wren, Juniper and Nimbus. A rare name helps your cat stand out at the vet or boarding cattery, where two cats called Luna can get mixed up.

Mythology and history are rich sources: Freya, Odin, Persephone and Leonidas, the Greek name meaning “son of a lion.” Nature gives Willow, Sequoia and Nimbus, the rain cloud, a fine pick for a fluffy grey cat. Book lovers can borrow Crookshanks, Hermione’s ginger cat.

Unique names work best when they still sound good shortened. Persephone becomes “Percy” and Bartholomew becomes “Barty,” giving you a long formal name and an easy nickname. Café words like Latte or Chai are another simple way to sound different without sounding odd.

What are good food-inspired cat names?

Good food-inspired cat names are cheerful and easy to say, such as Cookie, Peanut, Biscuit, Nacho and Tofu. Food names are popular because they are short, friendly and often match a coat color, like Marmalade for an orange cat or Oreo for a tuxedo.

Sweet names suit gentle cats: Cupcake, Muffin, Toffee and Marshmallow. Savory names suit cats with attitude, such as Nacho, Meatball and Burrito. Spice names like Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Paprika suit warm-toned coats, and tea names like Chai and Matcha suit calm, quiet cats.

Food names are fun, but a vet tip applies: a cat named after a snack still should not eat it. Chocolate, onions, garlic and grapes are unsafe for cats, so keep the name on the collar tag, not on the menu.

What are the best pop culture cat names?

The best pop culture cat names come from famous fictional cats and favorite stories, such as Garfield, Salem, Jiji, Hobbes and Simba. These names are instantly recognizable, which makes them easy for friends and family to remember.

Movie and TV cats are a rich source: Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service and Sylvester from Looney Tunes. Disney adds Berlioz, Toulouse and Marie from The Aristocats, plus Simba and Nala from The Lion King.

Pop culture names can also be playful twists, such as Purrlock Holmes or Sir Lix-a-Lot. Travel and place names, like Kyoto or Brooklyn, are another way to honor something you love. Pick a story you will still enjoy explaining in ten years.

How do you teach a cat its new name?

A cat learns its new name fastest when you say it in a cheerful tone right before something it loves, and repeat that daily for one to two weeks. Short names of one or two syllables are easiest to teach, which is why long names usually end up with a short call name.

1. Say it, then reward: say the name once, then offer a tasty bite or a toy.
2. Keep the tone happy: use the same friendly voice every time.
3. Use it at mealtime: call the name as you put the bowl down.
4. Never use it to scold: use a neutral sound like “ah-ah” instead.
5. Test from a distance: after a week, call from another room and reward any ear flick or head turn.

Once the name sticks, put it on a collar ID tag with your phone number, and register your cat’s microchip with the same name. A named, chipped cat is far easier to return home if it slips outside.

Can you rename an adopted cat?

You can rename an adopted cat at any age, and most cats adjust within one to three weeks when the new name is linked to good things. Cats do not have the same bond to a word that people do; they respond to sounds that predict food, play and comfort.

Renaming goes smoothest when you choose a name that sounds a little like the old one, such as changing Bella to Stella. Use the new name during the first few days at every meal and play session, and drop the old one completely so the cat is not confused.

Some cats answer quickly while others take their time; that reflects feline independence, not a failure to learn. With patience and consistency, even shy adult cats from shelters learn a new name. If you would like to understand your new cat’s age and life stage, try our cat age calculator.