Whether you’re adopting an adult cat or you’ve picked out a new kitten, one of the first things you’ll likely to is give them a name. While it’s up for debate if a cat knows their name, many experts believe they will respond to it when trained correctly. Plus, even with leashes and harnesses, your cat can still get lost, and you’ll need a way to identify them.
You’ll want to get your kitty both a microchip ID and a cat name tag—and what appears on their tag is a big decision to make. You want something that fits their looks and personality perfectly, but what? Let’s dig into the some of the best cat names for different types of felines.
Whether you’re looking for the most popular cat names of all time or just the past few years, browsing popular lists can be a great place to start getting inspiration for naming your feline friend. There are two go-to sources for this info: Rover.com’s database of more than a million pet parents, and Trupanion’s annual survey of more than 650,000 pet parents.
Combining both lists, the most popular female cat names are:
The most popular male cat names are:
The most popular cat names can also vary by where you live. In New England, these names are particularly trendy, thanks to former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and current QB Mac Jones:
Olympic- and celebrity-inspired cat names are also fashionable, including:
What about all-time popular cat names? They’re easy to pronounce—and they’re just plain appropriate for many cats:
We’ve seen the top six most popular female cat names, but let’s dive deeper. There are plenty of ways to find inspiration for naming your female kitty. The celebrities mentioned above are just the start. Here are some more ideas to consider:
Fictional characters are also a good place to start:
All of these female cat names are strong, independent ladies, but for the ultimate powerful names, look to the ancient past:
We covered the most popular list of cat names for males, but maybe you’re looking for something a little more personalized. Let’s go back in time for some inspiration:
If you’re more into pop culture, look to movies and TV for inspiration:
Searching for truly unique male cat names? Try looking to literature:
And if you’re hoping your kitty will be strong and brave, consider these names for males:
Of course, you don’t have to name your cat by gender. There are plenty of unisex cat names out there, including some of the most popular names ever, all taking their inspiration from your cat’s coloring:
Feisty, adventurous cats often earn cat names that have a nice ring while also being gender neutral, like:
If they’re the happy-go-lucky type, go with:
How about naming your cat after a cat? Bring out the wild cat in them with names like:
Your favorite city can also provide some gender-neutral inspiration—you’ll be taken back to your favorite destination whenever you call their name:
They say black cats are often overlooked, but you’d never make that mistake. You know that black cats are good luck, not to mention gorgeous—and you want to give them a name just as fitting. These never go out of style. Classic black cat names include:
The Hocus Pocus cat’s name, Thackery Binx, or just Binx for short, is a popular choice. Or why not look to the holiday that inspired the movie—Halloween. These include:
Want to get scarier? Make everyone do a double-take when you introduce your kitty with spooky cat names like:
Taking inspiration from nature can also help you come up with a unique name for your black kitty. Whether from dark-colored flowers that make excellent female cat names, animals or dark gemstones, there’s plenty to ponder:
We’ll be honest: As weird cat names become trendier, it’s getting harder and harder to name your kitty something unique. According to Rover’s list, names like these are trending:
What’s a pet parent looking for a truly unique cat name to do? Some are looking to the stars—the cat stars, that is. Winners of the Cat Fanciers’ Association annual championship have names like:
And all of these should demonstrate that you really can just make something up! Some of the unique cat names on Rover’s list included:
You can also look to a different type of cat star—the internet star.
You probably wouldn’t name your first-born child “Pork Chop,” but when it comes to cat names, it’s definitely allowed. Some pet parents think funny cat names are part of the benefits of cat parenthood, and we wouldn’t disagree. In fact, meat-related cat names are trending this year, including:
Still, other types of food are catching up. Fruit-inspired names, gourmet food and breakfast foods are on the rise:
No discussion of funny cat names is complete without puns, and there are plenty to go around:
Or get inspired by timeless literary classics with cat names like:
Of course, you can always come up with funny cat names based on your cat’s personality. Are they energetic and love to play with toys?
Popular, funny and weird cat names are all good, but sometimes you just want something cute. After all, your cat is adorable—and their name should be, too. Looking for kitten names? Check out our new kitten guide, then start here.
For cute female cat names, start with flowers:
Good cat names for males can also be cute, like:
Or choose a cat name based on their coat or appearance, with names like:
Another good way to think of cute cat names is by sound—yes, sound! Think about it:
You can also get inspiration from candy: Everyone will love a cat named:
Oftentimes the best cat names are the ones that mean something. Whether they’re taken from other languages or ancient Egyptian mythology, cat names with meanings are both beautiful and personal. Here are a few of our favorites, along with their meanings.
Some of the best cat names with meanings for females are:
The best cat names with meanings for males:
As you can see, the best cat names depend on looks, personality and your own personal preferences. There are tons of unique things you could name your cat, so the real question is: What inspires you? And what cat name fits your kitty the best? Only you know.
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