Cat Names
Naming a new cat is one of the best parts of bringing one home — and one of the hardest, because the name you pick is the word you'll say thousands of times over the next fifteen or twenty years. Below you'll find more than 100 of our favorite cat names we've hand-picked and grouped by style, each with a short note on its meaning or origin, so you can match the name to your cat's look and personality.
Cats respond best to short names with one or two syllables and a clear vowel sound (think Milo, Luna or Mochi), so we've flagged plenty of those. If you already know what you're after, jump straight to our lists of girl cat names, boy cat names, funny cat names or names picked by coat color, like black, orange and grey cats.
Cat Names: browse all lists
Black Cat Names100+ names
Boy Cat Names100+ names
Calico Cat Names100+ names
Cute Cat Names100+ names
Funny Cat Names100+ names
Girl Cat Names100+ names
Grey Cat Names100+ names
Names for Orange Cats100+ names
Unique Cat Names100+ names
White Cat Names100+ names
Kitten Names100+ names
Tabby Cat Names100+ names
Siamese Cat Names100+ names
Tuxedo Cat Names100+ names
Maine Coon Names100+ names
Food Cat Names110+ names
Badass Cat Names100+ names
Japanese Cat Names100+ names
Fluffy Cat Names100+ namesMost popular cat names right now
These are the names vets and shelters see again and again. They're popular for a reason: short, soft and easy for a cat to recognize.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin for “moon” | Girls, grey or white cats |
| Oliver | From the olive tree; symbol of peace | Boys, friendly lap cats |
| Leo | Latin for “lion” | Boys, bold orange cats |
| Bella | Italian for “beautiful” | Girls, elegant cats |
| Milo | Germanic, “merciful” or “soldier” | Boys, curious kittens |
| Lily | The lily flower, a symbol of purity | Girls, white cats |
| Charlie | English, “free man” | Boys or girls |
| Lucy | Latin, “light” | Girls, playful cats |
| Simba | Swahili for “lion” | Boys, golden cats |
| Nala | Swahili, “gift” | Girls, tabbies |
| Max | Latin, “greatest” | Boys, big cats |
| Chloe | Greek, “young green shoot” | Girls, gentle cats |
| Loki | Norse trickster god | Mischievous boys |
| Kitty | Classic English pet name | Girls, any cat |
| Jack | English form of John, “God is gracious” | Boys, easy-going cats |
| Cleo | Short for Cleopatra, “glory of the father” | Girls, regal cats |
| Oscar | Irish, “deer lover” | Boys, tuxedo cats |
| Willow | The willow tree | Girls, slender cats |
| Jasper | Persian, “treasurer”; also a red gemstone | Boys, ginger cats |
| Pepper | The spice | Salt-and-pepper coats |
Pretty girl cat names
Soft sounds and names ending in a vowel suit most female cats. For hundreds more, see our full list of girl cat names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel | The hazel tree; warm brown color | Perfect for amber-eyed cats |
| Ivy | The climbing plant | Short, crisp, easy to call |
| Penny | From Penelope, “weaver” | Cute for copper-colored cats |
| Stella | Latin, “star” | Classic and elegant |
| Rosie | From the rose flower | Sweet for affectionate cats |
| Maple | The maple tree | Great for red or tabby coats |
| Daisy | Old English, “day’s eye” | Cheerful and light |
| Pearl | The gemstone | Ideal for white or cream cats |
| Freya | Norse goddess of love | Strong but feminine |
| Zelda | Germanic, “grey battle maiden” | Unusual, playful |
| Nova | Latin, “new”; a bright star | Modern and short |
| Minnie | From Wilhelmina, “protector” | Lovely for small cats |
| Juniper | The evergreen shrub | Nature-inspired, with nickname “June” |
| Coco | Nickname from Spanish/French | Great for brown cats |
| Sophie | Greek, “wisdom” | Calm, wise cats |
Handsome boy cat names
Strong consonants and one or two syllables work well for male cats. Browse our complete list of boy cat names for more ideas.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Felix | Latin, “lucky, happy” | The ultimate classic cat name |
| Gus | Short for Augustus, “great” | Friendly and chunky |
| Ziggy | Nickname for Siegfried, “victory, peace” | Fun for energetic cats |
| Theo | Greek, “god” | Soft and modern |
| Tiger | The big cat | Obvious choice for striped tabbies |
| Winston | English, “joy stone” | Dignified, for a proper gentleman |
| Finn | Irish, “fair, white” | Short and bright |
| Louie | From Louis, “famous warrior” | Warm and friendly |
| Apollo | Greek god of the sun | Bold orange cats |
| Toby | From Tobias, “God is good” | Gentle lap cats |
| Rocky | English, “rock” | Tough little brawlers |
| Merlin | The legendary wizard | Mysterious grey or black cats |
| Otis | Germanic, “wealth” | Laid-back and cool |
| Bruno | German, “brown” | Big brown or tabby cats |
| Salem | Hebrew, “peace” | Famous black cat name |
Food-inspired cat names
Food names are a huge trend because they're cute, short and often match a cat's color.
| Name | Color or trait it suits | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mochi | White or cream cats | Japanese rice cake; round and squishy |
| Oreo | Black-and-white tuxedo cats | The cookie |
| Biscuit | Tan or light orange cats | Cosy and friendly |
| Cheeto | Bright orange cats | Playful, a little silly |
| Nacho | Orange or ginger cats | Fun to shout |
| Butterscotch | Cream-orange cats | Long but sweet; nickname “Scotch” |
| Pumpkin | Orange cats | Perfect for fall kittens |
| Sushi | Calico or mixed coats | Cute and short |
| Muffin | Round, fluffy cats | Classic pet name |
| Noodle | Long, lanky cats | Silly and affectionate |
| Olive | Grey or green-eyed cats | Also a popular human name |
| Ginger | Orange cats | The spice |
| Cocoa | Brown cats | Warm and soft |
| Cinnamon | Red-brown cats | Nickname “Cinny” |
| Peanut | Small cats and kittens | Tiny and adorable |
Classic and old-fashioned cat names
Some names have belonged to cats for generations. They feel instantly “cat”, which is part of their charm.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskers | The cat’s most famous feature | Timeless storybook name |
| Mittens | For cats with white paws | A childhood favorite |
| Tom | English short for Thomas, “twin” | A tomcat is a male cat |
| Smokey | For smoky grey coats | Old-school classic |
| Fluffy | For long-haired cats | Unapologetically cute |
| Tigger | From the storybook tiger | Bouncy tabbies |
| Socks | For white-footed cats | Short and simple |
| Patches | For patched or calico coats | Great for calicos |
| Garfield | English, “triangular field” | Lazy orange cats |
| Misty | For misty grey coats | Soft and dreamy |
| Shadow | For dark, stealthy cats | Classic for black or grey cats |
| Sylvester | Latin, “of the woods” | Tuxedo cats |
Unique cat names nobody else at the vet will have
Want something rarer? These names are unusual without being hard to say. For hundreds more, see our unique cat names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Ptolemy | Greek, “warlike”; an ancient astronomer | Nerdy and grand |
| Juno | Queen of the Roman gods | Short, regal, uncommon |
| Kiki | Japanese-style playful name | Bright and bouncy |
| Pixel | A tiny dot of light | For tiny tech-house cats |
| Soba | Japanese buckwheat noodles | Food name with a twist |
| Figaro | The operatic barber | Dramatic, talkative cats |
| Marzipan | Almond sweet | Nickname “Zippy” |
| Wren | The small songbird | Short and delicate |
| Bowie | Scottish, “blond”; rock legend | Cool for odd-eyed cats |
| Atlas | Greek titan who held up the sky | Big, strong cats |
| Quill | A feather pen | Literary and short |
| Tofu | The soybean curd | Perfect for white cats |
| Lyra | A constellation; “lyre” | Starry and elegant |
| Rumi | Persian poet | Soulful and gentle |
| Ember | A glowing coal | Orange and red cats |
Cat names for pairs and siblings
Adopting two kittens together? Matching names are fun to call out together.
| Pair | Theme | |
|---|---|---|
| Salt & Pepper | Seasonings | White and black cats |
| Milo & Otis | Classic film duo | Best-friend boys |
| Luna & Sol | Moon and sun | Grey and orange pair |
| Mac & Cheese | Comfort food | Orange and cream |
| Thelma & Louise | Road-trip duo | Adventurous sisters |
| Bonnie & Clyde | Outlaw couple | Mischief makers |
| Peanut & Butter | Snacks | Brown and tan pair |
| Ying & Yang | Balance | Black and white |
| Sherlock & Watson | Detectives | Curious explorers |
| Pumpkin & Spice | Autumn | Two orange kittens |
How to choose the right name for your cat
- Keep it short. Cats pick up names with one or two syllables fastest, and names ending in an “ee” sound (Ziggy, Kiki, Toby) are especially easy to hear.
- Watch them for a few days. A cat’s personality — bold, shy, clumsy, vocal — often suggests the perfect name better than looks alone.
- Take a cue from their coat. Browse our lists for white, black, calico and grey cats.
- Avoid names that sound like commands. “Kit” and “sit” or “Mo” and “no” are easy to confuse.
- Say it out loud — twice. Try calling it across the room and at the vet. If it feels awkward, keep looking.
- Use the name positively. Pair it with treats, play and food so your cat learns that their name means good things.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular cat name?
Luna and Oliver are consistently among the most common cat names in the US and UK, followed by Leo, Bella, Milo, Charlie and Lily. They’re short, soft and easy for cats to recognize.
Do cats recognize their own names?
Yes. A 2019 study by researchers at Sophia University in Tokyo found that cats can distinguish their own names from other similar-sounding words, even when a stranger says them. They may just choose not to come when called!
How long does it take a cat to learn its name?
Most cats start reacting to their name within a few days to two weeks, especially if you use it consistently and pair it with treats, meals and play.
What are good names for a kitten?
Cute, short names work beautifully for kittens: Mochi, Peanut, Pixel, Nala, Milo, Kiki or Biscuit. Just remember your kitten will grow up — a name like Atlas or Juno ages well.
Can I change my cat’s name after adoption?
Absolutely. Adult cats can learn a new name in a couple of weeks. Use the new name often, in a happy tone, and reward any response with a treat.