Badass Cat Names
Some cats are sweet little lap warmers. Others stalk the hallway at 3 a.m., knock your coffee off the table while holding eye contact, and have the vet wearing leather gloves. If your cat falls into the second camp, a cute name like Fluffy simply won’t do.
This list of more than 100 badass cat names draws on gods, warriors, villains, rock legends and pure attitude, with a short note on each so you know exactly what your cat is living up to. Looking for a softer side? Browse our main cat names list, or compare notes with the pack in badass dog names. Tough black cats will also find plenty in black cat names.
Mythology names for powerful cats
Cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt, so a god’s name is only fair. See Norse god names and Egyptian god names for more.
| Name | Who they are | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Loki | Norse trickster god | Chaos agents |
| Odin | Norse all-father, god of war and wisdom | One-eyed battle cats |
| Thor | Norse god of thunder | Loud, mighty boys |
| Fenrir | Giant wolf of Norse myth, destined to fight Odin | Huge Maine Coons |
| Tyr | Norse god of war and justice | Stoic warriors |
| Freya | Norse goddess of love and war; rode a chariot pulled by cats | Fierce queens |
| Hel | Norse ruler of the underworld | Dark females |
| Ares | Greek god of war | Fighters |
| Hades | Greek god of the underworld | Black cats |
| Nemesis | Greek goddess of retribution | Grudge-holders |
| Medusa | Gorgon whose gaze turned people to stone | Cats with a death stare |
| Kratos | Greek personification of strength; the God of War hero | Brawny boys |
| Sekhmet | Lion-headed Egyptian goddess of war | Fierce females |
| Bastet | Egyptian cat goddess | Regal protectors |
| Anubis | Jackal-headed Egyptian god of the dead | Sleek dark cats |
| Set | Egyptian god of chaos and storms | Troublemakers |
| Kali | Hindu goddess of time and destruction | Unstoppable girls |
| Morrigan | Irish goddess of war and fate | Mysterious females |
| Raijin | Japanese god of thunder | Loud boys |
| Durga | Hindu warrior goddess who rides a lion or tiger | Brave queens |
Warrior and conqueror names
History’s fiercest fighters, for cats who defend their territory with their lives. More in gladiator names and Spartan names.
| Name | Who they were | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spartacus | Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt against Rome | Rebels |
| Leonidas | Spartan king at Thermopylae | Brave boys |
| Achilles | Greek hero of the Trojan War | Nearly invincible cats |
| Attila | Leader of the Huns | Conquerors |
| Genghis | Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire | Empire builders |
| Hannibal | Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps | Strategic hunters |
| Boudica | British queen who led a revolt against Rome | Rebel queens |
| Xena | TV’s warrior princess | Fighting females |
| Joan | Joan of Arc | Fearless girls |
| Mulan | Legendary Chinese woman warrior | Brave girls |
| Tomoe | Tomoe Gozen, legendary female samurai | Elegant fighters |
| Ragnar | Legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok | Raiders |
| Lagertha | Legendary Viking shieldmaiden | Tough queens |
| Shaka | Zulu king and military innovator | Commanders |
| Saladin | Sultan who faced the Crusaders | Noble warriors |
| Maximus | Latin, “greatest”; Gladiator’s hero | Big boys |
| Valkyrie | Norse choosers of the slain | Female hunters |
| Ronin | A masterless samurai | Strays and independents |
Villain names for evil geniuses
Your cat is plotting world domination. Admit it. Find more in villain names.
| Name | Villain | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Vader | Darth Vader, Star Wars | Black cats with heavy breathing |
| Khan | Star Trek II | Genetically superior cats |
| Scar | The Lion King | Scheming orange cats |
| Shere Khan | The Jungle Book | Tigers at heart |
| Maleficent | Sleeping Beauty | Dramatic queens |
| Ursula | The Little Mermaid | Diva females |
| Cruella | 101 Dalmatians | Spotted-dog haters |
| Joker | Batman’s nemesis | Unpredictable cats |
| Thanos | Marvel’s Mad Titan | Big boys who snap |
| Moriarty | Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis | Criminal masterminds |
| Bellatrix | Harry Potter | Unhinged females |
| Blofeld | James Bond’s cat-stroking villain | White Persians |
| Jafar | Aladdin | Sly schemers |
| Magneto | X-Men | Commanding presences |
| Sauron | The Lord of the Rings | All-seeing cats |
| Hannibal Lecter | The Silence of the Lambs | Too much? That’s the point |
Rock and metal legend names
For cats who yowl at full volume. See band names if your household has a musical theme.
| Name | Legend | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ozzy | Ozzy Osbourne | Wild boys |
| Slash | Guns N’ Roses guitarist | Claw-happy cats |
| Lemmy | Motörhead frontman | Gravel-voiced toms |
| Axl | Axl Rose | Screamers |
| Iggy | Iggy Pop | Shirtless (hairless) Sphynx cats |
| Joan Jett | The rock icon | Cool black females |
| Sid | Sid Vicious | Punk cats |
| Janis | Janis Joplin | Raspy-voiced girls |
| Hendrix | Jimi Hendrix | Virtuosos |
| Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin | Big, heavy cats |
| Dio | Ronnie James Dio | Small but mighty |
| Nikki | Nikki Sixx | Glam rockers |
| Bowie | David Bowie | Odd-eyed cats |
| Cobain | Kurt Cobain | Grunge cats |
Edgy and tough-sounding cat names
Hard consonants, danger and attitude. These names sound as tough as they look.
| Name | Meaning / vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Havoc | Widespread destruction | Kittens |
| Chaos | Total disorder | Zoomies at 3 a.m. |
| Blade | A sharp edge | Swift hunters |
| Diesel | Heavy-duty fuel | Muscular cats |
| Onyx | The black gemstone | Sleek black cats |
| Rogue | A rebel | Independent spirits |
| Bandit | A thief | Masked or tabby cats |
| Jinx | A bad-luck charm | Black cats |
| Ninja | Stealthy Japanese warrior | Silent stalkers |
| Riot | Public chaos | Loud cats |
| Venom | Poison | Hissers |
| Fang | A sharp tooth | Biters |
| Talon | A predator’s claw | Scratchers |
| Tank | Heavy armored vehicle | Big boys |
| Bullet | Fast and deadly | Speed demons |
| Viper | Venomous snake | Sneaky ones |
| Reaper | The Grim Reaper | Mouse hunters |
| Ember | A glowing coal | Fiery orange cats |
| Vandal | One who destroys property | Sofa shredders |
| Mayhem | Violent disorder | Kittens again |
Badass female cat names
Fierce names for girls who don’t take any nonsense. See badass girl names for more.
| Name | Who she is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ripley | Ellen Ripley, Alien | Fearless survivors |
| Arya | Arya Stark, Game of Thrones | Small assassins |
| Katniss | The Hunger Games | Hunters |
| Buffy | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Monster fighters |
| Storm | X-Men | White or grey cats |
| Furiosa | Mad Max: Fury Road | Road warriors |
| Nikita | La Femme Nikita | Secret agents |
| Brienne | Brienne of Tarth, Game of Thrones | Loyal protectors |
| Leia | Princess Leia, Star Wars | Leaders |
| Selina | Selina Kyle, Catwoman | The obvious choice |
| Elektra | Marvel assassin | Sleek hunters |
| Zelda | The Legend of Zelda | Warrior princesses |
| Trinity | The Matrix | Black cats |
| Wednesday | Wednesday Addams | Deadpan girls |
How to pick a badass name your cat can live up to
- Try the “shout test.” If you can’t yell it across the yard without laughing, pick another. One or two syllables are easiest.
- Go for hard consonants. K, T, X and V sounds (Khan, Thor, Xena, Vader) sound instantly tougher.
- Embrace the irony. A tiny, sweet kitten named Genghis or Mayhem is half the fun.
- Watch personality first. Give your cat a week. You’ll know whether you have a Ninja, a Havoc or a Loki.
- Keep it vet-friendly. Tough is great; profane is awkward when the receptionist has to call it out. For more ideas, see unique cat names.
Frequently asked questions
What is a badass name for a boy cat?
Top picks include Loki, Thor, Fenrir, Khan, Vader, Ozzy, Spartacus, Diesel, Blade and Ragnar.
What is a badass name for a girl cat?
Try Xena, Sekhmet, Ripley, Arya, Freya, Boudica, Valkyrie, Storm, Kali or Maleficent.
What is a tough name for a black cat?
Black cats suit Vader, Onyx, Hades, Anubis, Jinx, Trinity, Reaper and Hel.
Which god is associated with cats?
In ancient Egypt, Bastet was the cat goddess of home and protection, and Sekhmet was a lion-headed goddess of war. In Norse myth, Freya rode a chariot pulled by two cats.
Is it OK to name a sweet cat something scary?
Absolutely. Ironic names are hugely popular: a gentle ragdoll called Chaos or Genghis is a guaranteed conversation starter.