Kitten Names
A new kitten changes by the week — the tiny fluffball you bring home at eight weeks can be a lanky teenager by six months and a full-grown cat by one year. That’s why the best kitten names are ones that feel adorable now and still fit a dignified adult cat. We’ve gathered more than 100 kitten names with meanings, plus themed sets for fosterers and breeders naming a whole litter at once.
Want more options by style? Head to cute cat names, girl cat names or boy cat names. Adopting a puppy too? Our puppy names are ready when you are.
Trendy kitten names for 2026
Names rising fast among new cat owners — many borrowed from the baby-name charts. See popular baby names for where the trends start.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Girl, boy or both |
|---|---|---|
| Nova | Latin, “new” | Girl |
| Milo | Germanic, possibly “merciful” | Boy |
| Theo | Greek, “god” | Boy |
| Juniper | The evergreen shrub | Girl |
| Ezra | Hebrew, “help” | Boy |
| Olive | The olive tree | Girl |
| Arlo | Possibly Old English, “fortified hill” | Boy |
| Luna | Latin, “moon” | Girl |
| Remi | French, “oarsman” | Both |
| Wren | The songbird | Girl |
| Otis | Germanic, “wealth” | Boy |
| Sage | The herb; “wise” | Both |
| Poppy | The red flower | Girl |
| Ash | The ash tree | Both |
| Maeve | Irish, “she who intoxicates” | Girl |
Tiny names for tiny kittens
Perfect for the smallest in the litter — and just as funny when they grow up to 15 pounds.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pip | From Philip; a small seed | The classic runt name |
| Bean | The legume | For jelly-bean toes |
| Peanut | The legume | Pocket-sized |
| Tater | Short for potato | Couch potatoes in training |
| Nugget | A small lump of gold | Golden kittens |
| Button | A small round fastener | Button noses |
| Sprout | A newly grown shoot | Growing fast |
| Mouse | The small rodent | Quiet, grey kittens |
| Rue | The herb; also an old word for “regret” | Short and gentle |
| Pixie | A little fairy | Pointed ears |
| Tic Tac | The tiny mint | Tuxedo kittens |
| Crumb | A small fragment | The littlest one |
| Gnat | A tiny insect | Zippy kittens |
| Thimble | A small sewing cap | Petite and vintage |
Playful names for energetic kittens
For the kitten who climbs the curtains at 3 a.m. More mischief in funny cat names.
| Name | What it evokes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ziggy | Zigzag energy; from Siegfried | Zoomies |
| Rascal | A mischievous rogue | Troublemakers |
| Scamp | A playful rascal | Sock thieves |
| Zippy | Quick and lively | Speedy kittens |
| Bandit | A robber | Masked faces and food theft |
| Rocket | A fast projectile | Sprinters |
| Tigger | The bouncing tiger of Winnie-the-Pooh | Pouncers |
| Pounce | A sudden leap | Ambush artists |
| Jinx | A charm or curse | Black kittens with chaos |
| Sonic | Faster than sound; the video game hedgehog | Speed demons |
| Rumble | A playful fight | Wrestling littermates |
| Skittles | The candy | Bouncy, colorful kittens |
| Bingo | A lucky shout | Kittens who find everything |
| Frodo | The hobbit adventurer | Brave little explorers |
Kitten names that grow up well
Cute now, classy later. These names suit a tiny kitten and a grown cat equally. See classic girl names and classic boy names for more.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Nickname for kittenhood |
|---|---|---|
| Penelope | Greek, possibly “weaver” | Penny |
| Theodore | Greek, “gift of God” | Teddy |
| Josephine | Hebrew, “God will increase” | Josie |
| Augustus | Latin, “venerable” | Gus |
| Wilhelmina | Germanic, “will helmet, protection” | Mina |
| Benjamin | Hebrew, “son of the right hand” | Benji |
| Matilda | Germanic, “mighty in battle” | Tilly |
| Alexander | Greek, “defender of the people” | Xander |
| Florence | Latin, “flourishing” | Flo |
| Archibald | Germanic, “genuine and bold” | Archie |
| Isabella | Hebrew, “pledged to God” | Izzy |
| Frederick | Germanic, “peaceful ruler” | Freddie |
| Beatrice | Latin, “she who brings happiness” | Bea |
| Bartholomew | Aramaic, “son of Talmai” | Barty |
Kitten names by birth season
Most kittens are born in “kitten season,” spring through fall, so a seasonal name makes a nice birthday reminder. More seasonal ideas in weather names.
| Name | Season | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blossom | Spring | Flowers in bloom |
| Robin | Spring | First bird of spring |
| Clover | Spring | Spring meadows |
| April | Spring | Born in April |
| Daisy | Spring | Spring flower |
| Sunny | Summer | Warm, bright days |
| Peaches | Summer | Summer fruit |
| Coral | Summer | Beach days |
| Marigold | Summer | Summer blooms |
| Maple | Fall | Changing leaves |
| Pumpkin | Fall | Harvest season |
| Hazel | Fall | Hazelnuts ripen |
| Ember | Fall | Bonfire nights |
| Holly | Winter | Evergreen berries |
| Frost | Winter | Cold mornings |
| Noel | Winter | French, “Christmas” |
| Juniper Berry | Winter | Evergreen and festive |
Themed names for a whole litter
Fosterers and breeders often name a litter by theme — it helps adopters remember which kittens are siblings. Pick a theme and assign by personality.
| Theme | Names | Works for |
|---|---|---|
| Greek gods | Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athena, Hermes | Five-kitten litters |
| Herbs | Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Dill | Tabby litters |
| Gemstones | Ruby, Jade, Onyx, Topaz, Opal | Mixed-color litters |
| Planets | Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Pluto | Space-loving fosters |
| Candy | Gumdrop, Toffee, Taffy, Jellybean, Fudge | Sweet litters |
| Pasta | Penne, Ravioli, Rigatoni, Orzo, Fusilli | Italian kitchen crews |
| Beatles | John, Paul, George, Ringo | Four-kitten litters |
| Golden Girls | Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia | Four sisters |
| Seven dwarfs | Doc, Happy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey | Big litters |
| Weather | Storm, Breeze, Thunder, Rain | Grey litters |
| Trees | Oak, Willow, Birch, Aspen, Cedar | Nature fosters |
| Constellations | Orion, Lyra, Draco, Vega | Night-born kittens |
| Presidents | Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Monroe | Distinguished boys |
| Harry Potter | Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Neville | Magical litters |
Names for two kittens adopted together
Shelters often recommend adopting kittens in pairs, since they play together and learn manners from each other. More pairing ideas in twin names.
| Pair | Theme | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Salt & Pepper | Seasonings | Black and white kittens |
| Bonnie & Clyde | Outlaw duo | Mischief makers |
| Sonny & Cher | Singing duo | Chatty siblings |
| Pancake & Waffle | Breakfast | Golden siblings |
| Ying & Yang | Balance | Opposite colors |
| Rosie & Posie | Rhyming flowers | Sisters |
| Luna & Sol | Moon and sun | Grey and orange |
| Frodo & Sam | Hobbit friends | Inseparable brothers |
| Pickle & Olive | Snacks | Green-eyed pair |
| Thelma & Louise | Road-trip duo | Adventurous girls |
| Lilo & Stitch | Disney pals | One sweet, one chaotic |
| Mocha & Latte | Coffee drinks | Dark and cream siblings |
How to name a new kitten
- Start early and be consistent. Kittens learn fastest between 8 and 16 weeks. Use the name often and always in a happy tone.
- Pair it with good things. Say the name just before meals, treats and play so your kitten learns it means something great.
- Pick a name that works for an adult cat. Many “kitten” names shrink badly — use a long name like Theodore with a cute nickname like Teddy.
- Wait for the personality. Give the kitten a few days to show who they are. A shy kitten and a daredevil deserve different names.
- Check the sex before you commit. Kitten sexing is notoriously tricky, even for vets, so a unisex name like Remi or Sage is safe if you’re not sure.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should you name a kitten?
Right away. Kittens adopted at 8–12 weeks learn their name within one to two weeks if you use it consistently alongside food and play.
What is a good name for a small kitten?
Pip, Bean, Peanut, Button, Crumb, Thimble and Mouse are great for tiny kittens. Just remember most kittens triple their size in a few months.
What are good unisex kitten names?
Remi, Sage, Ash, Charlie, Pepper, Juniper and Rue work for either sex — handy if you’re not yet sure whether your kitten is a boy or girl.
How do you name a litter of kittens?
Pick a theme — gods, herbs, gemstones, planets or famous groups — and give each kitten the name that fits its personality. Themes help adopters keep siblings straight.
When does a kitten become a cat?
Most cats are considered adults at about 12 months, although large breeds like the Maine Coon keep growing until three to five years old.