Maine Coon Names
The Maine Coon is America’s native long-haired breed and the official state cat of Maine. Males commonly reach 13–18 pounds, with shaggy water-resistant coats, tufted ears, snowshoe paws and a tail like a feather duster — yet they’re famous for being gentle, dog-like and chatty, with a trademark chirping trill. A cat like that deserves a name with some presence.
We’ve collected more than 100 Maine Coon names inspired by the breed’s New England roots, the seafaring legends about its origin, its size and its soft heart. For more long-haired ideas see fluffy cat names; for big boys, boy cat names; or browse every style in our main cat names list.
Maine and New England names
Honor the breed’s home state with a name from its towns, parks, rivers and coastline.
| Name | Place | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor | City on the Penobscot River | Big, sturdy boys |
| Portland | Maine’s largest city | Urban cats |
| Acadia | Maine’s national park | Nature-loving girls |
| Kennebec | Major Maine river | Unique boy name |
| Penobscot | River, bay and Native nation of Maine | Nickname “Scot” |
| Katahdin | Maine’s highest mountain | Huge cats |
| Casco | Casco Bay near Portland | Short and salty |
| Camden | Harbor town on Penobscot Bay | Classy boys |
| Bar Harbor | Island resort town | Nickname “Harbor” |
| Augusta | Maine’s capital | Regal girls |
| Kittery | Maine’s oldest town (a cat pun too) | Irresistible |
| Sebago | Maine’s deepest lake | Blue-grey cats |
| Ogunquit | Beach town; commonly glossed as “beautiful place by the sea” | Coastal girls |
| Allagash | Wilderness waterway | Adventurers |
| Monhegan | Island known for its artists | Artsy cats |
Big and mighty names
Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed, and the Guinness record for longest domestic cat (48.5 inches) went to a Maine Coon named Stewie. These names fit the scale. More in badass cat names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas | Greek Titan who held up the sky | Carries the weight of the house |
| Titan | The elder Greek gods | Obvious and fun |
| Goliath | The Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17) | Biggest cat in the neighborhood |
| Hercules | Greek hero of legendary strength | Muscle-bound boys |
| Colossus | A huge statue, like the one at Rhodes | Towering cats |
| Tank | An armored vehicle | Heavyweights |
| Moose | Maine’s state animal | The perfect Maine Coon name |
| Behemoth | Biblical giant beast (Job 40) | Enormous floofs |
| Juggernaut | Unstoppable force | Cats who plow through everything |
| Magnus | Latin, “great” | Scandinavian flair |
| Maximus | Latin, “the greatest” | Grand boys |
| Hagrid | Harry Potter’s gentle half-giant | Big softies |
| Tiny | Irony at its finest | 20-pound cuddlers |
Seafaring and coastal names
Legends say Maine Coons came ashore from ships — some claim Marie Antoinette’s cats, others a sea captain named Coon. Most experts think they descend from ships’ cats that met local farm cats. Either way, a nautical name fits. See boat names for more.
| Name | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Ship’s commander | Leaders of the household |
| Skipper | Captain of a small boat | Friendly bosses |
| Admiral | Naval commander | Dignified giants |
| Lobster | Maine’s famous catch | Red-brown cats |
| Mariner | A sailor | Adventurous boys |
| Harbor | Safe port | Calm, steady cats |
| Anchor | Keeps a ship in place | Lap-cats who pin you down |
| Buoy | Floating marker (say “BOO-ee”) | Chubby cats |
| Tide | The ocean’s rise and fall | Easygoing cats |
| Marina | Latin, “of the sea” | Sea-loving girls |
| Nor’easter | New England coastal storm | Wild, stormy cats |
| Pearl | The gem from the sea | White or cream girls |
| Quahog | New England hard-shell clam (say “KO-hog”) | Quirky, round cats |
| Gull | The seabird | Loud, talkative cats |
Norse and Viking names
One popular (unproven) theory links Maine Coons to Norwegian Forest Cats that sailed with the Vikings. The two breeds do look similar. Explore Viking names and Norse god names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bjorn | Old Norse, “bear” | Big, bear-like boys |
| Thor | Norse god of thunder | Loud, powerful cats |
| Odin | Chief of the Norse gods | Wise old cats |
| Freya | Goddess whose chariot was pulled by cats | Queenly girls |
| Leif | Old Norse, “heir”; Leif Erikson reached North America | Explorers |
| Sigrid | Old Norse, “beautiful victory” | Strong girls |
| Ragnar | Old Norse, “warrior of judgment” | Fighters |
| Astrid | Old Norse, “divinely beautiful” | Elegant girls |
| Erik | Old Norse, “eternal ruler” | Kings of the house |
| Ingrid | Old Norse, “Ing is beautiful” | Graceful girls |
| Loki | Norse trickster god | Mischief-makers |
| Sif | Thor’s golden-haired wife | Golden girls |
| Fenrir | Giant wolf of Norse myth | Wild-looking cats |
Rugged backwoods names
Maine Coons are working barn cats at heart, built for snowy winters. These rugged names suit a lumberjack cat. See forest names for more.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | Wood for building | Brown tabbies |
| Paul Bunyan | The giant lumberjack of American folk tales | Huge boys; nickname “Bunyan” |
| Birch | The white-barked tree | Silver tabbies |
| Cedar | The fragrant evergreen | Red-brown cats |
| Hunter | One who hunts | Skilled mousers |
| Ranger | Forest warden | Outdoor explorers |
| Maple | Maple syrup tree | Red and cream cats |
| Cabin | A log house | Homebodies |
| Flannel | The plaid shirt fabric | Cozy cuddlers |
| Kodiak | The giant Alaskan bear | Very large cats |
| Grizzly | The brown bear | Brown Maine Coons |
| Bear | The animal | Round, bear-like faces |
| Hemlock | Evergreen tree of New England | Dark, dramatic cats |
Gentle-giant names
Despite their size, Maine Coons are known for sweet, sociable temperaments. These names capture the softie side. See also cute cat names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Teddy | From Theodore, “gift of God” | Teddy-bear faces |
| Baloo | The bear in The Jungle Book | Laid-back buddies |
| Bernard | Germanic, “brave as a bear” | Like a St. Bernard in cat form |
| Gus | Short for Augustus | Friendly and chunky |
| Winnie | From Winnie-the-Pooh | Honey-colored cuddlers |
| Samson | Hebrew, “sun”; the strongman of Judges | Soft-hearted strongmen |
| Clifford | The big red dog | Big red tabbies |
| Otis | Germanic, “wealth” | Chill boys |
| Honey | Golden sweetness | Golden girls |
| Dumpling | Soft steamed dough | Round cuddlers |
| Sully | Gentle monster of Monsters, Inc. | Huge blue-grey cats |
| Hugo | Germanic, “mind, heart” | Big hearts |
Famous Maine Coons
Record-breakers, internet stars and movie cats. Name yours after one of the breed’s celebrities.
| Name | Who | Claim to fame |
|---|---|---|
| Stewie | Mymains Stewart Gilligan, Reno, Nevada | Guinness record for longest domestic cat, 48.5 inches (2010) |
| Barivel | A silver tabby from Vigevano, Italy | Named longest living domestic cat by Guinness in 2018 |
| Ludo | A Maine Coon from Wakefield, England | Held the longest-cat record before Barivel |
| Omar | A giant Maine Coon from Melbourne, Australia | Went viral in 2017 for his size |
| Kefir | A Maine Coon from Russia | Internet-famous for his huge size |
| Jenks | From “Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines,” the first Maine Coon named in print (1861) | A deep-cut history nod |
| Norris | Mrs. Norris in the Harry Potter films was played by Maine Coons | Watchful, dramatic cats |
| Coonie | The breed’s common nickname | Affectionate and obvious |
| Trill | The breed’s signature chirping call | Chatty cats |
Names for female Maine Coons
Females are usually smaller (8–12 pounds) but no less majestic. More in girl cat names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper | The evergreen shrub | Woodsy and sweet |
| Willow | The graceful tree | Elegant ladies |
| Aurora | Latin, “dawn”; also the northern lights | Majestic girls |
| Cosey | The brown tabby Maine Coon who won the first major US cat show (1895) | A breed history nod |
| Duchess | A noblewoman | Regal girls |
| Athena | Greek goddess of wisdom | Clever cats |
| Hazel | The hazel tree | Brown-eyed girls |
| Posey | A small bouquet | Sweet cuddlers |
| Tallulah | Commonly given as “leaping water” | Energetic girls |
| Luna | Latin, “moon” | Silver girls |
| Ivy | The climbing vine | Great climbers |
| Magnolia | The flowering tree | Southern belles |
Tips for naming a Maine Coon
- Name for the adult, not the kitten. Maine Coons grow slowly and may not reach full size until three to five years old.
- Expect a talker. Maine Coons chirp and trill back when you call them; a two-syllable name gives them something to answer.
- Lean into the heritage. Maine places, lobsters, Vikings and sea captains all tie back to the breed’s story.
- Pick a name with a good nickname. Grand names like Penobscot or Behemoth are fun; “Scot” and “Bea” are what you’ll use every day.
- Consider the coat color. Most Maine Coons are brown tabbies, but they come in many colors — see tabby cat names or names for orange cats.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good name for a Maine Coon?
Moose, Bangor, Acadia, Bjorn, Atlas, Thor, Freya and Juniper are all great Maine Coon names that reflect the breed’s size, heritage and gentle nature.
How big do Maine Coons get?
Males typically weigh 13–18 pounds and females 8–12 pounds, and they can measure about 40 inches from nose to tail tip. They are the largest domestic cat breed.
Where do Maine Coons come from?
They developed naturally in Maine in the 1800s, most likely from long-haired cats brought over by ships mixing with local farm cats. Stories about Marie Antoinette or raccoon ancestry are myths.
Why is it called a Maine Coon?
“Maine” is its home state, and “Coon” comes either from the old folk tale that the cats were part raccoon (biologically impossible) or from a legendary sea captain named Coon.
Are Maine Coons good family cats?
Yes. They’re known as gentle giants: affectionate, playful, tolerant of kids and dogs, and often follow their people from room to room.