The best cat names are short, easy to call and say something about your cat’s look or personality: think Luna, Milo, Mochi, Salem, Marmalade or Chairman Meow. Below you will find 600 cat names sorted into 20 themes, including cute, funny, black, white, orange, grey, calico and tuxedo cat names, boy and girl names, Japanese names with meanings, famous cats, matching pairs and Christmas names. Whether you are naming a new kitten, an adopted adult cat or a cat plushie, there is a name here that fits.
Key Takeaways
- 600 names in 20 themes, with 30 ideas in each, so you can jump straight to the style you like.
- Luna is America’s most popular cat name, followed by Milo and Leo, according to Rover’s 2025 rankings.
- Cats really can learn their names. A 2019 study found pet cats can tell their own name apart from other words.
- Let the coat help. Colour names work well, and most orange cats are male while calicos are almost always female.
- Short is best for a pet. One or two syllables are easiest to call. Save the long, silly names for nicknames and plushies.
Jump to a Cat Name Theme
- Cute Cat Names
- Funny Cat Names
- Black Cat Names
- White Cat Names
- Orange Cat Names
- Grey Cat Names
- Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Names
- Tuxedo Cat Names
- Boy Cat Names
- Girl Cat Names
- Japanese Cat Names
- Food Cat Names
- Famous Cat Names
- Egyptian and Mythology Cat Names
- Unique and Fancy Cat Names
- Kitten Names
- Chonky Cat Names
- Names for Cat Pairs
- Christmas Cat Names
- Nature and Flower Cat Names
Our Top 12 Cat Names (With Meanings)
Short on time? These are our favourite cat names, each with a story behind it.
| Name | Meaning or origin | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin for “moon”; the most popular cat name in Rover’s 2025 rankings | A calm, graceful girl |
| Milo | Number two on Rover’s 2025 list and its top boy name | A friendly, curious boy |
| Mochi | A soft, round Japanese rice cake | A squishy, chubby cat |
| Tama | A classic Japanese cat name, made famous by Tama, a calico who became a railway station master in Wakayama | A calico with a job to do |
| Salem | The talking black cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch | A sassy black cat |
| Jiji | The black cat in Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service | A small, chatty black cat |
| Bastet | The ancient Egyptian goddess linked with cats | A cat who expects to be worshipped |
| Freya | The Norse goddess whose chariot was pulled by cats | A strong, adventurous girl |
| Marmalade | The orange preserve, perfect for a ginger coat | An orange cat |
| Oreo | The black-and-white cookie | A tuxedo cat |
| Nyanko Sensei | The round guardian cat from Natsume’s Book of Friends; “nyan” is Japanese for “meow” | An anime fan’s cat or plush |
| Chairman Meow | A pun with presidential energy | A cat who runs the household |
What Makes a Good Cat Name?
A good cat name is easy to say, easy for your cat to recognise and fun to use every day. A few real cat facts can point you in the right direction:
- Cats can recognise their names. In a 2019 study published in Scientific Reports, Saito and colleagues found that pet cats reacted differently to their own name than to other nouns, even when a stranger said it. Cats living in a cat café, however, did not tell their own name apart from the names of the other cats living there.
- Coat colour can hint at sex. The gene behind orange fur sits on the X chromosome, which is why most orange cats are male and calico and tortoiseshell cats are almost always female. In 2025, two research teams finally identified the mutation that causes orange coats.
- Cats have a long, royal history. Ancient Egyptians honoured cats and linked them with the goddess Bastet, which is why Egyptian names suit a cat with an air of importance.
- Popular names are popular for a reason. According to Rover’s 2025 data, Luna, Milo and Leo were America’s top three cat names. They are short, soft and easy to call.
How to Choose the Perfect Name for Your Cat
- Watch first, name second. Spend a few days with your new cat. A shy hider, a bold explorer and a lap cat may each suit a very different name.
- Keep it to one or two syllables. Names like Milo, Coco or Tux are easy to call across the house. Long names like Fitzwilliam can become nicknames (Fitz).
- Make names sound different in multi-cat homes. Since the cat café cats in the 2019 study struggled to tell their names apart, avoid pairs that rhyme, such as Mia and Pia.
- Look at the coat and eyes. A black cat suits Onyx or Salem, a grey cat suits Smokey or Slate, and a calico suits Patches or Confetti.
- Say it out loud, many times. You will call this name thousands of times, sometimes at the vet. If it still makes you smile, it is the one.
Naming a whole plush family? Our 400 plushie names guide has even more ideas for stuffed animals.
600 Cat Names by Theme
Every list below has 30 names. Browse the themes that match your cat, or mix and match.
30 Cute Cat Names
Soft, sweet and a little silly, just like a kitten curled up in a sunbeam. These suit almost any cat, and they are lovely on a plush too.
- Button
- Peanut
- Biscuit
- Snuggles
- Pumpkin
- Cupcake
- Bubbles
- Sprinkles
- Marshmallow
- Jellybean
- Buttercup
- Sweetie
- Cuddles
- Pip
- Poppy
- Boo
- Fluffy
- Kitty
- Dimples
- Lovebug
- Snickers
- Teddy
- Bunny
- Twinkie
- Doodle
- Squeaky
- Fuzzy
- Smudge
- Wiggles
- Pookie
30 Funny Cat Names
Cats take themselves very seriously, which is exactly why a pun name is so funny. Plain human names like Kevin or Brenda are a classic joke too.
- Catrick Swayze
- Meowly Cyrus
- Purrince
- Cat Damon
- Chairman Meow
- Fur-gus
- Sir Purrs-a-Lot
- Catniss Everdeen
- Paw McCartney
- Cleocatra
- Meowzart
- Leonardo DiCatprio
- Purrlock Holmes
- Hairy Pawter
- Cat Benatar
- Kitty Purry
- Fuzz Lightyear
- Clawdia
- Count Catula
- Pablo Picatso
- Jean-Claw Van Damme
- Bob Meowley
- Cindy Clawford
- Mr. Meowgi
- Catpernicus
- Notorious C.A.T.
- Kevin
- Steve
- Gary
- Brenda
30 Black Cat Names
Black cats are seen as lucky in Japan and in parts of Britain, and their glossy coats inspire some of the best names around.
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Salem
- Onyx
- Raven
- Jet
- Licorice
- Ink
- Coal
- Ebony
- Panther
- Bagheera
- Eclipse
- Nyx
- Obsidian
- Sable
- Soot
- Espresso
- Phantom
- Spooky
- Binx
- Jinx
- Cinder
- Noir
- Kuro (Japanese for “black”)
- Blackberry
- Velvet
- Wednesday
- Pitch
- Magic
30 White Cat Names
Snowy, cloudy and creamy names for white cats, from soft and sweet to cool and wintry.
- Snowball
- Casper
- Ghost
- Pearl
- Ivory
- Coconut
- Cotton
- Blizzard
- Frost
- Igloo
- Vanilla
- Cloud
- Angel
- Opal
- Milk
- Tofu
- Polar
- Yeti
- Avalanche
- Swan
- Dove
- Feather
- Chalk
- Crystal
- Glacier
- Powder
- Alabaster
- Blanca (Spanish for “white”)
- Snowdrop
- Dumpling
30 Orange Cat Names
Ginger cats have a big reputation, and most of them are boys. These warm, spicy and fruity names match their sunny coats.
- Ginger
- Marmalade
- Cheddar
- Tangerine
- Clementine
- Mango
- Apricot
- Peaches
- Rusty
- Copper
- Amber
- Sunny
- Simba
- Nacho
- Butterscotch
- Caramel
- Carrot
- Cinnamon
- Saffron
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Sunset
- Blaze
- Ember
- Goldie
- Tiger
- Marigold
- Red
- Tango
- Foxy
30 Grey Cat Names
Grey cats range from pale silver to deep charcoal. Weather, metals and stones all make great names for them.
- Smokey
- Ash
- Silver
- Storm
- Slate
- Pewter
- Graphite
- Misty
- Dusty
- Pebble
- Flint
- Earl Grey
- Sterling
- Steel
- Nickel
- Thunder
- Fog
- Haze
- Tin
- Blue
- Charcoal
- Gunmetal
- Granite
- Pigeon
- Koala
- Moonstone
- Grayson
- Rain
- Drizzle
- Nimbus
30 Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Names
Calico and tortoiseshell cats are almost always female, and their patchwork coats are one of a kind. Names for mixed colours and patterns fit them perfectly.
- Patches
- Callie
- Tortie
- Mosaic
- Confetti
- Patchwork
- Quilt
- Freckles
- Speckles
- Candy Corn
- Maple
- Autumn
- Harvest
- Mocha
- Tiramisu
- Calypso
- Marble
- Pinto
- Dapple
- Kaleidoscope
- Rainbow
- Pixel
- Collage
- Picasso
- Tapestry
- Tabitha
- Brindle
- Paisley
- Jigsaw
- Tortellini
30 Tuxedo Cat Names
Black and white cats always look dressed for a party. Give them a dapper name to match.
- Tux
- Oreo
- Domino
- Penguin
- Bandit
- Boots
- Socks
- Mittens
- Sylvester
- Felix
- Panda
- Bowtie
- Dapper
- Bond
- Gatsby
- Piano
- Checkers
- Magpie
- Orca
- Puffin
- Jazz
- Maestro
- Butler
- Jeeves
- Spats
- Ascot
- Chess
- Mono
- Badger
- Skunk
30 Boy Cat Names
Friendly, classic names for a male cat. Milo, Leo and Loki all appear in Rover’s 2025 top 10.
- Oliver
- Milo
- Leo
- Loki
- Ollie
- Charlie
- Max
- Jack
- Jasper
- Finn
- Oscar
- Theo
- Toby
- Gus
- Louie
- Rocky
- Winston
- George
- Henry
- Arlo
- Ziggy
- Bruno
- Murphy
- Otis
- Archie
- Sammy
- Benny
- Buddy
- Rufus
- Dexter
30 Girl Cat Names
Sweet names for a female cat, led by Luna, the most popular cat name in America.
- Luna
- Lily
- Coco
- Bella
- Chloe
- Nala
- Lucy
- Cleo
- Daisy
- Penny
- Rosie
- Stella
- Zoe
- Sophie
- Gracie
- Ruby
- Lola
- Mia
- Kiki
- Mabel
- Hazel
- Olive
- Pixie
- Millie
- Ellie
- Phoebe
- Winnie
- Maisie
- Matilda
- Josie
30 Japanese Cat Names
Cats are adored in Japan, home of the beckoning maneki-neko and the station-master cat Tama. Meanings are in brackets.
- Mochi (rice cake)
- Neko (cat)
- Tama (a classic Japanese cat name)
- Momo (peach)
- Sakura (cherry blossom)
- Hana (flower)
- Yuki (snow)
- Sora (sky)
- Hoshi (star)
- Kumo (cloud)
- Kiku (chrysanthemum)
- Miso
- Sushi
- Nori (seaweed)
- Matcha (green tea)
- Azuki (red bean)
- Kinako (roasted soy flour)
- Dango (rice dumpling)
- Ume (plum)
- Yuzu (citrus fruit)
- Haru (spring)
- Natsu (summer)
- Aki (autumn)
- Fuyu (winter)
- Kitsune (fox)
- Kuma (bear)
- Tora (tiger)
- Ringo (apple)
- Mikan (mandarin orange)
- Maneki (from maneki-neko, the beckoning cat)
30 Food Cat Names
Cats are serious about mealtimes, so a food name feels right. Pick one that matches your cat’s colour for bonus points.
- Nugget
- Pickles
- Waffles
- Pancake
- Muffin
- Taco
- Burrito
- Noodle
- Ramen
- Bagel
- Pretzel
- Meatball
- Gnocchi
- Ravioli
- Cookie
- Brownie
- Fudge
- Cheesecake
- Croissant
- Churro
- Popcorn
- Tater Tot
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Pistachio
- Bean
- Toffee
- Truffle
- Macaron
- Latte
30 Famous Cat Names
Borrow a name from a cartoon, film, book or the internet. Every cat on this list is a legend.
- Garfield
- Cheshire
- Figaro
- Duchess
- Marie
- Toulouse
- Berlioz
- O’Malley
- Puss
- Crookshanks
- Mrs. Norris
- Goose
- Jiji
- Catbus
- Nermal
- Snowbell
- Dinah
- Mr. Bigglesworth
- Lucifer
- Azrael
- Scratchy
- Heathcliff
- Top Cat
- Mog
- Nyanko Sensei
- Hachiware
- Maru
- Tom
- Grumpy
- Stimpy
30 Egyptian and Mythology Cat Names
Ancient Egyptians honoured cats and linked them with the goddess Bastet, and the Norse goddess Freya rode in a chariot pulled by cats. These names have serious history.
- Bastet
- Sekhmet
- Cleopatra
- Nefertiti
- Osiris
- Ra
- Anubis
- Horus
- Tut
- Ramses
- Nile
- Sphinx
- Pharaoh
- Mau
- Freya
- Thor
- Odin
- Athena
- Apollo
- Artemis
- Zeus
- Hera
- Hermes
- Juno
- Persephone
- Pandora
- Medusa
- Hercules
- Atlas
- Phoenix
30 Unique and Fancy Cat Names
A grand name suits a cat that acts like royalty, which is most of them. Shorten it for everyday use (Archibald becomes Archie).
- Archibald
- Reginald
- Cornelius
- Percival
- Montgomery
- Winifred
- Beatrice
- Ophelia
- Penelope
- Theodora
- Marmaduke
- Fitzwilliam
- Sir Pounce
- Countess
- Baroness
- Duke
- Mr. Darcy
- Lord Byron
- Violet
- Seraphina
- Genevieve
- Evangeline
- Barnaby
- Humphrey
- Mortimer
- Ignatius
- Augustus
- Octavia
- Rupert
- Ambrose
30 Kitten Names
Tiny names for tiny cats. They also suit small plushies, keychains and the littlest cat in a set.
- Peewee
- Tiny
- Bitsy
- Itty
- Mini
- Smidge
- Teeny
- Pippin
- Sprout
- Peep
- Nibbles
- Speck
- Shrimp
- Tink
- Mouse
- Thimble
- Little Bit
- Gumdrop
- Dot
- Minnow
- Kit
- Puff
- Tadpole
- Squirt
- Acorn
- Chickpea
- Sesame
- Crumb
- Wee
30 Chonky Cat Names
For the round, fluffy and gloriously big. These names suit a large breed, a cat with presence or a giant cat plush.
- Chonk
- Tank
- Moose
- Biggie
- Chunk
- Sumo
- Butterball
- Meatloaf
- Tubby
- Jumbo
- Hulk
- Goliath
- Bear
- Boulder
- Mammoth
- Hippo
- Walrus
- Porkchop
- Potato
- Pudge
- Roly-Poly
- Mufasa
- Titan
- Big Bertha
- Snorlax
- Totoro
- Waddles
- Loaf
- Lord Fluffington
- Dozer
30 Names for Cat Pairs
Bringing home two cats? Matching names make a sweet set, as long as they sound different enough for each cat to tell apart.
- Salt & Pepper
- Mac & Cheese
- Bread & Butter
- Sugar & Spice
- Romeo & Juliet
- Bonnie & Clyde
- Yin & Yang
- Ketchup & Mustard
- Sonny & Cher
- Lilo & Stitch
- Fish & Chips
- Bubble & Squeak
- Mario & Luigi
- Sherlock & Watson
- Thelma & Louise
30 Christmas Cat Names
Adopting a cat in December, or wrapping a cat plush for under the tree? These festive names are made for the season.
- Holly
- Jingle
- Tinsel
- Noel
- Rudolph
- Blitzen
- Prancer
- Frosty
- Gingerbread
- Candy Cane
- Mistletoe
- Eggnog
- Cranberry
- Nutcracker
- Sugarplum
- Twinkle
- Snowflake
- Merry
- Kringle
- Pinecone
- Yule
- Evergreen
- Elf
- Santa Claws
- Comet
- Poinsettia
- Chestnut
- Jolly
- Cocoa
- Dasher
30 Nature and Flower Cat Names
Gentle names from gardens, woods and skies, for an indoor cat who loves the window or an outdoor explorer.
- Willow
- Ivy
- Fern
- Moss
- Clover
- Meadow
- River
- Brook
- Juniper
- Sage
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Iris
- Lotus
- Jasmine
- Magnolia
- Tulip
- Bluebell
- Heather
- Aspen
- Cedar
- Birch
- Rowan
- Breeze
- Sunflower
- Peony
- Thistle
- Wren
- Sparrow
Naming a Pet Cat or a Cat Plush?
Every name on this list works for both, but a few practical points are worth knowing.
For a pet cat: use the new name often, in a happy voice, and pair it with treats, food and play so your cat links it with good things. Adopted cats can learn a new name too, so do not worry if a rescue cat arrives with a name you do not love. Keep the name you use for calling separate from words like “no” or “down”, so your cat does not learn to ignore it.
For a cat plush: there are no rules, so this is your chance to have fun. Long, grand or pun-heavy names are perfect on a stuffed animal. Many people name a plush after their own cat, a memory or a favourite character. Our Fat Cat Plush ($36.99), Kawaii Cat Plush ($25.99) and Kawaii Long Cat Plush ($20.99) are all waiting for a name, and you can browse every cat we stock in our cat stuffed animals collection. Not sure which style to choose? Our cat plush guide compares eight types, and our guides to the fat cat plush and long cat plush explain the internet memes behind them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular cat name?
Luna is the most popular cat name in the United States, according to Rover’s 2025 rankings. Milo and Leo came second and third, with Lily and Coco also in the top five.
Do cats know their names?
Yes, many do. A 2019 study in Scientific Reports found that pet cats could tell their own name apart from other words, even when a stranger said it. Using the name with treats and attention helps your cat learn it.
What is a good name for a black cat?
Popular black cat names include Salem, Shadow, Midnight, Onyx and Jiji. For something different, try Kuro, the Japanese word for “black”, or Bagheera, the black panther from The Jungle Book.
What should I name an orange cat?
Ginger, Marmalade, Mango, Simba and Cheddar are favourites. Because most orange cats are male, boy names like Leo or Garfield are a common choice too.
What does “neko” mean?
Neko is the Japanese word for “cat”. It appears in maneki-neko, the beckoning lucky cat figure, and in the names of many Japanese characters, including Neko from Sumikko Gurashi. Learn more in our guide to what Sumikko Gurashi means.
Can I rename an adopted cat?
Yes. Cats can learn a new name at any age. Use it consistently and pair it with food, treats and play, and most cats will start responding within a few weeks.
Should two cats have matching names?
Matching names are fun, but make sure they sound different. Salt and Pepper or Sherlock and Watson work well, while rhyming pairs like Mia and Pia can confuse your cats.
More Naming Guides and Ideas
Love naming animals? Try our guides to 600 capybara names, teddy bear names, bunny names, sloth names and unicorn names. Shopping for a cat lover? Find more ideas in our 60 best Christmas gifts.
Whatever you choose, the perfect cat name is the one that makes you smile every time you say it. Explore all our kawaii stuffed animals or visit the My Heart Teddy homepage to meet your next cuddly companion.
