According to the Guinness World Records, the ancient Egyptians were the first to name a cat. This happened during the reign of Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC), wherein a feline was given the name Nedjem, which means `sweet' or `pleasant'.
Today, owning a cat comes with the important responsibility of naming them. Giving your feline pet a name strengthens your bond with them, making them feel like a cherished member of your family.
Cat names also serve as a means of communication, helping your pet recognise when they are called, which is essential for their safety. It aids in identification, allowing others to know them, especially when they get lost or need veterinary care.
Moreover, a unique name reflects your pet’s one-of-a-kind personality.
These reasons demonstrate that naming your feline pet is just as important as shopping for the cat supplies they need to stay healthy and happy in your home.
Top Names for Cats
Since naming a cat is a crucial part of being a pet owner, you may end up spending more time than necessary trying to find the perfect one for them.
We’ve rounded up below the most popular cat names (in no particular order) based on specific categories to help you come up with the ideal moniker for your precious feline friend faster.
Female Cat Names
Female cats are known for their independence and nurturing nature. They often display strong maternal instincts, especially if they've had kittens. They are typically more reserved and cautious but affectionate with familiar humans.
Female cats are also agile, playful, and territorial, demonstrating a mix of grace and assertiveness in their behaviour.
Below are the most popular names for female cats that convey their personality:
- Bella
- Cleo
- Daisy
- Lily
- Lucy
- Luna
- Misty
- Molly
- Poppy
- Tilly
Male Cat Names
Male cats are friendly and affectionate with their owners. They are also more sociable and can easily blend in with other feline pets.
Male cats are more playful, making them the perfect pet for anyone who wants a frisky, active four-legged family member.
If you need to name a male cat, get some ideas below:
- Alfie
- Charlie
- George
- Harry
- Jasper
- Leo
- Max
- Milo
- Oliver or Ollie
- Oscar
Unisex Cat Names
Cats can exhibit the distinct characteristics of both sexes and change their dispositions once they are spayed or neutered. For instance, female cats tend to be more relaxed and want to spend more time indoors after they are spayed since they are no longer hormonal.
If your furry friend displays both traits or you simply want a gender-neutral name for your pet, find inspiration below:
- Pumpkin
- Smudge
- Boo
- Bubbles
- Fudge
- Fluffy
- Fuzzy
- Patches
- Tabby
- Socks
Names According to Colour and Coat Patterns
Choosing a name for your cat based on their colour and coat pattern is a fun and meaningful way to highlight their unique appearance. Whether your feline friend has a solid coat, stripes, or spots, selecting a name that complements their fur can enhance their identity and add a personal touch to your bond.
Below are the most popular cute names for cats based on their colour and coat pattern:
- Alfie (ginger)
- Bow Tie (black and white)
- Buster (black)
- Casper (white)
- Felix (black and white)
- Max (black)
- Misty (grey or blue)
- Molly (tabby)
- Poppy (tortoiseshell)
- Sooty (black)
Celebrity Names
Naming your cat after a popular celebrity is a fun way to show your admiration for iconic figures while giving your pet a distinctive and memorable identity. A name inspired by an actor, musician, or sports star can provide your pet with a sense of glamour and uniqueness.
Choosing a celebrity-inspired name can also reflect your cat’s personality traits or physical characteristics, adding a layer of charm and individuality to their presence in your home.
Here are the most popular celebrity-inspired cat names:
- Beyonce (Beyonce Knowles)
- Chrissy (Chrissy Teigen)
- Freddy (Freddy Mercury)
- Harry (Harry Styles)
- Hailey (Hailey Bieber)
- Jennie (Jennie Kim of BLACKPINK)
- Jimin (Jimin of BTS)
- Justin (Justin Timberlake)
- Marley (Bob Marley)
- Swift (Taylor Swift)
Book or Literary Character Names
Naming your feline pet after a book or fictional character adds a touch of literary charm to their personality. Whether inspired by classic literature or modern novels, these names can give your cat a sense of mystery and elegance and celebrate your love for reading and storytelling.
Below are the best cat names based on book and literary characters:
- Buttercup (Hunger Games)
- Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)
- Crookshanks (Harry Potter)
- Dolores (Harry Potter)
- Electra (Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats)
- Merlin (Legend of King Arthur)
- Mrs. Norris (Harry Potter)
- Snowbell (Stuart Little)
- The Cat (Coraline)
- Tigger (Winnie-the-Pooh)
Movie and TV Character Names
Giving your cat a name from a movie or TV character brings a dash of cinematic glamour and excitement to their identity. This option adds a playful and recognisable touch to your pet’s personality.
Below are some famous movie and TV characters that can give your pet a standout name:
- Barbie
- Deadpool
- Flounder
- Fury
- Jabba
- Lasso
- Luke
- Shinx
- Simba
- Wednesday
Food-Inspired Names
Food-inspired names are playful and fun, and can reflect your cat’s appearance, personality, or your favourite culinary delights. Sweet treats, savoury dishes, and exotic flavours and ingredients, add a creative and charming touch to your pet’s character.
Find inspiration for a delicious-sounding name suitable for your feline pet:
- Almond
- Bailey
- Chive
- Cookie
- Dijon
- Flan
- Morel
- Oreo
- Prosecco
- Velveeta
With these names, you can lessen the time you need to pick the perfect moniker for your feline friend. You can also mix and match them or create pun names (think Hairy Styles, Ben Catleck, Kitty Purry, or Catti B) to let out your creative, fun side.
Teaching Your Cat Their Name
Once you’ve decided on a name for your feline friend, the next step is teaching them to recognise and respond to it.
Below are some tips to help you with this process:
1. Stick to a simple, short name.
Although you can be as creative and whimsical as you want when coming up with a name for your pet, avoid choosing a long, complicated one.
Giving your feline friend a simple, short name makes it easier for them to recognise and remember it. One to two-syllable monikers are best.
However, if you want to give your cat a long, multisyllabic name, ensure it comes with a nickname and use this short version when training them.
2. Create and follow a training schedule.
Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment where your cat feels safe and comfortable. This setting ensures your pet can focus on you without being startled or distracted.
The timing of training sessions is also important. Choose a time when your cat is calm and receptive, such as after a meal of wet or dry cat food or a nap. Avoid teaching them when they are too energetic or tired since they will only be distracted and not pay attention to you.
Also, remember that short, regular sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones, which is why you should set and follow a schedule.
3. Be consistent.
Consistency is crucial when teaching a cat their name because when they hear it repeatedly, they will gradually understand that you are calling and talking to them. This will eventually make them more responsive to your calls and commands.
Conversely, inconsistent use of different names or nicknames can confuse your cat, delaying their learning process and weakening the bond between you and your pet.
As such, use the same name while teaching your pet to create a sense of familiarity and trust and help them be a well-adjusted and happy cat.
4. Use rewards and positive reinforcement.
Felines respond to edible rewards, which is why you should have a stock of treats or dry cat food to give them during training.
Choose lickable cat treats, soft chews, and other treats specific for training. Avoid feeding them food you give them for meals so they would be excited about their reward.
Be generous with giving your pet treats. Feed them when they look or go to you when you call them by their name.
Reward your cat verbally as well. Praise, pat, or hug your cat whenever they respond to you.
5. Gradually remove the edible rewards.
Gradually phasing out edible rewards when teaching a cat their name is essential for fostering long-term obedience and reducing their dependency on treats.
Start reducing the frequency of treats once your feline friend reliably responds to their name. Replace these edible rewards with verbal praise, petting, playtime, or cat toys to maintain positive reinforcement without over-reliance on food.
This transition helps your cat learn that responding to their name is inherently rewarding, helping them develop a more reliable behaviour. Over time, your cat will act in response to their name out of habit and affection rather than just for the promise of a treat.
What’s in a Name?
Choosing a popular name for your cat adds to their unique charm, and teaching them to respond to it enhances your bond. By following these tips, you can ensure successful training outcomes and build a strong connection with your feline friend, as their name becomes a meaningful part of their identity.
Contact us to know more about our cat supplies you can use for training your feline pets.
