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100 Best Cat Names and Their Meanings for Your New Feline

100 Best Cat Names and Their Meanings for Your New Feline

Choosing a name for your cat is more than a fun formality—it’s a chance to reflect their personality, appearance, or even your own sense of humor and creativity. Whether your new feline is playful, regal, mysterious, or affectionate, the right name can capture their charm in just a word or two.

This list of 100 cat names with meanings includes cute, classic, quirky, and elegant options—each with a little story or significance behind it. Whether you’re naming a curious kitten or a wise older rescue, you’re sure to find the perfect name right here.

Cute Cat Names

Mochi – A sweet Japanese rice dessert; perfect for soft, cuddly cats.

Luna – Latin for “moon”; ideal for silvery, graceful cats.

Milo – German origin, meaning “soldier”; a gentle but brave cat.

Neko – Japanese word for “cat”; simple and fitting.

Chai – Hebrew and Hindi roots, meaning “life” or “tea”; warm and comforting.

Pip – A tiny name for a tiny, energetic feline.

Kiki – Cute and playful, often used in anime.

Boba – Inspired by bubble tea; great for cats with round, big eyes.

Toto – Innocent and timeless; also Dorothy’s sidekick in The Wizard of Oz.

Pixie – A whimsical name for a mischievous, magical little cat.

Elegant & Mythical Cat Names

Athena – Greek goddess of wisdom and war; for smart, noble cats.

Freya – Norse goddess of love, beauty, and cats.

Isis – Egyptian goddess often associated with cats and protection.

Selene – Greek goddess of the moon.

Osiris – Egyptian god of the afterlife; mysterious and dignified.

Zephyr – Greek for “west wind”; perfect for calm, breezy personalities.

Persephone – Queen of the Underworld; great for a black or mysterious cat.

Loki – Norse god of mischief; ideal for trickster cats.

Sphinx – Refers to the mythical creature and the hairless cat breed.

Nyx – Greek goddess of the night; perfect for dark-coated felines.

Food-Inspired Cat Names

Pumpkin – Sweet and round, often orange; perfect for autumn cats.

Olive – A charming name for a small, green-eyed cat.

Peaches – For soft, sweet, affectionate cats.

Basil – Herbaceous and fresh; great for laid-back cats.

Maple – Warm and golden; ideal for ginger or brown cats.

Cinnamon – Spicy, sweet, and full of warmth.

Marshmallow – Fluffy and light-colored; gentle in spirit.

Tuna – A humorous name that cats would probably choose themselves.

Wasabi – Spicy and energetic; best for feisty felines.

Mango – Juicy and tropical; perfect for sunny, orange kitties.

Nature-Inspired Cat Names

Willow – Graceful and flexible, just like a nimble cat.

River – Calm but capable of surprise; flows with ease.

Storm – Dramatic and unpredictable; ideal for wild or grey cats.

Ash – Minimal and modern, great for charcoal-colored cats.

Sky – Open and airy; for blue-eyed or dreamy cats.

Ivy – Steady and elegant; perfect for clingy cats who follow you.

Pebble – Small and cute; ideal for kittens or dainty cats.

Flame – Fiery personality or coloring; bold and unforgettable.

Clover – A lucky charm with a soft sound.

Frost – Icy-cool and stylish; perfect for white or silver cats.

Literary & Pop Culture Cat Names

Gatsby – From The Great Gatsby; stylish, mysterious, and classy.

HermioneHarry Potter heroine; smart and loyal.

Bagheera – The sleek black panther from The Jungle Book.

Cheshire – The grinning cat from Alice in Wonderland.

Luna Lovegood – Quirky, magical, and kind-hearted.

AryaGame of Thrones warrior; fierce and independent.

Toothless – From How to Train Your Dragon; adorable and misunderstood.

Salem – Sabrina’s black cat; sassy and sarcastic.

Yoda – Wise and small; a perfect Jedi kitty.

Wednesday – For a dark, gothic cat with attitude.

Color-Based Cat Names

Midnight – Sleek and shadowy; perfect for a black cat.

Snowball – A classic for white cats.

Smokey – Grey and cool; a name that purrs.

Mocha – Brown and creamy; a coffee-inspired favorite.

Blue – For Russian Blues or cats with piercing blue eyes.

Ginger – A go-to name for orange tabbies.

Ivory – A refined name for pale or white-coated cats.

Shadow – Quiet and loyal, always lurking near.

Goldie – Shimmering and precious.

Ebony – Glossy and dark; graceful and mysterious.

Funny & Playful Cat Names

Whiskers – A cheeky classic.

Meowzer – A playful twist on “meow.”

Chairman Meow – A pun that never gets old.

Sir Pounce – Fancy and fun.

Catticus – From To Kill a Mockingbird, but punny.

Nugget – Small, cute, and hilarious.

Snickers – Sweet with a twist.

Fuzz Aldrin – For the space-loving feline.

Catniss – For fans of The Hunger Games.

Paw McCartney – For the music-loving cat parent.

International Cat Names

Suki – Japanese for “beloved.”

Léa – French form of Leah, meaning “weary” or “delicate.”

Miso – Japanese comfort food; small and warm.

Nala – Swahili for “gift.”

Bijou – French for “jewel.”

Zara – Arabic, meaning “princess” or “radiance.”

Inka – Quechua origin; strong and cultural.

Tao – Chinese, meaning “the way.”

Kira – Russian and Japanese meanings, including “light” and “leader.”

Sasha – Slavic diminutive of Alexander/Alexandra; sweet and spunky.

Unisex & Gender-Neutral Cat Names

Sunny – Bright, cheerful, and positive.

Lucky – Perfect for a rescued or adopted cat.

Echo – Mysterious and soft.

Marble – Cool and patterned; fits a mottled coat.

Zen – Calm and collected.

Cloud – Soft and serene.

Indie – Free-spirited and artsy.

Wren – Light and musical.

River – Fluid and ever-moving.

Onyx – Bold and sleek.

Classic & Timeless Cat Names

Simba – Swahili for “lion”; brave and bold.

Tigger – Bouncy and energetic.

Felix – Latin, meaning “happy” or “lucky.”

Tom – A classic male cat name.

Mittens – For cats with adorable paws.

Garfield – Lazy, sarcastic, and lovable.

Tabby – Descriptive yet classic.

Boots – Great for cats with white feet.

Tiger – For the fierce and striped.

Paws – Playful, simple, and iconic.

Your cat’s name will be one of the most spoken words in your home, so take the time to find one that feels just right. Whether you’re looking for something cute, elegant, witty, or meaningful, this list of 100 cat names with meanings is here to help you discover the perfect fit for your feline friend.

Say a few names out loud, see which one sticks—and don’t be surprised if your cat has a strong opinion, too.

Hannah Collins