Naming a cat can feel like an overwhelming process because there are so many great name choices to pick from. If you are feeling unsure as to where to begin with picking a "pur-fect" name, go straight to the cat name experts. Gathered from hundreds of thousands of cat owners everywhere, these are some of the very best cat names in use.
What Makes a Name the Best
The "best" name for something is pretty subjective. One person can adore a name while another might think it doesn't make the cut. In compiling a list of the very best feline names, certain sites, like Rover, Chewy, and Purina made the task far more simple, gathering cat names that owners go gaga over. One of these fantastic names is bound to be the one for your feline!
Popular Female Cat Names
There are some beautiful and inspiring names for female cats and these are some of the most widely used monikers for fantastic female felines.
- Chloe
- Luna
- Bella
- Stella
- Lily
- Cleo
- Nala
- Buffy
- Gracie
- Daisy
- Molly
- Willow
- Princess
- Izzy
- Athena
- Cookie
- Poppy
- Cali
- Minnie
Vintage Female Cat Names
Vintage names are certainly making a comeback across the board, and many cats have been named after someone's Granny.
- Minnie
- Louise
- Emma
- Abby
- Nellie
- Beatrice
- Olive
- Molly
- Betty
- Lula
- Gladys
- Mae
- Thelma
- Agnes
- Martha
- Viola
- Blanche
- Annie
- Sadie
- Ruby
Popular Male Cat Names
Handsome cats deserve handsome names. If you are looking to gift your guy with a name that is considered the best of the best, then any of these popular names will do.
- Loki
- Oliver
- Max
- Apollo
- Juno
- Felix
- Buddy
- Tiger
- Jack
- Oscar
- Clyde
- Bob
- Joey
- Charlie
- Simon
- Monty
- Dexter
- Prince
- Binx
- Gizmo
- Simba
- Hobbs
- Bagheera
- Rocky
- Toby
- Tucker
- Jackson
- Murphy
- Gus
- Thor
- Walt
- Chester
- Bandit
- Cosmo
- Percy
The Best Gender Neutral Cat Names
These gender-neutral names are favorites among cat owners. Whether you have a male or a female cat, one of these names is bound to strike your fancy.
- Mittens
- Boots
- Moose
- Boo
- Marley
- Scout
- Lucky
- Peanut
- Kitten
- Bubbles
- Pee Wee
- Fluffy
- Pickles
- Biscuit
- Sox
- Pebbles
- Peanut Butter
- Ducky
- Pop Tart
- Bear
- Sonic
- Baby
- Salem
- Harley
- Bean
Best Cat Names Based On Colors and Patterns
Many cat owners have played on their cat's colors and patterns to come up with a prime name. More than a few cats have names that refer to their physical characteristics.
- Smokey
- Pumpkin
- Tigger
- Oreo
- Nero
- Snow
- Cinder
- Inky
- Jet
- Ebony
- Raven
- Onyx
- Midnight
- Shadow
- Peaches
- Coral
- Mango
- Checkers
- Domino
- Panda
- Dottie
- Ash
- Misty
- Blanca
- Pearl
- Milky
- Opal
- Casper
- Coco
- Sugar
- Pepper
- Blue
- Patches
Trending Cat Names
There are some obvious trends happening with cat names, and per Rover.com, many owners are looking to name their pets after food and beverage, music, pop culture and sports.
- Bread
- Sandwich
- Tortilla
- Rose
- Gin
- Coffee
- Brew
- Kona
- Lady Gaga
- Lizzo
- Beyonce
- Catsy Kline
- Zendaya
- Kim - inspired by Kim Kardashian
- Kylie - inspired by Kylie Kardashian
- Stormi - another Kardashian clan member
- Naomi - perhaps because of the rise of tennis player Naomi Osaka
- Hawk
- Piston
- Raptor
- Colt
- Saint
- Patriot
- Messi - after the soccer icon
Calling All Calico Cat Lovers
If you own a calico cat, then you know they are a beautiful and special breed. There are so many unique and fun naming options for a calico cat, but if you want to stick to the very best names out there, these are some excellent choices.
- Calypso
- Buttercup
- Bourbon
- Amaretto
- Copper
- Clementine
- Garfield
- Harlow
- Ginger
- Honey
- Honeybee
- Marmalade
- Penny
- Rye
- Saffron
- Sahara
- Taffy
- Taco
- Sweetpea
- Waffles
Popular Cat Names From Around the Globe
What is trendy in the United States is not necessarily a top choice in other parts of the world. Check out the best cat names in countries around the globe.
- Krümel (male) - Germany
- Minka (female) - Germany
- Maja (female) - Sweden
- Selma (female) - Sweden
- Fuku (gender-neutral) - Japan
- Chibi (gender-neutral) - Japan
- Hime (female) - Japan
- Koru (gender-neutral) - Japan
- Archie - United Kingdom
- Alfie - United Kingdom
- Blair - United Kingdom
- Churchill - United Kingdom
- Sooty (gender-neutral) - United Kingdom
- Tilly - United Kingdom
- Ginny - United Kingdom
Cat Naming Considerations
There is a solid chance that your cat will be with you for many years to come, so when deciding on a name, you'll want to pick one that will stand the test of time. Make sure that the name you settle on is easy to pronounce, won't fall out of your grace, and is non-offensive to others.