Tips for Naming a New Kitten

Name Selection Tips and the Most Popular Cat Names

Aug 8, 2008

Learn the best types of names for a pet, how to decide on a moniker, things to consider when picking a new kitten's name, along with the top 100 names for cats.

Picking a name for your new cat or kitten - it’s one of the first decisions that many pet owners will make when they bring a new kitten or adult cat into the home. But selecting the perfect cat name can be difficult and overwhelming and many new cat owners are left wondering, “How will I ever decide on a name?”

Selecting a cat name is a very personal process. Some pet owners like to select a name before they bring their new kitten home. And others prefer to see what name best "fits" their new cat in terms of his personality and appearance. Therefore this latter group of pet parents will opt to get to know their new feline friend before deciding on a name.

Whatever method you select, be sure that the name is one that you and your new cat can live with. What are the most common nicknames? What does the name mean? What images, thoughts or feelings does the name conjure for you and other family members? Is there a popular culture reference involving the name? “Mia” may be a nice name, but if you can’t stand the thought of strangers singing Abba’s “Mama Mia” or asking, “Oh, like Mia Farrow?” then maybe another name would be a better choice. These are all things that new cat owners will need to consider.

Experts also recommend two-syllable names for pets, since training commands tend to be one syllable, and names that are more than two syllables can be difficult to teach to a cat. So while this is something to consider when naming a new cat, a two-syllable name isn’t as vital as it is with dogs, since cats are not typically involved in obedience training and other situations where the animal must respond to his or her name on a frequent basis.

The process for selecting a name for a new cat or kitten can be a bit daunting and overwhelming. One effective approach involves starting a list of names that you find appealing. Each member of the family can create his or her own list of names, which can be found in baby name books or online on baby name websites. Many cat owners will opt for a name that once belonged to a favorite pet from childhood, while others select a cat name from a favorite book, move or television show. The lists can then be compared for similar names and favorites can be discussed and debated.

Soon-to-be cat owners should also not discount nicknames for use as the pet's primary call name. Baby name books and even some name websites will list name variations and nicknames under each name listing. And sometimes, those variations and nicknames are not listed independently in the book or on the website, so potential pet names can be overlooked if the variation and nickname sections are ignored.

Baby name books and name websites are also useful when it comes to determining the meaning and origin of the names. And some websites will even feature links to similar names that the pet owner is apt to like if they find a listed name appealing.

The Most Popular Names

Every year, the Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, or VPI, releases a list of the top dog and cat names. The most popular names are compiled from VPI’s insurance policies.

Top 50 Female Cat Names

Top 50 Male Cat Names