List of Original Cat Names With Their Origins and Meanings (2024)

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🎀 Cat Names for Females

🎩 Cat Names forMales

Greek names for female cats:

Athena

Meaning/Origin: Athena was thepersonification of wisdom, mathematics, handicrafts, warfare, and braveness—amongst others—in Greek Mythology.

Athena was one of the daughters of Zeus.

Pronunciation:ah-THEE-nə

Nicknames:Tina, Theena

Pandora

Meaning/Origin: Gifted

Pandora was a mythological Greek figure that represented the first woman on planet earth.

She was very curious and that lead to opening a forbidden box that unleashed all the evils of the world. Pandora's box.

The only thing that remained in the box was hope.

Pronunciation:pan-DOH-rah

Nicknames:Dora, Pan, Pandy

Nyx

Meaning/Origin: Nyx was the personification of the night in Ancient Greece.

According to Greek mythology. Nyx gave birth to Hypnos (Sleep) and Erebus (Darkness) amongst others.

She was very powerful to the point that was feared by Zeus, King of the Mount Olympus.

Pronunciation:NIKS

Nicknames:Nicki, Ni Ni, Night

Andromeda

Meaning/Origin: Name of Ancient Greek origins that means "Ruler of men"

Andromeda was the daughter of the king of Ethiopia Cepheus and his gorgeous wife Cassiopeia. Andromeda was extremely beautiful too, just like the constellation that carries her name.

Pronunciation:an-DRAH-meh-də

Nicknames:Andi, Dreamy, Romy, Meda

Aura

Meaning/Origin: In Greek Mythology, Aura represents the Titan of pure air and morning breeze.

Shewas transformed into a fountain by Zeus.

Pronunciation: OHR-ə

Nicknames:Auri, Auree

Danae

Meaning/Origin: Ancient Greek princess, mother of Perseus.

Danae was the mother of Perseus—the hero who killed Medusa.

Pronunciation: dah-NAY

Nicknames:Danny, Nae

Sophia

Meaning/Origin: Sophia is a girl's name that means wisdom in Greek. The name Sophia became popular in the Greek Orthodox church due to Saint Sophia.

Saint Sophia, had three daughters—with gorgeous names—Faith, Hope & Love.

Pronunciation:soh-FEE-ə

Nicknames: Soph, Sophie, Phia & Fifi

Cleopatra

Meaning/Origin: Glory of the father

Yup, Cleopatra is a Greek name. Even though it was made famous by the mediatic and powerful Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII.

Pronunciation: klee-ə-PA-trə

Nicknames: Cleo,Kleo, Queen & Clea

Selene

Meaning/Origin: Selene was considered the personification of the Moon.

The name is connected to the word"sélas" which means light in Ancient Greek.

Pronunciation: seh-LEEN

Nicknames:Seli, Lena, Lennie

Artemis

Meaning/Origin: Ancientpersonification of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and protector of young girls.

Artemis, one of the most important figures in Ancient Greece, had a twin brother named Apollo.

Pronunciation: AHR-tə-mis

Nicknames:Art, Temis, Arty, Miss

Lyra

Meaning/Origin: It's a beautiful name that means Lyre—amusicalinstrument known for its use inAncient Greece.

Lyra is also a small constellation that contains the star named Vega, which is its brightest star.

Pronunciation: LIY-rə

Nicknames:Ly Ly

Dorothea

Meaning/Origin: Ancient Greek namethat means: Gift of God.

Pronunciation: DOH-rə-thee

Nicknames:Dorothy, Dora, Dori, Thea, Doll

Greek names for male cats:

Atlas

Meaning/Origin: Atlas means "to carry". He was a mythical Titan who bore the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

Atlas represents patience and strength.

Pronunciation: AT-lis

Nicknames:Artie

Perseus

Meaning/Origin: In Ancient Greek Mythology, Perseus was the son of Zeus and the brave hero whodefeated Medusa to save Andromeda.

Pronunciation: PUR-see-əs

Nicknames:Percy

Andreas

Meaning/Origin: Andreas means: He who has a strong and manly character.

Pronunciation: ahn-DREH-ahs

Nicknames:Andre, Andy

Leonidas

Pronunciation: lee-oh-NIY-dəs

Nicknames:Leo, Lion, Nidas, King

Ares

Meaning/Origin: Mythological Greekpersonification of War.

Pronunciation: EH-rees

Nicknames:-

Hypnos

Pronunciation:HYP-nos

Nicknames:Sleepy, Hypno, Lazy Boy

Achilles

Pronunciation: ah-KI-leez

Nicknames:Les

Heracles

Pronunciation: HEHR-ə-kleez

Nicknames:Cles

Egyptian names for female cats:

Nefertiti

Meaning/Origin:The arrival of the beautiful one.

Pronunciation: nehf-ər-TEE-tee

Nicknames:Titi,Princess

Bastet

Meaning: Bastet was originally a fierce lioness warrior and the personification of the sun.

She is represented as a cat-headed woman.

Pronunciation: BAHS-teht

Nicknames:Baba, Basti

Ma'at

Meaning:Refers to the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice.

She is represented as a cat-headed woman.

Pronunciation: mah-aht

Nicknames:Mamy, Ma

Kiya

Meaning: Shewas one of the wives of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten.

Kiya is very mysterious since there's not so much documented about her. She had several titles including: "The Favorite" and "The Greatly Beloved".

Pronunciation: kI-yAH

Nicknames:Kiki

Egyptiannames for male cats:

Ramses

Meaning/Origin:The name Ramses comes from Ancient Egypt and it means"Son of Ra". "Ra" was considered the personification of the sun.

Ramses II was one of the most celebrated Egyptian pharaohs.

Pronunciation: RAM-seez

Nicknames:Ra, Ramsy

Osiris

Meaning/Origin: Osiris was the personification offertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation in Ancient Egypt.

Pronunciation: o-SIE-ris

Nicknames:Ozzy

Amun

Meaning/Origin:Ancient Egyptian name that it's said to mean"the hidden one" or "invisible".

Pronunciation: AH-mən

Nicknames:Mun

Japanese names for female cats:

Kairi

Meaning:Kairi (カイリ)is a beautiful name of Japanese origin that means "the sea".

Pronunciation: KAA-iy-Riy

Nicknames:Iri, Kai

Hanabi

Meaning:Hanabi (ハナビ)means "fireworks" in Japanese.

Pronunciation: HAH-NAH-BEE

Nicknames:Hana, Nabi, Nana, Bibi

Aiko

Meaning:Aiko (あいこ)means"beloved child" in Japanese.

Pronunciation: ah-ee-ko

Nicknames:-

Hanae

Meaning:Hanae (花絵)means"flower painting, flower child" in Japanese.

Pronunciation: HA-NA-EH

Nicknames:Hana, Nae, Nana

Megumi

Meaning:Megumi (めぐみ)means"blessing, grace" in Japanese.

Pronunciation: MEH-GOO-MEE

Nicknames:Mimi, Meg, Meggie, Gummy, Gummy Bear

Akane

Meaning:Akane (あかね) is a popular Japanese name that means"deep red".

Pronunciation: A-KA-NEH

Nicknames:Néné

Izumi

Meaning:Izumi (泉)means "spring, fountain" in Japanese.

Pronunciation: EE-ZOO-MEE

Nicknames:Mimi, Izu

Japanesenames for male cats:

Akira

Meaning/Origin:(昭)The meaning of Akira is "bright, clear, ideal".

Pronunciation: A-KYEE-RA

Nicknames:Akee

Daisuke

Meaning/Origin:(大輔)Japanese boy name that means "great helper".

Pronunciation: DA-EE-SOO-KEH

Nicknames:Dada, Susu

Yusuke

Meaning/Origin:(ユウスケ)Japanese boy name that means "assistant".

Pronunciation: DA-EE-SOO-KEH

Nicknames:Yu, Yusu

Issey

Meaning/Origin:(イッセイ)Japanese boy name that means "first-born".

Pronunciation: IHS-EYiy

Nicknames:-

Shuriken

Meaning/Origin:(手裏剣)Japaneseword that means "hidden hand blade".

A Shuriken was a weapon often used by the Shinobi (Ninjas) in feudal Japan.

Pronunciation: SHUR-EE-ken

Nicknames:Ken

African names for female cats:

Nya

Meaning/Origin:Name of African origin that means "tenacity".

Pronunciation:NY-ə

Nicknames:Nini

Sanaa

Meaning/Origin: The name Sanaa is a Swahili name of African origin that means "work of art; shining light".

Pronunciation:SA-NAA

Nicknames:Nana

Behati

Meaning/Origin: Behati is a gorgeous African name that means"blessed; she who brings happiness".

Pronunciation: bee-AH-tee

Nicknames:Bibi

Zendaya

Meaning/Origin: Beautiful Africanname that means "to be thankful".

Pronunciation: zehn-DAY-ə

Nicknames:Zen, Daya, Zizi

Mirembe

Meaning/Origin:Mirembe means "woman of peace".

Pronunciation: mi-REHM-beh

Nicknames:Mimi, Bebe, Mire

Nyarai

Meaning/Origin:Name of African origin that means "humble woman".

Pronunciation: NAY-ray

Nicknames:Nya

Sade

Meaning/Origin:Name of African origin that means "Honor bestows a crown".

Pronunciation: shah-DAY

Nicknames:-

Subira

Meaning/Origin:Sweet but at the same time strong name that means "patience" in Swahili.

Pronunciation: soo-BEE-rah

Nicknames:Subi, Bibi

African names for male cats:

Amadi

Meaning/Origin:African name that means "free man".

Pronunciation: ah-MAH-dee

Nicknames:-

Maasai

Meaning/Origin:Name of African origin. Maasai means "owner of land and farms".

The Maasai are an ethnic group inhabiting northern, central, and southern Kenya and the northside of Tanzania.

Pronunciation:MAH-sai

Nicknames:-

Ekene

Meaning/Origin:Ekene means "acclaimed". It comes from the Igbo people—an ethnic group from Nigeria.

Pronunciation: eh-KEH-neh

Nicknames:Eky

Serengeti

Meaning/Origin:The Serengeti is a beautiful ecosystem located in the African continent, spanning northern Tanzania and some of southwestern Kenya.

The name is said to come from the word from "seringit" in the Maasai language, Maa,which means"endless plains".

Pronunciation: SERR-ən-GHET-ee

Nicknames:Sere, Geti

Chinese names for female cats:

Mei

Meaning/Origin:Mei (美) is a very sweet name that means "beautiful".

Pronunciation: MAY

Nicknames:-

Yun

Meaning/Origin:Yun(云)means "cloud" or "born in the clouds" in Chinese.

Pronunciation:YOON

Nicknames:-

Liu

Meaning/Origin:Liu(柳)means "willow tree" in Chinese.

Pronunciation: LEE-yoo

Nicknames:Lili

Yin

Meaning/Origin:Yin (荫)means "shade" in Chinese.

Pronunciation:YEEN

Nicknames:Yiyi

Zhen

Meaning/Origin:Zhen (珍)means "previous, and rare" in Chinese.

Pronunciation: ZHEN

Nicknames:-

Chinese names for male cats:

Li

Meaning/Origin:Li(力)means "strong, powerful" in Chinese.

Pronunciation:LEE

Nicknames: -

Jin

Meaning/Origin:Jin(金)means "gold" in Chinese.

Pronunciation: CHEEN

Nicknames: -

Jun

Meaning/Origin:Jun(君)means "king" in Chinese.

Pronunciation: CHUYN

Nicknames: -

Lian

Meaning/Origin:Lian(濂)means "waterfall" in Chinese.

Pronunciation: LYEHN

Nicknames: -

Arabicnames for female cats:

Imaan

Meaning/Origin:Imaan(إيمان)is a gorgeous name that means"faithful" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: ee-MAN

Nicknames:-

Latifah

Meaning/Origin:Latifah(لطيفة)means "kind and gentle" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: la-TEE-fah

Nicknames:Lati, Tifa, Titi

Amina

Meaning/Origin:Amina(أمينة)means "trustworthy andhonest" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: ah-MEE-nah

Nicknames:Amy, Mina, Mimi, Nana

Habiba

Meaning/Origin:Habiba(حبيبة)means "beloved" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: ha-BEE-bah

Nicknames:Biba, Bibi

Layla

Meaning/Origin:Layla(ليلى)means "night" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: LAY-lə

Nicknames:Lala

Arabic names for male cats:

Hakeem

Meaning/Origin:Hakeem(حكيم)means "wise" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: ah-KEEM

Nicknames: -

Ali

Meaning/Origin:Ali(عليّ)means "sublime" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: AH-lee

Nicknames: -

Khalil

Meaning/Origin:Khalil(خليل)means "close friend" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: kah-LEEL

Nicknames: -

Jamil

Meaning/Origin:Jamil(جميل)means "handsome" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: ja-MEEL

Nicknames: -

Rakim

Meaning/Origin:Rakim(رقيم)means "kind" in Arabic.

Pronunciation: rə-KEEM

Nicknames: -

Roman names for female cats:

Aurelia

Meaning/Origin:Aurelia means "the golden one" in Latin.

Aurelia is the feminine version of the name Aurelius.

Pronunciation: ow-REH-lee-a

Nicknames:Lia, Aure

Vita

Meaning/Origin:Vita is a beautiful name with a powerful meaning. It means "life" in Latin.

Pronunciation: VEE-ta

Nicknames:Vivi

Valentina

Meaning/Origin:Valentina means "strength" in Latin.

Pronunciation: va-lehn-TEE-na

Nicknames:Vale, Tina, Nana

Augusta

Meaning/Origin:Valentina means "great, magnificent" in Latin.

Pronunciation: ə-GUS-tə

Nicknames:Gussie

Roman names for male cats:

Marcus

Meaning/Origin:Marcus means "warlike" in Latin.

Marcus was the first name of one of the most important figures of Ancient Rome. One of the Good Emperors and a Stoic Philosopher. Marcus Aurelius is one of the most remarkable leaders in human history.

Pronunciation: MAHR-kəs

Nicknames: -

Maximus

Meaning/Origin:Maximus means "greatest" in Latin.

Pronunciation: MAK-see-moos

Nicknames: Max, Maxi

Justus

Meaning/Origin:Justus means "just" in Latin.

Pronunciation: JUS-təs

Nicknames: -

Native Americannames for female cats:

Naira

Meaning/Origin: Nairameans "girl with big eyes" in Aymara language.

Pronunciation: NIE-rə

Nicknames:Nana

Dyani

Meaning/Origin: Dyanimeans "deer" in Native American. Some people claim that it comes from Cherokee.

Pronunciation: dee-AHN-ee

Nicknames:Didi

Native Americannames for male cats:

Denali

Meaning/Origin:Denali means "great one" inApache language.

Pronunciation: də-NAHL-ee

Nicknames: -

Disney names for female cats:

Kiara

Meaning/Origin: Kiara means "the first ray of sun".

This beautiful name belongs to Simba's daughter.

Pronunciation: kee-AHR-a

Nicknames:Kiki

Lilo

Meaning/Origin: Lilois a name of German origin and it means "generous one".

Lilo is the name of thesuper cool little Hawaiian girl character in the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch.

Pronunciation: LEE-lo

Nicknames:Lili

Mulan

Meaning/Origin: Mulan (木蘭) is a name of Chinese origin that means "magnolia".

Mulan comes from a Chinese mythological ballad, in which Mulan disguises herself as a man to take the place of her father in war. Mulan is a very brave and honorable character.

Pronunciation: MOO-laan

Nicknames:-

Sarabi

Meaning/Origin: Magical name of African origin that means"mirage" in Swahili.

Sarabi is the mother of Simba in the legendary Disney movie The Lion King.

Pronunciation: Sah-rah-bee

Nicknames:-

Disney names for male cats:

King Louie

Meaning/Origin: King Louie was the leader of the other jungle primates, and who attempted to gain knowledge of fire from Mowgli, in order to become more human.

Pronunciation:KING LOO-ee

Nicknames: Louie, King, Monkey

Hercules

Meaning/Origin:Mythological greek character that represents strength and honor.

Pronunciation: HUR-kyə-leez

Nicknames:-

Bagheera

Meaning/Origin: Bagheera is a black panther (black Indian leopard) who is a fictional character in The Jungle Book.The word Bagh (बाघ) means tiger in Hindi.

Pronunciation: buh-GHEER-uh

Nicknames:-

Colornames for female cats:

Jade

Meaning/Origin:Jade is a bright green precious stone. It is derived from Spanish.

Pronunciation: JAYD

Nicknames:-

Sienna

Meaning/Origin: Sienna is a yellow-brown earth pigment. The name is inhonor ofthe Italian city of Siena.

Since the Renaissance, it has been one of the most used browncolor tones by artists.

Pronunciation: see-EHN-ə

Nicknames:Sisi

Aqua

Meaning/Origin: A calm and beautiful color that has a seafoam blue tone.

Pronunciation: AH-kwa

Nicknames:-

Ebony

Meaning/Origin:Ebony is a dark and strong type of wood from Africa. Sounds beautiful.

Pronunciation: EHB-ən-ee

Nicknames:-

Color names for male cats:

Black

Meaning/Origin:Simple, elegant and powerful name.

Pronunciation:BLAK

Nicknames: Blacky

Silver

Meaning/Origin:Beautiful sounding color name.

Pronunciation: SIL-vər

Nicknames:-

Hunter

Meaning/Origin:Strong name that fits perfectly for a cat. Hunter is a tone of dark green.

Pronunciation: HUN-tər

Nicknames:-

Ivory

Meaning/Origin: Gorgeous and powerful name that represents an "off-white" colorway.

Pronunciation: HUN-tər

Nicknames:-

Historical names for female cats:

Queen Elizabeth

Who: Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death on 24 March 1603. Sometimes called the Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess.

"I may not be a lion, but I am lions cub and I have a lion's heart."
— Queen Elizabeth I

Pronunciation:KWEENi-LIZ-ə-bəth

Nicknames:Liza, Lizzy, Beth, Queen

Marie Curie

Who:She was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
—Marie Curie

Pronunciation:mə-REEKYUR-ee

Nicknames:Mama, Mami, Curie, Marie, Genius

Ada Lovelace

Who:Ada was an English mathematician and the world’s first computer programmer. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation and published the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine.

"I never am really satisfied that I understand anything; because understand it well as I may, my comprehension can only be an infinitesimal fraction of all I want to understand about the many connections and relations which occur to me, how the matter in question was first thought of or arrived at, etc., etc."
—Ada Lovelace

Then she also said: "I am in a charming state of confusion." 😹

Pronunciation:AY-dəluhvLAYS

Nicknames:Ada, Lacy, Genius

Mae

Who: Dr. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman astronaut to travel into space in 1992.Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992.

"Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination."
— Mae Jemison

Pronunciation:MAY

Nicknames:-

Historical names for male cats:

Einstein

Who:Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity.His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science.

He is best known to the general public for his mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc^2, which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation".

He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory.

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.”
― Albert Einstein

Pronunciation: AL-bərt

Nicknames: Albert

Picasso

Who: Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and ceramicist who spent most of his adult life in France.

Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
―Pablo Picasso

Pronunciation: PA-blo

Nicknames:Pablo, Pablito

Newton

Who:Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, author, and philosopher who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the scientific revolution.

“Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.”
― Isaac Newton

Pronunciation: NYOO-tən

Nicknames:-

Da Vinci

Who:Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance whose areas of interest included invention, drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, paleontology, and cartography.

He has been variously called the father of paleontology, ichnology, and architecture, and is widely considered one of the greatest painters of all time

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
―Leonardo da Vinci

Pronunciation: dah-VIN-chee

Nicknames: Leo

Place names for female cats:

Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, after Asia.

The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The continent includes Madagascar and various archipelagos.

Pronunciation:AF-ri-kə

Nicknames:Afri

London

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom.

"London" is an ancient name, already attested in the first century AD, usually in the Latinised form Londinium; for example, handwritten Roman tablets recovered in the city originating from AD 65/70-80 include the word Londinio ("in London").

Pronunciation:LUN-dən

Nicknames:-

Asia

Asia is Earth's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres.

It shares the continental landmass of Eurasia with the continent of Europe and the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with both Europe and Africa.

Pronunciation:AY-zhə

Nicknames:-

Aspen

Aspen is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States.

Pronunciation:AS-pən

Nicknames:-

Florence

Florence is a city in central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region.

Florence was a center for medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era.

It is considered by many academics the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has been called "the Athens of the Middle Ages".

Pronunciation:FLAWR-əns

Nicknames: Flora

Place names for male cats:

Kyoto

Kyoto is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe.

Pronunciation: kee-O-to

Nicknames:-

Memphis

Memphis is a city located along the Mississippi River in southwestern Shelby County, Tennessee, United States.

Pronunciation: MEHM-fis

Nicknames:-

Conclusion

There are many brilliant names for cats that you can use. It's always super cool to try to find a name that you really feel and love.

It's important to understand that calling your cat many nicknames can also cause a little bit of confusion. If you'd like for example, to call your cat let's say, Layla, you can use "officially" the name Layla on Instagram as a handle but if you call your cat with the nickname La La, always call her La La when rewarding her for tricks, or when calling her, etc.

That will make your cat be familiar with that particular nickname.