Can You Change a Cat’s Name?

Here’s an all-too-familiar scenario. Let’s say you’ve rescued a wonderful little cat from a shelter. They’re adorable, have the coolest personality, and even seem to like you. One problem: Your new cat’s current name makes you cringe whenever you say it. Can you rename your cat? Absolutely.

Studies have shown that cats can recognize their names, as well as their pet parent’s voice. (A cool aside: They may also learn their cat buddy’s name.) So pet parents should know that it’s well worth the time and effort to not only choose a good name but also practice positive reinforcement methods that will make that name stick.  

Below, a feline behaviorist offers some advice and strategies to help make that renaming magic happen.

Is it okay to rename a cat?

It is very common to rename a cat after adoption, so if you feel the urge, go for it. 

 There are several common reasons to rename your cat. 

• Their name doesn’t do justice to their personality.

• There is trauma or negativity associated with their existing name.

• They are not responding to their current name.

• They just have a terrible cat name.

“Most cats adapt just fine to a name change,” says Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, PhD, a cat-behavior expert at Feline Minds. “They are not going to suffer an identity crisis.”

Where humans identify emotionally with their names, one study of felines living in cat cafés in Japan found that most cats associate their names with good things, such as food, treats, attention, and petting. If a cat is not responding to their existing name, this could be due to being recently renamed (for example, in a rescue environment) or anxiety after being moved to a new setting. But their coy personality could account for this as well.

Just understand that after choosing your cat’s new moniker, training them to respond to it will take time, but it is achievable.

Is it ever bad to change a cat’s name?

In most circumstances, a name change is perfectly fine. “All cats learn at their own unique pace. It really depends on how much you expect of your cat to prove they ‘know’ their name,” Dr. Delgado says. “Honestly, I don’t spend too much time worrying about what cats think about their name as long as they are happy and healthy, and I can get their attention when I need it.”

You may face a few hurdles when changing a cat’s name. Some experts believe that if a cat has lived with a name for a long time, changing their name may be a bit more difficult because it is akin to a habit you have to undo. However, age itself (training a kitten versus a senior) isn’t necessarily a huge hurdle. Additionally, a rescued cat may experience fear and anxiety while adjusting to their new environment, so name-training them may be a bit too much for them as they learn to trust you. 

In the above cases, changing a cat’s name isn’t impossible; it will require more patience.

Choosing a name for your cat

Ah, the fun part of welcoming home a new cat: coming up with a new name for them. A lot of people lean into kitty colors for inspiration. (Here are some calico, gray, and brown cat ideas to get you started.) But perhaps you’d like to focus on their personality traits. Or maybe you’d like to name them after a person you know, a celebrity, a historical figure, or a nonsensical character.

There is no rule to naming your cat, but Dr. Delgado does offer some sage advice. “In general, I recommend using names that are kind and considerate. Don’t name your cat something rude, or that might give others the impression that your cat is not nice,” she says. This applies especially to any cat parents with kitties who love attention and/or being pet. 

In general, you’ll also have more luck with a shorter name (Mittens) than a long phrase (Baroness Kitty von Mittens).

Another possible red flag? “You don’t want to use names that are the same as words you might use for training,” Dr. Delgado says, “although I don’t know anyone who has named their cat ‘sit,’ ‘jump,’ or ‘high five.’” 

Step-by-step guide on how to rename a cat

Once you’ve figured out a name for your kitty, it’s time for brass tacks: successfully implementing that name. 

Step 1: Introduce the new name

After choosing a new name, stick with it. Changing it frequently will confuse your cat. When first introducing the new name to your cat, say it out loud in a short, uncomplicated way (“Come, Mittens” or “Hi, Mittens” can be effective). Use a sweet voice while looking at your cat warmly and offer them a treat. 

Step 2: Continue positive reinforcement training

Start the true name-acclimation process in a room with few distractions, and make sure your kitty hasn’t just eaten. “Give them a treat when they respond the way you would like them to — for example, come to you — when you say their name,” Dr. Delgado says. “You want to start pretty close to your cat and, over time, increase the distance between you and your cat or even call their name from another room.”

Keep in mind that your tone and other details matter. “Cats likely respond to more than just their name,” Dr. Delgado adds. “They respond to the tone of our voice, our body language, how close we are to them, if we are making eye contact, et cetera.”

Step 3: Repeat, repeat, repeat 

Repetition is everything in encouraging your cat to respond to their new name. Keep up the treat training. If there are other people living in your household or you get visitors, ask them to pitch in by using the above positive reinforcement name training. 

Step 4: Make adjustments over time

As your cat gets more accustomed to this name training, as Dr. Delgado advised above, increase the distance between you and your cat and change the location where the training is occurring. You should also gradually taper off the amount of treats you give them.

Tips for a smooth name transition

A smooth transition from an old name to a new, chosen one ultimately depends entirely on your capacity for patience and dedication to regular training. It also depends on your individual cat; Some cats may learn their new name in a day, others in weeks. But they will learn. 

“Every cat is going to be different in how they respond to their name,” Dr. Delgado says. “Research has shown that cats respond differently to the sound of their name compared to the sound of other cats’ names, so we feel confident that they can associate the general qualities of the sound of their name (e.g., syllable, vowel, and consonant sounds) with the fact that we are trying to get their attention — even better yet, if we have treats for them.”

• If your cat is newly adopted, remember that they’ve just arrived at a new place and need time to adjust. They may be anxious, stressed, or sad. Trying to teach a cat their new name on top of all that can overwhelm them. In these cases, your kitty may ignore you, or any progress you’ve made may regress. 

• If your cat doesn’t respond to its new name, stay the course — they’ll eventually come around.  To that end, Dr. Delgado offers a few more tips. “The best way to get your cat’s attention is to use a friendly, relatively high-pitched voice, which cats respond better to,” she says. “If your cat already knows the sound of a treat bag, you can shake that while you call their name.”

Commonly asked questions

Do cats care if you change their name?

No, cats do not care if you change their name. Positive reinforcement will encourage a cat to accept their new name. This learning process may take days or weeks (and, in fewer cases, months), but you can be comforted knowing that positive reinforcement is an effective technique for training your cat to respond to their new name.

When do kittens learn their name?

There is no hard-and-fast rule about when to introduce kittens, who are quick learners, to their new name. But considering their development, they need to be independent enough (i.e., weaned off their mother) to approach you for a treat when using positive reinforcement training. This could take weeks or months. And if you adopt an older kitten, be assured that name training is very doable.

Is it hard to change a cat’s name?

It is not hard to change a cat’s name. However, since each cat has their own temperament and background, the time it will take them to respond to a new name will vary. For instance, if a cat has had their name for many years, it may take longer for them to react to their new name. Or, if a newly adopted cat is exhibiting anxiety or fear in their new home, this may delay their ability to recognize a new name.

Can you change a cat’s name after two years?

Yes, you can rename your cat at any time. By using positive reinforcement (specifically, giving them treats), a cat will learn that responding to their name results in something good. This will encourage them to react to their name when you use it. 

References

Can I Change My Adopted Cat’s Name?

Cats Learn The Names of Their Friend Cats in Their Daily Lives

Cats Recognize Their Own Names — Even if They Choose to Ignore Them

Cats Understand Their Names and Are Probably Just Choosing to Ignore You, a Study Suggests

​​How Old Is That Kitten? Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance