200+ Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Tortoiseshell cats are recognized by their mottled, patchwork-style coats that have little to no white markings. Their fur typically features shades of black, orange, red, ginger, and brown — with a pattern that can include stripes, swirls, patches, and spots of various colors. Tortoiseshell coats are represented across many breeds and are commonly seen in American Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, and Manx cats. 

With their bold, colorful coats and famously charming and sassy nature, tortoiseshell cats are one-of-a-kind companions who deserve equally special names. Whether you’re looking for popular tortie names, names with an androgynous ring to them, or inspiration from mythology  — we’ve got you covered. Below are more than 200 names for tortoiseshell cats for you to consider. 

Popular tortoiseshell cat names

Some tortie cat names are enduringly popular because they truly capture the spirit of these uniquely colorful kitties. From names that capture their vibrant coats to those inspired by their playful personalities, there’s a perfect fit for every tortie. Check out some of the most popular tortoiseshell cat names, below.

• Patches

• Caramel

• Tort 

• Toffee

• Speckles

• Galaxy

• Ember

• Copper

• Maple

• Checkers

• Chimera

• Puzzle

• Topaz

• Twix

• Mosaic

• Twilight

• Cinnamon

• Autumn

• Spice

• Swirl

Female tortoiseshell cat names

Most tortoiseshell cats are female, because two X chromosomes are required to produce the tortoiseshell coat coloration. If you want to celebrate this girl power, check out the following names. 

• Amber

• Penny

• Dottie 

• Hazel

• Brandy

• Majesty

• Ruby

• Poppy

• Citrine

• Fawn

• Star

• Tawny

• Bella

• Cleo

• Velvet 

• Blush

• Marigold

• Honey 

• Sienna

• Mariposa

• Lolli

Male tortoiseshell cat names

While extremely rare, male cats can have tortoiseshell colorations and patterns if they inherit two X chromosomes in addition to their Y chromosome, in a condition called Klinefelter Syndrome. If you have the honor of adopting one of these rare male tortoiseshell cats, consider the following names to celebrate their uniqueness and beauty.

• Jax

• Bandit

• Jasper

• Surprise

• Gem

• Buck

• Romeo

• Ace

• Bruno

• Zorro

• Loki

• Ash

• Scout

• Felix

• Milo

• Franco

• Giles

• Oliver 

• Prince 

• Cosmo

• Jester

Unisex tortoiseshell cat names

While almost all tortoiseshell cats are female, there’s certainly no obligation to give your kitty a distinctly feminine-sounding name. Instead, if you’re interested in bestowing a more gender-neutral name upon your feline companion, consider the below names that wonderfully represent the tortie spirit.

• Sweets

• Truffle

• Fall

• Whiskey

• Tiger

• Maze

• Jaguar

• Mocha

• Peanut

• Pecan

• Glow

• Fudge

• Biscotti 

• Dream

• Cookie

• Doodle

• Sable

• Tango

• Taffy

• Coffee 

• Moxie

• Mayhem

• Galactic

Inspired by famous tortoiseshell cats

The following are names of tortoiseshell cats represented in film, literature, and beloved by famous individuals throughout history.

• Cattarina: beloved tortie cat of legendary author and poet, Edgar Allen Poe

• Lucinda: the name of the lovely tortoiseshell cat in the 2005 film, Bewitched

• Minette: darling pet of chef and author, Julia Child

• Dina: the formerly astray but now adopted tortie who starred in Aesop Rock’s video for “Kirby” 

• Rip: the talented feline actor who played the endearing tortoiseshell cat in the 1989 film Hi, Cat!

• Harlequin: the adopted tortie cat of author T. Dawn who inspired her novel, Tortie Cat 

Creative and unique names for tortoiseshell cats

If you want a name as interesting as your tortie’s coat, consider the following names. 

• Masquerade: a nod to the mask-like pattern on the face of many torties

• October: to celebrate the spooky, autumnal look of the tortoiseshell coat

• Evening: perfect for tortoiseshell cats with plenty of black in their fur

• Samhain: the ancient pagan celebration that gave way to Halloween, a lovely and fitting name for a primarily orange and black kittie

• Phoenix: for adopted tortoiseshell cats who got a second chance at life

• Hecate: Greek goddess associated with magic and witchcraft, for a tortie with a strong, and magical personality

• Solstice: celebrating the contrasting black (winter solstice) and orange (summer solstice) colors of the classic tortoiseshell coat

• Honeycomb: a reference to their intricate coat pattern

• Stardust: for dilute torties with silvery-gray patches

• Flicker: for cats with a black and orange face mask, symbolizing a light flickering on and off

• Mafdet: an Egyptian goddess often depicted in various cat forms

• Universe: for the tortie who wants to be the center of your attention

• Kaleidoscope: celebrating their brilliantly colorful coat

• Waffle: a whimsical, playful name 

• Orchestra: a nod to the harmonious melding of colors on a tortie’s coat 

• Paprika: for kitties with plenty of reddish-orange coloration 

• Mirage: for a tortie with color patterns and swirls that create an illusional effect

• Solar: for those kitties with warm, sunlit colors in their coat

• Picasso: a lovely reference to a tortoiseshell cat’s abstract, bold, and colorful coat

• Galaxy: resembling the swirling colors of the galaxy

• Enigma: for a mysterious and uniquely colored tortie 

• Tiramisu: a delightful nod to the layered and warm colors of a tortoiseshell coat. 

• Honeybee: referencing the black and warm, golden colors of a honeybee. 

Tortie cat names based on nature

Tortoiseshell coats often feature colors you can easily find in nature, especially during the fall. Check out the following names that draw upon the natural beauty of your tortie’s coat. 

• River

• Lichen

• Cedar

• Sunset

• Canyon

• Meadow

• Pine

• Thicket

• Tide

• Juniper

• Blossom

• Aurora

• Cypress

• Skye

• Iris

• Mars

• Milkyway

• Seasons

• Forest

• Burrow

• Bramble

• Badger

• Pebbles

Orange tortoiseshell cat names

For a tortoiseshell cat with plenty of orange in their coat, you can find inspiration in a myriad of names that celebrate shades of orange found in nature and food.

• Mango

• Cayenne

• Clementine

• Saffron

• Fire

• Spark 

• Pumpkin

• Cheeto 

• Sweet Potato

• Citrus

• Marmalade

• Marigold 

• Dorito

• Sunrise

• Mandarin

• Coral

• Foxy

• Blaze

• Rusty

• Peach

• Persimmon

Black tortoiseshell cat names

For a black tortie cat, check out the following names that highlight the beautiful dark tones found in their coat. 

• Midnight

• Spooky 

• Eve

• Onyx

• Obsidian

• Salem

• Magic

• Cauldron

• Poe

• Mystique

• Pupil

• Blackjack

• Jet

• Mystery

• Binx

• Raven

• Mamba

• Magpie

• Nutella

• Tux

• Hallow

• Spell

Dilute tortoiseshell cat names

Dilute tortoiseshell cats have coats that feature pastel-like shades of gray, lilac, cream, and orange. These coats have a more faded, softer appearance compared to the vibrant and warm colors of a traditional tortoiseshell coat.

• Mist

• Dusty

• Rain

• Fog

• Flint

• Lilac

• Dusk

• Creamsicle 

• Pearl

• Latte

• Cinder

• Steel

• Slate

• Storm

• Haze

• Dream

• Shadow 

• Tin

• Silver

• Pepper

• Whisper

• Ocean

Tips for naming your tortoiseshell cat

When naming your tortoiseshell cat, it’s important to think about their appearance, history, unique quirks, personality, as well as themes that are meaningful to you. The following tips will help you lock in the most fitting name for your feline friend.

Consider their unique appearance and life story

When naming your tortoiseshell cat, you could focus on their bold, colorful coat. Names like Galaxy can reflect the vibrant, mixed hues, while names like Ember, Midnight, or Swirl can highlight a specific color or pattern within their coat. Or for a rescued cat, you could pick a name like Phoenix that celebrates both new beginnings and the fiery color found within many torties’ coats. 

Capture the essence of their personality

Some tortoiseshell-cat enthusiasts endearingly describe them as having “tortitude,” referring to the often sassy and entertaining nature of these colorful kitties. If this describes your feline friend, you could consider leaning into their tortoiseshell feistiness with names like Fire or Moxie. 

Draw from meaningful themes

You might want a name with personal significance, especially if you’re inspired by books, history, or movies. Literary and mythological names work well, too. For instance, if you have a black tortoiseshell kitty and love spooky stories, consider Poe, in honor of Edgar Allan Poe. In addition to finding a name with the right meaning, you’ll also want to choose a name that you enjoy saying and that your cat will be able to clearly discern. 

Think about potential nicknames

If you enjoy giving your pets nicknames, consider a name that can lend itself to fun variations. For example, Magpie can easily be shortened to Mags, Maggie, Mag, or Pie — giving you plenty of options for endearing nicknames. 

Commonly asked questions

What are some good names for orange and white cats?

Some good names for orange and white cats include Creamsicle, Butterscotch, Zinnia, Calendula, Apricot, Mango, Sunset, Gingersnap, Tangerine, and Dreamsicle.

Are tortoiseshell cats calico?

No, tortoiseshell cats are not calicos, although they are closely related coat colors. A calico cat has a coat with a white base color that makes up 25 to 75 percent of the coat, alongside well-defined blocks of color that are typically orange and black. Tortoiseshell cats have little-to-no white on their coat, and feature two or more colors mottled together — most often orange and black, red and black, or these colors plus small patches of cream or brown.