200+ Unique and Uncommon Cat Names

A cat’s name often captures their personality and looks. Whether you’re drawn to legendary and mythological figures, nature themes, or literary references, choosing a unique name for your cat can be a delightful way to celebrate their one-of-a-kind personality — as well as yours.

Did you know that cats can recognize their own name (and nicknames, too)? Picking out a wonderfully unique name is a crucial part of welcoming a new kitty into your home. Below, we’ve provided more than 200 uncommon cat names to help you pick out the perfect one for your feline pal. 

Unique Male Cat Names 

• Jax

• Rupert

• Heathcliff

• Orpheus

• Caspian

• Santiago

• Valentino

• Percius

• Morris

• Samir

• Theoden

• Balthazar

• Ignatius

• Xavier

• Zenith

Unique Female Cat Names 

• Francesca

• Juliette

• Lupe

• Verona

• Harriet

• Arrietty

• Greta

• Mariposa

• Zahara

• Dahlia

• Sonata

• Belladonna 

• Seraphine

• Allegra

• Elvira

Color-Inspired Unique Cat Names 

Check out these hue-driven categories to pick a name that celebrates your cat’s unique coat color, pattern, and markings. These names are perfect for honoring the beauty and intrigue of black cats, capturing the snowy color of white catbreeds, and celebrating every shade in between — with names ranging from whimsical and fun, to mysterious and elegant. 

Unique black cat names 

• Midnight

• Magic

• Salem

• Ash

• Binx

• Licorice

• Panther 

• Ebony

• Noir

• Velvet

• Raven

• Crow

• Obsidian

• Galaxy

• Morticia

• Hex

• Jinx

• Mystery

Unique gray cat names

• Silver

• Mist

• Moon

• Luna

• Glitter

• Marble

• Wolf

• Stone

• Flint

• Smudge

• Pepper

• Pebbles

• Smoky

• Slate

• Stormy

Unique orange cat names 

• Creamsicle 

• Mandarin

• Clementine

• Pumpkin

• Sunshine

• Ginger

• Marmalade

• Cheeto

• Saffron

• Rusty

• Mango

• Tiger

• Autumn 

• Blaze

• Ember

Unique white cat names

• Yeti

• Phantom

• Ghost

• Casper

• Winter

• Pearl

• Ivory

• Frost

• Sugar

• Cotton

• Cloud

• Dove

• Coconut

• Vanilla

• Spooky

Meaningful Unique Cat Names 

Some of the best cat names are chosen for their specific meanings. You can consider names that fit their special personality, take inspiration from legendary figures and myths, or celebrate and honor your rescued cat’s adoption into their forever home. Check out some meaningful and unique cat names for inspiration.

Unique cat names with meaning

• Whimsy — for the silliest of cats

• Darling — when your kitty is just the sweetest

• Eclipse — celebrates rare, mysterious felines

• Wonder — for a cat with an incredible backstory 

• Muse — for artists who love painting their feline BFF

• Hawk — for sharp-eyed cats who love to flex their wild side

• Echo — for chatty kitties who always answer your call with a meow or chirp  

• Valor — for the bravest of cats

• Tempest — for bold and spirited cats

• Flame — when your kitty has a fiery spirit  

• Shadow — for cats who love to stalk quietly or follow you around

• Whisper — for those with the tiniest of meows

• Jester — for ridiculous, mischievous kitties

• Grace — when your cat moves with the elegance of a panther

• Serenity — for a calm and regal cats

Meaningful unique names for adopted cats

• Phoenix — to celebrate your rescued kitty’s new life, a Phoenix rising from the ashes

• Nova — embodies renewal and transformation

• Clover — for a lucky rescue cat who has found their perfect forever home

• Horizon — for honoring a special rescue cat and their new horizon

• Fortune — a nod to how fortune has smiled on a rescued kitty 

• Solstice — a turning point for an adopted cat, just like the summer solstice

• Dawn — celebrates new beginnings and a new day

• Kismet — meaning “fate” or “destiny”

• Briar — referencing the strength and resilience of shelter cats

• Haven — for adopted kitties who have finally found their special haven

• Renee — a French name that means “reborn”

• Journey — the path your rescued kitty took before ending up in their forever home 

• Dewdrop — symbolizing a fresh start like the morning dew

• Glimmer — celebrates glimmers of hope

• Blossom — for your rescued cat blossoming into their new life of safety and love

Mythological and legendary unique names 

• Orion — for bold and athletic cats, referencing Greek mythology’s legendary hunter

• Fable — for celebrating your cat’s enchanting or whimsical personality

• Draco — “dragon” in Latin, for cats with fiery and fierce personalities

• Venus — graceful, affectionate cats who uphold the spirit of the Roman goddess of love and beauty

• Hercules — a strong, courageous cat named after the bold, powerful hero in Greek mythology

• Hades — befitting a mysterious or aloof cat, referencing the god of the underworld in Greek mythology

• Mara — a playful and eerie nod to a sleep demon in various cultures, for a kitty who insists on waking you from your slumber

• Loki — the Norse god of mischief, for the most trickster of kitties

• Hermes — for speedy, curious, and agile cats, representing the messenger of the Greek gods

• Shiva — for a rescued cat who has gone through challenges, as the god Shiva can represent creation, destruction, and transformation in Hinduism

• Bastet — the Egyptian goddess of protection, fertility, and good health, often depicted in a feline form

• Kitsune — a shape-shifting fox spirit in Japanese folklore who can represent mischievous but adaptable and playful cats

• Anansi —  the trickster spider deity from West African folklore, if your kitty has a penchant for trouble, and is resourceful and intelligent

• Freya — this Norse goddess rode upon a chariot pulled by two giant cats

• Baba Yaga — the legendary witch of Slavic folklore, for cats with a love for the woods and an independent, endearingly mischievous personality

Interesting Themes for Unique Cat Names 

Considering unique cat names by theme can be a great way to narrow down your choices and find inspiration in interesting things and places. These themes can reference meaningful aspects of our lives such as food or nature, or draw from literary figures and authors. 

Nature-inspired unique names for cats

• Rose 

• River

• Moonlight

• Wave

• Willow

• Wind

• Cyprus

• Spring

• Meadow

• Canyon 

• Taiga

• Forest

• Bog

• Desert

• Creek

• Bayou

• Mangrove

• Monsoon

Literary-inspired cat names

• Cheshire — the cat from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

• Hemingway — the famous author Ernest Hemingway, who had a notable love for polydactyl cats

• Mimi — after the lovely Siamese cat featured in Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore

• Angelou — in honor of the incredible poet, author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou

• Poe — referencing Edgar Allen Poe, for a dark-coated and mysterious kitty

• Grendel — after the monster in Beowulf, for a powerful cat with a wild side

• Plath — inspired by the melancholic poet Sylvia Plath, for aloof and mysterious cats

• Garfield — the sassy orange cat from the legendary comic strip Garfield 

• Lysander — for fans of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream with a charming, boisterous kitty 

• Nana — the kitty in Hiro Arikawa’s The Travelling Cat Chronicles

• Jiji — the beloved, talkative feline from Eiko Kodono’s Kikis’ Delivery Service

• Mog — the adorable Tabby in Judith Kerr’s Mog the Forgetful Cat 

Food-inspired cat names

• Bánh mì

• Ricotta

• Flambé 

• Dumpling

• Sorbet

• Sushi

• Samosa

• Dim sum

• Meringue

• Cinnamon

• Mochi

• Churro 

• Pita

• Miso

• Musubi

Commonly asked questions

How should I choose a cat’s name?

To select a cat’s name, you can factor in their unique personality, coat color and patterns, and their individual life story. You may also want to think about themes that are meaningful in your life, such as nature, literature, or food. Consider which names best represent these themes while also describing and celebrating your kitty. 

What are some exotic cat names? 

You can find inspiration for exotic cat names in space and astrology-themed names such as  Saturn, Pluto, Obi, Princess Leia, Vader, Scorpio, Gemini, and Yoda. You can use treats to teach your cat their new name, which, according to the Napa Humane Society, is an especially effective form of positive reinforcement. 

Should I adopt a boy or girl cat?

Whether you adopt a boy or girl cat can depend on a variety of factors such as the pets you already have in your home and how they interact with male or female cats, your personal preference for the overall size of the cat, or subtle differences in coat colors between males and females.

References

Domestic Cats (Felis Catus) Discriminate Their Names From Other Words 

Positive Reinforcement: Training Your Cat