Boy Cat Names – 100 Meow-nificent Names for Your Male Cat

Have you ever met someone whose name “just seemed right” for them?

Among humans, this is usually a combination of projection, luck, and maybe a smidge of planning, but when you’re naming your cat, you have the opportunity to give them a name that suits them perfectly.

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect name for your cat:

• Let his heritage inspire you. Think about your cat’s genetic lineage and find interesting names inspired by that history. Choose a name in the language of the country in which the breed began, or pick out a defining characteristic of that region.
• Think about how your cat came into your life. Think back to that day and find what made it special. Maybe it was raining on the way to the animal shelter, or perhaps you found your kitten poking at a sea star in a tide pool. Use those striking memories to give your cat a unique name that will always remind you of how the two of you met.
• What makes his appearance special? Your human friends might not like it when you name them according to their appearance, but your cat probably won’t mind. Don’t limit yourself to names based on your cat’s coat color. Look at his eyes, the size of his ears and paws, his proportions, and any special markings.
• His personality also gives you clues about the perfect name. Watch your cat’s behavior and notice what stands out.
• Consider giving your cat a name inspired by their birthdate. Name them according to their birth month or look to the zodiac for inspiration. If your cat was born on June 12th, for instance, consider naming them June, Juno, Junius, or Gemini.

Name inspiration can come from anywhere.

Books, movies, and the spices in your kitchen cabinet all provide name inspiration. Maintain a relaxed and playful frame of mind and the perfect name will appear.

Remember that short names are easy to pronounce and easy for your cat to identify with.

Long, dramatic names can be fun – think Prince Wolfgang, The Rodent Exterminator and Mr. Puss Without Boots. These names are quirky and might make a good conversation topic when friends visit your house, but remember that your cat’s name is also the tool you’ll use to call your cat.

If you choose an ironically ostentatious name, remember that you’ll probably end up calling your cat a much shorter, simpler nickname.

Top 50 Popular Boy Cat Names of 2024

These popular names for boy cats were compiled from Cuteness.com’s list of the 100 most popular cat names and PetMD’s list of the top cute male kitten names. All of them are ideal for male cats.

1. Oliver

This name is generally believed to descend from the Old French olivier, meaning “olive tree”. Others argue that the name is of Germanic origin and comes from Alfahir, an Old High German variant on the name Alberi. This compound name is a combination of “Alf” and “Her” – “elf army”.

2. Tigger

Tigger, the exuberant and extremely bouncy tiger of Winnie the Pooh fame, is a popular namesake for male cats.

3. Oreo

Milk’s favorite cookie has lent its name to generations of black-and-white cats.

4. Shadow

This popular name is usually inspired by the color of the cat’s coat. It suits a cat who is grey and perhaps as clingy as a shadow.

5. Jasper

Generally thought to have ancient origins, this name means “treasurer” in Persian and in Christian tradition, is often assigned to one of the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It’s also the name of a multicolored gemstone that you might see in your cat’s eyes.

6. Biscuit

Like a fresh, buttery southern biscuit, cats are warm, soft, and wonderful. The name, best suited to sweet, cuddly cats, is a continual reminder of what’s great about your cat.

7. Gizmo

While the word gizmo is a generic term referring to a gadget – the high-tech version of a doohickey – it’s widely used throughout pop culture, giving you plenty of inspiration sources. If you’re like me, you associate it with the adorable starring mogwai in the 1984 movie Gremlins.

8. Simba

This Swahili name means “lion” and was the name of the protagonist in the 1994 Disney movie The Lion King.

9. Tiger

If your cat has the swaggering walk and confidence of a tiger, you might want to go with this name.

10. Charlie

This name puts a fun, lighthearted, and cat-worthy spin on the classic English name Charles.

11. Jack

Originally used as a diminutive of John in the medieval era, Jack is a short, snappy name. Because it’s been so popular through the centuries, you’re almost certain to have a favorite Jack as your cat’s namesake.

12. Peanut

Is your cat simply nutty? This quirky name is ideal for the cat who reminds you of this humbly delicious legume.

13. Toby

This name evolved in medieval England as a diminutive form of Tobias, an ancient name appearing in the Old Testament. The name became popular in England along with the spread of Protestantism.

14. Loki

According to Norse legend, Loki was a capricious and mischievous god who eventually turned evil. In modern culture, Loki is perhaps best known as a Marvel comics antihero.

15. Milo

This name was popularized for cats after the release of The Adventures of Milo and Otis in 1986. In this Japanese movie, Milo is an orange tabby who travels across the countryside with a pug named Otis.

17. Harley

If your cat’s purr is as loud as the engine of a Harley-Davidson, you might like this name. This name is English in origin and comes from the combination of the Old English hara, meaning “hare”, and leah, meaning “meadow”. What cat wouldn’t love frolicking in a hare’s meadow?

18. Max

This short, strong name originates as a short version of Maximillian or Maxwell.

19. Rocky

This grungy name might be ideal for the cat you found while rock climbing or who had a “rocky” start to life.

20. Oscar

This classic name has an obscure history, potentially meaning “deer friend” as a combination of the Gaelic os “deer” and cara “friend”. It’s also thought that Oscar may come from the Old English name Osgar or Old Norse Asgeirr. Regardless of history, this name is popular among cats and people alike. It might remind you of Oscar Wilde or Oskar the Blind Cat.

21. Buddy

Buddy is a short, simple name that speaks volumes about your relationship with your cat.

22. Lucky

Is your cat lucky to be alive? This name is a good choice for a cat who experienced something extremely fortunate early in life.

23. Patches

Well-suited to cats with a patchy-colored coat, this name is fun, lighthearted, and a little bit eccentric.

24. Simon

Simon says “meow”. This classic Biblical name has a long history of popularity in the Christian world.

25. Garfield

This name was typically used as a surname for humans until the creation of the famous cartoon cat of the comic strip Garfield. Because the cartoon cat is overweight and orange, this name is popular among cats with similar physical characteristics.

26. George

This name dates back to ancient Greece, where it was derived from the the word γεωργος or georgos, which means “farmer”. In the 3rd century, Saint George died as a martyr. This heroic figure brought the name to England, where it was later popularized by its repeated royal usage. The name George has a classic, old-fashioned feel perfect for a calm, stoic cat.

27. Sammy

This variation on Samuel has the cat-approved long “E” sound and a lighthearted feel.

28. Sebastian

Like George, Sebastian came into popularity in Europe thanks to its association with an early Christian martyr. The name is infused with old-world beauty and has an elegant feel.

29. Boots

Perhaps inspired by the classic Puss in Boots, this name falls solidly into the “cute names” category. It’s particularly appropriate if your cat’s paws are different in color from the rest of his body.

30. Felix

Since Felix the Cat’s first appearance in Feline Follies in 1919, Felix has been an iconic cat name.

31. Tucker

In Old English, tucian means “one who fulls cloth”. Tucker descended from this word and was traditionally an occupational surname like Carpenter or Miller.

32. Bandit

Best suited to a mischievous cat with a penchant for thieving, Bandit is a snappy two-syllable name.

33. Dexter

This name’s association with dexterity make it a perfect match for cats who have a knack for opening closed doors and breaking into the treat jar.

34. Jake

This name is a variation on Jack and is sometimes used as a nickname for Jacob.

35. Romeo

Shakespeare fans will fall in love with this iconic name.

36. Snickers

Some cats are all giggles and candy bars – if your cat is cheery and delightful, think about naming them Snickers.

37. Socks

Socks is ideal for the cat who appears to pad around on little white socks.

38. Marley

Like Marley’s ghost in A Christmas Carol, your cat is always there to remind you of what’s important in life.

39. Ziggy

Perhaps inspired by David Bowie’s famous alter ego of the same name, Ziggy has a playful feel that’s perfect for the colorful, one-of-a-kind kitty in your life.

40. Chester

As the name of the smooth-talking Cheetos mascot and the bookish, paranoid orange tabby in the Bunnicula children’s book series, Chester is associated with colorful feline personalities.

41. Frankie

This English name is used as a diminutive of Frank and Frances, so it’s a masculine or feminine name. For cats, it combines the staid, old-fashioned feel of Frank with a dash of fun.

42. Murphy

This Irish surname is rarely used as a first name in the United States for humans, but it’s quite popular for cats and dogs.

43. Rusty

This classic cat name is popular among cats with a rusty red coat.

44. Scooter

This is a playful name appropriate for an active, curious cat. It’s also the name given to one of the world’s oldest cats. When Scooter died in 2016 at the age of 30, the Siamese was the world’s oldest known male cat.

45. Batman

If your cat reminds you of the DC comics superhero, think about naming them Batman. You can even call him Bruce Wayne on his days off.

46. Boo

Sometimes thought of as a “Halloween name” for cats, Boo might also remind you of Arthur “Boo” Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird.

47. Leo

This name derived from the Latin word leo, which means – yes – “lion”. It’s associated with the fifth sign of the zodiac and is the name of numerous historical figures.

48. Nabi

Nabi is a Korean word meaning “butterfly” and is currently the most popular name for cats in Korea.

49. Blade

Sometimes, people like to give their cats names that make them sound edgy and tough. Blade is one of those names. It’s also the title of a Marvel comics character.

50. Monty

Probably best known in the cat world as the name of the rescue cat who was born with a chromosomal abnormality causing him to have a sunken nasal bridge, Monty is an English name derived from Monte, a shortening of Montgomery.

50 More Names for Boy Cats

The following list of 50 names is a combination of popular, quirky, and pop culture-inspired names for boy cats.

• Noodle
• Sooty
• Casper
• Alvin
• Topper
• Tazzy
• Despurreaux
• Tibbs
• Gus
• Tango
• Luigi
• Mungojerrie
• Mozzie
• Fritz
• Mr. Bitey
• Deja Vu
• Chuck
• Smudge
• Merlin
• Diesel
• Aladdin
• Chico
• Buzz
• Binx
• Nibbles
• Cottonball
• Angus
• Gidget
• Figaro
• Mozart
• Toonie
• Finn
• Sushi
• Willy
• Misha
• Atticus
• Feisty
• Kai
• Elliot
• Burma
• Rio
• Osiris
• Grayson
• Fisher
• Tuna
• Lynx
• Stanley
• Tiki
• Zucchini
• Koko

Training Your Cat to Know His Name

By using treats as rewards, you can train your cat to respond to their name. Whether your cat can identify the subtleties of their name or responds purely to your tone of voice is up for speculation.

One study confirmed that cats recognize their human’s voice as distinct from the voices of strangers, but whether or not they recognize their name is the subject of argument. For now, this is one of those mysteries of feline perception that we’ll not be able to answer definitively until we’ve stepped inside of our cats’ paws.

You’ve seen our picks for the top 100 boy cat names – click here for our list of 100 names for female cats.