Just brought home a female cat and don’t know what to name her? Let’s work on that.

Naming your cat is like making any other decision. The best approach is to be patient, stay calm, and open yourself up to finding the one. If you worry about finding the right name, you’ll end up frustrated and you might block yourself off from the natural flow of ideas.

Remember: you’ll know when you’ve found it. If you don’t know, you haven’t found it yet.

Here are some great tips to whittle your choices down to a few girl cat names that make the decision process easier.

First of all, relax. Meditate. Let the name come to you.

When our brown tabby first appeared from the woods and decided to join our little cat ranch, she spent the first several days as “The Cat”. No other name felt right, so we waited patiently for a moment of inspiration.

After almost a week of quasi-namelessness, we realized that a kitty who came from the forest should be named Forest – and we’ve not had second thoughts about the name for the last five years.

Think about what makes your cat unique.

• Consider their breed’s heritage. A Siberian Forest Cat might demand a Russian name or the name of a Siberian landmark. A classic British name might suit your British Shorthair.
• Look at their physical characteristics. Look at your new cat’s appearance and think about what stands out. Look at their coat, their eyes, and proportions. Pale blue eyes might inspire thoughts of glacial ice, which might bring back memories of the Perito Moreno Glacier you saw while visiting Patagonia, which might bring you to the name Perito.
• Think about how you met your cat. Did you find them in a cardboard box on the side of the road? Was their adoption lucky? Serendipitous? Guided by fate? Your cat’s name can be a great reminder of how the two of you entered one another’s lives.

If you choose a longer name, know that you will most likely want to shorten it.

You might be tempted to give your cat the name of your favorite literary character, but Agrafena Alexandrovna Svetlov will almost certainly be too long to use as a daily dinner bell. If that’s a problem for you, reconsider. If not, know that cats almost always earn a long list of nicknames that are used more often than their official titles.

Pick a name your cat likes.

Remember that your cat’s name isn’t only for human-to-human referential purposes. It’s important to choose a name that your cat will easily identify with.

We know that cats prefer human voices similar to their own – high pitched and chirpy. It’s also thought that cats prefer names that end with a long “E” sound. Think of classics like “Kitty”, “Trixie”, and “Callie”.

Top 50 Popular Girl Cat Names 2024

These names were compiled from Cuteness.com’s list of the 100 most popular cat names and a Nationwide Pet Insurance policyholder survey – and all are perfect for female cats.

1. Bella

Is your cat a furry beauty? This popular name is a shortening of Isabella and is associated with “bella”, an Italian word meaning “beautiful”.

2. Chloe

Rated as the #1 most popular female cat name in VPI’s 2010 survey and currently the #19 most popular female baby name in the United States, Chloe evolved from the Greek Khloe, which was used as an epithet for Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility.

3. Luna

If your kitty reminds you of the moon – beautiful, mysterious, loyal, and magnetic enough to affect the tides, Luna might be an appropriate name.

4. Kitty

Most cats in English-speaking homes will eventually answer to this name. So why not keep things simple and just make it official right off the bat?

5. Lucy

Descending from the Latin “lux”, meaning “light”, Lucy is a perfect name for the kitty who brings a little extra sunshine to every day.

6. Molly

This name is a diminutive of the classic Mary. It has a nice rolling sound and has the perfect rhythm for calling your cat to dinner.

7. Angel

Many people feel that their cats are angelic beings – descended to Earth to make it a better place. If you share this feeling, you might think about naming your cat Angel.

8. Lily

Like lilies blooming in the spring, cats are delicate treasures.

9. Princess

Often associated with feline primadonnas and cats who love to be the center of attention, the name Princess has royal connotations and has a fun feel as it rolls off the tongue.

10. Sophie

Here’s a name that’s been around for several centuries and has recently seen a popularity resurgence. It’s short, easy to pronounce, and perfect for calling your cat.

11. Missy

This name says “I’m adorable”. Remember that cats are usually quite receptive to names with a long “E” sound at the end.

12. CoCo

A bouncy, sweet name for a bouncy, sweet cat. It’s also the name of a popular 2017 Disney Pixar movie.

13. Misty

An ethereal name that’s perfect for cats who are as delicate and beautiful as the morning mist.

14. Nala

A variant on Nahla, which is of Arabic origin and means “first drink of water”. It may also be a variant of Nalo, a West African name meaning “beloved daughter”. You probably associate it with Nala, the protagonist’s noble best friend and future queen in the 1994 Disney production of The Lion King.

15. Pepper

Like a sweet and sassy feline, pepper is a little bit sharp, a little bit spicy, and it makes every day more flavorful.

17. Sasha

Used in Russia as a nickname for girls named Aleksandra, this name is sophisticated with a dash of fun.

18. Kiki

Because it repeats the same sound twice, this name has a peppy, bouncy feel.

19. Mittens

Cats have been named Mittens for decades, and this name has recently seen an uptick in popularity.

20. Bailey

Popular among dogs as well as cats, this is a fun, sporty name derived from the Old French “baili”, meaning administrator or manager.

21. Maggie

Short for Margaret, this name has a peppy sound that makes it appropriate for almost any cat.

22. Zoe

Short, sweet, and easy to pronounce, Zoe is a Greek name meaning “life”.

23. Cleo

As a shortened form of Cleopatra, Cleo is a perfect choice for a species historically revered by Egyptians.

24. Mia

Mia is associated with the Italian word “mia”, which means “mine”. Don’t put too much stock in the meaning – we know that all cats are ultimately independent.

25. Daisy

Flower-inspired names sound feminine and familiar.

26. Abby

Abby is short for Abigail, an ancient name with Hebrew roots. It’s short, strong, and easy to pronounce.

27. Callie

Callie is a classic calico name. Because it’s almost exclusively given to calico cats, it’s also distinctly feminine.

28. Lola

This name is a shortening of Dolores, a Spanish name meaning “sorrows” – coming from one of the language’s names for the Virgin Mary – Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, or Our Lady of Sorrows.

29. Izzy

With its long “E” sound and short, snappy structure, Izzy is a diminutive of Isabelle that’s well-suited to cats.

30. Jasmine

This name originates in Persia and refers to the richly-scented flowering plant of the same name.

31. Mimi

In China, this is a generic name for cats. It’s onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of a cat’s meow.

32. Sugar

Sugar is sweet. If your cat is also sweet, think about naming them Sugar.

33. Cupcake

Cats can resemble cupcakes in so many different ways. They can be sweet, tender, and they’re always a reason to celebrate.

34. Dusty

Dusty is a name with free-spirited connotations and is associated with a dusty appearance, making it a good choice for grey cats.

35. Samantha

This name dates back to the 17th century in America and became popular in the 1960s when it was associated with the leading character in the American TV show Bewitched.

36. Sheba

In the Bible, Sheba refers to a kingdom now thought to have been located in modern-day Yemen. The name is also associated with a popular brand of cat food.

37. Stella

This name comes directly from the Latin word, “stella”, which means “star”.

38. Whiskers

Every cat has whiskers, and if yours has a particularly distinctive set, try on this fun name for size.

39. Willow

A willow is a delicate tree or shrub belonging to the family Salix. Willow trees regularly appear in folklore and mythology from around the world, having an ancient and mysterious connection with the earth and spirit realm.

40. Yuki

Depending on the kanji used, this Japanese word means “snow” or “happiness”, so it might be a great match for a white cat or one you found in a snowstorm.

41. Butters

Is your cat a smooth operator? Do they make everything a little bit better? Better yet, are they cream-colored? If anything about your cat reminds you of butter, think about choosing this quirky name.

42. Cuddles

Cats are fantastic cuddle buddies. Think about choosing a playful name that reminds you of your cat’s snuggly personality every day.

43. Ella

This old Greek name has seen spurts of popularity over the centuries. It was popular during the Victorian era in English-speaking countries and returned to prominence in the early 21st century. It’s currently the #3 most popular baby name for girls in New Zealand.

44. Emma

This name has deep Germanic roots and originated as a shortening of any name involving “erm” or “irm”, representing strength.

45. Gypsy

Some cats are stereotypically like gypsies in their nomadic lifestyles and free-spirited personalities. This is a name that might match the cat who appeared out of nowhere and adopted you.

46. Jelly Bean

Who doesn’t love jelly bean toes? If you can’t stop thinking about your cat’s paw pads, this name might be a good choice.

47. Sassy

If you have a sassy cat on your hands, acknowledge that strong-willed personality in her name.

48. Miss Kitty

Combine “Miss” and “Kitty” and you have a fun, expressive name.

49. Mocha

Like a combination of chocolate and coffee, your cat has the ability to warm your heart and inject a little more energy into every day.

50. Pinky

This name is silly and sweet – perfect for the quirky kitty in your life.

50 More Names for Girl Cats

• Sami
• Sissy
• Sunshine
• Emmy
• Hazel
• Holly
• Jazzy
• Kitten
• Madison
• Olive
• Pearl
• Penny
• Stormy
• Tabitha
• Taz
• Tinkerbell
• Xena
• Alice
• Amber
• Annie
• Ariel
• Baby Girl
• Baby Kitty
• Binx
• Buffy
• Carmen
• Cinnamon
• Gidget
• Isis
• Jade
• Jazz
• Jezzabelle
• KitKat
• Lilo
• Mogwai
• Amelie
• Astrid
• Marshmallow
• Ginger
• Rio
• Muffin
• Penguin
• Latte
• Peanut
• Basia
• Gracie
• Snowflake
• Dory
• Kia
• Hope

Use these 100 name ideas as a starting point.

If you’re choosy and have an independent streak, you probably won’t be satisfied by someone else’s list of girl cat names. Use these lists as a free association tool and let your imagination bring you the perfect name for your kitty.