Cat Names That Start With J

  1. Jersey
    • Origin:

      English place name
    • Meaning:

      "Geirr's island"
    • Description:

      The New Jersey cities of Camden and Trenton are in, but the name of the state has not caught on to anywhere near the same extent, possibly due to its association with knitted pullovers and reality TV. Nevertheless, Jersey peaked as a masculine name in 2022, when it was given to around 60 boys.
  2. Journee
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Journey, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "travel or passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      With Journey becoming increasingly popular, it's no surprise that this alternative spelling is not far behind. However, you may be surprised to learn that in recent years, the Journee spelling has actually passed the original spelling in popularity — Journee is currently in the Top 200. This word name may be appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage.
  3. Jordy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jordan
    • Description:

      A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson is one famous bearer.
  4. Jiraiya
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "young thunder"
    • Description:

      The name Jiraiya was created in 1806 for yomi-hon — a type of book from the Edo Period — called Jiraiya Monogatari. The character was revived later in the century for a folk tale series Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari, in which Jiraiya, a ninja, shapeshifts into a giant toad.
  5. Jinx
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"
    • Description:

      A popular choice for black cats, Jinx was also given to 5 boys in 2023. Previously, it had been largely given to a small number of girls each year and appeared in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day" on a character played by Halle Berry.
  6. Java
    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Indonesian Jawa; place name
    • Description:

      A name with something for everyone: for romantics, it's a beautiful Indonesian island; for teckies, it's a computer programming language.
  7. January
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "month name"
    • Description:

      Cooler than the older month names like April and May, and a highly unusual and eye-catching choice. The most famous real-life January is female – January Jones – but the month is named for the Roman god Janus, who presided over doors and new beginnings.
  8. Jojo
    • Description:

      Jojo is a playful, gender-neutral name often used as a masculine name in its own right or as a nickname for names like Joseph, Jonathan, Jordan, or Johannes. Its repetitive structure gives it a bouncy, cheerful quality that resonates across cultures. The name gained significant visibility through pop culture, including the manga/anime series 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' and various musicians and celebrities. With its approachable two-syllable pattern, Jojo conveys a youthful energy and friendly personality. Though relatively uncommon as a legal first name in most Western countries, it has gained traction in recent decades as parents increasingly choose names with an informal, affectionate quality. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it recognizable in many regions worldwide.

  9. Josefina
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish feminine form of Joseph, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"
    • Description:

      Sweet and bright international form of Josephine, used in many European countries with various pronunciations of the initial J. A notable bearer is Josefina "Joey" Guerrero, a Filipina spy during World War II.
  10. Jojo
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Jo-beginning names
    • Description:

      Sprightly and engaging nickname for human, full name for pet. Author Jojo Moyes and dancer/singer Jojo Sliwa have propelled the name into the public eye.
  11. Jazz
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Musical choice that may be a short form of Jasmine or Jazlyn, or might stand on its own like this or as Jaz, the spelling used by tennis duo Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
  12. Joplin
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "son of Job"
    • Description:

      Used as a first name for a handful of girls every year, Joplin could be seen as a distant cousin of other -lin names, like Caitlin, Brooklyn and Braelynn. We think it works even better as a musical middle name possibility for fans of Janis... or Scott. Both great connections — albeit very different from one another.

  13. Jax
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      One of the trendiest names for boys, Jax is becoming familiar on the girls' side through the singer/songwriter and Tiktok star Jax, born Jackie.
  14. Jericho
    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name
    • Description:

      The scope of biblical names has expanded to include sacred place-names, and this makes a plausible possibility, though it does have a masculine feel.
  15. Jiminy
    • Description:

      Jiminy is a masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the character Jiminy Cricket in Disney's 'Pinocchio.' Rather than having ancient roots, this whimsical name evolved from the euphemistic exclamation 'Jiminy Cricket!' (a substitute for 'Jesus Christ'). As a given name, Jiminy remains extremely rare, carrying a playful, storybook quality that evokes childlike wonder and imagination. Parents who choose this name may appreciate its literary connections and cheerful sound. The association with Jiminy Cricket—a conscience personified—gives the name connotations of moral guidance, wisdom, and friendly counsel. Its uniqueness ensures it stands out, though the strong fictional association may be its defining characteristic for most people.

  16. Jumana
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "silver pearl"
    • Description:

      Rare and rhythmic.
  17. Joao
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      A Portuguese classic, typically spelled with a tilde over the A. Many members of the Portuguese royal family were named João, and today it’s associated with a number of Portuguese and Brazilian footballers.
  18. Jory
    • Description:

      Jory as a feminine name is an intriguing choice with several possible origins. It may be a feminine adaptation of the masculine Jory, which itself can be a variant of George (meaning "farmer"), a form of the Hebrew name Yore ("he will teach"), or a short form of names like Marjorie. When used for girls, Jory has a modern, androgynous quality with its short, punchy sound. The name's simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce while remaining distinctive. Though uncommon for either gender, it has seen occasional use throughout the English-speaking world. Jory carries an independent, spirited quality that parents seeking an unconventional yet accessible name might find appealing. Its brevity allows it to pair well with longer surnames and middle names.

  19. Jaguar
    • Origin:

      Animal name
    • Description:

      Grrrr.
  20. Jera
    • Origin:

      Variation of Gera, Slovene
    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"
    • Description:

      The alternate spelling of Gera that led to Jerca, which currently ranks in the Slovene Top 100.