2000+ Cat Names

  1. Manfred
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "man of peace"
    • Description:

      Hipsters might consider reviving this old German name, though we're not so sure their sons wouldn't have preferred the classic Fred name Frederick. Manfred B. Lee (born Manford) was half of the team of detective story writers who used the pseudonym Ellery Queen; Manfred Mann was a British pop group of the 1960's, with Manfred Mann (born Michael Liebowitz) at the keyboard. There's also a wooly mammoth named Manfred, and nicknamed Manny, in the film Ice Age.
  2. Dilwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "fair, white, blessed"
    • Description:

      Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.
  3. Halona
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "happy fortune"
    • Description:

      Resonant and unusual.
  4. Isham
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the Iron One's estate"
    • Description:

      A noble surname from northern England that has occasionally been used as a first name.
  5. Ayan
    • Origin:

      Somali
    • Meaning:

      "fortune"
    • Description:

      Ayan is an African name heard for both sexes.
  6. Canary
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "small bird"
    • Description:

      The name of a small yellow bird that hasn't taken off in the way that some of its avian sisters – like Robin, Wren or Lark – have.
  7. Precious
    • Origin:

      Latin word name
    • Meaning:

      "of great worth, expensive"
    • Description:

      Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
  8. Hobbes
    • Origin:

      English variation of Robert
    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"
    • Description:

      All varieties of Hob are antiquated nicknames for Robert, though this one is saddled with the "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoon association.
  9. Sendoa
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "strong"
    • Description:

      Relatively unknown outside of its native region, Sendoa is an intriguing international name with a strong meaning.
  10. Beanie
    • Origin:

      Invented nickname
    • Description:

      Up-and-coming actress Beanie Feldstein is attracting attention toward her unusual — but rather cute — nickname. She was born Elizabeth Greer Feldstein but nicknamed "Elizabeanie" by her childhood nanny. It was later simplified to Beanie by her older brothers.
  11. Otter
    • Origin:

      English, word name
    • Description:

      Otter first came onto the baby name radar when Zooey Deschanel used it as a middle name for her daughter in 2015. It entered the US charts the same year, but as a boy name. Cute, sleek and wild, it's an interesting alternative to more popular animal names like Fox and Bear.
  12. Winika
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "Christmas orchid"
    • Description:

      With the rise of all those other popular feminine W names, like Winnie, Willa and Winona, why not consider the lovely Winika? Win and Winnie are likely nicknames and it is associated with a dainty Pacific orchid that blossoms at Christmas time. If you're looking for international names for Christmas babies, this is one for the short list.
  13. Rocket
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
  14. Mozart
    • Origin:

      German musical name
    • Description:

      A daring middle name possibility for classical concertgoers. Alternatives are Wolfgang and Amadeus.
  15. North
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
  16. Zanzibar
    • Origin:

      Swahili place name from Persian
    • Meaning:

      "black coast"
    • Description:

      Zanzibar is an island region off the coast of Tanzania. It's never been recorded as a baby name, but for those with a connection to Zanzibar, it's an intriguing and unique option chock full of zesty Zs.
  17. Israh
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "night travel"
    • Description:

      Israh which is also spelled Isra is a gender-neutral Muslim name.
  18. Alcie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alcina, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong-willed"
    • Description:

      Alcie and Alsie are antiquated short forms that feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again. Mother name Alcina was an operatic sorceress who turned men into trees and animals.
  19. Madonna
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "my lady"
    • Description:

      There's only one. Okay, two.
  20. Garfield
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "triangular field"
    • Description:

      Despite the presidential pedigree, it's still hard to shake the image of the cartoon cat (named after his creator Jim Davis's grandfather). However, there are other Garfields, such as Barbadian cricket player Sir Garfield Sobers, who carries it with gravitas.