Cat Names That Mean Curious

Offbeat, under-the-radar choice to honor a Grandma Rosalie.

Common Japanese name from the '60s-'80s. In Japan it's now associated with the Manga series Kenichi: the Mightiest Disciple.

The origins of the nom de plume Voltaire are obscure - it is believed that it is an anagram of Arovetli (the Latin form of his surname Arouet). But the name was also chosen for its connotations of speed and daring (think volts and vaulting). American anarchist Voltairine de Cleyre was named after the French philosopher - giving this feminisation a double punch of intellectualism.

Siddhartha Gautama, better known as Buddha, was the founder of the Buddhist philosophy and religion in 6th Century BCE. Born a nobleman, Buddha left a world of privilege and wealth to take up a more austere life of meditation, contemplation and material poverty. This boys name is therefore very strong and full of ethical and religious meaning.

If you're prone to pondering the questions of the universe, this might be the name for you.

Rare Indian name best known as that of philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

A possibility for fans of the mystery writer, but most parents would prefer Dashiell.

Mata is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'mother' and holds sacred connotations, while in Hebrew it can mean 'gift.' The name appears in various cultures including Spanish, Polish, and Indonesian communities, each with subtle meaning variations. Historically, the name gained some recognition through Mata Hari, the famous Dutch exotic dancer and spy during World War I. Despite this historical association, Mata remains uncommon in Western countries but appears more frequently in South Asian and Eastern European regions. The name's brevity gives it strength and memorability, while its multicultural roots make it adaptable across different languages and traditions.

This German name has a whimsical meaning- a combination of "elf" and Runo, meaning "secret lore".