Gender Neutral Cat Names

  1. Berkley
    • Origin:

      English variation of Berkeley
    • Meaning:

      "where birches grow"
    • Description:

      Berkeley, with an extra E, is the more familiar variation of this name, associated with the California school. But it's the streamlined Berkley that has proven itself to be more popular as a baby name, at least in the US.
  2. Embry
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "flat-topped hill"
    • Description:

      Though Embry became famous as the name of a boy werewolf in Twilight, we think its Em- beginning and -y ending make it perfectly appropriate for a girl. You might consider it as an alternative to Emma, Emily, or Aubrey. Embry or Embury is an established English surname.
  3. Memphis
    • Origin:

      Greek and Coptic place-name
    • Meaning:

      "Enduring and beautiful"
    • Description:

      Tied to the bluesy southern city and to the world heritage cite in Egypt after which it was named, Memphis is a modern choice with ancient history. Currently significantly more popular for boys in the US, as a place name with sounds reminiscent of Paris, Meredith and Emma, it has plenty of potential as a unisex choice.
  4. Ames
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      Ames is that jewel of a name that's simple and familiar while at the same time being unusual and rare. With gender neutral surname names ending in S trending today -- think Brooks, Wells, Oakes -- Ames can make a perfect update on Amy or Amanda.
  5. Jet
    • Origin:

      Mineral and word name
    • Description:

      Though this may be thought of as a short form of the legitimate name Jetta, that one's gone to the cars. This sounds more modern if a bit supersonic. In the Netherlands, it's in the Top 100, originating as a short form of -ette ending names such as Henriette and Mariette.
  6. Bentley
    • Origin:

      English Surname
    • Meaning:

      "meadow with coarse grass"
    • Description:

      We can't account for the popularity of this name, for either a boy or a girl, given the first syllable, the tacky connotations with a luxury car, and the range of other options which are more harmonious to the ear. Nonetheless, nearly 200 girls were names Bentley in the US in 2015.
  7. Harlem
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Meaning:

      "home on a forested dune"
    • Description:

      With Brooklyn, Trenton, and Camden on the rise, Harlem can't be far behind. It's already been picked by one celebrity, and it certainly has a strong historical and cultural identity -- not to mention its similarity to other popular choices like Harley and Harper.
  8. Jersey
    • Origin:

      English place name, Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "Geirr's island"
    • Description:

      An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.

      -ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".
  9. Cedar
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Fresh and fragrant nature name more apt to be used for a boy.
  10. Kamari
    • Origin:

      Variation of Kamaria, Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"
    • Description:

      Though it was derived from a feminine name, Kamari is more popular among baby boys in the US. However, with the rise of unisex Amari on the girl's charts, Kamari is feeling stylish as well.
  11. Jaycee
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Jaycee is a modern invented name, likely inspired by the similar sounding Casey and Macy.
  12. Neo
    • Origin:

      Latin or Tswana
    • Meaning:

      "new or gift"
    • Description:

      Neo, indeed--though it was a male character in "The Matrix."
  13. Noble
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "aristocratic"
    • Description:

      Modern parents tend to reject Puritan names, but Noble was a Puritan favorite worth revival. Integrity and generosity are attractive qualities in anyone, so it's apparent why parents are starting to notice Noble once again, along with other virtue names like Wisdom and Loyal.
  14. Royalty
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "people of royal blood or status"
    • Description:

      Royalty was the hottest name of 2016, moving furthest up the ladder to enter the Top 1000, and is also arguably the trendiest name of the past decade, used a whopping 71 times as often in 2017 as it was ten years earlier. Royalty represents the convergence of two important trends: word names and superlative names such as Legend and King. This is one we'll hear a lot of for a while.
  15. Legacy
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Legacy is proof that any attractive-sounding word can be turned into a name, and this one has the added attractions of an inspirational meaning and a cool creative namesake -- hot young artist Legacy Russell.
  16. Loyal
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "faithful, loyal"
    • Description:

      Loyal has history as a boy name—most popular in the late 19th century, later falling off the charts in 1948. This was back when loyalty suggested faithfulness to one's country, rather than fidelity to others. Today it would likely be interpreted as the latter.

      Modern virtue names are rapidly rising in popularity—could Loyal be the next True?

  17. West
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter.