We’re as surprised as anyone that we officially own a cat now. When a stray wandered the neighborhood and we jokingly called her “Jenny From The Block” — shortened to Jenny — we didn’t expect she’d end up living with us and keeping the name we chose in two seconds. Her nicknames, though, are excellent: favorites include “J-Lo” and “Jennifur.”
To balance out our dog-naming post, here’s a guide for cat people: 200 female cat name ideas plus practical tips to help you pick one that fits your kitten or adult cat. Whether you want something cute, quirky, classic, or clever, this list has plenty of inspiration.
Fair warning: reading through this may make you want to add several more cats to your home.
How To Name Your Female Cat
There are endless possibilities, but a few simple guidelines help you choose a name that your cat can learn and that you’ll enjoy saying for years.
- Keep it short: One or two syllables are easiest for cats to recognize. If you prefer a longer name, have a short nickname ready.
- Think long-term: Cats can live 15–20 years or more, so pick a name you’ll still like in a decade.
- Observe personality: Wait a few days to see if your cat is playful, shy, regal, or mischievous — let their personality guide your choice.
- Be creative: Food, colors, pop culture, and human names can all work. Have fun with it.
- Include the household: Make sure everyone who will call the cat likes the name and can say it consistently.
- Don’t stress: If the name doesn’t feel right, you can change it. Many cats adapt quickly to a new name when used consistently and positively.
Where To Find Cat Name Inspiration
If you pick a category first, narrowing down names becomes much easier. Common sources of inspiration include:
- Human names — classic and familiar.
- Food names — playful and often descriptive.
- Celebrity names — fun if your cat reminds you of a famous person.
- Fictional characters — great for personality-based matches.
- Other animals — a cute, ironic choice.
- Color-inspired names — pick a name tied to fur color, a favorite object, or a food that matches the coat.
25 Most Popular Girl Cat Names
Here are widely used names that remain popular. They tend to be feminine human names, with a few classic exceptions.
- Lucy
- Luna
- Bella
- Kitty
- Daisy
- Lily
- Rosie
- Callie
- Stella
- Willow
- Zoe
- Sasha
- Cleo
- Nala
- Shadow
- Chloe
- Charlie
- Gracie
- Hazel
- Maggie
- Mia
- Sophie
- Molly
- Maya
- Lola
25 Food Names for Female Cats
Food-inspired names are fun, often vivid, and sometimes descriptive of color or attitude.
- Anchovy
- Cheerio
- Clove
- Couscous
- Crouton
- Dumpling
- Dollop
- Eclair
- Fishstick
- Jelly
- Kiwi
- Marinara (Mary)
- Pancake
- Panini
- Pasta
- Parsnip
- Pistachio
- Plum
- Quinoa
- Salt
- Soup
- Spinach
- Tomato
- Tzatziki
- Zoodles
25 Celebrity Names for Girl Cats
Naming a cat after a celebrity is playful and memorable. You can use full names for introductions and the first name for everyday use.
- Cate Blanchett
- Cyndi Lauper
- Dame Judi Dench
- Donatella Versace
- Dua Lipa
- Eva Longoria
- Farrah Fawcett
- Florence Nightengale
- Gladys Knight
- Gloria Estefan
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Jane Lynch
- Jennifer Coolidge
- Kylie Minogue
- Madonna
- Martha Stewart
- Miley Cyrus
- Salma Hayek
- Shania Twain
- Sigourney Weaver
- Taraji P. Henson
- Uma Thurman
- Victoria Beckham
- Whoopi Goldberg
25 Character Names for Girl Cats
Fictional characters are ideal if you want a name tied to a specific personality, era, or vibe.
- April Ludgate
- Bridget Jones
- Brienne of Tarth
- Carmen Sandiego
- Deloris Van Cartier
- Detective Rosa Diaz
- Hilda Spellman
- Holly Golightly
- Jo March
- Lisa Turtle
- Mabel Mora
- Maleficent
- Michonne
- Miranda Hobbes
- Miranda Priestly
- Moira Rose
- Monica Gellar
- Nancy Drew
- Katniss Everdeen
- Regina George
- Sarah Connor
- Selina Kyle
- Sister Mary Clarence
- Tahani Al-Jamil
- Wendy Darling
25 Human Names for Female Cats
Human names feel familiar and instantly give your cat personality. They’re timeless and easy to call at the vet or in public.
- Alice
- Amanda
- Bethany (Beth)
- Cora
- Elaine
- Gabby
- Gretchen
- Ingrid
- Jessica
- Joanna
- Kate
- Louise
- Madeline
- Marge
- Maeve
- McKenzie
- Natalie
- Paige
- Paula
- Rachel
- Roberta
- Tamara (Tammy)
- Theresa
- Vivian
- Whitney
25 Animal Names for Female Cats
Other animal names are charming and often ironic — a tiny cat named Elephant, for example, is adorable and memorable.
- Caribou
- Chicken
- Corgi
- Duck
- Finch
- Flamingo
- Gazelle
- Goat
- Gopher
- Hedgehog
- Inchworm
- Jellyfish
- Llama
- Magpie
- Manatee
- Marmoset
- Orca
- Parrot
- Peregrine
- Puppy
- Quokka
- Sphynx
- Starling
- Toucan
- Tuna
50 Color-Inspired Names for Girl Cats
Using color as a starting point opens up many creative name options. Think beyond the obvious and consider foods, objects, characters, or textures that evoke the same hue.
Orange Cat Names
- Autumn
- Citrus
- Fanta
- Goldfish
- Kumquat
- Nemo
- Paprika
- Persimmon
- Rhymes (or LeAnn Rimes)
- Sweet Potato
White Cat Names
- Aspen
- Cotton
- Eggshell
- Halo
- Judy Jetson
- Mozzarella
- Oats
- Polar
- Puff
- Rice Cake
Black Cat Names
- Beetle
- Hocus Pocus
- Lydia Deetz
- Licorice
- Morticia
- Ninja
- Olive
- Peppercorn
- Rebecca Black
- Sharpie
Gray Cat Names
- Edith Bouvier Beale
- Grandma
- Meredith Grey
- Mouse
- Pencil
- Pewter
- Quarter
- Shades
- Squirrel
- Twister
Brown / Multi-Color Cat Names
- Acorn
- Cinnamon
- Everything Bagel
- Latte
- Lassie
- Marble
- Millie Bobbie Brown
- Spot
- Tiramisu
- Toaster
More Naming Resources
If you want even more ideas, consider other lists for dog names, boy cat names, classic baby names, or one-syllable options. Exploring different categories can spark the perfect name for your new companion.