Cute Kitten Names

Deciding on a suitably adorable name for your kitten is one of the most exciting parts of adopting a cat and bringing your new pet home. It can reflect their personality, appearance, or even your own interests. But should you go for adorable, famous, funny, clever or cute cat names?

Choosing good names for cats when they’re kittens, which will suit them right through adulthood, can be a big decision. It’s worth remembering that popular culture references, celebrities and trends may change as the years go on, but your pet's name will be here to stay. If you’re stuck for inspiration or want to think outside the box when it comes to naming your furry friend, read on…we’ve got plenty of cute cat names (and some more unusual ones) to help you find the perfect fit for your newest family member.

How to choose a cute kitten name

Often, the best cat names are ones which are unique to your pet. We’ve all known a ‘Fluffy’, ‘Mittens’ and a ‘Max’, but the truly memorable ones are those which reflect their personality traits, appearance, and temperament. Picking a short, distinctive and easy-to-pronounce name will also help your cat to learn their own name when you call them (and speaking of calling them, it may seem hilarious to name your new kitten ‘Fluffy Bum’ but it can be pretty embarrassing calling out for them when it’s time to come in). Try calling a potential name out to see how it sounds, and see if they respond. Who knows, they might even pick their own name (remember ‘Beethoven?’), or be named after their favourite food (‘Biscuits’), their favourite toy (‘Mouse’), or their unique markings (‘Dotty’).

Cute Kitten Names by Gender

The top 5 most popular cat names for felines include ‘Luna’, ‘Bella’, ‘Nala’, ‘Daisy’, ‘Simba’ and ‘Poppy’. Undoubtedly, these are very cute, but if you’re looking for something more unusual, you could try:

• Dalia
• Myrtle
• Aurelia
• Dulcie
• Ida
• Opal
• Beatrice (Bea)
• Mabel
• Hazel
• Nellie

The top 5 most popular tom cat names include ‘Loki’, ‘Milo’, ‘Simba’, ‘Leo’, ‘Jasper’, ‘Oscar’ and ‘Alfie’. Interestingly, many of these cross over into the most popular children’s names, too! Why not try bringing back an older name for a retro-sound for your little male kitten, such as:

• Artie
• Bailey
• Winston
• Angus
• Bartholomew
• Basil
• Clyde
• Byron
• Earle
• Rufus

Remember that names don’t have to follow gender norms or stereotypes, and sometimes it’s nice to mix them up or choose a name which could work for both. Have fun choosing!

Best Cat Names That Also Suit Kittens 

Good names for cats which are timeless, or have special meanings can work for both young kittens and older cats. Some names can grow well with your pet as they progress, especially if they’re classic, unique or inspired by mythical or historical figures. You may even choose a name which can be shortened to suit your cat’s age and stage. Some traditional to less common names, which can stay relevant throughout their lives, include:

• Ralph
• Pippin
• Arwen
• Bilbo
• Aerin
• Barnaby
• Tiernan
• Aoife (pronounced 'ee-fa')
• Romy
• Orla
• Buzz
• Beau
• Leonardo
• Coco
• Reggie
• Tilly
• Cecilia
• Cecil
• Lorimer
• Juno

Themed Cute Cat Names

You might be inspired to name your kitten after their colourings, famous places, or even sweet treats to reflect how adorable they are. They might remind you of cartoon characters, favourite foods, nature or celebrities. (Top tip: although they may remind you of Great Uncle Bob, it’s best not to name pets after people that you know, as neither may appreciate it.) Here are some of our top picks for inspired, funny and cute kitten names.

Black cat names

Good names for cats with a mostly black coat include the classics such as ‘Lucky’, ‘Jess’ or ‘Sooty’, but if you’re looking for something a little different try:

• Jet
• Aurora
• Darth
• Onyx
• Galaxy
• Shadow
• Smokey
• Cinder
• Binx
• Cole

Some you may recognise a few famous felines from cartoons, but look for inspiration in films, space, precious stones and seasons to give your furry friend the perfect name.

White cat names

If your pet is all or mostly white, and you’d like to pick a name which is perfect for your prince or princess, you could opt for:

• Snowy
• Smudge
• Puff
• Pearl
• Casper
• Marshmallow
• Ivory
• Quartz
• Olaf
• Frosty

Nature inspired cat names

From herbs and spices to trees and flowers, the natural world offers plenty of beautiful names for your cute little kitten to inspire adventure and discovery:

• Sorrel
• Violet
• Posie
• River
• Fern
• Willow
• Sky / Skyla
• Wren
• Lily
• Bear

Food inspired cat names

If your cat has unusual colouring or markings, why not take their name inspiration from that? You could also choose your favourite treat (which is almost as sweet as them):

• Muffin
• Gingersnap
• Nugget
• Waffles
• Peanut
• Fudge
• Jellybean
• Cupcake
• Cookie
• Sprinkles

Character inspired cute cat names

Maybe it’s your favourite character from a book, or from a memorable film, which conjures up adventure, nostalgia and - of course - cuteness. Here are a few suggestions:

• Wilbur
• Buttons
• Lola
• Roo
• Scout
• Finnegan
• Winnie
• Aubrey
• Cordelia
• Cressida

Funny celebrity cat names

Celebrity puns and play-on-word names are not for the faint-hearted, but can work for cats with a lot of character (just be sure to make them inoffensive or controversial, as it could get a little tense in the vet’s waiting room). Some include:

• Purrlock Holmes
• Meowzart
• Catzilla
• Katniss Everclean
• Purrscilla Queen of the Desert
• Clawdia Pinkleman
• Jennifur Aniston
• Catalie Portman / Cat Damon
• Kitty Purry
• Sir Whiskers (our personal favourite)

Cute kitten names – summary

Choosing cute cat names to suit your new kitten can be one of the most exciting decisions to make, but it’s important to remember that their name is here to stay and will forever be remembered within the family. Choosing your cat’s name is part of bonding with their owners, and the process should be fun and well thought-through. The best cat names are ones which all household members agree on, as well as ones which your cat can recognise. Try reading these suggestions out loud and see how your cat - and other family members - respond. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to try something more unusual, but above all, enjoy welcoming your new kitten to the fold!

Commonly asked questions about kitten names

What is the cutest name for a kitten?

Some of the most popular cute cat names include ‘Luna’, ‘Bella’, ‘Nala’ and ‘Simba’, inspired by characters from classic books, films and TV. But we think the cutest kitten names are ones unique to your newest family member, taking inspiration from their colouring, temperament or favourite things.

What are rare kitten names?

Rare kitten names include those not commonly used for babies. They may be inspired by nature, such as ‘Zephyr’, or take inspiration from less common minerals, such as ‘Opal’. Translations, countries and old names can be rarer and more unique. (We’re also yet to meet a kitten called ‘Malcolm’.)

What to name a cuddly cat?

‘Ziggy’, ‘Powderpuff’, ‘Nimbus’, ‘Misty’, ‘Cashmere’, ‘Silky’, ‘Po’, ‘Dory’, ‘Snoopy’ and ‘Stitch’ are all cute names for cuddly cats. Think fluffy clouds, snuggly blankets and big, loveable characters to name your affectionate little kitten after.