Quick answer: Choose a name you enjoy saying, can distinguish from other pets’ names and would be comfortable calling in the garden. Below are 100 different cat-name ideas, grouped to make shortlisting easier. They are suggestions, not a measured UK popularity ranking.
A list is useful only if it helps you decide. Rather than labelling a handful of familiar names the “most popular in 2026” without a dataset, this guide gives you a transparent choice: 20 classic boy names, 20 classic girl names, 20 food names, 20 nature names and 20 playful names. The labels are for browsing; any cat can have any of these names.
A shortlist that fits your household
- Pick three favourites rather than debating all 100 at once. Say each aloud in a normal voice, not just as a nickname.
- Check for confusion with another pet or family member. Milo and Miso may look different on paper but can be easy to muddle across a room.
- Write down the full name and the nickname you will actually use. If everyone will say Pip, decide whether Pippin adds anything.
- Try the name in everyday sentences: “Where is Willow?” and “This is Willow at the vet.” Choose something everyone in the household can use consistently.
- Do not force a personality label immediately. A quiet newly arrived cat may act quite differently once settled.
Classic boy cat names
- Milo
- Leo
- Oliver
- Charlie
- Jasper
- Oscar
- Felix
- Max
- George
- Teddy
- Alfie
- Toby
- Jack
- Archie
- Chester
- Harry
- Arthur
- Casper
- Gizmo
- Murphy
Classic girl cat names
- Luna
- Bella
- Poppy
- Daisy
- Willow
- Rosie
- Lily
- Cleo
- Nala
- Molly
- Tilly
- Lola
- Misty
- Lucy
- Chloe
- Winnie
- Maisie
- Florence
- Mabel
- Ruby
Food-inspired cat names
- Biscuit
- Mochi
- Oreo
- Pickle
- Crumpet
- Waffle
- Toffee
- Noodle
- Peanut
- Pumpkin
- Olive
- Honey
- Mango
- Peaches
- Chilli
- Saffron
- Cinnamon
- Sesame
- Truffle
- Miso
Nature and colour names
- Ash
- Clover
- Fern
- Hazel
- Ivy
- Maple
- Moss
- Pebble
- River
- Rowan
- Sage
- Skye
- Storm
- Sunny
- Acorn
- Amber
- Autumn
- Blue
- Dusk
- Snow
Characterful and playful names
- Loki
- Simba
- Merlin
- Ziggy
- Salem
- Dexter
- Boots
- Sylvester
- Tom
- Juno
- Pixel
- Pippin
- Scout
- Suki
- Cosmo
- Echo
- Nimbus
- Inky
- Fable
- Domino
Three example shortlists
A gentle, traditional feel: Arthur, Mabel or Florence. A playful food theme: Crumpet, Pickle or Mochi. A colour-inspired name without using a breed label: Ash, Amber or Snow. These are editorial examples, not predictions about a cat’s temperament.
Naming a rescue cat or a pair
There is no obligation to rename a rescue cat. Keeping an existing name is a perfectly good choice, especially if you already like it. If you do change it, ask the rescue what the cat is used to and agree on one name with everyone at home rather than switching between several candidates.
For two cats, choose names you can tell apart rather than insisting on a matching pair. For example, Clover and Felix are distinct; food-themed names need not rhyme. Before choosing companions, the cats’ suitability for living together matters more than whether their names sound good together.
Before your new cat arrives
A name is the enjoyable part of the preparation. For the practical work, use our first-time cat owner guide and kitten first-week checklist. For choosing the right type of companion rather than just a name, see the UK cat breed guide.
Editorial method: This is an original naming shortlist, not survey data. The list has been checked for 100 unique names; there are no claims about national rank, trends or breed-specific suitability.
