The names we give our cats are often a reflection of what matters most to us—from music and food to politics and entertainment and beyond. And as world events and pop culture shift, so do the cat naming trends.
To see what pet parents are naming their cats in 2024, we dug into Rover’s database of over a million pets and uncovered the most popular names and biggest trends.
Top 10 Male Cat Names
- Leo
- Milo
- Simba
- Charlie
- Loki
- Oliver
- Max
- Jasper
- George
- Jack
Top 10 Female Cat Names
- Luna
- Lily
- Bella
- Willow
- Lucy
- Nala
- Coco
- Stella
- Lola
- Cleo
Brat Cats: Popular Musicians Inspire Cat Names
Music is a source of inspiration for many things—including cat names! Up 198% in popularity this year, the top trending music-inspired dog name is….drumroll please…Cardi, in reference to rapper Cardi B.
Next on the trends list is Willie, up 87%, then James (up 60%), Billie (up 53%), and Taylor, up 48% in 2024. Rounding out music-themed cat names are Elvis and Espresso, both up 31%, and Charli, up 14%.
New musical cat names we saw on our list this year include Beyoncé, Eilish, and Nipsey.
Bon Appétit! Food Cat Names Are Trending
Food cat names are a perennial favorite for pet parents, and 2024 is no different. Topping the trend this year is Chocolate, up 598% compared to last year. Next up are Bento and Ham, which are both up 248%.
Three names have tied for third, all up 198% this year: Gouda, Baguette, and Oyster. Last but not least is Chip (up 109%) followed by Poutine, up 98%.
New names on the list this year include a cornucopia of cultural food icons: Mozzarella, Cauliflower, Kale, Sardine, Schnitzel, Tempeh, and Seitan.
Score! Athletes Inspire Iconic Cat Names
Athletics are another inspiration pet parents turn to when it’s time to name a new cat. Lionel (Messi) is the top trending sports-related cat name in 2024, up 238%.
Coming in at number two is Gordie (after hockey legend Gordie Howe), up 198%, followed by Conner (inspired by Blackhawks Conner Bedard), up 98% to round out the top three.
New dog names in the world of athletics on our list this year include Marchy (Brad Marchand) and McDavid (Connor).
Cat Parents Love Puns
When we dug into the data this year, one of the most delightful discoveries was the number of pun-based cat names we found. Here are just a few of our faves.
- Mr. Meowgi
- Bartholomeow
- James Vandermeow
- Meowcualy Clawkin
- Meowly Cyrus
- Romeow
What are the 2024 most popular dog names in Canada? Discover more!
The Top Pet Names 2024 report was developed by Rover between September and October 2024. Results are based on an analysis of millions of user-submitted pet names provided by pet parents on Rover.com. This report is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the brands, celebrities, and businesses mentioned within.