We really love our cats. But if there were an all-time cat lovers championship, the ancient Egyptians would take home the gold. Cats were sacred in ancient Egypt, and many deities were portrayed as cats or as humans holding cats.
Mafdet, the goddess who slays serpents, has the head of a wild cat. Sekhmet, a warrior goddess, is depicted as an elegant short-haired lioness. Bastet, the gentler cat-headed goddess of home and cats in general, is, of course, the most well-known of the feline-headed goddesses from the land of the Nile.
Always curious about cat names, we here at Rover have started to scratch the surface of Egyptian culture, current naming trends, and tales of ancient pharaohs to compile a list of cat names inspired by ancient and modern day Egypt.
Egyptian Cat Names Inspired by Popular People Names
These names are among the most popular for young people in Egypt today. For a modern and trendy twist on your cat’s name, this is a great place to start.
Female cat names
- Sara
- Mariam
- Rana
- Salma
- Aya
- Jana
- Heba
- Jomana
- Doha
- Alaa
- Nada
- Yasmin
- Nour
- Farah
- Dina
- Amirah
- Angie
- Mayar
- Raneem
- Amal
Male cat names
- Ahmed
- Mohamed
- Omar
- Mahmoud
- Amr
- Muhammad
- Mido
- Mostafa
- Abdelrahman
- Karim
- Ahmad
- Sherif
- Abdallah
- Mustafa
- Ali
- Eslam
- Youssef
- Ayman
- Hamada
- Miro
Historical and Descriptive Egyptian Cat Names
More than 5,000 years of the cultural history of Egypt provides a rich language of names. For your Egyptian Mau, Sphynx cat, or mixed breed, how can you choose between Mekal (fierce devourer) and Pakhet (she who scratches)?
Female Names | Meaning |
Acenath | Daughter |
Akila | Intelligent |
Amunet | Goddess of mystery |
Anat | A wife of Seth |
Anippe | Daughter of the Nile |
Asenath | Daughter |
Astarte | A wife of Seth |
Auset | Another name for supreme goddess |
Aziza | Precious |
Bahiti | Fortune |
Bast | Warrior goddess of cats |
Bastet | Goddess of cats and the home |
Bennu | Eagle |
Chione | Mythical daughter of the Nile |
Cleopatra | A queen of Eygpt |
Dalila | Gentle |
Dendera | From Dendera |
Ebonique | Black |
Ebony | Black |
Echidna | Mythical monster |
Edjo | Another form of Uadjit |
Eshe | Life |
Femi | Love |
Fukayna | Intelligent |
Habibah | Loved |
Hafsah | Married to the prophet |
Halima | Gentle |
Haqikah | Honest |
Hasina | Good |
Hathor | Goddess of destruction |
Hatshepsut | Name of a queen |
Hehet | Goddess of the immeasurable |
Heqet | Frog headed goddess |
Ife | Love |
Isis | Supreme Goddess |
Jamila | Beauty |
Jendayi | Thankful |
Kakra | A twin |
Kamilah | Perfection |
Kanika | Black |
Keket | Goddess of darkness |
Kesi | Born of a troubled father |
Khepri | Morning sun |
Kissa | Sister of twins |
Lapis | Named for the lapis stone |
Layla | Born at night |
Lotus | Lotus flower |
Maat | Goddess of order & justice |
Mafuane | Soil |
Maibe | Grave |
Mandisa | Sweet |
Masika | Born during rain |
Meht urt | Represented by a cow |
Mert ekert | Lover of silence |
Mesi | Water |
Meskhenet | Destiny |
Monifa | Lucky |
Mosi | Born first |
Moswen | White |
Mukamutara | Daughter of Mutara |
Mukantagara | Born during war |
Mukarramma | Revered |
Muminah | Pious |
Mut | Mythical mother |
Nabirye | Mother of twins |
Naeemah | Benevolent |
Nailah | Successful |
Nashwa | Wonderful feeling |
Nathifa | Pure |
Naunet | Goddess of the ocean |
Nebt het | Nature goddess |
Neema | Born to wealthy parents |
Nefertari | Name of a queen |
Nefertiti | Name of a queen |
Neith | The divine mother |
Nekhbet | Mythical vulture goddess |
Nephthys | Mythical nature goddess |
Net | The divine mother |
Nile | From the Nile |
Niut | Goddess of nothingness |
Nourbese | Wonderful |
Nubia | From Nubia |
Nuru | Born during the day |
Nut | Mythical sky goddess |
Ode | From the road |
Ojufemi | Beloved of the gods |
Olabisi | Brings joy |
Olufemi | Beloved of the gods |
Omorose | Beautiful |
Oni | Wanted |
Oseye | Happy |
Panya | Mouse |
Pili | Born second |
Quibilah | Peaceful |
Rabiah | Born in the spring |
Ramla | Predicts the future |
Rashida | Righteous |
Raziya | Agreeable |
Rehema | Compassionate |
Renenet | Goddess of fortune |
Sabah | Born in the morning |
Sabola | Prophetess |
Safiya | Pure |
Sagira | Little one |
Salihah | Agreeable |
Sanura | Kitten |
Sekhet | Wife of Ptah |
Sekhmet | Goddess of destruction and healing |
Selk | Another form of “supreme goddess” |
Selma | Secure |
Serq | Another form of “supreme goddess” |
Shani | Wonderful |
Sharifa | Respected |
Shukura | Grateful |
Siti | Lady |
Sslama | Peaceful |
Subira | Patient |
Suma | Ask |
Tabia | Talented |
Tahirah | Pristine |
Tale | Green |
Talibah | Seeks knowledge |
Tauret | Goddess of pregnant women |
Tefnut | Atmospheric moisture |
Thema | Queen |
Theoris | Great |
Thermuthis | Another form of Renenet |
Uadjit | Mythical cobra goddess |
Uatchit | Another form of Hathor |
Umayma | Little mother |
Umm | Mother |
Urbi | Princess |
Walidah | Newly born |
Zahra | Flower |
Zalika | Wellborn |
Zaliki | Wellborn |
Male names | Meanings |
Abasi | Stern |
Abayomi | Brings joy |
Abubakar | Noble |
Adio | Righteous |
Adofo | Fighter |
Akiiki | Friendly |
Akil | Intelligent |
Akins | Brave |
Amenhotep | Name of a pharaoh |
Amenophis | Name of a pharaoh |
Ammon | God of a united Egypt |
Amsi | Personification of reproduction |
Amun | God of mystery |
Anpu | God of the dead |
Anubis | God of the dead |
Anzety | God of Busiris |
Apis | Dead bull thought to be Osiris |
Asim | Protector |
Astennu | God of the moon |
Aswad | Black |
Ata | Twin |
Atemu | Mythical great god of Annu |
Aten | Sun disk |
Azibo | Earth |
Azizi | Precious |
Babafemi | Beloved of his father |
Badru | Born during the full moon |
Baniti | Teacher |
Bastet | A cat |
Bes | Brings joy |
Bomani | Warrior |
Chafulumisa | Fast |
Chatuluka | Departs |
Chenzira | Born on a journey |
Chibale | Kinsman |
Chike | Power of God |
Chisisi | Secret |
Chuma | Wealthy |
Dakarai | Happy |
Darius | Name of a pharaoh |
Fadil | Generous |
Fenuku | Born late |
Fenyang | Conquers |
Gahiji | Hunter |
Geb | Mythical earth god |
Gyasi | Wonderful |
Haji | Born during the pilgrimage |
Hamadi | Praised |
Hanbal | Pristine |
Hanif | Believes |
Hapi | A god of the Nile |
Hapu | Name of a pharaoh |
Hasani | Handsome |
Heru | Sun god |
Horus | God of the sky |
Husani | Handsome |
Ishaq | Laughs |
Jabari | Brave |
Jafari | Creek |
Jahi | Dignified |
Jibade | Related to royalty |
Jumoke | Loved by all |
Kafele | Would die for |
Kasiya | Departs |
Kazemde | Ambassador |
Kek | God of darkness |
Khafra | Name of a pharaoh |
Khalfani | Shall rule |
Khalid | Immortal |
Khentimentiu | God of the dead’s destiny |
Khons | God of the moon |
Khufu | Name of a pharaoh |
Kosey | Lion |
Lateef | Gentle |
Lisimba | Lion |
Lukman | A prophet |
Luzige | Locust |
Menes | Name of a king |
Menkaura | Name of a pharaoh |
Min | God of fertility |
Minkabh | Justice |
Month | God of Thebes |
Mosegi | Tailor |
Mudads | Provider |
Musa | Of the water |
Musim | Believer |
Naeem | Benevoent |
Narmer | Name of a king |
Nassor | Victor |
Neb er tcher | God of the universe |
Nuru | Born during the day |
Oba | King |
Omari | High born |
Onuris | Brings back the distant one |
Osahar | God hears me |
Osiris | God of the dead |
Oubastet | A cat |
Ptolemy | Name of a pharaoh |
Qeb | Father of the earth |
Quasshie | Born on Sunday |
Ra | The sun |
Radames | Egyptian hero |
Ramses | Begotten by Ra the sun god |
Rashidi | Wise |
Re | Midday sun |
Rsmses | Name of a pharaoh |
Runihura | Destroyer |
Saa | A nature god |
Sadiki | Faithful |
Seb | God of the earth |
Sefu | Sword |
Sekani | Laughs |
Senusnet | Name of a pharaoh |
Serapis | Another name for Apis |
Sethos | Name of a prince |
Shabaka | Name of a king |
Tarik | Name of a warrior |
Tau | Lion |
Tehuti | God of earth, sky & sea |
Teremun | Loved by his father |
Thabit | Strong |
Thoth | God of the moon |
Thutmose | Name of a pharaoh |
Tor | King |
Tum | Great god of Annu |
Tumaini | Hope |
Umi | Life |
Un nefer | God of the dead |
Usi | Smoke |
Yafeu | Bold |
Yahya | Given by God |
Zahur | A flower |
Ziyad | He shall add |
Zuberi | Strong |
Need Cat Sitting?
Cats seem more independent than dogs, sure, but they need attention, play, and treats when you’re gone, too. Your great cat deserves great cat care. You’ve found the best cat name, so now it’s time to find them the perfect cat sitter.
Find your cat’s perfect match, right from your phone—and then hit the road happy.
New Cat Resources
If you’re adding a kitten or a newly adopted cat to your family, these articles will help you both get off on the right paw.
- How Long Can You Leave a Kitten Alone?
- The Best Cat Toys of 2019, According to Cats
- How Do Cats Choose their Favorite Person?
- The 13 Best Healthy Kitten Treats for a Growing Cat
- The Most Unique Cat Names for 2019
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Featured image via peachfuzzspynx/Instagram