Not only did Egyptians help domesticate the cats we know today, but they also worshipped them (something cats have never forgotten). So, what better way to immortalize your feline friend’s origins than an Egyptian cat name?
The following roundup of names comes from real cats who have stayed with Rover and are based on both ancient and modern Egyptian terms. Whether you want to capture your new cat’s personality or appearance, or just love Egyptian culture and aesthetics, these names are sure to immortalize your fur baby in your heart.
Most Popular Egyptian Cat Names
These Egyptian names are ranked by popularity among the cats in our Rover database. They include Egyptian deities, cities, natural wonders, and more!
- Anubis: This name comes from the Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife. Egyptian cats were often mummified and seen as guides or companions in the journey to the underworld.
- Cairo: The capital city of Egypt translates to “the conquer.” It represents a geographical tie to the land where cats were revered and often treated like royalty.
- Ali: This Arabic name means “champion” or “elevated.” It reflects the highly esteemed status ancient Egyptian cats held as domestic heroes, protecting grain stores from vermin.
- Osiris: The Egyptian god of the underworld and rebirth, Osiris is associated with cats through their symbolic role in death and transition, mirroring the cycle of life and death he governs.
- Lotus: This name refers to the sacred Egyptian flower, a symbol of the sun and rebirth, which can evoke the grace and celestial importance of the cat goddess Bastet.
- Cleocatra: A playful pun on the famous Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, this name highlights the royal status of felines in Egypt.
- Ra: As the powerful sun god of ancient Egypt, Ra is associated with cats because one of the feline deities, Mau, was considered an aspect of Ra who defeated the chaos serpent Apep.
- Ramses: This name of several powerful pharaohs symbolizes the Egyptian reverence for cats, which were often kept as pampered pets by the royal household.
- Bast: Short for Bastet, she is the primary ancient Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, and especially cats—often depicted with a lioness or cat head.
- Pharaoh: This title for an ancient Egyptian ruler suggests the majestic, authoritative, and dominant role that a cat can have in a household, echoing the animal’s sacred status.
- Tut: Short for Pharaoh Tutankhamun, this name is a nod to Egyptian royalty who held cats in high esteem and even mummified them to join them in the afterlife.
- Nefertiti: Meaning “a beautiful woman has come,” this Egyptian Queen’s name evokes the celebrated beauty and elegance that Egyptians attributed to their felines.
- Aisha: This Arabic name, meaning “peaceful” or “living,” can be associated with the domestic role of the cat in Egypt as a bringer of peace and protection to the home.
- Aya: Meaning “magical angel” or “sign/miracle” in Arabic/Hebrew, Aya suggests the mysterious and divine nature cats were believed to possess in ancient Egypt.
- Sphinx: A mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, it’s one of the most recognizable Egyptian symbols in the world.
- King Tut: This is another option for the famous pharaoh (Tutankhamun) and a popular name for cats.
- Nile: Egypt’s major river, the Nile, is the lifeblood of the country. It’s also associated with cats, who lived along its banks and patrolled the grains for rodents.
- Miro: The ancient Egyptian word for cat was “miu” or “miut,” making this similar-sounding name a direct, adorable reference to the animal in its native language.
- Lapis: This deep-blue gemstone is commonly used in ancient Egyptian jewelry and art. It echoes the wealth and reverence accorded to cats, who were often adorned with precious collars.
- Farah: This Arabic name, meaning “joy” or “happiness,” is reminiscent of the positive attributes, like good fortune, that a cat’s presence was thought to bring to an Egyptian home.
- Karim: Meaning “generous” or “noble” in Arabic, Karim suggests the dignified and aristocratic demeanor of a cat, aligning with their royal treatment in Egypt.
- Omari: Meaning “flourishing” or “populous” in Arabic, this name relates to the health and fertility associated with the cat goddess Bastet, ensuring a thriving home.
- Geb: As the Egyptian god of the Earth, Geb is associated with the cats who live on the land and protect crops from pests. It’s an especially fitting name for modern barn cats!
- Giza: The site of the Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, Giza represents Egypt’s ancient, monumental landscape, which honored both large and small felines.
God Names
These masculine names are derived from Ancient Egyptian gods, with each option indicating what each god is known for. Whether your boy is a mighty hunter like Anhur or has a chaotic personality like Seth, you’re sure to find a dignified Egyptian name for your cat.
- Amun: “the hidden one,” a mysterious, secret god
- Anhur: war and hunting
- Anpu: funerary rites, protector of graves
- Apep: deity of the underworld, embodied darkness and destruction
- Atemu/Atum: creation, associated with the evening sun
- Aten: solar force, known as the giver of life, energy, and food
- Bes: household guardian, linked with music and dance
- Dedun: incense, linked to prosperity and wealth
- Horus: the sky and kingship
- Khentimentiu: stood guard over the city of the dead
- Khepri: the rising sun, known for rebirth/transformation
- Khonsu: the moon, thought to be able to control time
- Khnum: creator, god of the potter’s wheel, guardian of the source of the Nile
- Maahes: lion-headed god, associated with war, protection, and weather
- Nemty: god of ferrymen, associated with travel
- Seth: chaos, the desert, storms, violence
- Shu: air and the atmosphere
- Sobek: god of the Nile River, associated with fertility, protection, and strength
- Ptah: craftsmanship, connected to healing
- Thoth: knowledge, writing, wisdom
Goddess Names
The following feminine names come from Ancient Egyptian goddesses. Many options can reflect your little princess’s appearance, like Keket, the goddess of darkness, for a black cat. Others can capture your girl’s demeanor, like Meret, goddess of song, for a talkative kitty. And some could even suit your kitty’s history, such as Mut, goddess of motherhood, for a rescue Momma cat!
- Anuket: goddess of the Nile and protector of Egypt’s southern border
- Hathor: love, joy, music, and beauty—often linked to motherhood
- Hesat: known for milk and purity
- Heqet: frog-headed goddess linked to birth
- Keket: snake-headed deity representing darkness
- Ma’at: truth and justice, associated with order and harmony
- Mut: the divine motherhood
- Nut: the sky—also believed to watch over the souls of the dead
- Sekhmet: war and medicine
- Menhit: solar deity known for war and fire
- Meret: rejoicing, singing, and dancing
- Meskhenet: goddess of childbirth, associated with fate/destiny
- Neith: hunting, weaving, war—linked to rebirth
- Nekhbet: patron of Upper Egypt, known as a protector
- Nephthys: mourning and funerals
- Pakhet: lioness deity, associated with desert storms
- Renenutet: nourishment and harvest
- Selket: protector against venomous scorpion stings and bites, associated with healing
- Tawaret: childbirth, linked with the protection of children
- Tefnut: rain and dew
Gender-Neutral Egyptian Cat Names
These Egyptian cat names are gender-neutral, making them suitable for both male and female felines. They include ancient-inspired options, such as Ammit and Bennu, both animal-like deities, and more modern options, such as Noor and Kohl.
- Ammit
- Ankh
- Bennu
- Jana
- Kohl
- Kosey
- Noor
- Raneem
- Umi
- Zamalek
Royalty
All cats are the kings and queens of the house. The following names are derived from real Egyptian Pharaohs and queens, making them apt for the rulers of your home.
- Ahmose
- Akhenaten
- Hatshepsut
- Khafre
- Khufu
- Merneith
- Menes
- Shabaka
- Seti
- Tuya
Hieroglyphic Symbols
Want a cat name that’s worthy of inscribing on a temple wall? The following names come from hieroglyphic symbols, making them fitting for a truly timeless feline.
- Nedjem (sweet)
- Hapi (spirit of the Nile, meaning “flowing water”)
- Kemet (fertile land)
- Wadjet (cobra protector of Lower Egypt)
- Djoser (sacred one)
- Aker (earth)
- Nefret (beautiful)
- Ajet (sunrise)
Deshret (kingdom)- Akh (intellect)
Modern (Arabic) Egyptian Cat Names
Today, people in Egypt speak Arabic, meaning any of the following Arabic names could give your cats an Egyptian flair with a more modern touch.
- Amal
- Bassem
- Habibah
- Jomana
- Lateef
- Salma
- Shérif
- Youssef
- Zahra
- Zaina
Ancient Egypt
Want your cat’s name to feel extra ancient? These names trace back to the earliest chapters of Ancient Egypt and include deities, cities, and early rulers, making them ideal for senior kitties or cats with an old soul.
- Abydos
- Ameny
- Hehet
- Keket
- Menkaura
- Narmer
- Philae
- Thutmose
- Khonsu
- Iset
Egyptian Cities & Towns
Want a geographical cat name for your kitty? These names come from Egyptian cities and towns. They’re all good options for cats who enjoy wandering.
- Alexandria
- Dahab
- Luxor
- Mansoura
- Matariya
- Qena
- Rosetta
- Safaga
- Siwa
- Tanta
- Zagazig
African & Swahili Inspired
The Nile links Egypt to Sub-Saharan Africa, where some regions would later become Swahili-speaking. If you’re looking for a cat name that pays homage to some of Egypt’s closest neighbors, these Swahili words are especially good choices.
- Azibo (earth)
- Husani (handsome)
- Jabari (brave)
- Jamila (beautiful)
- Masika (rainy season)
- Mosi (firstborn)
- Panya (mouse)
- Sanura (kitten)
- Siti (lady)
- Tumaini (hope)
Egyptian Food Names
Egypt is home to delicious African cuisine, from hearty traditional stews to mouth-watering street food. While not all of these names come from real Rover cats, we think these iconic Egyptian and African dishes could double as playful cat names.
- Baba Ganoush
- Baklava
- Falafel
- Karkadeh
- Kebab
- Kofta
- Koshari
- Mahshi
- Shawarma
- Torshi
Mummified Cats
Ancient Egyptians loved cats so much that some were given the special honor of mummification. The following names come from either famous mummified cats or archaeological sites where cat mummies were uncovered.
- Abydos
- Beni Hasan
- Berenice
- Bubastis
- Dendera
- Memphis
- Saqqara
- Ta-Miu
- Thebes
- Ure
