Top Cat Names in the UK: From Luna to M25 Dave

Your new bundle of love has arrived in a tornado of kitty kisses and tangled string, but they’re missing one crucial thing – a name! They’ll carry this badge of love with them everywhere they go, and a cat’s name highlights their personality, charm, and, if they’re an outdoor cat, gives them street cred, too. (Probably.)

Naming a cat is also a great way to bring the family together. If you have kids, letting them name the cat can help them feel a sense of participation and responsibility, fostering a bond over time. But there are so many options that it can feel overwhelming during what should be an exciting and beautiful time.

If a silly or whimsical name reflects your family’s identity, then by all means go for one. But bear in mind that this’ll be the name you say to the vets during more worrying times, register on their microchip, and tell their insurers. These are the names that have stood the test of time, plus some more unique inspiration.

100 Classic Cat Names for Adults

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to cat names – they will scowl at you either way – but it makes sense to consider the name that best fits your family. Whether you pick a more… unique name (hello, M25 Dave) or go for a tried-and-true classic, knowing the most popular names can help you make an informed choice.

Calling your cat a popular name might be less confusing than choosing one for a dog. After all, it’s unlikely that you’d be calling it across a park. But you might also want to give them a standout identity that matches their personality, speaks to where you live or something they love, or offers a nod to your favourite sports stars, TV shows, or musicians.

These names have remained popular over the last decade, speaking to people’s imaginations and pointing to classic media or unshakeable concepts like nature, mythology, the cosmos, or history. Many cats can live for 20+ years, so choosing a name that endures with them is crucial.

Here are the top 100 cat names that generally stay popular year in, year out.

Top 10 Male and Female Cat Names

Where we’ve differentiated between male and female names, we’re using the data from the users’ surveys. Many female names are, for example, human names commonly used by females or those used by female pop stars, TV characters, or historical figures. But many names are unisex, so while you’re taking inspiration, you can dig into each list for inspiration, whether your kitten is a bouncing baby boy or a gorgeous girl.

Top 10 Kitten Names

We believe the kittens are our future. While the top 100 names can clue us in to the popular names for adult cats over the last ten years or so, kitten names can give us insight into the names that may endure over the next decade.

Where to Get Inspiration for Your Cat’s Name

You can pick from your favourite people, places, sounds, sights, tastes, or stories to name your cat. Or, pick a name that you feel has a nice ring to it – many cat names have two syllables and end in a vowel, but plenty are longer. A shorter name might increase the likelihood they’ll respond.

You can go classic and dramatic or pick one way outside the box. (We’ll come back to you, M25 Dave.)

Top 10 Unique Names

Some people love a pet name that stands out. Greek mythology (Pandora, Persephone), the cosmos (Nebula), the food cupboard (Wasabi, Marmalade, Chimichanga, and Tictac), and even Studio Ghibli movies (Ponyo) stand as unique options.

And some names, like Zibbibo, Fenriz, and Fiyero, are so far out of the box they’re basically in the garden.

Personality-Inspired Cat Names

Every cat has its own unique personality, so why not pick a name to fit? Of course, how they act and communicate as kittens will differ from their senior years. But they’ll give you some glaring personality clues that show you whether they’re going to be mischievous, regal, couch potatoes, playful, curious, snooty, or beautifully indifferent.

Boundless energy? Rocket or Zippy might be suitable. Hilariously clumsy? Sound out Bumble for size. Intent on causing trouble? Maverick, Goose, Rogue, or even simply Trouble are all in use across the country. And if they’ve already decided they run the house, they might demand that you call them Cleopatra or Boss.

But other cats are sweet, cuddly, and affectionate. You can pick a name that reflects this, too, from names like Baby and Tiny that keep them pocket-sized in your head to cartoonishly snuggly names like Bubbles, Button, and Bonbon. Names that point to treasured childhood keepsakes, like Teddy and Dolly, are also popular.

Top 10 Food-Themed Cat Names

If your cat’s eyes widen when you open a can of tuna, they might be a budding foodie. And so many people across the UK pick sweet and savoury foods and drinks for naming inspiration.

From pantry items like Bean and Pickle, a traditional British cuppa like Earl Grey, and stronger sips like Guinness, to regional food terms like Haggis and Tattie, Brits love a good nosh, and that shows in their cat names. If you want inspiration, have a peek inside your cupboard.

Top 10 New Cat Names This Year

While you can rely on a classic name, plenty more join the public consciousness and stick over time. The British public has taken inspiration from historical figures like Guy Fawkes, newer sporting icons like Bukayo Saka, Disney inspiration (Balu), and vintage names like Natasha, Amelie, and Edna.

Nature-Inspired Cat Names

Even if your cat is a homebody, they might appreciate a name inspired by the outside world. These remain popular because nature is always there.

Even though the selection below is limited, the names take their lead from celestial imagery (Aurora, Moonlight, Eclipse), flowers (Rose, Blossom), trees (Willow), herbs (Sage), and the English countryside (Clover, Thistle). That points you towards a near-bottomless pool of inspiration, conveying beauty and steadfastness with simple, earthy imagery.

Human-Sounding Cat Names

The only difference between cats and people is that they get away with pushing vases off the mantelpiece because they’re cute.

A human name can tie a cat to a whole quirky personality – there is, after all, an entire movie about A Streetcat Called Bob, and that name features on the list along with modern-sounding options (George, Alfie, and Molly) and more vintage offerings (Lulu, Mabel, or Cyril).

Musical Cat Names

From yowls to meows, cats can be highly musical. (Look no further than Cats, the musical.)

People across the nation name their cats after everything from rock legends (Bowie, Freddy, and Ringo), songwriting legends (Marley and Prince), songs and albums (Ziggy), musical parts (Bass, Aria), guitar brands (Fender), and classical composers (Mozart).

(And if you do feel like calling your cat Mister Mistoffelees, no one’s stopping you.)

TV-Themed Cat Names

Your cat will be curling up with you on the sofa for all of your soap operas, classic comedy reruns, and game shows.

So whether you dip into Fawlty Towers (Basil, Sybil), Only Fools and Horses (Del Boy, Rodney), timeless gameshow hosts and contestants (Bruce Forsyth and Wolf from Gladiator), or soaps (Eastenders) for your inspirations, you’ll be paying homage to two great personalities at once: your cat and an icon of British TV.

Top 10 Sports Names for Cats

Cats are natural gymnasts, so it’s no surprise that many reach into the annals of sporting legend for their name inspiration. The football pitch (Lionel, Kane, Saka), running track (Bolt), and even ice rink (Puck, Blade) have tributes in cat names across the country.

We’ve included Lionesses Beth and Chloe, as the dominance of the England Women’s Team is likely to see some permanent impact on cat names over the years.

Geography-Inspired Names

Your cat is your world, so you might want to give them a sense of place in the globe. Whether it’s to honour a city closer to home (London, Chester, Durham), a landscape feature (Forest, Ocean, River), or an entire continent (Africa, Asia), people in the UK love naming their cats after geographical features.

Historical Cat Names

Cats have been revered throughout history, as far back as the Ancient Egyptian era, so you would be far from the first person to pick a historically themed name. You have a wealth of names to pick from, including emperors (Caesar), philosophers (Plato), artists and their works (Picasso, Mona Lisa), and even gods and mythology (Juno, Aphrodite, Anubis, Nix, and Zeus).

In short, there’s a steady supply of names that can sum up your cat’s opinion of themselves.

Funny Cat Names

Everyone has a unique sense of humour, and cat names across the country reflect the undeniably British take on silly cat names.

From the puerile (Poopy) to the punny (Chairman Meow, Clawdia, Grizabella) to the culturally switched on (FFP: The Feline Formerly Known as Prince) to the jarringly literal (Mr Cat), there’s no end to the Brits’ ability to laugh at themselves. And, apparently, their cats.

We’ll also willingly dip into the macabre for cat names, too (Levi the Destroyer, Count Orlok), although whoever chose Count Orlok missed the opportunity to call their kitty “Pussferatu.” Special mention goes to M25 Dave, truly the Gregg’s Sausage Roll of cat monikers.

Results are based on an analysis 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.