Naming a Cat: A Serious Undertaking

Petside Blog
|
Poll Archive
|
A-Z
- AAHA
- Beds
- Bones
- Books
- Bowls
- Canned Food
- Carriers
- Cat Bed
- Cat Carrier
- Cat Food
- Cat Products
- Cat Toys
- Cat Treats
- Cat Trees
- Catnip
- Collars
- Crates
- Dog Bed
- Dog Bowls
- Dog Chews
- Dog Collar
- Dog Crate
- Dog Door
- Dog Food
- Dog Products
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Grooming Tools
- Kitten Food
- Leashes
- Pet Food
- Pet Picture
- Pet Store
- Pet Treats
- PetSmart
- Pharmacy
- Toys
- Treats

Naming a Cat: A Serious Undertaking

By Jo Singer | November 12, 2009 10:34 AM

One of the most frequently asked questions appearing on many interactive pet- related websites are those requesting help naming a new kitten or cat. Many of the responders offer a long laundry list of "cute" names, depending on the cat's description or photograph provided by the asker.

However, I think that naming a kitten or cat should be considered a very serious undertaking and one that never should be done in haste, or taken lightly. After all, as the cat servant becomes more familiar with their new kitty and the name chosen proves to be totally inappropriate, think of the confusion that the poor feline may experience when names are changed rapidly. The naming of a kitten or cat carries a high degree of responsibility but many folks lack the patience to discover a suitable and appropriate name for their new kitty. This can cause some pretty disastrous results.

Photo credit: Jo Singer

Rather than picking a name off a website, or choosing a name that someone else is suggesting, it is far better to wait and spend time getting to know the newcomer. Each kitten and cat has unique behavioral antics that endear us to them. A kitten may have a particularly unique appearance that may suggest a more suitable and catchy name as well.

For example: My husband and I were given an adorable seal point Siamese as a wedding gift, years ago. Even though he was 4 months old, he was the cutest tiny ball of fluff. We fell in love with him the minute we set eyes on him. He came to us with a fancy long registered name, "Brown Toast", prefixed by the name of the cattery. His name was longer than he was, in fact! As we gently let him out of the shipping carrier in which he arrived after his long airplane voyage, we instantly felt that the name that was given him was totally wrong.

After spending time with him and observing his little purrsonality quirks, with his endearing habit of licking us with his incredibly long tongue whenever he was petted, coupled with his diminutive size being the runt of the litter, his name came to us in a flash. As he was an oriental-type cat, and I am an avid pun-maker, the name "Mousie-Tongue", a play on Chairman Mao-Zedong nailed it. And not so amazingly he responded to the name immediately. The Vulcan "Mind Meld" had obviously been affective.

I always advise people be patient and wait for their kitten or cat to "reveal" his or her name. Keeping our ears and eyes open for the obvious hints being offered, letting our innate intuition guide us, will always lead us to that purrfect handle.
What method do you use to name your cats? Leave a comment and share your techniques.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Cats (122)

« Previous

Vicki November 12, 2009 1:07 PM

I agree with your method 100%. But I don't think it is limited to cats alone. I think this same method should apply to naming most any pet. Some people buy horses and want to change their names. I say, keep the name they were given. Changing their names will only confuse them.

Diana November 12, 2009 1:25 PM

My first pet-naming rule is never name a pet (or a kid, for that matter) anything you would be embarassed to yell throughout the neighborhood should they get out. I knew a guy whose Weimaraner was named "Bastard". Not a good choice.

Iniki November 12, 2009 2:22 PM

I agree that you need to let the animal name their selves. I do have to admit that sometimes names just fit. Lazarus was rescued after he was hit by a car. Dustbunny looked just like a dustball from under the bed. The last little of kittens we rescued all named themselves. If you doubt me one ended up being named: Ezmerelda Piranah Fizz gig Waddle Brithces Whisker tickles Piccolini. We call her Fizzy.:)

Barb November 12, 2009 2:26 PM

Some of my pets came pre-named. On the older ones and the ones where the names suited them (and I could live with), I kept those names. On the two that had names that I couldn't live with, I changed. The ones that I've nameed "earned" their names either by personality of physical characteristics.

Andy November 12, 2009 3:21 PM

My son named my cat Baylie, but I call him Butthead and it fits. However, over time, it's become Baylie Butthead Polar Bear Marshmellow. He's a very large white butthead for sure ;)

JaneA November 12, 2009 7:01 PM

I totally agree ... the naming of cats IS a serious matter. I've been in the habit of waiting and seeing what my cats wanted to be named before I gave them names. My little girl, Dahlia, was named Blackie by the poor overburdened staff at the shelter where I adopted her. They must have been awfully tired after a whole summer of naming boodles of kittens. I asked her what she wanted to be called and she was delighted when I said "Dahlia," so Dahlia it was. :-)

Ruth from England November 13, 2009 2:10 AM

Yes a suitable name usually pops up as you get to know your new pet and suddenly everyone in the house agrees on a suggestion.We only Christened one of our cats immediately, we rescued him as a tiny kitten from a street called Walter Street, not far from where we live.He suits the name Walter, down to the ground, always has. Another easy one was a kitten whose mother used to come every day to be fed and one day deposited her baby at our feet.I said and who have we here? She replied 'Brrrrt' so Bert he became ! She went off for quite a while and returned with his sister and all 3 moved in.We eventually found good homes for Mrs Cat and Olive as we were overflowing at the time but Bert lived with us for 17 years.

Amy November 14, 2009 5:15 AM

I usually wait for a while before I name my pets. I watch their personality come out and go from there. For example the last two sisters I adopted Dot The Snot and Freckles were easy to name. Dot has a bold brave persona and Freckles has brown and black spots in her paws.

Cousin Judy November 14, 2009 1:48 PM

Just in case everyone is not familiar with "Old Possum's" treatise on this matter, I've copied it below:

"The Naming Of Cats"

From "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,"
by T. S. Eliot

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.