200+ Boy Cat Names for the Coolest Kitty Around
Updated: Jan. 31, 2024
Looking for something more original than Tiger or Felix? We've got your bewhiskered buddies covered with this list of the best boy cat names.
Here, kitty kitty! If that’s a never-ending refrain in your house, it’s about time you named your new pet. Sure, aloof cats might not always come running when you call them, the way an eager-to-please dog will. But certified animal behaviorist Janet Cutler, PhD, explains that studies show kitties do recognize their own names, and picking a cat name is an important part of the bonding process. Of course, making a decision, especially when the whole family is involved, can be tricky. And just like with girl cat names, there are so many boy cat names to choose from.
If you don’t know where to start, our list of more than 200 suggested boy pet names and expert-approved tips will help you make a selection you’re happy with. From the cutest cat names to suit your little guy’s personality to funny cat names to names that match its color, there’s something for everyone here.
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What are the best boy cat names?
The best boy cat names are the ones that work for you and your pets. It all depends on your taste, and you might want to match a moniker with your kitty’s looks or personality. Wildlife veterinarian James Watuwa, BVM, recommends picking a name and sticking with it—and avoiding nicknames that might confuse your pet. Don’t rush your decision, or you could potentially be stuck with something you don’t like for 15 or more years.
Cats are smarter than we often give them credit for, and they can tell the difference between their name and words of a similar length or with similar accents. But in multi-pet homes, choose carefully. “Ideally, you want cats in the same household to have names that don’t sound overly similar, as that may make it harder for them to distinguish,” Cutler says.
So which names are most likely to get a reaction from your cat? “Shorter and pleasant-sounding names are better than long or complicated ones,” Dr. Watuwa says.
Helping your cat know its name is a key part of the process. “You need to create a positive association with it and reward them with something they enjoy, such as a tasty treat or a scratch behind the ears,” he says. “Don’t use their name to scold them or for anything negative.”
Most popular boy cat names
Tiger might be one of the most popular pet names of the past century, but if that doesn’t do it for you, there are plenty of options. Charlie came out on top in a recent study by Trusted Housesitters, and here are some more boy cat names everyone knows and loves:
- Charlie
- Jack
- Leo
- Loki
- Max
- Milo
- Oscar
- Simba
- Tigger
- Willie
Cute boy cat names
If you’re looking for a sweet, lighthearted name that’ll make you go “aww” as often as your little lad does, then this is the list for you. “Cats have sensitive ears and can hear and respond more to higher-pitched sounds, such as a woman’s voice or meows,” Dr. Watuwa says. So if you aren’t too embarrassed to adopt a babying tone when using one of these cutesy names, your cat might react more to your call.
- Bilbo
- Bubblegum
- Chewie
- Fluffy
- Fry
- Hiccup
- Kiwi
- Muppet
- Padfoot
- Peanut
- Pebbles
- Mittens
- Muffin
- Snowball
- Sprinkles
- Twinkie
- Wicket
Want more naming options? Many of these boy dog names are appropriate for cats too.
Unique boy cat names
Picking a badass one-of-a-kind name for your cat means there’s less likely to be confusion in a household filled with cats and dogs. Here are some unique male cat names to help your incomparable kitty stand out from the crowd:
- Apollo
- Atticus
- Bangle
- Barley
- Bentley
- Caesar
- Carson
- Domino
- Ernest
- Flynn
- Franz
- Gizmo
- Huey
- Hugo
- Lennox
- Muse
- Oakley
- Reece
- Sox
- Yoshi
Funny boy cat names
Funny names never fail to put a smile on the face of family and visitors. But don’t go with something too naughty or outrageous! Remember, the doctor will call out this name in your veterinary office, and you’ll use it around friends, neighbors and family. You don’t want your buddy to cause offense.
Looking for help to get a laugh? Here are some comical cat names for boys:
- Beaker
- Bruiser
- Butterball
- Catman
- Chuckles
- Freckles
- French Fry
- Garbanzo
- Giggles
- Jigglypuff
- Paw Paw
- Potato
- Pudge
- Puss in Boots
- Rascal
- Snagglepuss
- Spud
- Whiskers
- Wonton
- Yoda
Boy names for black cats
Black cat breeds have it tough: They’re often the least likely to get adopted from shelters, maybe because of superstitions that say they bring bad luck. But black cats are gorgeous, and they deserve a beautiful name to match. Don’t fancy naming your cat commonplace Shadow? Here are some other great black cat names for boys.
- Astro
- Batman
- Binx
- Coal
- Guinness
- Inky
- Jet
- Merlin
- Midnight
- Mystery
- Mystic
- Onyx
- Ozzy
- Panther
- Poe
- Sable
- Salem
- Shade
- Soot
- Vader
- Zorro
Boy names for gray cats
Picking a silvery signature for your gray cat breed is a lovely nod to their gorgeous appearance. And it isn’t just Smoky that suits. There are lots of other boy cat names for your gray fur baby:
- Argent (silver in French)
- Ash
- Blue
- Chrome
- Dusty
- Earl Gray
- Ghost
- Grayson
- Mist
- Pepper
- Pewter
- Phantom
- Rocket
- Silver
- Smoke
- Smoky
- Steel
- Sterling
- Stormy
- Thunder
Boy names for orange cats
Ginger kitties are known for being some of the most affectionate cats. If you have a big, friendly orange cat breed, picking a name that matches its color or friendly nature could be the way to go. Here are some blazing ginger boy names to toss around with the family:
- Blaze
- Carrot
- Cheeto
- Clay
- Crookshanks
- Ember
- Ernie
- Fuego
- Garfield
- Ginger
- Goldie
- Heathcliff
- Hobbes
- Marmalade
- Momo (peach in Japanese)
- Pumpkin
- Rusty
- Sunny
- Tiger
- Tony (as in Tony the Tiger, naturally)
Boy names for white cats
Some of the cutest cat breeds have striking white coats. If your guy has ivory locks, Snowy isn’t your only option. White is a color associated with simplicity and purity, but you don’t have to pick a plain name:
- Alabaster
- Alaska
- Aspen
- Birch
- Blanco
- Blizzard
- Casper
- Chowder
- Coconut
- Frosty
- Glacier
- Ice
- Igloo
- Marshmallow
- Milky Way
- Moon
- Olaf
- Q-tip
- Tic Tac
- Yuki (snow in Japanese)
Disney-inspired boy cat names
Disney offers a treasure trove of choices when naming your cat—or any pet in your household. And it’s one surefire way to get your kids on board with the naming process. You can opt for a Disney cat name, a character with similar personality traits or your kid’s favorite character, like Woody from Toy Story.
- Bagheera (The Jungle Book)
- Berlioz (The Aristocats)
- Cheshire (Alice in Wonderland)
- Figaro (Pinocchio)
- Mochi (Big Hero 6)
- Mufasa (The Lion King)
- Oliver (Oliver & Company)
- Rajah (Aladdin)
- Scar (The Lion King)
- Sergeant Tibbs (One Hundred and One Dalmatians)
- Sulley (Monsters, Inc.)
Still struggling to decide? These Disney-inspired dog names will work for cats too!
Food-inspired boy cat names
“Cats may react to sounds that indicate food or attention, such as a can opener or a crinkling bag,” Dr. Watuwa says. If your cat loves to eat or you’re a foodie yourself, a nosh-inspired name is a cute and apt choice.
- Bagel
- Basil
- Beans
- Butternut
- Cannoli
- Cheddar
- Dijon
- Dill
- Fettuccine
- Flapjack
- Frito
- Meatloaf
- Miso
- Nacho
- Noodles
- Pickles
- Snickers
- Sprout
- Taco
- Tater Tot
- Tofu
- Waffles
- Walnut
Boy cat names for fluffy cats
Fluffy cat breeds deserve fuzzy names to match. Whether your Persian cat reminds you of a Wookie from Star Wars or you want to pick a hirsute word in another language, there are lots of opportunities to get creative.
- Bear
- Captain Floof
- Chewbacca
- Fluffig (fluffy in Swedish)
- Fluffington
- Fozzie
- Frizzle
- Furby
- Fuwafuwa (fluffy in Japanese)
- Fuzzball
- Grizzly
- Hagrid
- Hairy Paw-ter
- Legolas
- Mopsie
- Mop Top
- Ruffles
- Shaggy
- Sheddy Krueger
- Teddy
- Yeti
Additional reporting by Kelly Kuehn.
Sources:
- Janet Cutler, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist
- James Watuwa, BVM, veterinarian and CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Organization
- Scientific Reports: “Domestic cats (Felis catus) discriminate their names from other words”
- Trusted Housesitters: “Most Popular Pet Names by US State | 2023 Pet Names Study”
Originally Published: April 22, 2021
