Cat Names That Start With H

  1. Harley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hare clearing"
    • Description:

      You can ride one, you can use it as a baby name – or, as is often the case, both! Harley is currently trending up for girls and down for boys in the US, although it remains predominantly masculine in the UK. A lesser-used -ley ending choice for boys, Harley has a current sound but an old-school biker appeal.
  2. Harley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "the long field"
    • Description:

      Once a macho biker name, Harley is now showing its softer side. In the UK, Harley is predominantly masculine, but it's currently more popular for girls than boys in the US.
  3. Hadrian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dark-haired"
    • Description:

      Most parents would find this old Roman name pretentious compared to the more accessible Adrian, but some history buffs just might want to commemorate the enlightened emperor.
  4. Harmony
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "harmony"
    • Description:

      If Melody and Lyric are on your style sheet, the peaceful Harmony, popularized by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, should be too. Girls names starting with the "Har" sound like Harper, Harley, and Harlow have been trending in recent years. This musical choice fits right in, and it is no wonder that Harmony has been in the Top 200 since 2014.
  5. Hal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Harold or Henry, Scandinavian or German
    • Meaning:

      "army ruler or estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Could Hal be the Jack, Max, or Gus of the future? It just might happen in the new nickname environment. Hank Azaria put it on his son's birth certificate.
  6. Hendrix
    • Origin:

      Dutch and German, from first name Hendrik
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Hendrix is one of those hip rock and roll names, like Lennon, Jagger and Presley, that have been used by fellow celebs and others, to honor the seminal guitarist/singer/songwriter Jimi. And this one has the trendy 'x' ending, as well, helping to propel it up the charts and into the spotlight.
  7. Huck
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Huckleberry, word name
    • Description:

      Though forever tied to Huck, short for Huckleberry, Finn, this is an undeniably cute short form that may have some life as part of the hipster taste for names like Duke and Bix.
  8. Halston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hallowed stone"
    • Description:

      This choice feels more familiar than other hall-related English surnames, thanks to designer Halston, the single-named disco-era society playmate of Liza and Elton.
  9. Howie
    • Description:

      Howie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Howard, though it's now often used as an independent given name. Howard derives from the Old Norse name Hávarðr, meaning "high or chief guardian." Howie carries a friendly, approachable quality typical of nicknames ending with the -ie suffix. The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, aligning with the success of figures like musician Howie Day and television host Howie Mandel. While retaining a certain boyish charm, Howie has declined in usage in recent decades, giving it a distinctive retro quality that might appeal to parents looking for a friendly, unpretentious name with historical roots.

  10. Hester
    • Origin:

      Medieval variation of Esther, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      The disgraced heroine of The Scarlet Letter's name, after long neglect, just might have a chance at revival, following in the wake of sister-name Esther. We've characterized her elsewhere as an eccentric aristocrat, much more accepted in the U.K. than she has been here.
  11. Halston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hallowed stone"
    • Description:

      Though long associated with the iconic male fashion designer -- who went by his middle name alone -- rising young actress Halston Sage has made Halston feel plausible as a girls' name too.
  12. Helga
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "holy, blessed"
    • Description:

      A traditional Nordic name, Helga was extremely popular throughout Scandinavia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Germany, it was a Top 10 pick from 1924 to 1943. And it still ranks in the Icelandic Top 50 today.
  13. Hazen
    • Origin:

      Dutch surname from German
    • Meaning:

      "gray, black; hare"
    • Description:

      Hazen is a variation of the Dutch surname Hasin, which has two separate origins. The first is as a nickname for Haso, a Germanic given name derived from haswa, meaning "gray" or "black." Hasin was also a variation of Haas, a Dutch and German surname meaning "hare."
  14. Huey
    • Origin:

      Variation of Hugh, English
    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"
    • Description:

      Once upon a time, in the 1930s, Huey (yes, just Huey) was a Top 250 name. Could the 100-Year Rule bring it back?
  15. Halo
    • Origin:

      English, word name
    • Description:

      Halo is a glowing word name that's both cosmic and spiritual, and with its shiny imagery and bright sounds, it was one of the fasted rising names in 2023.
  16. Herbie
    • Description:

      Herbie is a diminutive form of Herbert, a Germanic name combining 'hari' (army) and 'berht' (bright), meaning 'bright warrior' or 'illustrious soldier.' Popularized in the mid-20th century, Herbie gained notable recognition through jazz musician Herbie Hancock and the fictional Volkswagen Beetle in Disney's 'The Love Bug' films. The name has a friendly, approachable quality with a vintage charm that evokes mid-century Americana. Though its popularity has declined since its peak in the 1950s and 60s, Herbie retains nostalgic appeal as a nickname. It exemplifies the trend of shortened, affectionate forms that became independently used given names in their own right.
  17. Hermes
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
    • Description:

      These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche, or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Green messenger god.
  18. Hunter
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "one who hunts"
    • Description:

      This surname gained momentum in the 1990s, when it was particularly in vogue for males. However, it seems to be experiencing a surge for females—it was one of the fastest-rising names of 2013, jumping 266 spots back into the Top 1000.
  19. Homer
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "security, pledge"
    • Description:

      Homer is a name that has traveled from the ancient Greek scribe of the great classical epics to Bart Simpson's doltish dad, and has also become the surprise hot celebrity pick of such parents as Richard Gere (his father's name), Bill Murray, and Anne Heche. Simpsons creator Matt Groening has both a father and a son named Homer.
  20. Honor
    • Origin:

      English word and virtue name
    • Meaning:

      "honor"
    • Description:

      Honor is a somewhat more straight-laced virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.