Unique Cat Names

A rising choice in the US, where money-related names are becoming more fashionable.

Dinero

Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish nickname. That character, by the way, has the full name of Bartholomew JoJo Simpson, and creator Matt Groening came up with Bart as an--uh oh--anagram for brat. Two old alternate nicknames are Barty and Tolly.
 Ben Jonson's 1614 comedy Bartholomew Fair is set in London on St. Bartholomew's Day. Charles Dickens used the name in Bleak House, and, more recently, Bartholomew Cubbins is the protagonist of the Dr. Seuss books The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins and Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Bartholomew

Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham. Scottish curler Hamilton McMillan Jr pulls it off though, with nickname Hammy. 

Hamilton

This lively pet name has recently been associated with Mexican-born Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, acclaimed for her role in the 2013 film Twelve Years a Slave.
The mother name Guadalupe, literally "valley of the wolves," relates to Our Lady of Guadalupe, revered in Latino culture as a protector of the Mexican people.

Lupita

Attractive British place-name with a sense of humor. Fun fact: John Wayne played five characters with the first or second name of Kirby. 

Kirby

Darling has history as an English surname, but it would most likely be read as a quirky and loving word name, a la Sweetheart or Honey.

Darling

Maude, also spelled Maud, is a lacy, mauve-tinted name that was wildly popular a hundred years ago, but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose it again, especially as a middle. 
 
Maude's early popularity was influenced by the Tennyson poem that included the oft-quoted line, "Come into the garden, Maude." Then, in the 1970s, along came the sitcom Maude, featuring the vociferous and opinionated character Maude Finlay, putting a very different spin on the name. But enough decades have now passed for the name to have settled back into its soft, sweet pastel image.
 
Parents today are more likely to associate the name with young actress Maude Apatow, who rose to fame in HBO's Euphoria. She may be the catalyst needed to finally popularize her name again.
 
The Maud spelling has British royal associations via the daughter of Edward VII, who later became Queen of Norway; Maud Gonne was a famous Irish political activist.

Maude

Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has a lot going for it, not least of all the appealing nickname Tenny.
 
Derived from a medieval diminutive of Dennis, ultimately tying it to the Greek god of wine and revelry, Tennyson could equally make a novel choice for anyone trying to honor a Denise or Dennis. First appearing in the US stats back in thr 1910s, a recent year saw it chosen for more than 20 boys (and 8 girls), though its peak was back in 2014, when 48 boys were called Tennsyon.
 
Other options if you want a literary choice: the poet's first name, Alfred, or the name of another esteemed bard, such as Eliot, Poe, Byron, Lowell or Lorca. Alternatives if you're looking to honor a Dennis: Tenny, Dion, Donovan,

Tennyson

Chaz

Lucifer is the name of the archangel cast into hell and while theologians disagree on whether he and Satan are separate beings, it long been on the list of forbidden names for religious and non-religious parents alike. With connotations of hell and devilry so strongly attached to it, the name is officially banned in some places, including New Zealand.
 
But is there hope for Lucifer? With its light-related meaning and its rebellious, edgy feel, parents who enjoy Lilith, Riot, Rebel, Rogue and similar, may be drawn to it, especially with modern portrayals of the the figure, in series such as Lucifer (2021). 
 
A controversial choice, Lucifer had never appeared in the US stats before 2002, when it began to be sporadically used for a small handful of boys. Over the last decade, however, use of the name has picked up, with more than 70 babies given the name in 2021. The number dropped to 43 in 2023, placing it alongside Jedediah, Remiel, Olsen, Kyzir, and Ted in the charts.

Lucifer

Icarus, the mythological figure famous for flying too close to the sun, has a couple of negatives: his rash reputation, and those "icky" nicknames. 

Icarus

In Greek myth, Circe, daughter of Helios, the sun, was a sorceress living on the island of Aeaea (or Aiaia) who could turn men into animals with her magic wand, which is just what she did to Odysseus's crew in Homer's Odyssey, transforming them into swine. All was forgiven, however, as Circe and Odysseus later had a child together;Telegonus.

The name and legend have appeared in countless forms, from a section of James Joyce's Ulysses to short stories by Julio Cortazar to Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon to films to DC comics to a dance by Martha Graham. Contemporary readers may well be familiar with Madeline Miller's popular 2018 novel, Circe which retells the goddess's story 

Meaning "hawk, bird", Circe is a witchy choice which has seen quiet uptake since the release of the aforementioned novel. Prior to 2018, it had never been given to more than 10 girls in a single year, while in more recent years, nearly 30 babies have been called Circe in the US.

Circe

Sweet but sleek, and distinctive, Liesel is an old German nickname-name for Elisabeth. It might have once seemed inextricably tied to to its country of origin, but now, like Elsa, Enzo, Saoirse, Freya, Soren, and Heidi, it leans more towards being international and European chic.
 The name can also be spelled Liesl, however Liesel may feel more familiar and user friendly outside of German speaking countries.
 Many people associate the name with Liesl von Trapp, the eldest daughter in The Sound of Music, who is "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", as her song famously says. The Liesel spelling however might be more closely associated with Liesel Meminger from the popular novel (and film), The Book Thief.

Liesel

A pretty, dainty name for one of the little characters in the children's book series The Borrowers. It was the basis for a later Studio Ghible animated film, The Secret World of Arrietty. While the connection to Harriet is tenuous, you might want to consider Arrietty as an honorific for an ancestral Harriet, Harry, or even Henry or Henrietta.

Arrietty

Zaha is a distinctive feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It has Arabic origins where it can mean 'brilliant' or 'shining,' carrying connotations of brightness and radiance. The name gained international recognition through the renowned Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, whose innovative designs brought prominence to this formerly obscure name. In some African traditions, particularly Swahili, Zaha can also have meaningful connections. The name's brevity and symmetrical construction give it a modern, streamlined quality, while the soft 'z' and open 'a' sounds create a melodic flow. Despite its growing recognition, Zaha remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce. Parents might choose this name for its multicultural resonance, artistic associations, and beautiful meaning, as well as its elegant simplicity that works well across language boundaries.

Zaha

The doe-eyed Fawn is as gentle and soft as the baby deer it represents. And much like that baby deer, it carries with it the potential of new life. Fawn was featured at the bottom of the Top 1000 throughout the '60s and '70s — around the same time that Bambi came into play. But unlike Bambi, Fawn maintains relevance in the 21st century, thanks to its warmth and ties to the natural world. We would love to meet more baby girls named Fawn.
 
Given to around 20 girls in the US in a recent year, Fawn may be one to watch out for in coming years, especially after influencer Nara Smith called her daughter Fawnie in 2025.

Fawn

Kristoff is a masculine name of Slavic and Scandinavian origin, serving as a variation of Christopher, which means 'bearer of Christ' from the Greek 'Christophoros'. The name gained significant recognition in modern popular culture through the character Kristoff in Disney's 'Frozen' films. Before this exposure, the name was more commonly found in Northern European countries, particularly in Russia, Norway, and Sweden. Kristoff has a strong, distinctive sound while maintaining a friendly accessibility. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, it offers families a slightly unique alternative to the more traditional Christopher, with the same meaningful religious connection but a more distinctive Nordic flair.

Kristoff

Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble?  Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.


Tempest

A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era. 

Zita

When playwright Thomas Lanier Williams adopted the pen name of Tennessee, he created a new possibility among American place-names, although it's admittedly a bit bulky in size. 

Reese Witherspoon brought it back into the spotlight when she chose it for her son. While Tennessee's two most famous bearers are male, the name can work equally well for a child of any gender.

Tennessee

Unique cat names are easy to come by. You can name your cat practically anything! Dog names have syllable limits and understandability factors to consider, while 

 are free to be long or short, ridiculous or traditional, complex or simple.

. Unique names for cats in those categories include Tisiphone and Ragnar, Velvet and Bamboo.

 include Bernadette, Madrigal, Muse, and Saoirse.

 include Bard, Jericho, Pirate, and Willoughby.

If you want a rare, distinctive, or one-of-a-kind name for your cat or kitten, take inspiration from our collection of creative cat names.

Unique cat names including unique girl cat names and unique male cat names, with rare, uncommon, and unusual names for cats, with meanings and popularity. (Page 6)