Unique Cat Names

  1. Velvet
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile"
    • Description:

      Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.
  2. Zaha
    • Description:

      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.

  3. Rowdy
    • Origin:

      American word name
    • Meaning:

      "noisy, disorderly, riotous"
    • Description:

      Rowdy was first famously used as a given name in the television series Rawhide, with the young Clint Eastwood playing Rowdy Yates. More recently, competitive swimmer Rowdy Gaines has been featured in a series of TV commercials, and a new badass baby name is gaining notice.
  4. Persimmon
    • Origin:

      American fruit name from Powhatan
    • Meaning:

      "a dry fruit"
    • Description:

      We've adopted Plum, Cherry, and even Apple as baby names, so why not Persimmon? It lends itself to the charming nicknames Percy or Persy.
  5. Anakin
    • Origin:

      American invented name
    • Description:

      Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, is the antagonist in the original Star Wars trilogy. The name Anakin first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. Its meaning is unknown but is thought to be an homage to a friend of George Lucas.
  6. Tempest
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "turbulent, stormy"
    • Description:

      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.
  7. Valentino
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
  8. Morpheus
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name, god of sleep and dreams
    • Description:

      Though you may pray to the god of sleep for your baby to slumber through the night, a drowsy image is not the greatest one to inflict on your little boy.
  9. Midge
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Sixties-style nickname which is also the name of a small biting insect, particularly prevalent in Scotland.
  10. Kristoff
    • Description:

      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.

  11. Venus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "love, desire"
    • Description:

      The name of a heavenly planet and the Roman goddess of beauty and love was an intimidating no-no until tennis champ Venus Williams put an athletic, modern spin on it.
  12. Pollux
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "crown"
    • Description:

      Castor's twin in the constellation Gemini. That final x makes this name modern and cool.
  13. Theda
    • Origin:

      Short form of Theodora or Theodosia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.
  14. Ramiro
    • Origin:

      Spanish; Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "great judge"
    • Description:

      A charming -o name with cool nickname possibilities, Ramiro is also a historical choice: there were 2 Aragonese Spanish kings named Ramiro.
  15. Jersey
    • Origin:

      English place name, Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "Geirr's island"
    • Description:

      An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.

      -ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".
  16. Anselm
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "with divine protection"
    • Description:

      A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.
  17. Mazikeen
    • Origin:

      Invented name
    • Meaning:

      "harmful spirits"
    • Description:

      Neil Gaiman invented this name for a character in his comic book Sandman. It can now be seen on the TV show Lucifer.
  18. Odysseus
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "wrathful"
    • Description:

      The name of the brave, resourceful hero of Homer's epic saga has almost always been considered too weighty for a child to bear, but at this point, some brave, resourceful parents out there might be willing to take it on.
  19. Sharpay
    • Origin:

      Popular culture
    • Meaning:

      "sand skin"
    • Description:

      The name of the glamorous mean girl in "High School Musical", Sharpay is a spin on the dog breed Shar Pei, which means "sand skin" in Chinese. As such, it's a brilliant name joke skewering the practice of picking a name for its sound without considering what it means.
  20. Ishmael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God will hear"
    • Description:

      Ishmael is most familiar through "Call me Ishmael," the opening line spoken by the youthful narrator of Moby-Dick. Few American parents have followed that advice, though the Spanish and Arabic spelling, Ismael, ranks at Number 362. With its warm and pleasant sound, though, we could see Ishmael tagging along behind Isaiah and Isaac.