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Old-Fashioned Cat Names

  1. Lonny

    • Origin:

      Short form of Alonso or Alonzo, Spanish or Italian

    • Meaning:

      "noble and ready"

    • Description:

      The Spanish Alonso and the Italian Alonzo are both widely used in the US, so you may meet more guys named Lonny than you expect.
  2. Chuck

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles

    • Description:

      So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
  3. 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.
  4. Lulie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Lula or Louise, German and French

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      One of the few Lu- names that you've probably never heard of, Lulie could prove a good alternative for Luna, Lucy, and Lula.
  5. Chaz

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles

    • Description:

      The jazziest nickname for Charles.
  6. Ralphie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ralph

    • Meaning:

      "wolf-counsel"

    • Description:

      Ralphie is one of those short forms that have been out of style for so long it just might have a chance of coming back in, if you can get past seeing it as a desperate attempt to cute-ify a stodgy old man's name.
  7. 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.
  8. Franny

    • Origin:

      Latin, diminutive of Frances

    • Meaning:

      "from France or free man"

    • Description:

      If Frances and Fran are too serious for you, and Fanny too saucy, you might like Franny, still identified by some with J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey stories.
  9. Margie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margery

    • Description:

      Prime pert-teenager name in midcentury TV shows, replaced by Maggie.
  10. 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.

  11. Tibbie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname that hasn't been heard in ages--Cute and unusual, but lacking the legs to stand on its own. Maybe save it for your kitten.