Pet Names · Cat Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 122 pages
of 122
Diminutive of Ralph
"wolf-counsel"
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…
French nickname and Japanese
"double happiness"
Kiki is one of the Coco-Gigi-Fifi-Lulu bohemian-type French nickname names from the turn of the last century, which have endless energy and sparkle. Artist Kiki Smith is its most well-known…
Persian
"tall, strongly-built, brave"
This variation of Rostam might be more English-friendly given its resemblance to the familiar Russ or Russell.
Hebrew
"the moon, white"
Pretty and unusual, Livana may find a lot more fans as parents look for alternatives to Number 1 Olivia. Livana was used for only seven baby girls in the US last year.
Diminutive of Michelle or Michaela
Mickey is a nickname-name redolent of the mid-20th century and best-known as a mouse name. While this spelling works for either gender, the girls' version is more often spelled Micki.
Spanish variation of Valentine, Latin
"health, strength"
Valencio is an energetic, valiant-sounding name, the male form of Valencia.
Sanskrit
"night"
Simple but sophisticated, Nisha is a pretty Sanskrit choice that hit the popularity charts in England in the late 1990s. The meaning "night" adds a slightly mystical element to name and it is a…
Word name or diminutive of Woodrow, English
"row of houses by a wood"
While Woodrow is too forbidding, its nickname Woody is a bit cartoonish, as in Woody Woodpecker and the animated cowboy character in Toy Story. Woody also has a slang meaning that no teenage boy will…
English, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, or Korean surname
"roe deer; wise protector; son of Ruadh; red; clearing; ability"
In the US, the multicultural surname Roe is primarily associated with the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, which granted the federal right to abortion, though elsewhere it might be…
Feminine variation of Santo, Italian
"saint"
Santa has an appealing sound, or maybe that's sleigh bells we hear? It's difficult to separate the Italian girls' name Santa from the association to Mr. Claus, king of Christmas. The German…
Diminutive of Talia
"gentle dew from heaven"
Nickname sometimes heard on its own, sort of an updated Sally and playmate of Hallie.
Tibetan
"good fortune"
Tashi is a Tibetan word meaning "good fortune," and is also used as a given name and surname in Tibet and Bhutan.
German
"with divine protection"
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.
Diminutive of Bernard, English
"strong; brave as a bear"
It's been shown that notable political figures often impact the use of their names, and the same can — sort of — be said about Bernie Sanders. His name increased in use by 47% between 2015 and 2016…
"bright raven"
Last in fashion in the 1930s, Bertram might once have been firmly in the best left in the past category, but with sweet nickname Bertie and the cool option of Bram, Bertram might just be one to…
Diminutive of Charles
So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
German surname
"iron, iron cutter"
In German, the word eisen means "iron." It was adapted as a surname for Ashkenazi Jews — many of which were ornamental and had no ties to one's family history. Metals such as gold (Gold), silver…
English variation of Albert
Rocking out on the porch with buddies Hubert, Norbert, and Osbert.
Irish Gaelic
"little wolf"
Properly spelled with a fada in Gaelic (Faolán), this name is the origin of the Irish surname Phelan. It derives from the Gaelic fáel "wolf", plus a diminutive suffix, making this a handsome hidden…
Word name
"tea"
Most people are likely to associate the name Chai with tea, but it's also a Chinese surname and Hebrew masculine name. The video game series Soulcalibur features a female character named Chai.
