Pet Names · Cat Names
By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 10 pages
of 10
Feminine variation of Thaddeus, Aramaic
"gift of God"
Although Thaddeus has long been used in this country, Thaddea is almost unknown and, with its air of mystery, could make a distinctive choice. Thaddea might be a unique substitute for the…
Greek
"to blossom"
This was the name of a 6th-century BC Greek philosopher and mathematician.
French
"strength of a bull"
A dashing French surname name most famously borne by Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, writer and philosopher who influenced such notable figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin…
Norwegian
The exact origins of Tiril remain a mystery, but it is generally considered to be a name from Norwegian poetry. The heroine of Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer’s fantastical poem "Lokkende Toner" is…
Greek gem name
As a name, Topaz is a quietly used option, with a distinctive ending and a sleek but sassy feel. As a golden gemstone, it is said to have energizing properties and bring good luck to those who wear…
Latin
"place where three roads meet"
Trivia is considered the first epithet of Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, fertility, and the moon. The name is derived from the Latin word trivium , meaning "triple way," which refers to the…
"master of men"
This extravagant name of a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher could make for a bold alternative to Alexander.
Roman, meaning unknown
An ancient Roman family name, best known from the orator and author Marcus Tullius Cicero.
English word name
"two pence"
This quirky British nickname-turned- real-name is most famously borne by English actress Tuppence Middleton, who was named for her mother Tina’s childhood nickname. There is also a British literary…
English, Irish
"from the marsh or fen; fair"
No, not Ben (you'll say a million times), not Van -- Venn. John Venn was a British logician and philosopher famous for introducing the Venn diagram, which is used in several fields, including logic,…
Italian surname name
An unusual name with some real high-low appeal: It was the first name of a bully on The Fosters and the last name of the great Enlightenment philosopher Giambattista Vico. It has many of the merits…
English
"dweller at the old cottage"
Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men . Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted…
Russian from Greek
"wooded valley"
Russian form of the Greek name Bessarion, most prominently borne by 19th-century Russian literary critic, writer and philosopher Vissarion Belinsky.
"determined thing"
Voltaire is the nom-de-plume of François-Marie Arouet, who became noted for his witty and satirical takes on enlightenment philosophy and Western society. Voltaire's most famous work, Candide , used…
Voltaire is the nom-de-plume of François-Marie Arouet, who became noted for his witty and satirical takes on enlightenment philosophy and Western society. Voltaire's most famous work, Candide, used…
Feminisation of Voltaire
The origins of the nom de plume Voltaire are obscure - it is believed that it is an anagram of Arovetli (the Latin form of his surname Arouet). But the name was also chosen for its connotations of…
Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.
"yellow horse"
Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.
German
"man of peace"
Hipsters might consider reviving this old German name, though we're not so sure their sons wouldn't have preferred the classic Fred name Frederick. Manfred B. Lee (born Manford) was half of the team…
