Pet Names · Cat Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 25 pages
of 25
Native American place name
"rich in springs"
Among the least gimmicky, most appealing and colorful of all the names found in the atlas, Jamaica almost sings out the rhythms of the West Indies. Part of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean,…
English flower name, from Latin
"reed"
Jonquil is an unusual flower name that is less outlandish than Daffodil and less common than Daisy. It just might appeal to parents seeking a singular botanical option. Unlike most flower names,…
Aboriginal, Australian
"tree bark or leaf"
Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori…
Word name or diminutive of Landon
"long hill"
One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.
Persian
"azure blue stone"
Out-of-the-ordinary gemstone name derived from lapis lazuli, which is said to enhance awareness and intellect, impart ancient wisdom and cure many ailments, making it an interesting possibility for a…
English botanical name
A rarer-than-rare floral name with a sting in the tail!
Nature name
Leaf is a hippieish choice that, for girls, still retains an evergreen quality.
The nature boy version of the Scandinavian Leif, which actually means "heir". In the creative-naming Phoenix family, Leaf is the former name of the actor we know as Joaquin.
English fruit name
Sour or sweet? Enough like Lennon, Leonard, and Clement to work, or best left in the fruit basket? That's up to you to decide, but Lemon has been appearing in the US charts for boys since the 1880s.…
Greek
"scales, balance"
Appropriate for a girl born between late September and late October, Libra suggests both balance and freedom.
Olympic athlete Usain Bolt introduced this unusual and electric nature name to the lexicon when he chose it for his daughter's middle name: Olympia Lightning Bolt. Now there's a name with layers of…
Hawaiian
"leaf bud"
A nature name from the Hawaiian islands that's vaguely reminiscent of trendy names like Luke and Luca. However, it's also the name of a Swedish company that makes mechanical lifts used in medical…
Spanish
"lily"
Liliosa, one of the most extravagant forms of the ever-more-popular and varied Lily family, is an ancient saint's name that's a perfect candidate for revival by parents who love the double-L flower…
Basque tree name
"Ash tree"
In the Basque lands of Spain, this name is reserved for boys. But given it's similarity to the name Lisa, we think that this might be ripe for claiming by girls.
Animal name
This big cat name is especially striking with its X ending.
Marble is an unusual male given name derived from the English word for the smooth, hard metamorphic rock used in sculpture and architecture. As a name, it falls into the category of object or…
botanical name
Marjoram is a herb and flower. With nicknames like Margie and Jo at the ready, we think that if Marigold can make a comeback, why not Marjoram?
Bird name
Sure you could just use Meadow or Lark. But if you really want to go for it, Meadowlark is an option. Meadowlark Lemon, born Meadow Lemon, was a (male) American basketball player known as the "Clown…
English surname
"happy weather"
This eminent surname name belonged to one of the two leaders of the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the western part of the USA. The surname was originally given to someone with a sunny…
Latin plant name
Adventurous parents are venturing deeper into the garden in search of fresh names, but remember that this also makes for an alcoholic brunch.
