Cat Names · Pet Names
By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Greek, Latin
"lion"
Latinized version of the Greek name Leontios.
French female form of Leontios, Greek
Leontine is the French form of a name that's more familiar by its spelling variation Leontyne, the name made famous by opera diva Price. An obscure choice, Leontine nevertheless feels right for our…
French, Greek
A chic French vintage name on the rise there for both sexes, which would make for an unconventional route to Leo.
Dutch diminutive of Lennart, Swedish
"brave lion"
Old-school nicknames for boys are back, and Lenn is a great candidate for revival. Single-N Len may not be as cool as this Dutch version, originally a nickname for Lennart.
Oromo
Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.
Slovene variation of Leonard, German
Chirpy form of Leonard that's common in its native Slovenia.
English, diminutive of Katherine
"pure"
This endearing nickname name is one Katherine pet form that predates all the Kathys and Katies, having been fairly common in the eighteenth century. With the current mini-craze for animal-related…
English word name, diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"young cat; pure"
You've gotta be kitten.
Polish variation of Catherine
Countless notable figures from Polish history, and one America's Next Top Model contestant, have used this version of Catherine, made extra spicy by that "zy." Those interested in honoring a relative…
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
Animal name
Grrrr.
Ugandan
"clan totem is a lion"
Sounding like a cross between Nancy and Natalie, Nantale might have potential as same-but-different African-to-American crossover.
Berber
Arabic
"panther"
Projects an air of power and speed.
Hebrew
"young lion"
Hebrew name rarely heard in the U. S. , making it a distinctive choice.
Irish
"slow, stately, pleasant"
This Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Máille is seen worn by the tomcat "Thomas O'Malley" in the classic Disney film The Aristocats.
"my lion cub"
When considering the playground years, might be too close to gory.
English
"big cat"
Lithe and leonine name chosen for her daughter by singer Erykah Badu -- whose other child has the number name Seven.
Lithe and leonine name chosen for her daughter by singer Erykah Badu, but fits in with wild nature names like Fox, Wolf and Bear for a boy.
French
"barber"
A literary name coined by the French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais for the central character in his plays The Barber of Seville , The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother . It…
