Cat Inspired Names

A list of names based off of cats that includes both male and female names.
  1. Felix
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "happy, fortunate"
    • Description:

      Felix is one of those ancient but nontraditional names for boys that have come into favor over the past few decades, a favorite of parents who want a masculine name with history and heft that breaks ranks with the standard Franks and Freds. Felix is also an international darling, ranking in the Top 100 in several European and English-speaking countries.
  2. Leo
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "lion"
    • Description:

      Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for fourteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US thanks in part to Leonardo "Leo" DiCaprio.
  3. Luna
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "moon"
    • Description:

      The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon, luna. Luna may be the name most likely to surprise someone from an older generation by its Top 10 status in the US and its widespread international popularity.
  4. Tabitha
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"
    • Description:

      Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.
  5. Sabrina
    • Origin:

      Celtic, Latin name for the River Severn
    • Description:

      Sabrina, the bewitchingly radiant name of a legendary Celtic goddess, is best known as the heroine of the eponymous film, originally played by Audrey Hepburn, and later as a teenage TV witch; it would make a distinctive alternative to the ultrapopular Samantha. Similar names you might also want to consider include Sabina and Serena.
  6. Diana
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "divine"
    • Description:

      Diana, the tragic British princess, inspired many fashions, but strangely, not one for her name. For us, Diana is a gorgeous and still-underused choice.
  7. Minerva
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the mind, intellect"
    • Description:

      Minerva is the long-neglected name of the Roman goddess of wisdom and invention, the arts and martial strength, one of the mythology names for girls that might appeal to adventurous feminist parents. With Juno and Jupiter, she made the Capitoline triad, whose worship was at the very center of Roman religion.
  8. Savannah
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "flat tropical grassland"
    • Description:

      A place name with a deep Southern accent, the once-obscure Savannah shot to fame, with others of its genre, on the heels of the best seller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in the mossy Georgia city of Savannah. Originally a substitute for the overused Samantha, Savannah is now popular itself, long among the top girls' names starting with S.
  9. Artemis
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "safe or butcher"
    • Description:

      Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the moon. Artemis is the equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice.
  10. Kitty
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Katherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      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 names, Kitty is sounding cute and cuddly again—she's already jumped back onto the U.K. list, at number 199.
  11. Gigi
    • Origin:

      French diminutive
    • Description:

      Joining the likes of Coco and Fifi, Gigi has a style but some may feel it lacks substance. Model and TV personality Gigi Hadid (born Jelena) has likely drawn attention to this name, while designer Cynthia Rowley may have inspired parents to use it as a given name by choosing it for her daughter.
  12. Dinah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God will judge"
    • Description:

      Dinah is a charming, underused Old Testament name with a rich literary and musical resume. In the Old Testament, Dinah was the beautiful daughter of Jacob and Leah and while some conflate her with the Biblical Adinah, they are in fact different figures.
  13. Aslan
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "lion; fearless"
    • Description:

      Aslan, derived from the Old Turkic word arslan, meaning "lion," is best known in the West as the name of the heroic lion in C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series, who serves as an allegorical stand-in for Jesus Christ. It was also used as a positive epithet for several Turkish emperors in the Middle Ages.
  14. Tom
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas
    • Meaning:

      "twin"
    • Description:

      Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
  15. Abby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Abigail, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my father is joyful"
    • Description:

      Gently old-fashioned stand-alone nickname that owes its popularity to mega popular Abigail.
  16. Kat
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      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.
  17. Nala
    • Origin:

      African, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      A Disney name—Nala was the friend who became the wife of Simba, hero of The Lion King. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  18. Lynx
    • Origin:

      Animal name
    • Description:

      One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
  19. Allie
    • Origin:

      Variation or diminutive of Alexandra, Alice or Allison; Greek, German or Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "defending men or noble"
    • Description:

      Allie is one short form that's gotten so popular it's often used as a name on its own. Cute, friendly, yet we'd recommend using one of the proper names such as Alice to give your daughter an option.
  20. Felina
    • Description:

      Felina is a feminine name with Latin and Spanish origins, derived from 'felinus' meaning 'cat-like.' This evocative name suggests grace, independence, and mystery—qualities often associated with felines. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Felina gained some recognition through the Marty Robbins country song 'El Paso,' which features a character with this name. The name carries an exotic, romantic quality with its flowing sound and distinctive ending. Felina appeals to parents drawn to nature-inspired names with a touch of uniqueness and Latin flair. Its relative rarity makes it stand out while still being intuitive to pronounce and spell for most English speakers.

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