Kittens have a way of making the naming process feel urgent. One minute you’re carrying a tiny ball of fluff through the front door, and the next you’re standing in the kitchen trying out names on someone who clearly doesn’t care what you pick. Cute Kitten Names are easy to find, but the ones that last tend to fit the cat’s personality once it finally shows up.
Cats are a bit different from dogs when it comes to names. A lot of owners find that short, higher-pitched names ending in an “ee” sound are the easiest for a kitten to pick up, though plenty of cats answer to something longer once they connect it with treats and dinner.
Everything here is grouped by style instead of alphabetically, so you can skip straight to whatever suits your kitten, whether that’s a sweet classic, a food name, something that matches the coat, or a name that’s a little ridiculous. Read until one sticks, then try it out loud at feeding time and see how the kitten reacts.
Cute Female Kitten Names
Sweet, classic girl names tend to fit a kitten right away, since they sound soft and are easy to say in a coaxing voice. This batch of Cute Kitten Names covers old favorites and a few newer picks that suit just about any coat.
- Luna
- Lily
- Cleo
- Millie
- Mimi
- Chloe
- Sophie
- Lola
- Bella
- Daisy
- Penny
- Ruby
- Stella
- Hazel
- Olive
- Piper
- Maggie
- Poppy
- Ivy
- Josie
- Fiona
- Gracie
- Hattie
- Nellie
- Phoebe
- Tilly
- Violet
- Winnie
- Lucy
- Ellie
Cute Male Kitten Names
Boy kittens often get names that sound playful and a little mischievous, which fits since they spend most of the first year climbing the curtains. A lot of these also age well, sounding just as good on a sleepy senior cat.
- Oliver
- Leo
- Milo
- Felix
- Oscar
- Jasper
- Charlie
- Teddy
- Max
- Gus
- Louie
- Otis
- Finn
- Archie
- Henry
- Ozzy
- Ollie
- Chester
- Basil
- Walter
- Hugo
- Toby
- Rufus
- Spencer
- Elliot
- Cosmo
- Monty
- Freddie
- Percy
- Benny
Gender-Neutral Kitten Names
If you adopted a kitten before knowing the sex, or you just prefer a name that isn’t tied to a gender, these work for any cat and tend to feel modern without trying too hard.
- Sage
- Rowan
- Quinn
- Remy
- Ash
- Blue
- Indie
- Kai
- Jules
- Wren
- Echo
- Ellis
- Avery
- Skyler
- Sasha
- Alex
- Sam
- Tatum
- Kit
- Morgan
- Harper
- Emery
- Arden
- Bellamy
- Sutton
- Teagan
- Wynn
- Zion
- Lowen
- Marlowe
Food-Inspired Kitten Names
Food names are a favorite for cats for an obvious reason: most kittens seem to think about food nonstop. These lean sweet, savory, and a little silly, and plenty of them match a coat color too.
- Pumpkin
- Peaches
- Tofu
- Sushi
- Boba
- Cheddar
- Ramen
- Gnocchi
- Pesto
- Meringue
- Cashew
- Almond
- Pistachio
- Macaron
- Biscotti
- Fudge
- Cheesecake
- Crouton
- Brioche
- Lychee
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Papaya
- Guava
- Plum
- Figgy
- Tater
- Sundae
- Jam
- Donut
Flower and Nature Kitten Names
Flowers, trees, and wild plants give you soft, pretty names with a calm sound. They suit gentle kittens, and they also make a funny contrast if your cat turns out to be a little wild.
- Bramble
- Thistle
- Heather
- Lavender
- Sorrel
- Foxglove
- Primrose
- Bluebell
- Dahlia
- Magnolia
- Orchid
- Peony
- Zinnia
- Lilac
- Jasmine
- Aster
- Briar
- Wisteria
- Hawthorn
- Elm
- Maple
- Alder
- Linden
- Laurel
- Sycamore
- Hickory
- Birch
- Spruce
- Cypress
- Tansy
Tiny Kitten Names
Kittens are at their smallest for only a few short weeks, so a tiny name fits that stage nicely. Many of these are small things from around the house or yard, and a few will still make sense once your cat is a full-sized adult.
- Peewee
- Tidbit
- Scrap
- Wisp
- Mite
- Fleck
- Itty
- Minnow
- Gumdrop
- Thumbelina
- Lentil
- Poppyseed
- Kernel
- Sesame
- Cricket
- Ladybug
- Pipkin
- Wee
- Teensy
- Bitty
- Mouse
- Pinch
- Dash
- Hop
- Nano
- Micro
- Sprinkle
- Fairy
- Peapod
- Thimbles
Fluffy Kitten Names
Long-haired kittens look like they were stuffed with cotton, and these names lean right into that. They suit Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Persians, and any mixed kitten who shows up looking like a dust bunny.
- Puff
- Fuzzbutt
- Pom
- Tumbleweed
- Dustbunny
- Floofy
- Fuzzle
- Cottonball
- Cirrus
- Nimbus
- Cloudy
- Fleece
- Chinchilla
- Plushie
- Feathers
- Wool
- Alpaca
- Llama
- Yeti
- Bigfoot
- Powderpuff
- Pouf
- Fuzzers
- Fluffles
- Tufty
- Snuggle
- Cuddlebug
- Teddybear
- Lambkin
- Summit Seeker
Orange and Ginger Kitten Names
Orange kittens have a reputation for big personalities, and the name usually follows the coat. These warm picks cover everything from spice and fruit names to a few that sound like a sunset.
- Ginger
- Marmalade
- Tangerine
- Apricot
- Clementine
- Sunny
- Rusty
- Copper
- Amber
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Saffron
- Cinnamon
- Butterscotch
- Honey
- Biscuit
- Cider
- Ember
- Flame
- Blaze
- Sunset
- Turmeric
- Curry
- Carrot
- Goldie
- Sunflower
- Persimmon
- Kumquat
- Pippin
- Zest
Black Kitten Names
Black kittens look sleek even at six weeks old, and a lot of people lean into that with moody or mysterious names. Plenty of these also work for a dark tuxedo or a charcoal tabby.
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Onyx
- Ink
- Raven
- Panther
- Coal
- Ebony
- Jet
- Licorice
- Inky
- Soot
- Smudge
- Eclipse
- Obsidian
- Noir
- Voodoo
- Hex
- Cinder
- Domino
- Sable
- Poe
- Phantom
- Void
- Vesper
- Nyx
- Mystic
- Mischief
- Crow
- Charcoal
Gray and White Kitten Names
From soft blue-gray to bright white, cool-toned coats pair well with names that sound calm and a little wintry. These work for gray tabbies, Russian Blues, white kittens, and every smoky shade in between.
- Slate
- Pewter
- Fog
- Mist
- Cloud
- Ghost
- Silver
- Steel
- Stormy
- Dove
- Smoke
- Grayson
- Thunder
- Koala
- Zinc
- Flint
- Snow
- Ivory
- Pearl
- Frost
- Blizzard
- Angel
- Snowdrop
- Winter
- Icicle
- Polar
- Opal
- Moonstone
- Lace
- Porcelain
Funny Kitten Names
Cats make funny names easy, partly because they’re so dramatic about everything. Puns on purr and meow do most of the work, but a few of these are just silly in their own right.
- Sir Meowsalot
- Meowzart
- Purrcy
- Whiskerton
- Furball
- Cleocatra
- Catsanova
- Meowington
- Purrlock
- Sir Pounce
- Catnap
- Hissy
- Pawlina
- Toebeans
- Meowzers
- Mr. Mittens
- Lady Pawsalot
- Purrito
- Fuzzbucket
- Clawdia
- Clawdius
- Sir Hairball
- Whiskerino
- Purrtle
- Meowdini
- Scratchy
- Zoomer
- Pouncer
- Hissterical
- Kerpurrfle
Unique and Uncommon Kitten Names
Tired of the same few popular names showing up in every group of kittens? These picks are less common, a bit old-fashioned, and fun to say out loud when you introduce your cat to guests.
- Odette
- Cordelia
- Ignatius
- Marmaduke
- Philippa
- Bartleby
- Isadora
- Fenwick
- Evangeline
- Lysander
- Rosalind
- Octavia
- Casimir
- Aurelia
- Tamsin
- Ferdinand
- Juniper
- Dorothea
- Leopold
- Persephone
- Anselm
- Hortense
- Cassiopeia
- Lucian
- Estelle
- Thelonious
- Marguerite
- Gideon
- Ophelia
- Cosima
Short and Sweet Kitten Names
Short names are easy for a kitten to pick up, and they’re quick to call when it’s dinnertime. Most of these are a single syllable and make good nicknames for longer names too.
- Mew
- Zen
- Tom
- Jinx
- Lynx
- Puss
- Purr
- Fizz
- Kip
- Rex
- Moe
- Cass
- Dot
- Elf
- Fox
- Jem
- Lux
- Mox
- Nix
- Oz
- Quill
- Rue
- Sky
- Tess
- Vex
- Yin
- Zed
- Blip
- Chip
- Dex
Space and Star-Inspired Kitten Names
Space and star names are a big hit for kittens, partly because they sound a little magical. They suit bright, curious cats and anyone who loves a good night sky.
- Nova
- Orion
- Comet
- Astra
- Aurora
- Galaxy
- Saturn
- Jupiter
- Mars
- Venus
- Artemis
- Lyra
- Vega
- Sirius
- Andromeda
- Nebula
- Celeste
- Meteor
- Halley
- Quasar
- Pulsar
- Rocket
- Starlight
- Stardust
- Moonbeam
- Sputnik
- Orbit
- Zenith
- Sol
- Apollo
Final Thoughts
With this many Cute Kitten Names to choose from, the easiest way to find the right one is to try a few out loud at feeding time and see which one your kitten actually seems to notice. A name you enjoy saying will get used a lot more than one that only looked good on paper.
Give it a few days before deciding. Kittens change fast in their first few months, and a name that fits a tiny ball of fluff can turn out to suit the adult cat even better. If you already have another pet at home, say the names together too, so you avoid two that sound so alike they get mixed up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some cute names for a new kitten?
Classics like Luna, Milo, Cleo, and Oliver are always safe picks, while Boba, Peaches, and Tofu lean into the food-name trend. For something smaller and sweeter, try Peewee, Tidbit, or Wisp.
How do I pick from all these Cute Kitten Names?
Spend a few days watching your kitten’s personality first. A bold climber, a shy cuddler, and a sleepy loaf all suggest different names, and the right one often becomes obvious once you’ve seen how they behave.
What are the most popular kitten names in the US?
Luna, Oliver, Leo, Milo, and Bella regularly show up near the top of US cat name rankings. Lists shift a little every year, so check a current one if popularity matters to you.
Do kittens respond better to certain kinds of names?
Many owners find that short names, often one or two syllables with a bright ending sound, are the easiest for kittens to recognize. Cats also learn longer names fine when they’re tied to food and attention.
How long does it take a kitten to learn its name?
Most kittens start reacting within a few days to a couple of weeks if you use the name consistently at mealtimes and during play, though cats are famously selective about when they decide to answer.
Can I rename a rescue kitten or adopted cat?
Yes. Most kittens adjust quickly to a new name, especially when it’s paired with treats and a happy voice. It can help to ask the shelter what name they’ve been using so you can ease the switch.
What are good names for an orange kitten?
Marmalade, Ginger, Apricot, Nutmeg, and Tangerine are all popular for orange kittens, and warm names like Copper and Ember fit just as well.
Is it okay to give a kitten a funny name?
Absolutely, as long as you’re comfortable saying it out loud at the vet’s office. If you’ve already registered a microchip or vet record, the name can usually be updated later if you change your mind.
Hobby & Animal Names
Leo Hartman has owned dogs, birds, and one very difficult goat. He writes the hobby and animal names content here. Before any name makes the list, he tries it out loud first, usually on his dog, to see if it actually sounds right.