What to name your cat or kitten

Nothing can compare to that moment when a cute kitten or a cat arrives in your household and charms his way into your heart. And in that moment, you might ask yourself, “What will I name this perfect little bundle of sunshine?”

Sometimes you can easily think of a name, but there may be times when it’s not so easy. If you find yourself at a loss as to what to name your newest member of the family, here are some cat-naming tips you can keep in mind:

Look to the past.

Some people choose to name their pets in remembrance of a beloved family pet they had when they were younger. If you had a special pet who you loved when you were a small child and have fond memories of, you can name your new pet in their memory. You can also give your pet a domestic name such as Junior- this will make him feel like he is a real member of your family.

Go with what’s popular.

You can also take a page from other people. If you have friends who have feline friends of their own, ask them for suggestions. You can also go online and search Google for the top cat names. Some of the popular names nowadays are Angel, Lily, and Oreo for females and Toby, Milo, and Tigger for males. Your own country and region might also have its own list of favored cat names.

Be as creative as you can be.

If you don’t like the idea of giving your cat a name that someone else or you have previously given another cat, why not take this chance to think up a truly original name? Get your family together and hold a contest for crazy cat names. The craziest name wins, and your kitten or cat gets the privilege of being the bearer of that unconventional name.

Observe their personality.

Remember the Seven Dwarves? Their names—Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, etc.—perfectly captured their personalities. Why not do the same for your kitten? Observe him for a few days and take note of any unique personality quirks he might have. Their traits might give you clues as to the perfect name for them.

Be scientific.

Animal scientists and behaviorists have found out that cats respond more to specific vocalized sounds than others- that is, they respond to higher-pitched sounds, especially names with a long “ee” sound. It is no coincidence then that cats communicate with their humans with a high-pitched meow. You can take a hint from this study when thinking up the perfect name for your cat.

Just simply look.

Sometimes, just looking at their size, coat color, and specific breed can give you hints. For instance, if your cat is of a breed that has a dark-colored coat, such as a Russian Blue or a Bombay, you can give him names that are indicative of such dark hues. Or if your cat is odd-eyed or has heterochromia—that is, he has different-colored eyes—then you can think of a name that can reflect this distinctive trait.

Whatever strategy you go for in naming your cat, one thing is important: make sure the name is a good fit for your feline friend. After all, that is what you will call him by, and he will have to live with that name for the rest of his life.