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If you thought choosing your cat was tough, wait until you have to name them! With so many opinions and options, it can be an overwhelming task.
Thankfully for you literary lovers, we’ve compiled a list of over 220 literary cat names for you to choose from, offering you names from some of the most popular fiction and non-fiction books.
We have also included some unique names pulled right out of Shakespeare’s literary work, along with Marvel, DC, and Star Wars characters for some more modern options.
How to Name Your Cat
You may have found that coming up with a name for your cat is trickier than you initially thought. Don’t panic—we’ve got some tips to help you through the process.
Make a List
If you like one of the first names on this list, don’t stop reading. It’s important not to rush into picking your cat’s name before seeing all your options. Instead, write down all the names you love most on a piece of paper.
Narrow Down Your List
Now it’s time to scratch a few names off the list. Start small and scratch off all the names you’re not sold on. Your goal is to be left with ten names left on your paper.
Narrowing it down further may be too difficult to do on your own, so ask your friends and family to pick their favorite names off of your list. Through this process, you may realize that you don’t like a particular name as much as you thought you did, or perhaps it’s grown on you, and you’ve realized you can’t let it go.
Consider Your Cat’s Personality and Appearance
As odd as it may sound, your cat may end up “naming” itself. Often, your cat’s personality, quirks, sounds, and appearance can match a name you like, and it’ll feel like that name was made just for them!
If you’re battling to pick a name for your cat, wait until you have fetched them and brought them home before making any big decisions. You may need their personality to shine through before knowing exactly what to call them.
Fictional Literary Cat Names Based on Popular Books
It can be fun to name your cat after your favorite character from childhood books. Most of us have grown up reading at least one of the books listed below. These names may leave you feeling nostalgic, but there’s nothing wrong with curling up with your new kitty and an old book.
Harry Potter
- Hagrid
- Ronald
- Weasley
- Snape
- Dobby
- Hermione
- Harry
- Dumbledore
- Sirius
- Hedwig
- Peeves
- Filch
- Draco
- Luna
Lord of the Rings
- Bilbo
- Gandalf
- Aragorn
- Smeagol
- Frodo
- Elrond
- Gimli
- Legolas
- Samwise
- Pippin
The Great Gatsby
- Jay
- Myrtle
- Daisy
- Tom
- Pammy
- George
To Kill a Mockingbird
- Atticus
- Boo
- Jem
- Maudie
- Dill
Lord of the Flies
- Piggy
- Ralph
- Jack
- Sam
- Roger
Animal Farm
- Snowball
- Mollie
- Benjamin
- Clover
- Jessie
- Moses
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
- Rose
- Lan
- Gramoz
- Mai
- Marsha
The Hunger Games
- Rue
- Katniss
- Primrose
- Clove
- Marvel
- Finnick
- Mags
Non-Fiction Literary Cat Names Based on Popular Books
If you love biographies and true stories, perhaps you’d like to name your cat after people that have lived and made a difference in history, whether good or bad. If these books are unfamiliar to you, you have both the opportunity to give them a read and name your cat after them!
Anne Frank
- Otto
- Miep
- Eva
- Rie
- Buddy
House of Gucci
- Gucci
- Paolo
- Rodolfo
- Aldo
- Omar
Into The Wild
- Alex
- Walt
- Billie
- Charlie
- Ferdie
The Glass Castle
- Rex
- Lori
- Dinitia
- Stanley
- Rose
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women
- Grace
- Albina
- Arthur
- Clarence
- Sabin
Cat Names Based on Comic Books
Everyone loves Marvel movies, but there are also a whole host of names from the comic books to choose from. Whether you’re a passionate Star Wars, Marvel, or DC fan, we’ve got the coolest names for you to pick!
You can name your cat after the full names of these characters or just the first name. For example, instead of naming your cat Wonder Woman, you could name them Wonder – it’s up to you.
Star Wars
- Padmé
- Leia
- Rey
- Aayla
- Sola
- Keeli
- Kix
- Poe
- Lyra
- Ren
- Lux
- Omega
- Yoda
- Sim
- Revan
- Finn
- Ezra
- Eno
- Mace
- Chewy
Marvel Comic Books
- Thor
- Hulk
- Gambit
- Bucky Barns
- Storm
- Hercules
- Angel
- Madrox
- Domino
- Vision
- Nova
- Tigra
- Northstar
- Polaris
- Phyla-Vell
- Medusa
- Echo
- Forge
- Clea
DC Comic Books
- Wally West
- Saint Walker
- Wonder Woman
- Krypto
- Ganthet
- Ice
- Blue Beetle
- Phantom Girl
- Zatanna
- Harley Quinn
- Gypsy
- Ragdoll
- Dream Girl
- Mera
- Starfire
- Penguin
Cat Names Based on Shakespeare’s Literature
If you’re well-read and have a sophisticated cat, what better name to have than one from Shakespeare’s literary work? You’ll have all your friends guessing which play your cat’s name is from!
- Duncan
- Lennox
- Ross
- Hamlet
- Osric
- Ophelia
- Captain
- Bernardo
- Ariel
- Alonso
- Gonzalo
- Iris
- Juno
- Sebastian
- Romeo
- Juliet
- Tybalt
- Montague
- Lago
- Orthello
- Cassio
- Emilia
- Montano
- Titania
- Demetrius
- Puck
- Snug
- Tillius
- Casca
- Cato
- Portia
- Pedro
- Conrade
- Ursula
- Regan
- Albany
- Oswald
- Shylock
- Tubal
- Nerissa
- Conscience
- Tranio
- Gremio
- Curtis
- Viola
- Olivia
- Toby
- Sebastian
- Orlando
- Celia
- Oliver
- Phoebe
- Le Beau
- Reeves
- Hastings
- Henry
- Stanley
- Capnio
- Dion
- Dorcas
- Camillo
- Mopsa
- Perdita
- Alexas
- Octavia
- Iras
- Pompey
- Lucio
- Isabella
- Luce
- Angelo
Cats From Literature
If you’re inspired by cats in books, have a favorite, or think your cat matches the personality or description of one, why not name them after it! Calling your cat by your favorite cat character’s name can make you feel a part of the story.
- Cheshire Cat – Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
- Dinah – Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
- Carbonel – Carbonel: The King of the Cats, by Barbara Sleigh
- Diesel – Arsenic and Old Books, by Miranda James
- Buttercup – The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
- Ginger – The Last Battle, by C. S. Lewis
- Jennie – Jennie, by Paul Gallico
- Mickey – Barbary, by Vonda McIntyre
- Mittens – The Tale of Tom Kittens, by Beatrix Potter
- Mrs. Norris – Harry Potter, by J. K. Rowling
- Moxie – The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
- Pixel – The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, by Robert A. Heinlein
- Pluto – The Black Cat, by Edgar Allan Poe
- Tao – The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford
- Cat – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, by Truman Capote
Final Takeaways
Hopefully after reading these name ideas, you’ve found a few favorites. A small bit of inspiration can go a long way in naming your cat. The great thing about names from literature is that they’ve been tried and tested.
Whether your cat has a name inspired by Harry Potter or Shakespeare, it’s important that the name easily rolls off your tongue and suits your cat’s personality. Good luck!
Related Reads:
- 200 Mexican Cat Names: Our Top Picks For Your Cat (With Meanings)
- 130+ Irish and Celtic Cat Names: Our Top Picks For Your Cat (With Meanings)
Featured Image Credit: MyraMyra, Shutterstock
