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Whether you’re a Roman history buff or a lover of Roman mythology, choosing a Roman-inspired name for your new cat is a great nod to that aspect of your personality. However, it’s much easier said than done, as the possibilities are endless.
We’ve compiled this list of over 200 unique Roman-inspired names perfect for the new feline family member entering your home. Read on to find our name inspiration guide and tips on choosing the perfect name for your kitty.
How to Pick the Right Roman Name for Your Cat
Choosing the perfect name for your cat is stressful as this is what they will be known as for their entire life (except the handful of nicknames that have nothing to do with their official name that you’ll inevitably conjure up). Here are some of our best tips for choosing the right Roman name for your kitty.
1. Take His Personality Into Account
Is your cat fierce or sweet and innocent? Bold cats might be well-suited to a name inspired by Roman fighters, like the most well-known gladiator, Spartacus, or the God of War, Mars. Cats with loving and affectionate personalities could be named after the Goddess of Love, Venus, or the God of Love, Cupid.
2. Consider Its Pronunciation
The biggest problem with Roman-inspired names is that many are impossible to pronounce unless you know Roman history or mythology. If you want your veterinary office to be able to read your pet’s name easily, or if you plan on training your cat, you might want to choose an easier-to-pronounce name with fewer syllables.
3. Choose a Name Unlike the Others in Your Household
Consider the names of the other humans and pets in your home. If you have a child named Aurora, you should not choose Aura for your new pet as they sound far too familiar.
4. Take the Names for a Test Drive
There’s no reason you need to settle on a new name the day your kitty comes home with you. Pick a few favorites from our list below and try them for a day or two. How do they feel rolling off the tongue? Does the sound of the name perk up your cat’s ears right away, or do they ignore you entirely?
Roman Female Cat Names & Their Meanings
Female Roman names are so beautiful and often have meanings you can apply to your cat. If your new female kitty is white or predominantly bright colored, Alba is a wonderful name to consider, as it literally means “white” or “bright.” Aurelia might be suitable if she’s a peachy color, as it means “golden.” Maybe your kitty had a rough start to life; you might consider Valeria (“strength”) or Viviana (“alive”).
- Aelia – sun
- Alba – bright; white
- Antonia – priceless; praiseworthy
- Ariadne – most holy
- Aura – breeze
- Aurelia –golden
- Balbina – stammerer
- Camilla –religious attendant
- Cassia – cinnamon
- Fausta – auspicious; lucky
- Flavia – the one with golden
- Gabriela – God is my strength
- Gaia – rejoicing
- Galla – calm
- Hadriana – successful; lucky
- Helena – torch; shining light
- Hortensia – from the garden
- Julia – youthful; sky father
- Mariana – the child who was wished for
- Octavia –the eighth-born child
- Paulina – small; humble
- Quintia – fifth
- Rosa – rose
- Sage – wise prophet
- Tertia – third
- Tullia – peaceful
- Valentina – strong; brave
- Valeria – strength
- Viviana – life; alive
Roman Male Cat Names & Their Meanings
Just as with female Roman names, options for male cats can apply to your pet’s appearance, upbringing, or personality. Was your kitten one of five in a litter? Pompey is a cute Roman name meaning “five” and also acts as a nod to Pompeii, a once thriving and sophisticated Roman city. Or if your cat is affectionate and cheery, Felix (“happy”) might be a good option.
- Adrian – water
- Aellis – the sun
- Albus – white; bright
- Augustu – venerable
- Aureliu – golden
- Bernardo – strong as a bear
- Brutus – heavy; dull
- Caius –rejoice
- Calix – most beautiful
- Carinu – dear; beloved
- Cassius – hollow; helmeted warrior
- Cornelius – horn
- Dominic – belonging to the Lord
- Drusus – strong
- Edoardo – wealthy guardian
- Faustus – lucky
- Felix – happy
- Giorgio – farmer; earth-worker
- Jacques – supplanter
- Manius – morning; good
- Octavius – eighth
- Pompey – five
- Regulus – price; little king
- Remus – oar
- Rogan – red headed
- Servius – to preserve
- Sirius – burning; glowing
- Vincent – conquering; winning
- Vitus – life
- Zeno – sky; gift of Zeus
Names Inspired By Roman Gladiators
Roman gladiators were professional fighters who fought in front of crowds in large arenas like the Colosseum. These highly trained warriors date back to the 4th century BC. Naming your cat after a gladiator is a great option for people that adore this time in history or simply want a name that suits their strong-willed cat’s personality.
- Barca – fought alongside Spartacus
- Carpophorus – known for fighting wild animals
- Commodus – emperor who never lost as his opponents always submitted to him
- Crixus – fought alongside Spartacus
- Diodorus – fought against Gannicus; known for his talent with a net and trident
- Flamma – was addicted to the arena; refused his freedom on four separate occasions
- Galerius – fought for Emperor Commodus; later became senator of Rome
- Gannicus – known for his fighting skills and handsome appearance
- Marcus Attilus – his participation in gladiatorial fighting was entirely voluntary
- Mevia – one of the few female gladiators
- Priscus – one of the best gladiators of the 1st century; faced off against Verus for hours lasted for hours and ended in both of their deaths
- Spartacus – the most prominent gladiator in Ancient Rome
- Spiculus – was Emperor Nero’s favorite fighter; Nero requested he be killed by Spiculus when he was overthrown
- Tetraites – not much is known about him, but his name is etched on glass vessels throughout the countries now known as France, Hungary, and England
- Theudas – fought and defeated an elephant
- Verus – one of the best gladiators of the 1st century; his face-off with Priscus lasted for hours and ended in both of their deaths
Names Inspired By Roman Emperors & Empresses
Emperors and empresses were the rulers of the Roman Empire. These names are suitable for cats and kittens that demand attention and love to rule the roost.
Emperor Names for Boy Cats
- Alexander
- Augustus
- Caesar
- Caligula
- Claudius
- Commodus
- Constantine
- Domitian
- Emperor
- Gaius
- Isaac
- Julian
- Julius
- Jovian
- Leo
- Lucius
- Manuel
- Maximinus
- Nero
- Nerva
- Severus
- Theodosius
- Tiberius
- Titus
- Zeno
Empress Names for Girl Cats
- Aurelia
- Aelia
- Claudia
- Cornelia
- Domitia
- Empress
- Faustina
- Galeria
- Julia
- Livia
- Lollia
- Lucilla
- Magnia
- Marina
- Milonia
- Minervina
- Orestilla
- Pompeia
- Sophia
- Statilia
- Theodora
- Valeria
- Verina
- Zoe
Names Inspired By Roman Mythology
Roman mythology refers to the body of myths of ancient Rome as evidenced throughout literature and visual arts from the time. Much of the mythology draws directly on Greek mythology, so many of the names below are also suitable for folks looking for Greek-inspired names for their pets.
Roman Goddesses
- Aurora – Goddess of Dawn
- Bellona – Goddess of War and Death
- Ceres – Goddess of Agriculture
- Concordia – Goddess of Harmony
- Diana – Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon
- Flora – Goddess of Flowers and Spring
- Fortuna – Goddess of Fortune
- Juno – Queen of Goddesses
- Minerva – Goddess of Wisdom
- Proserpina – Goddess of Fertility
- Pax – Goddess of Peace
- Pomona – Goddess of Fruitful Abundance
- Salacia – Goddess of Salt Water
- Venus – Goddess of Love
- Vesta – Goddess of the Heath
- Victoria – Goddess of Victory
- Vis – Goddess of Force
Roman Gods
- Apollo – God of Sun
- Bacchus – God of Wine
- Caelus – Primal God of the Sky
- Cupid – God of Love
- Epona – God of Horses
- Fabulinus – God of Children
- Faunus – God of the Forest
- Hercules – God of Strength
- Janus – God of Beginnings
- Jupiter – God of Thunder and Sky
- Mars – God of War
- Mercury – God of Shopkeepers
- Neptune – God of the Sea
- Phoebus – God of Music
- Pluto – God of the Underworld
- Saturn – God of Harvest and Agriculture
- Somus – God of Sleep
- Sors – God of Luck
- Vulcan – God of Fire
Creatures in Roman Mythology
- Amphisbaena – snake with two heads
- Cacus – fire-breathing giant
- Cetus – sea monster
- Griffin – creature with a lion body and head and wings of an eagle
- Phoenix – immortal bird that can be reborn
- Harpy – half bird and half-humanpersonification of storm winds
- Hydra – serpentine water monster
- Lemures – ancient and frightful Roman spirits
- Nymph – beautiful maidens that reside in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters
- Siren – human-like beings with alluring voices
- Strix – ominous and nocturnal crying creature
Names Inspired By Ancient Roman Geography
The Romans built many cities during their empire and conquered just as many. You might be surprised to know that many of these cities still exist in some capacity today. For example, Bonna is now the German city of Bonn, and Novae is now Svishtov, a town in northern Bulgaria. If you’re a huge history buff, you might consider one of the cities below that had some significance for the Romans.
- Abila
- Alexandria
- Amorium
- Aquileia
- Athens
- Bonna
- Confluenta
- Coria
- Ephesus
- Florentia
- Lentia
- Matilo
- Milan
- Mystras
- Novae
- Ovilava
- Ravenna
- Roma
- Salona
- Siscia
- Tarraco
- Theranda
- Tiber
- Turicum
- Vesontio
- Vesuvius
- Vinovia
Names Inspired By Ancient Roman Culture
If you’re a Roman history buff or interested in the rich culture of the Romans, you might consider one of the following names for your new kitten.
- Ala – a side room
- Amphora – conical storage vase
- Armilla – bracelet worn in pairs
- Augur – priest
- Cena – the main meal of the day
- Cithara – ancient musical instrument
- Curia – town council
- Denarius – Roman silver coin
- Erotes – winged deities
- Hortus – Roman garden
- Lares – guardian deities
- Ludi – public games held for entertainment
- Nebris – skin of a fawn worn as a hunter’s clothing item
- Otium – leisure time
- Palmette – decorative motif
- Tainia – headband
- Virtus – specific virtue that carries connotations of valor
Final Thoughts
We hope our list of Roman-inspired cat names has given you some ideas for what you can name the new addition to your family. Remember, you don’t need to settle on a name the day your kitty comes home with you. Give yourself some time to try out several names to find the one that feels right for you!
Featured Image Credit: gvictoria, Shutterstock
