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120 Three-Legged Cat Names: Ideas for Your Unique Feline

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

three legged tabby cat

Adopting a three-legged cat or having your cat lose a limb is certainly disheartening, but you will quickly learn how easily the cats adapt. It is only fitting to come up with a name that suits your cat’s unique appearance.

You can make light of the situation by choosing something with an element of humor, or you can honor your cat’s courage and resilience with a special name to showcase those traits. Either way, we have excellent names below that can perfectly fit your three-legged cat.

hepper cat paw divider

Cat Names Inspired by the Number Three

What better way to generate ideas than using the number three? You can also draw inspiration from words that involve the number three, such as Neapolitan ice cream, which includes three layers of the best flavors, and you can shorten it to Neo for a great name. Or, if you are interested in science, the element Lithium has three as its atomic number and doubles up as a great name, too.

  • Bingo (3 in a row gives you bingo)
  • Lithium (Lithium has an atomic number three)
  • Neo (Neapolitan ice cream)
  • Three
  • Trey
  • Tri
  • Triad
  • Triangle
  • Trident
  • Trigo (Trigonometry)
  • Trike
  • Trilogy
  • Trinity
  • Trio
  • Triple
  • Tripod
  • Tripoli
  • Triptych
  • Tristan
  • Tristan
black kitten with three legs
Photo Credit: Artem Tyshchenko, Shutterstock

Three-Legged Cat Names that are Special or Celebrate Courage

Some people give their kitty names that reflect their personality, and you might notice that your three-legged cat doesn’t even behave like they’re missing a limb. It shows so much adaptability and resilience, which should be honored, and choosing a special name can help showcase those traits. Losing a limb is nothing to be ashamed of because there is undoubtedly a backstory that led to it, so it is something to be recognized and celebrated.

  • Aaron (Mountain of strength)
  • Angel
  • Brave
  • Chance
  • Charm
  • Clover
  • Empress (In conventional Tarot decks, The Empress is the third trump card or Major Arcana card)
  • Enzi (Italian for “brave”)
  • Faith
  • Gemini (Gemini is the 3rd astrological sign in the zodiac)
  • Grace
  • Honor
  • Hope
  • Irune (Irune is a Basque word derived from the word hiru, which means 3. It is frequently used to refer to the Holy Trinity.)
  • Jackpot
  • Jeronimo (“Saved” in Spanish)
  • Jesse (Hebrew for “gift”)
  • Kai (Hawaiian for brave and strong)
  • Keeper
  • Lucky
  • Nimbus (Circle of light or halo surrounding a holy entity)
  • Oscar (Divine strength)
  • Riley (“Brave” in Irish)
  • Shine
  • Spirit
three legged cat walking outdoor
Photo Credit: YJPTO, Shutterstock

Light-hearted and Funny Names

While having a three-legged cat may be a shock on the first meeting, the sadness quickly transforms into respect, and soon enough, your cat’s impairment can be something you can make light of.

It’s helpful to make light of the situation and embrace it in whatever ways you can, such as choosing a name that can spark laughter. At the end of the day, your cat has no idea what it means, but the inside joke among your family members can be long-lived.

  • Chop
  • Eileen
  • Flip
  • Gimpy
  • Hat trick
  • Hop-along
  • Hopper
  • Peg
  • Pogo
  • Skip
  • Skippy
  • Sling (3-wheeled car)
  • Speedy
  • Stumpy
  • Three-Wheeler
  • Tic Tac Toe
  • Tippy
  • Tipsy
  • Tri-paw
  • Trifle
  • Trilemma
  • Trip
  • Waffles
  • Wobble
  • Yard

Three-Legged Cat Names Inspired by Characters or Icons with Disabilities

If you want to honor your cat’s abilities and icons with a shared physical disability, choosing to name your cat after one of them can be a great way to show your respect. Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who had her arm bitten off by a shark, and Aron Rulston, who lost his arm to a freak boulder accident, are great examples.

You can also maintain light-heartedness and humor by choosing a character like Joe from Family Guy or Nemo, the fish with a “gimpy” fin.

  • Aron (Aron Rulston from 127 Hours)
  • Bethany (Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer)
  • Hiccup (How to Train Your Dragon)
  • Joe (Joseph Swanson from Family Guy)
  • Lieutenant Dan (Forrest Gump)
  • Massimo (Luca)
  • Nemo
  • Oscar (Oscar Pistorius)
  • Quasimodo
  • Raven (The 100)
  • Rick (Rick Allen, Drummer for Def Leppard)
  • Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol)
  • Tom (Tom Whitaker- first amputee to climb Everest)
  • Winter (Dolphin Tale)
  • Wonder
close up of tri-colored cat
Photo Credit: Kittyfly, Shutterstock

The Word Three in Other Languages for Cat Names

You can give your cat a unique name by choosing a name from another language. Translating the word three into another language can give your three-legged cat a perfect name.

  • Drei (German)
  • Ekolu (Hawaiian)
  • Mittsu (Japanese)
  • Tatu (Swahili)
  • Telu (Javanese)
  • Tharo (Sesotho)
  • Tiga (Indonesian)
  • Toru (Maori)
  • Tre (Italian)
  • Tres (Spanish)
  • Tribus (Latin)
  • Trois (French)
  • Trys (Lithuania)
  • Tulo (Cebuano)

Other Popular Cat Names

If you want a classic and popular name that has nothing to do with your cat’s appearance, we have great ideas below.

  • Ally
  • Bella
  • Buddy
  • Caesar
  • Charlie
  • Cleo
  • Coco
  • Felix
  • Kit
  • Lola
  • Lucy
  • Luna
  • Milo
  • Molly
  • Nala
  • Newton
  • Scout
  • Shadow
  • Simba
  • Sophie
  • Whiskers
three legged cat lying on its back outdoor
Image Credit: sirikhwan soonjanla, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

Having a three-legged cat is no different from having a cat with all four limbs. However, their unique appearance can be a great inspiration for a brilliant name! They deserve to be recognized for their resilience, which you can honor by giving them a name highlighting their bravery and strength.

You can also make light of the sad situation by incorporating a little humor into your cat’s name. While your cat may not understand why you decided to call them Tripod, it will likely bring a smile when you call your cat inside for dinner or share their name with new friends.


Featured Image Credit: Ted Arts, Shutterstock

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