Name for a garden cat
August 6, 2013 1:37 PM Subscribe
We've recently adopted an approximately ten month old stray male tuxedo cat and are looking for a name for him.
Conditions: My boss doesn't like naming pets with human names, but he can deal with human last names and occasional human first names if they're extremely uncommon. I don't like naming pets with food or food-related names. Neither of us seem to be enthusiastic about overly cutesy names. We're hoping for something we can yell out loud and in public - so nothing really long and complicated or offensive.
Circumstances: this cat will be living in a garden so extra points for plant- and garden-related names. A good latin plant name that works would be wonderful. Secondary naming bonus points: motorcycle-related names.
Also if you're concerned that he'll be living in a garden, we have good safe warm spaces for him and both have experience caring for cats in these circumstances; also my boss' wife is a vet tech.
Photo: here he is.
I just today got him to sit on my lap for the first time. There was much purring and happiness. He's a little lover.
Conditions: My boss doesn't like naming pets with human names, but he can deal with human last names and occasional human first names if they're extremely uncommon. I don't like naming pets with food or food-related names. Neither of us seem to be enthusiastic about overly cutesy names. We're hoping for something we can yell out loud and in public - so nothing really long and complicated or offensive.
Circumstances: this cat will be living in a garden so extra points for plant- and garden-related names. A good latin plant name that works would be wonderful. Secondary naming bonus points: motorcycle-related names.
Also if you're concerned that he'll be living in a garden, we have good safe warm spaces for him and both have experience caring for cats in these circumstances; also my boss' wife is a vet tech.
Photo: here he is.
I just today got him to sit on my lap for the first time. There was much purring and happiness. He's a little lover.
my parents' tuxedoed cat is named, appropriately, Tux
posted by mikeh at 1:43 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by mikeh at 1:43 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
He's too cute.
How about Spats? Because he's got spats for his tux.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:45 PM on August 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
How about Spats? Because he's got spats for his tux.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:45 PM on August 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
He looks like a Reynold
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:45 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:45 PM on August 6, 2013
Sol (for "sun" or short for Solanum, if you'd rather invoke the Nightshades, then you could go whole hog and name him Sol Cat.
posted by jquinby at 1:46 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by jquinby at 1:46 PM on August 6, 2013
That cat's name is Mr Fancy Britches
posted by elizardbits at 1:50 PM on August 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 1:50 PM on August 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
My black and white boy cat is called Macrophage (Mac for short). If we had one of his brothers (instead of a grey sister) that cat would have been called Leukocyte (aka Luke). So that name is still up for grabs.
Solanum is a good name too.
posted by shelleycat at 1:50 PM on August 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
Solanum is a good name too.
posted by shelleycat at 1:50 PM on August 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Lemuel (or Lem). As in Gulliver. Because he looks exactly like a Gulliver.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Motorcycle-related: Knucklehead, Shadow, Chopper, Suzukitty (you know, like Suzuki).
Not motorcycle-related: Handsome. Because, yeah.
posted by scratch at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not motorcycle-related: Handsome. Because, yeah.
posted by scratch at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
That is a Dave if I ever saw one.
posted by spitbull at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by spitbull at 1:51 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Piper Nigrum (black pepper)
Ducati
Adonis
Thor
Mephistopheles. (It only looks long)
Murgatroyd.
Tramp.
posted by bearwife at 1:52 PM on August 6, 2013
Ducati
Adonis
Thor
Mephistopheles. (It only looks long)
Murgatroyd.
Tramp.
posted by bearwife at 1:52 PM on August 6, 2013
He looks like he's got a black leather jacket on over a white t-shirt -- I'd call him Fonzie
posted by jabes at 1:52 PM on August 6, 2013 [12 favorites]
posted by jabes at 1:52 PM on August 6, 2013 [12 favorites]
Nightshade.
posted by hishtafel at 1:55 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by hishtafel at 1:55 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Penn, short for penguin. What does that have to do with gardens? I don't know. But if I had a garden, I'd want little penguins living in it. That'd be cute.
posted by phunniemee at 1:57 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 1:57 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Typha is the genus name for cattails. Ty for short?
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:59 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:59 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can't help with garden names but boy howdy motorcycles are right up my alley.
Vincent
Ariel
BSA (pronounced "Beezer")
Earle
Penton
posted by workerant at 2:00 PM on August 6, 2013
Vincent
Ariel
BSA (pronounced "Beezer")
Earle
Penton
posted by workerant at 2:00 PM on August 6, 2013
I have to say I like DuCATi. also he's a very handsome young man :)
posted by supermedusa at 2:01 PM on August 6, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 2:01 PM on August 6, 2013 [5 favorites]
Merton, for Thomas Merton, the best known Trappist monk (Trappist = Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance) (best known in the US, at least). The Trappists look like they're emulating tuxedo cats.
posted by janey47 at 2:01 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by janey47 at 2:01 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: Snippet
plant related:
Scurvy (as in scurvy grass - Barbarea Verna)
Mesquite
Parsnip
posted by Hairy Lobster at 2:02 PM on August 6, 2013
plant related:
Scurvy (as in scurvy grass - Barbarea Verna)
Mesquite
Parsnip
posted by Hairy Lobster at 2:02 PM on August 6, 2013
Phlox
I like Ducati too, but I'd modify it to Dukitty , then end up calling him Duke
posted by Fig at 2:04 PM on August 6, 2013
I like Ducati too, but I'd modify it to Dukitty , then end up calling him Duke
posted by Fig at 2:04 PM on August 6, 2013
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
posted by Lafe at 2:19 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
posted by Lafe at 2:19 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Basil
I know, it could be a person's name, but I've never met one.
posted by rouftop at 2:20 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I know, it could be a person's name, but I've never met one.
posted by rouftop at 2:20 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Motorcycle related names:
Harley
Ninja
Garden related names:
Pluto, god of the underworld and the "riches of the earth"
Robor, god of oak trees
Priapus is listed in places as being the god of the garden but it's a bit awkward and NSFW as names go.
Just because:
Little Fellow
Pollux
On preview, Basil is a great name.
posted by rhythm and booze at 2:22 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Harley
Ninja
Garden related names:
Pluto, god of the underworld and the "riches of the earth"
Robor, god of oak trees
Priapus is listed in places as being the god of the garden but it's a bit awkward and NSFW as names go.
Just because:
Little Fellow
Pollux
On preview, Basil is a great name.
posted by rhythm and booze at 2:22 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bandit! What with the mask and all. Plus he looks stealthy. Definitely a Bandit.
posted by afx237vi at 2:27 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by afx237vi at 2:27 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: What a dapper fellow! Call him Devlin, after Cary Grant's sharp-dressed character in Notorious.
posted by mochapickle at 2:28 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 2:28 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Castle.
Basil.
Devlin is one of my favorite names, mochapickle!
Turnip.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:30 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Basil.
Devlin is one of my favorite names, mochapickle!
Turnip.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:30 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
What a dapper fellow! Call him Devlin, after Cary Grant's sharp-dressed character in Notorious.
Or Robie, after Cary Grant's character in To Catch a Thief... y'know, the one where he plays a cat burglar!
posted by afx237vi at 2:32 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or Robie, after Cary Grant's character in To Catch a Thief... y'know, the one where he plays a cat burglar!
posted by afx237vi at 2:32 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Tennessee Tuxedo
posted by BrianJ at 2:33 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by BrianJ at 2:33 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Chance.
Because you found him by chance. And ALSO because the gardener is named Chance in Being There, and now your kitty will be there in the garden!
posted by misha at 2:36 PM on August 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Because you found him by chance. And ALSO because the gardener is named Chance in Being There, and now your kitty will be there in the garden!
posted by misha at 2:36 PM on August 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Oleander! (My friend has a tuxedo cat with this name and it fits perfectly, and it's also a good plant/human-like-but-not-quite name.)
posted by ilana at 2:36 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by ilana at 2:36 PM on August 6, 2013
Bond, of course, is also a perfectly appropriate name for a chap in a tuxedo.
posted by misha at 2:37 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by misha at 2:37 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ducaticus (Duke) Basilnus (Basil - as in Fawlty - "Basil! Basil!!) Chuckletrousers (just because)
posted by dbmcd at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by dbmcd at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2013
He looks a lot like my dear departed Mr. Whiskers, whose name could not be denied on account of his milk mustache and white-whiskers-on-black-cheeks wow factor.
I tend to call any tuxedo cat of casual acquaintance "Tuxie McGee."
Mr. W. came from a feral colony that had inhabited the woods near my grandparents' house since the 1940's. Various tuxedo relatives that came out of the woods over the years to either be adopted or simply to form a petting acquaintance with the extended family were:
Sidney
Flower
Martha McMouser
Don Keyholey
Boots
Sidney, Jr.
Black Agnes
Joe Bob
Mr. Whiskers had a constantly shifting series of first and middle names. Franklin Delano Whiskers, James MacNeil Whiskers, Woodrow Wilson Whiskers, etc.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:48 PM on August 6, 2013
I tend to call any tuxedo cat of casual acquaintance "Tuxie McGee."
Mr. W. came from a feral colony that had inhabited the woods near my grandparents' house since the 1940's. Various tuxedo relatives that came out of the woods over the years to either be adopted or simply to form a petting acquaintance with the extended family were:
Sidney
Flower
Martha McMouser
Don Keyholey
Boots
Sidney, Jr.
Black Agnes
Joe Bob
Mr. Whiskers had a constantly shifting series of first and middle names. Franklin Delano Whiskers, James MacNeil Whiskers, Woodrow Wilson Whiskers, etc.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:48 PM on August 6, 2013
Seconding BrianJ, sort of. I would just go with "Tennessee", and leave off the "Tuxedo". It gives him an air of mystery. Is he named for a silly cartoon character or one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century? Hmmm....
posted by marsha56 at 2:49 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by marsha56 at 2:49 PM on August 6, 2013
Spenser
posted by Cookbooks and Chaos at 2:51 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by Cookbooks and Chaos at 2:51 PM on August 6, 2013
He does have a Fonzie sort of look about him.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:54 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:54 PM on August 6, 2013
Definitely like Basil, for the double "Proper Gent name" reference and the garden reference.
posted by sweetkid at 2:56 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 2:56 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
You could name him after my very dapper and yet introverted (and somewhat shy and private) lover, Brian, because Brian is a fine name for a cat. Also, Sam. Sam is a good name for a cat. Short for Flotsam. Adam is a dude that was found in a garden. And apparently Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka can also be found in gardens.
posted by b33j at 2:58 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by b33j at 2:58 PM on August 6, 2013
Does he hunt? He looks like an adolescent, he may still learn? Because then you probably need to name him after a carnivorous plant (seeings how he's an obligate carnivore himself). Catopsis berteroniana for example. Wikipedia has a list if you want more to look through.
posted by shelleycat at 3:03 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by shelleycat at 3:03 PM on August 6, 2013
Norton. Great name for yelling.
posted by JoeZydeco at 3:07 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by JoeZydeco at 3:07 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Rubrum! other affectionate nicknames would be rubbsie, rubrub, rum, rummer based off of this as the mood fits.
posted by effigy at 3:08 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by effigy at 3:08 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: Seymour
Blade
Pepper
Sonny/Sunny
Woodruff
Sage
posted by dtp at 3:13 PM on August 6, 2013
Blade
Pepper
Sonny/Sunny
Woodruff
Sage
posted by dtp at 3:13 PM on August 6, 2013
Any combination of "Liberty," "Hyde," and/or "Bailey."
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:24 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:24 PM on August 6, 2013
Zach introduced himself to me (read: my ex and I quibbled over names a full hour before both of us finally each thought of "Zachary" at the same time), but before he came along I'd often thought of naming a cat "Leo", after Leopold Bloom.
"Bloom" works for a garden angle, and "Leo" harkens to his wilder ancestors, after a fashion. Or just go all-out with Leopold.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:35 PM on August 6, 2013
"Bloom" works for a garden angle, and "Leo" harkens to his wilder ancestors, after a fashion. Or just go all-out with Leopold.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:35 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: How about naming after famous gardeners?
"Capability" for Capability Brown
"Clusius" for Carolus Clusius
"Finlay" for Ian Hamilton Finlay
"Frastus" after Theophrastus
Nebuchadnezzar, creator of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Souseiseki or Suiseiseki
(fictional gardeners in the manga and anime Rozen Maiden, referred to as gardeners for their ability to tend not only plants but also the "soul trees" of humans)
Shandy--Peter Shandy
posted by BlueHorse at 3:44 PM on August 6, 2013
"Capability" for Capability Brown
"Clusius" for Carolus Clusius
"Finlay" for Ian Hamilton Finlay
"Frastus" after Theophrastus
Nebuchadnezzar, creator of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Souseiseki or Suiseiseki
(fictional gardeners in the manga and anime Rozen Maiden, referred to as gardeners for their ability to tend not only plants but also the "soul trees" of humans)
Shandy--Peter Shandy
posted by BlueHorse at 3:44 PM on August 6, 2013
You mention your boss -- what is the business about?
I keep thinking of naming him "Gnome".
posted by amtho at 4:04 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I keep thinking of naming him "Gnome".
posted by amtho at 4:04 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
My SO's blind, 18-year old cat is named Cat. While that might sound unimaginative, it's pretty great when I say, "Hey, Cat. I'm here," and he trots over, bumping into furniture, to get up in my lap to drool a tablespoon of saliva, because that's what he does when he's happy.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 4:07 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Short Attention Sp at 4:07 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Bastion: in gardens, "it means a projecting point (usually octagonal or circular) in a walled garden."
Belvedere: a place from which one can see a beautiful view.
Bosco: "an Italian word, usually applied to a wood of evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) with a mysterious air. The Sacro Bosso at Bomarzo is, literally, a sacred wood - inspired by the ancient idea of making a Sacred Grove in association with an Egyptian temple."
Locii, short for Genius Locii, 'the spirit of the place.' "'Consult the genius of the place' is one of the most widely-supported principles in garden and landscape design."
posted by nicebookrack at 4:18 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Belvedere: a place from which one can see a beautiful view.
Bosco: "an Italian word, usually applied to a wood of evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) with a mysterious air. The Sacro Bosso at Bomarzo is, literally, a sacred wood - inspired by the ancient idea of making a Sacred Grove in association with an Egyptian temple."
Locii, short for Genius Locii, 'the spirit of the place.' "'Consult the genius of the place' is one of the most widely-supported principles in garden and landscape design."
posted by nicebookrack at 4:18 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: We are gardeners.
Another possible theme: we work in a Persian/Moghul style garden.
Names which sound good so far:
Oleander
Piper (nigrum)
Parsnip
Bosco
Some of my ideas
Felco
Cyrus (based on the Persian garden theme)
Cultivar
Anther
Nutlet
Bract
Achene
Fastigiate (we have a lot of fastigiate trees going on)
Forb
Legume
Pollen
Some of my boss' ideas
Mulch
Bolt (he'll never go to seed; yes, we gardeners are full of bad puns)
Thistle
Burl
Xylem
Node
posted by sciencegeek at 4:20 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another possible theme: we work in a Persian/Moghul style garden.
Names which sound good so far:
Oleander
Piper (nigrum)
Parsnip
Bosco
Some of my ideas
Felco
Cyrus (based on the Persian garden theme)
Cultivar
Anther
Nutlet
Bract
Achene
Fastigiate (we have a lot of fastigiate trees going on)
Forb
Legume
Pollen
Some of my boss' ideas
Mulch
Bolt (he'll never go to seed; yes, we gardeners are full of bad puns)
Thistle
Burl
Xylem
Node
posted by sciencegeek at 4:20 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sparkplug!
posted by spinifex23 at 4:22 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by spinifex23 at 4:22 PM on August 6, 2013
I suppose 'Sylvester' is far too trite for you and your boss even though it does mean 'of the forest.'
How about the species name of wildcats, 'silvestris', which has all those connotations without being quite so hackneyed.
posted by jamjam at 4:22 PM on August 6, 2013
How about the species name of wildcats, 'silvestris', which has all those connotations without being quite so hackneyed.
posted by jamjam at 4:22 PM on August 6, 2013
Response by poster: We already know a feline Sylvester who lives in another garden!
posted by sciencegeek at 4:25 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by sciencegeek at 4:25 PM on August 6, 2013
- Bulbasaur! - He's a garden dweller and an animal.
- Black Scorpion
- Sprig
posted by ignignokt at 4:52 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
- Black Scorpion
- Sprig
posted by ignignokt at 4:52 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Mister Meows
posted by Going To Maine at 5:53 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 5:53 PM on August 6, 2013
That doesn't preclude other names. He could, for instance, be Mister Henri Meows. Or Professor Tuxedo Purrs.
Or Cat Stevens.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:54 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or Cat Stevens.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:54 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I quite like Cyrus. He will certainly be king of all he surveys.
posted by Pallas Athena at 6:14 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by Pallas Athena at 6:14 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: I really like Cyrus, too. And Cy is a good shortened version.
posted by primate moon at 7:09 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by primate moon at 7:09 PM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: Sylvain
Sylvaticus
Mollis
Typha
Velutino/Velutinus
Hortus
Filix (as in fern)
Rubus
Bracken
Duff
Rye
Hawthorn
posted by oneirodynia at 8:35 PM on August 6, 2013
Sylvaticus
Mollis
Typha
Velutino/Velutinus
Hortus
Filix (as in fern)
Rubus
Bracken
Duff
Rye
Hawthorn
posted by oneirodynia at 8:35 PM on August 6, 2013
When I looked at the pic, it was clear to me that his name was Sweet Cakes. However, that may just be his private cat name, and not available for use by mere humans.
Moss
CeeCee (motorcycle engine sizes = cc's. Purring sounds like a motorcycle engine.)
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:47 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Moss
CeeCee (motorcycle engine sizes = cc's. Purring sounds like a motorcycle engine.)
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:47 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Since cats have a habit of doing in gardens what cats do in gardens, perhaps "Young John the Gardener?"
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:23 AM on August 7, 2013
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:23 AM on August 7, 2013
if you'd rather invoke the Nightshades
If you'd rather invoke the Nightshades, how about "Nightshade"? Bonus points for sounding like a superhero as well as a plant.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:37 AM on August 7, 2013
If you'd rather invoke the Nightshades, how about "Nightshade"? Bonus points for sounding like a superhero as well as a plant.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:37 AM on August 7, 2013
Montagu or Monty .....
In the UK there is a wonderful TV Presenter who specialises in Horticulture Programs called Monty Don.
He's pretty awesome and so is that cat!! (tuxedos are the best!!!)
posted by JenThePro at 9:23 AM on August 7, 2013
In the UK there is a wonderful TV Presenter who specialises in Horticulture Programs called Monty Don.
He's pretty awesome and so is that cat!! (tuxedos are the best!!!)
posted by JenThePro at 9:23 AM on August 7, 2013
Response by poster: We have decided that he's a Cyrus. Thank you for all the awesome suggestions. This is the first time I've asked a "name my pet" question on Metafilter and it was so much fun to see all the ideas, look at the cat, think about it, and then look at more ideas.
Also, as I type, my cat - the one who lives with me - has seated herself on my chest and is purring and kneading me. So she must also approve. (her name is Deutzia, because she's a deutz)
posted by sciencegeek at 1:08 PM on August 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
Also, as I type, my cat - the one who lives with me - has seated herself on my chest and is purring and kneading me. So she must also approve. (her name is Deutzia, because she's a deutz)
posted by sciencegeek at 1:08 PM on August 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
We have decided that he's a Cyrus.
Au contraire. He is a cat, therefore you have finally realized he is a Cyrus.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:11 PM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Au contraire. He is a cat, therefore you have finally realized he is a Cyrus.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:11 PM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by H. Roark at 1:42 PM on August 6, 2013 [3 favorites]