What's this cat's name?
December 3, 2017 8:47 PM Subscribe
This was me. Long story short, I moved to a unit in my building where I can have pets, and one trip to the shelter later, I'm ride or die with this majestic rat-trap. I just brought her home and she's in my bathroom cavorting among the toys and boxes afforded by her new lifestyle--now all she needs is a name.
First, y'all were great about giving me advice when I was being JUST A LITTLE overwrought about the whole thing, and second, this is my first cat and in practice she's being co-parented by the AskMe cats tag until I get the hang of it, so I wanted to say thank you in the Mefi tradition.
She's an adult female they found living rough under a house last month. She seems really friendly, and I can tell there's also some sass in there. They told me she might want to hide in the bathroom for most of the week but she seemed super ready to come out and explore as soon as I got her home. Human and gender-neutral names are A-OK. Not a huge fan of really cute or grandiose/fanciful names, or literary references (no offense to the very fine Snickerdoodles and Lokis of my acquaintance.) Preference given to names that can be easily hollered when I trip over her at 3am on the way to the bathroom.
First, y'all were great about giving me advice when I was being JUST A LITTLE overwrought about the whole thing, and second, this is my first cat and in practice she's being co-parented by the AskMe cats tag until I get the hang of it, so I wanted to say thank you in the Mefi tradition.
She's an adult female they found living rough under a house last month. She seems really friendly, and I can tell there's also some sass in there. They told me she might want to hide in the bathroom for most of the week but she seemed super ready to come out and explore as soon as I got her home. Human and gender-neutral names are A-OK. Not a huge fan of really cute or grandiose/fanciful names, or literary references (no offense to the very fine Snickerdoodles and Lokis of my acquaintance.) Preference given to names that can be easily hollered when I trip over her at 3am on the way to the bathroom.
Wayne.
Easy to shriek in the middle of the night.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Easy to shriek in the middle of the night.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
1) Do keep her in the small bathroom and expand her territory _very_ _gradually_. Yes, she'll want to get out and see the place ASAP, but it's less stressful for her to only have to monitor/suss out the tiny bathroom, then one bedroom, etc. This lower stress will let her get to know _you_ so she'll feel more secure when you eventually let her wander more.
2) OMG she looks amazing. Maybe Belinda?
3) I am extremely happy and exited for you.
posted by amtho at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
2) OMG she looks amazing. Maybe Belinda?
3) I am extremely happy and exited for you.
posted by amtho at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Marla.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:58 PM on December 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Oh my gosh, she's glorious. She looks like a very practical, non-nonsense kind of cat. Martha? Ann? Dotty? Norma? Jean? Sadie? Prudence?
posted by ChuraChura at 8:59 PM on December 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 8:59 PM on December 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Oh - when you expand her territory, it might be nice to make sure there is plenty of food available for her in her main location (the bathroom for now, maybe her eventual permanent feeding location so she won't feel insecure when the bathroom feeding stops). If she knows it is a land of plenty, it will help reduce her stress a bit.
Finally, make sure that she won't see other cats outside for a while. Cover the bottoms of windows/glass doors if necessary.
posted by amtho at 9:01 PM on December 3, 2017
Finally, make sure that she won't see other cats outside for a while. Cover the bottoms of windows/glass doors if necessary.
posted by amtho at 9:01 PM on December 3, 2017
Chip! For that little clipped ear. She's so scrappy and cute!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:02 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:02 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Fine looking sassy cat who’s been living rough? I’d be tempted to peruse the current thread on lady badasses for names if I were you.
posted by deludingmyself at 9:03 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by deludingmyself at 9:03 PM on December 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Tippy
posted by Sassyfras at 9:03 PM on December 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Sassyfras at 9:03 PM on December 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Billie.
And she's beautiful! Congratulations!
posted by mochapickle at 9:04 PM on December 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
And she's beautiful! Congratulations!
posted by mochapickle at 9:04 PM on December 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Vincent or Van Gogh (ear tip cut off)
posted by intermod at 9:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by intermod at 9:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
She looks like a Gertie to me. Aka Gert, Gertrude, Trudy, Troods.
posted by Scram at 9:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Scram at 9:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hello, Harriet!
posted by armeowda at 9:23 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by armeowda at 9:23 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Aster (so pretty, but can be ass-turd if you’re mad)
posted by bighappyhairydog at 9:23 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by bighappyhairydog at 9:23 PM on December 3, 2017
Murf.
posted by flabdablet at 9:28 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 9:28 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
She looks like a Lisa to me. And there's something amusing about the idea of tripping over a cat at 3 AM and hollering, "Dammit, Lisa!"
posted by Ursula Hitler at 9:39 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 9:39 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Frankie!
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 9:40 PM on December 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 9:40 PM on December 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Dammit, Zola! has a nice ring to it. So Zola.
posted by cgg at 9:43 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cgg at 9:43 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sam!
posted by Carouselle at 9:48 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Carouselle at 9:48 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Milt.
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:55 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:55 PM on December 3, 2017
(Dammit,) Janet. (She's amazing.)
posted by Merinda at 9:57 PM on December 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Merinda at 9:57 PM on December 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh gosh, so cute. I think that cats who really need to mind should have names with some sibilants – they just hear them better. Ours is Sid, short for Alcibiades. If I say “Sssid!” he stops whatever terrible thing he’s doing and looks at me. So, “Sally”? “Sassypants”? “Spanx”? “Saoirse”?.
posted by nicwolff at 10:07 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by nicwolff at 10:07 PM on December 3, 2017
Cesar
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:15 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:15 PM on December 3, 2017
Yes to Frankie!
posted by jesourie at 10:20 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jesourie at 10:20 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Such a queenly beast would be well suited to Elizabeth or Victoria. Both names lend themselves to many diminutives for everyday use. "Here, Bessiebessiebessie," etc.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:34 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:34 PM on December 3, 2017
(Concatulations, BTW!)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:35 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:35 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Khan
posted by karmachameleon at 10:45 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by karmachameleon at 10:45 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sal. Gender-neutral and sassy.
posted by socialjusticeworrier at 11:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by socialjusticeworrier at 11:08 PM on December 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
She looks like Queen Mab. Maeve
posted by gt2 at 11:17 PM on December 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by gt2 at 11:17 PM on December 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Aww I love her sassy face!!! I also love Frankie. Other ideas: Genevieve, Mirah, Ellen, (such a good no nonsense name!)Fig.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 11:48 PM on December 3, 2017
posted by fairlynearlyready at 11:48 PM on December 3, 2017
Jane. She looks like a Jane. Or maybe Janie.
posted by nickthetourist at 12:31 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by nickthetourist at 12:31 AM on December 4, 2017
Stanley! That's Ms. Stanley to you. She's marvelous, congrats.
posted by missmary6 at 12:32 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by missmary6 at 12:32 AM on December 4, 2017
I can't even watch a whole episode of The X-Files without being too scared to continue, but I looked into those intense green eyes, with that reddish tinge in her fur, and the name Scully popped into my head entirely unbidden. You could also go for Dana, which lends itself to good crossover "There is no Dana, only Zuul!" jokes on days when she's a little, uh, cantankerous.
posted by limeonaire at 1:36 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by limeonaire at 1:36 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sam or just call her Cavort.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:07 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by sciencegeek at 2:07 AM on December 4, 2017
She looks like a Muriel to me.
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:14 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:14 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
limeonaire's Dana seems good to me. I came here to propose Rosie. Sure, she's a lady, but she's obviously a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done lady, like Rosie the Riveter.
posted by bryon at 2:57 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by bryon at 2:57 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
She’s glorious, congratulations! I think an old-school tough cookie name, such as Phyllis, Mabel, Velma, or Lucille.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:04 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:04 AM on December 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sally
posted by Weeping_angel at 3:21 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by Weeping_angel at 3:21 AM on December 4, 2017
That little face! So adorable!
I think she’s Isabel. Izzy for short.
Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 3:44 AM on December 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think she’s Isabel. Izzy for short.
Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 3:44 AM on December 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Tralfaz
posted by briank at 3:51 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by briank at 3:51 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Dolly, after Dolly Parton, who is the Queen of Sass, imo.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:56 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:56 AM on December 4, 2017
Ripley.
posted by xyzzy at 5:22 AM on December 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by xyzzy at 5:22 AM on December 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Mamie Eisenhower. After all, she IS the first lady in your household, whether you know it yet or not.
posted by Dolley at 6:07 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by Dolley at 6:07 AM on December 4, 2017
She's also kind of a Martha. Marfushka, if you will.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:54 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:54 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I thought "Mercy" when I looked at her.
What a beautiful kitty!
posted by dismas at 6:56 AM on December 4, 2017
What a beautiful kitty!
posted by dismas at 6:56 AM on December 4, 2017
With that ear, you should name her "Cauliflower" or "Cauli" for short.
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:19 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:19 AM on December 4, 2017
Jules.
It can be after Jules Verne, short for Julie, or homage to the greatest MOFO ever, Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction.
posted by RhysPenbras at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2017
It can be after Jules Verne, short for Julie, or homage to the greatest MOFO ever, Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction.
posted by RhysPenbras at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2017
Grizz, short for Grizabella.
(Come on, you know she’s got Memories.)
posted by roger ackroyd at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
(Come on, you know she’s got Memories.)
posted by roger ackroyd at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Eve Hubbard.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2017
Ooh she's a lovely one. I've always wanted a silver tabby, to be named Gershwin, because silver tabbies always feel like a NY/city cat to me. I like the idea of my imaginary Art Deco era, NY nightlife, speakeasy living cat.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 9:31 AM on December 4, 2017
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 9:31 AM on December 4, 2017
I think you have it: "Majestic Rat-Trap". Madge for short.
posted by Alison at 9:55 AM on December 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Alison at 9:55 AM on December 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
I'm pretty sure her name is Siobhan. She is magnificent. Congratulations.
posted by halation at 12:52 PM on December 4, 2017
posted by halation at 12:52 PM on December 4, 2017
Danny Glover
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 1:42 PM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 1:42 PM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
She looks as sassy as my tux girl, whose name is Harvey Charlene Dent. Charlene is your favorite waitress at the diner - she loves you but puts up with none of your nonsense. So, Charlene?
posted by dust.wind.dude at 2:11 PM on December 4, 2017
posted by dust.wind.dude at 2:11 PM on December 4, 2017
If you don't pick mine, pick Alison's. Madge for Majestic Rat-Trap is beautiful.
posted by limeonaire at 2:13 PM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by limeonaire at 2:13 PM on December 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's probably been posted above at least a dozen times --- Wilhelmina
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 5:49 PM on December 4, 2017
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 5:49 PM on December 4, 2017
Mouse the mischievous mouser.
Minnie Mouse if you're family.
posted by TrishaU at 6:52 PM on December 4, 2017
Minnie Mouse if you're family.
posted by TrishaU at 6:52 PM on December 4, 2017
As a couple of others have said, she looks like a Sam to me. Samantha for long, when you need the severe version. Adorable.
posted by lhauser at 7:20 PM on December 4, 2017
posted by lhauser at 7:20 PM on December 4, 2017
MAGGIE! (The “cat on the hot tin roof”) - nothing but respect and love for Elizabeth Taylor!
posted by pamspanda at 2:36 AM on December 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by pamspanda at 2:36 AM on December 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Whatever her name turns out to be, she is the true and rightful heiress to the title of Lady Stripely-Whiskerly, Duchess of Tabbington.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:19 AM on December 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:19 AM on December 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Update: the rat-trap (or as she is now known, Zoe) is settling in nicely and napping at my feet as we speak; I am still adjusting to sharing a studio apartment with a fuzzy and deeply affronted alien terrorist, but she's a good little cat (unless you are a feather toy. Then she is Waiting Death.) Thanks for the ideas, everyone!
posted by jameaterblues at 9:50 PM on December 19, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by jameaterblues at 9:50 PM on December 19, 2017 [5 favorites]
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