Name this kitty - Christmas 2018 edition!
December 28, 2018 9:47 PM Subscribe
After two years of being cat-less, today we brought home this gorgeous little fluff ball and now we need to find her a fitting name!
She is a bit delicate and petite with a gentle disposition. She has long soft white fur with dark brown markings on her face, a few odd spots on her back and a brown tail with a dash of white at the end. She also has polydactyl paws, so her front paws look like they have great big adorable thumbs.
Our last two cats were named for musicians (Topper Headon of The Clash and Mazzy Star) but I feel like this one needs something lighter and more feminine. We were initially leaning towards Luna, until we learned that was the #1 most popular cat name for the last few years. We have also tossed around Inara (Firefly), Octavia (Butler, my favorite author), Lara (Doctor Zhivago), Rose (Doctor Who/ Steven Universe) and Leia (does that really need explaining?!) but nothing is feeling quite right. Any suggestions with a connection to sci-fi (especially Whedon-verse), space, literature, history or music gets extra bonus kitty snuggles!
She is a bit delicate and petite with a gentle disposition. She has long soft white fur with dark brown markings on her face, a few odd spots on her back and a brown tail with a dash of white at the end. She also has polydactyl paws, so her front paws look like they have great big adorable thumbs.
Our last two cats were named for musicians (Topper Headon of The Clash and Mazzy Star) but I feel like this one needs something lighter and more feminine. We were initially leaning towards Luna, until we learned that was the #1 most popular cat name for the last few years. We have also tossed around Inara (Firefly), Octavia (Butler, my favorite author), Lara (Doctor Zhivago), Rose (Doctor Who/ Steven Universe) and Leia (does that really need explaining?!) but nothing is feeling quite right. Any suggestions with a connection to sci-fi (especially Whedon-verse), space, literature, history or music gets extra bonus kitty snuggles!
Willow
but that tail! reminds me of a boa, not the snake but the fluffy long thing one flings around neck or shoulders or whatever for the drama of it all.
posted by MovableBookLady at 9:54 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
but that tail! reminds me of a boa, not the snake but the fluffy long thing one flings around neck or shoulders or whatever for the drama of it all.
posted by MovableBookLady at 9:54 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
That cat is a Tori (as in Amos) if I ever saw one.
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
I looked at those pictures and I thought "It's Camellia" and then read that you wanted something feminine. Camellia flowers range in color but the most widespread ones have small white flowers. Camellia plants are what's made into tea, and tea can be quite feminine and light, but it's also a beverage that has fueled wars and revolutions.
posted by Mizu at 10:06 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 10:06 PM on December 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
Tara - witches having extra fingers and all.
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:11 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:11 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
She is absolutely gorgeous!
The first name that came to my mind was Annabelle.
Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
The first name that came to my mind was Annabelle.
Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Blossom Dearie.
posted by Temeraria at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Temeraria at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
'Hecate', which you would shorten to 'Hex' for everyday use, to refer to her status as a witch and to her six toes.
posted by jamjam at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by jamjam at 10:47 PM on December 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
I love her. She's beautiful! I once had the sweetest kitty whose name was Pandora.
posted by crw at 11:11 PM on December 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by crw at 11:11 PM on December 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
She looks like an Agatha to me. She solves mysteries in her spare time.
posted by bluecore at 11:17 PM on December 28, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by bluecore at 11:17 PM on December 28, 2018 [11 favorites]
Best answer: Lyra
Rilo
Ursula
Stella
Florence
Cordelia
Nina
posted by karayel at 11:18 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
Rilo
Ursula
Stella
Florence
Cordelia
Nina
posted by karayel at 11:18 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
She kind of reminds me of a sundae- Sundae
My favourite sci-fi is Black Mirror, so I suggest:
Abi
Lacie
Nanette
Nish
posted by daybeforetheday at 11:24 PM on December 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
My favourite sci-fi is Black Mirror, so I suggest:
Abi
Lacie
Nanette
Nish
posted by daybeforetheday at 11:24 PM on December 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Linda, she's a Linda for sure!
posted by lois1950 at 11:55 PM on December 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lois1950 at 11:55 PM on December 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Ok I may be high BUT hear me out...I’m listening to 80s hits on Amazon and WHAM is playing, and so...”Go-Go”
posted by clseace at 11:59 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by clseace at 11:59 PM on December 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
Franny, Florence, Kiki, Cyndi Lauper.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 12:11 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 12:11 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
In the space-y vein:
Juno
Lusine / Lucine ("moon" in Armenian)
Selene
Aurora
Elara (a moon of Jupiter)
Leda (ditto)
posted by mcfighty at 12:29 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Juno
Lusine / Lucine ("moon" in Armenian)
Selene
Aurora
Elara (a moon of Jupiter)
Leda (ditto)
posted by mcfighty at 12:29 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
She does look very Episode IV Leia, with the white floof topped off by a brunette head. But I'd name her Cookie. She's got chocolate chips!
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:44 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:44 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Noelle
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:48 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:48 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: What about Ola, or Mina (as in, Olamina of the Earthseed series)?
posted by Paper rabies at 1:19 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Paper rabies at 1:19 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Delilah?
posted by Hermione Granger at 1:47 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Hermione Granger at 1:47 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Looks like a Robin to me
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:52 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:52 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Missi.
As in: Missi with an I. Missi Megapaws. Missi kissi kitty face. Little Missi Murder Mittens.
She will learn her name very fast.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:11 AM on December 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
As in: Missi with an I. Missi Megapaws. Missi kissi kitty face. Little Missi Murder Mittens.
She will learn her name very fast.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:11 AM on December 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
maybe Nura (means light)?
posted by speakeasy at 4:12 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by speakeasy at 4:12 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
She seems regal. My initial response was to call her "M'Lady."
posted by tmharris65 at 4:26 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by tmharris65 at 4:26 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
With apologies to Barry Manilow:
"Her name is Lola, 'cause she's your showgirl
With darling ear tufts in her hair, and her tail floof out to there... "
AskMe is directly and later indirectly responsible for naming my cats Benny, Jet, and "Crocodile" Roxy, so this just feels like paying it forward.
posted by Vervain at 4:39 AM on December 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Her name is Lola, 'cause she's your showgirl
With darling ear tufts in her hair, and her tail floof out to there... "
AskMe is directly and later indirectly responsible for naming my cats Benny, Jet, and "Crocodile" Roxy, so this just feels like paying it forward.
posted by Vervain at 4:39 AM on December 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
That cat's name is Barbara Beans, or Beebee for short.
posted by saladin at 4:46 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by saladin at 4:46 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Chloe.
posted by woot at 4:51 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by woot at 4:51 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Well, she has markings like the poky little puppy, so that's what I'd suggest: Poky.
posted by limeonaire at 4:58 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by limeonaire at 4:58 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Anya (you can call her Anyanka if she is misbehaving)
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 5:27 AM on December 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 5:27 AM on December 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
She’s GORGEOUS!!
How about instead of Luna, you go with her younger namesake? Lily Luna.
posted by greermahoney at 5:49 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
How about instead of Luna, you go with her younger namesake? Lily Luna.
posted by greermahoney at 5:49 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Fyodora. You can call her Dora (after the greatest writer, Dostoevskiy). Or, you know, Bjork, after Bjork. I think each is gentle in his/her own special way.
posted by dubhemerak3000 at 5:52 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by dubhemerak3000 at 5:52 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Moxie.
posted by floweredfish at 7:13 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by floweredfish at 7:13 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
My guilty pleasure older movie is Willow (story by George Lucas), where the main character has to protect a very special baby, whose name is Elora. So maybe Elora would work for your kitty?
posted by gudrun at 7:19 AM on December 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 7:19 AM on December 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
Those ear tufts! Those thumbs!!! I'm thinking Leela (from Doctor Who), but the personality would have to match.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:20 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by heatherlogan at 7:20 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Buffy!
posted by sarcasticah at 7:56 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by sarcasticah at 7:56 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: She looks soooo much like a polydactyl version of my dear departed Ludmilla, who was called Milly for everyday uses. (Her patronymic was Armadillovna, but that's a long story.)
So many good suggestions above. She does seem to require something frilly and regal at the same time. I'd be tempted to go with "Princess Leia" for long, and "Princess" for short.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:33 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
So many good suggestions above. She does seem to require something frilly and regal at the same time. I'd be tempted to go with "Princess Leia" for long, and "Princess" for short.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:33 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Sabrina
posted by lazuli at 8:38 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by lazuli at 8:38 AM on December 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: (Oh, and that magnificent plume of a tail may just need its own name. Nico's tail's name is Flash.)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:39 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:39 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
That one raised eyebrow is kind of a Vulcan thing. Saavik? T'Pau?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:05 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:05 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
That there is a Margaret, in the vein of Atwood and Weir. She can be a Maggie when she's silly, and a Princess Margaret when she's haughty.
(WHAT A FLUFF. SO CUTE.)
posted by Torosaurus at 9:22 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
(WHAT A FLUFF. SO CUTE.)
posted by Torosaurus at 9:22 AM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Missi.
As in: Missi with an I. Missi Megapaws. Missi kissi kitty face. Little Missi Murder Mittens.
My polydactyl Maine Coon cat came with the name Missy, but I had to lengthen it to Mississippi because Missy was too simple a name for such an elaborate cat.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:14 PM on December 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
As in: Missi with an I. Missi Megapaws. Missi kissi kitty face. Little Missi Murder Mittens.
My polydactyl Maine Coon cat came with the name Missy, but I had to lengthen it to Mississippi because Missy was too simple a name for such an elaborate cat.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:14 PM on December 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
Just seeing the picture my first thought was "Pinto." Does she gallop up and down the hall like a herd of mustangs?
Somewhat on the same thought, in "The NeverEnding Story" Atreyu's horse is named Artax and the luckdragon is named Falkor.
posted by TrishaU at 7:38 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Somewhat on the same thought, in "The NeverEnding Story" Atreyu's horse is named Artax and the luckdragon is named Falkor.
posted by TrishaU at 7:38 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Does she gallop up and down the hall like a herd of mustangs?
That's how Ludmilla got the nickname Thunderhooves.
That there is a Margaret, in the vein of Atwood and Weir. She can be a Maggie when she's silly, and a Princess Margaret when she's haughty.
"Maggie" makes me think, naturally, of "Maggie the Cat" (not an actual cat) in Tennessee Williams's play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Beautiful, sprirted, dresses in white, and has a lot of life in her. (Played by Liz Taylor in the movie.) Just another literary aspect of "Margaret."
There's always Magrat Garlick, formerly one of the Lancre witches, and now Queen of Lancre) in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. ("Magrat" is believed to be a misspelling of "Margaret" when entered on the birth records.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:47 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
That's how Ludmilla got the nickname Thunderhooves.
That there is a Margaret, in the vein of Atwood and Weir. She can be a Maggie when she's silly, and a Princess Margaret when she's haughty.
"Maggie" makes me think, naturally, of "Maggie the Cat" (not an actual cat) in Tennessee Williams's play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Beautiful, sprirted, dresses in white, and has a lot of life in her. (Played by Liz Taylor in the movie.) Just another literary aspect of "Margaret."
There's always Magrat Garlick, formerly one of the Lancre witches, and now Queen of Lancre) in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. ("Magrat" is believed to be a misspelling of "Margaret" when entered on the birth records.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:47 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Since someone above mentioned witches, I got to thinking that many of the witches in Discworld have pretty nice names:
**MAJOR WITCHES**
Esmerelda “Granny” Weatherwax
Magrat Garlick
Agnes Nitt
Tiffany Aching
Aliss “Black Aliss” Demurrage
**MINOR WITCHES**
Threepenny Nitt
Clarity Shimmy
Letice Earwig
Gwinifer "Old Mother" Blackcap
Gammer Beavis
Beryl "Old Mother" Dismass
Ammeline 'Goodie' Hamstring
Perspicacia Tick
Diamanda Tockley
Eumenides Treason
Goodie Whemper
Annagramma Hawkin
Petulia Gristle
Dimmity Hubbub
Lucy Warbeck
Sarah “Granny” Aching
Amber Petty
Mrs. Proust
Miss Cambric
Mrs. Proust
Mrs. Happenstance
Nanna Plumb
Goody Heggety
Nanny Gripes
Hilta Goatfounder
Erzulie Gogol
Brenda Loveknot
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:54 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
**MAJOR WITCHES**
Esmerelda “Granny” Weatherwax
Magrat Garlick
Agnes Nitt
Tiffany Aching
Aliss “Black Aliss” Demurrage
**MINOR WITCHES**
Threepenny Nitt
Clarity Shimmy
Letice Earwig
Gwinifer "Old Mother" Blackcap
Gammer Beavis
Beryl "Old Mother" Dismass
Ammeline 'Goodie' Hamstring
Perspicacia Tick
Diamanda Tockley
Eumenides Treason
Goodie Whemper
Annagramma Hawkin
Petulia Gristle
Dimmity Hubbub
Lucy Warbeck
Sarah “Granny” Aching
Amber Petty
Mrs. Proust
Miss Cambric
Mrs. Proust
Mrs. Happenstance
Nanna Plumb
Goody Heggety
Nanny Gripes
Hilta Goatfounder
Erzulie Gogol
Brenda Loveknot
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:54 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Aand I forgot Major Witch Gytha "Nanny" Ogg.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:06 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:06 PM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you all for your fantastic suggestions! After much deliberation, discussion and testing of names, I now have the pleasure of introducing you to...
Princess Thumbelina and her Magnificent Floof!
Thank you to The Underpants Monster for suggesting she needed something both frilly and regal, as well as supplying the idea of naming her tail too - you nailed it!
For everyday purposes she has consented to the diminutive of 'Lina, though we will use the more traditional spelling of Lena. There was just something about that Luna/ Lara/ Leia/ Lyra sound that felt right, plus this allows us to give a nod to the musical great Lena Horne, who to my mind has a similar sense of grace and majesty. I also got to work in a bit of a historical reference as well.
Apparently polydactyl cats were popular as ship's cats and were considered to be good luck. It is thought that they spread throughout the eastern seaboard of the U.S. through Boston shipping trade. Being originally from Boston ourselves, this was a nice little bit of trivia so I searched for famous old ships from Boston (aside from "Old Ironsides" which obviously didn't fit!) and stumbled upon The Eleanor, one of the three ships involved in the Boston Tea Party. I figure Lena is a pretty close version of Eleanor, so bonus win!
Thanks again for all the wonderful ideas and here's a lovely holiday portrait for you from our darling Lena!
posted by platinum at 5:19 PM on December 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Princess Thumbelina and her Magnificent Floof!
Thank you to The Underpants Monster for suggesting she needed something both frilly and regal, as well as supplying the idea of naming her tail too - you nailed it!
For everyday purposes she has consented to the diminutive of 'Lina, though we will use the more traditional spelling of Lena. There was just something about that Luna/ Lara/ Leia/ Lyra sound that felt right, plus this allows us to give a nod to the musical great Lena Horne, who to my mind has a similar sense of grace and majesty. I also got to work in a bit of a historical reference as well.
Apparently polydactyl cats were popular as ship's cats and were considered to be good luck. It is thought that they spread throughout the eastern seaboard of the U.S. through Boston shipping trade. Being originally from Boston ourselves, this was a nice little bit of trivia so I searched for famous old ships from Boston (aside from "Old Ironsides" which obviously didn't fit!) and stumbled upon The Eleanor, one of the three ships involved in the Boston Tea Party. I figure Lena is a pretty close version of Eleanor, so bonus win!
Thanks again for all the wonderful ideas and here's a lovely holiday portrait for you from our darling Lena!
posted by platinum at 5:19 PM on December 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Oh, Lena is beautiful! Best wishes to ALL of you!
posted by bookmammal at 5:58 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bookmammal at 5:58 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Holy cow I just checked my favorites after seeing the 50,000 post on MetaTalk and saw you went with Thumbelina. I'm pretty honored and stoked. And I live in Boston so I have that connection too! :)
Would you consider letting me send a care package at some point?
posted by bowmaniac at 4:57 PM on February 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
Would you consider letting me send a care package at some point?
posted by bowmaniac at 4:57 PM on February 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 9:49 PM on December 28, 2018 [1 favorite]