What are my new kittens' names?
February 16, 2016 7:40 PM Subscribe
My partner and I just got two 5-month-old Maine Coon kittens, and they need names! (More photos below, of course.)
They're a brother and sister from the same litter. He's more likely to curl up next to me on the couch, she's more okay with being picked up and sitting on my husband's lap. She's the brave adventurous one, he's more of a follower. He's clingier, she's more independent. He's talkative, she's quiet. He has white paws and is gonna be HUGE, she has black-soled paws and is likely to end up big but not as big as him. And they're both super sweet - I woke up this morning surrounded by kittens!
Him. Her. Him in boxes. (This will be extra great when he's ENORMOUS - he's likely to get to 20-30lbs.)
He likes bookshelves. She's the better hunter (though he leaps in when she gets a bit tired out). They both stampede.
The boy in the box, booping the girl's face.
Our current shortlist of name ideas that neither of us has thoroughly vetoed yet:
Snowden & Coriander
Mutex & Semaphore
Sente & Gote
The problem is, we each have some names we love that the other dislikes - it's hard to find the right ones that we both agree on! So we need more ideas! Halp?
Our general preferences:
- No cat puns.
- No living people (except for Snowden, of course).
- No incest.
- We're not generally up on pop culture.
- My partner has already vetoed Erdős & Euler on the grounds that he doesn't like names that are difficult for most Americans to figure out how to pronounce from the spelling. (I'm of Hungarian descent, so boo on him. Oh well!)
Please help us figure it out - what are their real names!?
They're a brother and sister from the same litter. He's more likely to curl up next to me on the couch, she's more okay with being picked up and sitting on my husband's lap. She's the brave adventurous one, he's more of a follower. He's clingier, she's more independent. He's talkative, she's quiet. He has white paws and is gonna be HUGE, she has black-soled paws and is likely to end up big but not as big as him. And they're both super sweet - I woke up this morning surrounded by kittens!
Him. Her. Him in boxes. (This will be extra great when he's ENORMOUS - he's likely to get to 20-30lbs.)
He likes bookshelves. She's the better hunter (though he leaps in when she gets a bit tired out). They both stampede.
The boy in the box, booping the girl's face.
Our current shortlist of name ideas that neither of us has thoroughly vetoed yet:
Snowden & Coriander
Mutex & Semaphore
Sente & Gote
The problem is, we each have some names we love that the other dislikes - it's hard to find the right ones that we both agree on! So we need more ideas! Halp?
Our general preferences:
- No cat puns.
- No living people (except for Snowden, of course).
- No incest.
- We're not generally up on pop culture.
- My partner has already vetoed Erdős & Euler on the grounds that he doesn't like names that are difficult for most Americans to figure out how to pronounce from the spelling. (I'm of Hungarian descent, so boo on him. Oh well!)
Please help us figure it out - what are their real names!?
Ada and Alan? As in Lovelace and Turing.
posted by Sequence at 7:57 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Sequence at 7:57 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Tifa and Barret.
posted by sevensnowflakes at 7:58 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by sevensnowflakes at 7:58 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
Benedict and Scholastica
Skully and Mulder
Vegetable and Mineral
Jessica and Hume
Alfred and Lynn
Lord and Taylor
posted by janey47 at 8:00 PM on February 16, 2016
Skully and Mulder
Vegetable and Mineral
Jessica and Hume
Alfred and Lynn
Lord and Taylor
posted by janey47 at 8:00 PM on February 16, 2016
OH MY GOD LOOK AT THOSE CAAAAATS. I'm drooling.
Okay, well I have a bias against matching cat names. Still, they are siblings. I think you should name them after towns in Maine.
Addison and Bancroft.
Aurora and Belmont.
DIXMONT AND FRIENDSHIP.
Harmony and Industry.
Unity and Prospect.
Skowhegan and Monhegan.
This is getting dumb. I just want to come over and hang out with your cats.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 8:07 PM on February 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
Okay, well I have a bias against matching cat names. Still, they are siblings. I think you should name them after towns in Maine.
Addison and Bancroft.
Aurora and Belmont.
DIXMONT AND FRIENDSHIP.
Harmony and Industry.
Unity and Prospect.
Skowhegan and Monhegan.
This is getting dumb. I just want to come over and hang out with your cats.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 8:07 PM on February 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
Very sweet! Maine Coon cats are so neat.
How about Portland for him and Acadia for her?
posted by smorgasbord at 8:10 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
How about Portland for him and Acadia for her?
posted by smorgasbord at 8:10 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Sam and Rosie. As in the Gamgees, from Lord of the Rings, because they're just so sweet and strong.
posted by Ruki at 8:13 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Ruki at 8:13 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Moose and Squirrel
posted by mrzz at 8:27 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by mrzz at 8:27 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
Erdős & Euler
names that are difficult for most Americans to figure out how to pronounce from the spelling
You could name them that and then just spell the names phonetically for the vet or anyone else who needs it spelled - Airdush and Oiler.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:28 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
names that are difficult for most Americans to figure out how to pronounce from the spelling
You could name them that and then just spell the names phonetically for the vet or anyone else who needs it spelled - Airdush and Oiler.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:28 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
We have one Main named Toshi (boy), his sister is Suki (girl).
posted by gregjunior at 8:32 PM on February 16, 2016
posted by gregjunior at 8:32 PM on February 16, 2016
Bangor and Brunswick
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:38 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:38 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I think I might be inclined to go with Dusty and Bunny. Because dustbunnies.
posted by BoscosMom at 8:41 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by BoscosMom at 8:41 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
IDK man, my heart is telling me you gotta name the boy cat Totoro and the girl cat Kiki.
posted by Hermione Granger at 8:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Hermione Granger at 8:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I think I might be inclined to go with Dusty and Bunny. Because dustbunnies.
Yes! I was trying to think of something along the lines of 'fluffy duster' and failing miserably.
I also like Snowden & Coriander and the idea of naming them after two towns in Maine. According to Google Maps, Maine is chock full of fabulous cat names.
I like Shapleigh and Bailey or Castine and George.
There's also a place called "Kittery" that would work as a good middle name: George Kittery and Castine Kittery.
posted by kitten magic at 9:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
Yes! I was trying to think of something along the lines of 'fluffy duster' and failing miserably.
I also like Snowden & Coriander and the idea of naming them after two towns in Maine. According to Google Maps, Maine is chock full of fabulous cat names.
I like Shapleigh and Bailey or Castine and George.
There's also a place called "Kittery" that would work as a good middle name: George Kittery and Castine Kittery.
posted by kitten magic at 9:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
Tarragon and Turmeric
posted by rw at 9:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rw at 9:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have two maine coons (George and Misha), they are both adopted and Misha was originally Mr. Schneebly (from school of rock). Wow to name your very own duo??? So awesome.
Diana (the hunter) and Apollo (the poet)
Since they are both grayish..
Mist and Fog?
Smoke and Mirrors?
Have fun with your new kittehs, they will be your bffs for life.
posted by ejourdan at 9:42 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Diana (the hunter) and Apollo (the poet)
Since they are both grayish..
Mist and Fog?
Smoke and Mirrors?
Have fun with your new kittehs, they will be your bffs for life.
posted by ejourdan at 9:42 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Phobos and Deimos
posted by hortense at 9:58 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by hortense at 9:58 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
What magnificent kittens!
For her:
Alabaster (popped into my head when I saw the first photo of her)
Diana (the huntress)
Isadora Duncan (American ballerina -- the kitty has this marvelous dark ring around her neck which reminds me of a scarf or necklace)
Elizabeth Bishop (American poet)
For him:
Obsidian, Granite, Mica or Sandstone
Poseidon
Nijinsky (Russian dancer)
Walt Whitman (American poet)
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 10:54 PM on February 16, 2016
For her:
Alabaster (popped into my head when I saw the first photo of her)
Diana (the huntress)
Isadora Duncan (American ballerina -- the kitty has this marvelous dark ring around her neck which reminds me of a scarf or necklace)
Elizabeth Bishop (American poet)
For him:
Obsidian, Granite, Mica or Sandstone
Poseidon
Nijinsky (Russian dancer)
Walt Whitman (American poet)
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 10:54 PM on February 16, 2016
First of all, thank you for describing their personalities instead of just how they look. Everyone can see how they look, but a name might help people see more :)
Since you so thoughtfully included images of your bookshelf:
Nell and Percival (The Diamond Age)
Amy and Bobby - Bobby Shaftoe and America "Amy" Shaftoe (Cryptonomicon)
Neal and Jennifer (after Neal Stephenson and Jennifer Lawrence -- they're your cats, you can name them whatever you want)
Mags and Gale - from the Hunger Games books - a huntress and a sweet-natured boy
Della and Hubert - just came to me.
posted by amtho at 12:11 AM on February 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
Since you so thoughtfully included images of your bookshelf:
Nell and Percival (The Diamond Age)
Amy and Bobby - Bobby Shaftoe and America "Amy" Shaftoe (Cryptonomicon)
Neal and Jennifer (after Neal Stephenson and Jennifer Lawrence -- they're your cats, you can name them whatever you want)
Mags and Gale - from the Hunger Games books - a huntress and a sweet-natured boy
Della and Hubert - just came to me.
posted by amtho at 12:11 AM on February 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
ZOMG soooo fluffffyyyy :)
My favorite pair names were what I named my mom's littermate kitties, who have sadly passed on. I went with the two most prominent influences of our age: Pixel and Paxil.
Pixel was the hyper little girl, which shortened comfortably to Pixie.
Paxil, the boy, grew into a lovely relaxed lap cat (as boys tend to).
posted by ananci at 1:22 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
My favorite pair names were what I named my mom's littermate kitties, who have sadly passed on. I went with the two most prominent influences of our age: Pixel and Paxil.
Pixel was the hyper little girl, which shortened comfortably to Pixie.
Paxil, the boy, grew into a lovely relaxed lap cat (as boys tend to).
posted by ananci at 1:22 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Have you read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? From your description of their personalities, they remind me of Claudia and Jamie. (Brother and sister team, adventurous and curious, good at sneaking into places, she's the leader.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:03 AM on February 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:03 AM on February 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
I slept on this and I don't think we helped you really.
Cat-naming is a magical art and also it is not a science. Cat names are talismanic. Abbreviations and derivations for nicknames must also be considered. If you asked me how our cats got their names, I'm not sure I could even explain it. But it would be wonderful if you found an association that you loved. That'll be too personal for us to divine.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 4:40 AM on February 17, 2016 [4 favorites]
Cat-naming is a magical art and also it is not a science. Cat names are talismanic. Abbreviations and derivations for nicknames must also be considered. If you asked me how our cats got their names, I'm not sure I could even explain it. But it would be wonderful if you found an association that you loved. That'll be too personal for us to divine.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 4:40 AM on February 17, 2016 [4 favorites]
Bob and Bob (I am serious).
Hopefully they do get big. My purebred, male Main Coon reached full size...9 pounds. Third smallest of our four cats. His hair is shortish, too. His sisters are all gigantic, like, bigger than my 5yo human child gigantic. But he is definitely the runt of the litter. He's very skinny, though, with a gigantic head. Maybe he will have a later-in-life growth spurt yet.
posted by TinWhistle at 6:46 AM on February 17, 2016
Hopefully they do get big. My purebred, male Main Coon reached full size...9 pounds. Third smallest of our four cats. His hair is shortish, too. His sisters are all gigantic, like, bigger than my 5yo human child gigantic. But he is definitely the runt of the litter. He's very skinny, though, with a gigantic head. Maybe he will have a later-in-life growth spurt yet.
posted by TinWhistle at 6:46 AM on February 17, 2016
Tralfaz and Astro
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:51 AM on February 17, 2016
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:51 AM on February 17, 2016
Poutine and Timbits. I don't know why I like those names, but I do.
Although, really, Erdös and Euler are awesome names and even better you could give people Erdös numbers. Erdös would have an Erdös number of 0. Anybody who's petted Erdös has an Erdös number of one. And so forth.
posted by eriko at 7:52 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Although, really, Erdös and Euler are awesome names and even better you could give people Erdös numbers. Erdös would have an Erdös number of 0. Anybody who's petted Erdös has an Erdös number of one. And so forth.
posted by eriko at 7:52 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
I love the Maine town ideas! And Claudia and Jamie from The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
And I know that you said that you and your partner aren't really into pop culture, but I have to suggest some of the following, regardless:
Sweetdee & Dennis (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia TV show)
Dolly Purrton & Kenny Pawgers
David & Amy Sedaris
Beyonce & Buster
Hansel & Gretel
Wednesday & Pugsley (from The Addams Family TV show)
GOB & Lindsay (from the TV show 'Arrested Development')
Charlie and Sally (from Peanuts)
Linus & Lucy (also from Peanuts)
Blossom & Joey (from the TV show Blossom)
Bart & Lisa (The Simpsons)
Luke Skywhisker & Leia Orpawna
Janet & Michael Jackson
Zan & Jayna (The Wondertwins! Activate!)
Northstar & Aurora (from comic books)
Sue & Johnny Storm
Lindsey & Sam (from Freaks & Geeks TV show)
posted by leemleem at 9:13 AM on February 17, 2016
And I know that you said that you and your partner aren't really into pop culture, but I have to suggest some of the following, regardless:
Sweetdee & Dennis (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia TV show)
Dolly Purrton & Kenny Pawgers
David & Amy Sedaris
Beyonce & Buster
Hansel & Gretel
Wednesday & Pugsley (from The Addams Family TV show)
GOB & Lindsay (from the TV show 'Arrested Development')
Charlie and Sally (from Peanuts)
Linus & Lucy (also from Peanuts)
Blossom & Joey (from the TV show Blossom)
Bart & Lisa (The Simpsons)
Luke Skywhisker & Leia Orpawna
Janet & Michael Jackson
Zan & Jayna (The Wondertwins! Activate!)
Northstar & Aurora (from comic books)
Sue & Johnny Storm
Lindsey & Sam (from Freaks & Geeks TV show)
posted by leemleem at 9:13 AM on February 17, 2016
OMG THESE KITTENS. I love Maine Coons so much (and have one, named Maya).
I like Erdos and Euler too. But also nthing the cities in Maine idea.
posted by serelliya at 9:35 AM on February 17, 2016
I like Erdos and Euler too. But also nthing the cities in Maine idea.
posted by serelliya at 9:35 AM on February 17, 2016
Moxie (girl) and Blue (boy)
posted by Constant Reader at 9:52 AM on February 17, 2016
posted by Constant Reader at 9:52 AM on February 17, 2016
Gargamel & Azrael
posted by lock sock and barrel at 11:22 AM on February 17, 2016
posted by lock sock and barrel at 11:22 AM on February 17, 2016
I like the suggestion above of Mica for the boy, but to go with it, the girl should be Galena. Both beautiful silvery-gray minerals.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:18 PM on February 17, 2016
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:18 PM on February 17, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by greta simone at 7:46 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]