Ask mefi's favorite game: Name That Cat!
December 30, 2016 12:00 PM Subscribe
I recently adopted an adorable new kitty friend, but I’m stumped on what to call him, so I've come to the cat naming experts of mefi for help. More pictures and descriptions of New Kitty inside.
I adopted New Kitty a week ago or so. According to the rescue, he’s approximately three years old, and he’d been with the rescue since March. (He’s very timid at first, so I guess that made him difficult to adopt.) He’s had his left ear clipped, which I believe is usually done as a part of Trap/Neuter/Release, but he doesn’t seem feral to me. The rescue people didn’t know much about his background, since he was originally picked up in a different state.
I don’t have any specific naming criteria although nerdy/literary references are always welcome. I tend to go with people names, but that’s not an absolute requirement. Here are some descriptions of New Kitty and a bunch of photos to help with inspiration (some of the photos have an orange tint because I was using weird lighting in my room, just fyi):
He’s a domestic short(ish) hair cat, white with brownish-black tabby spots. In terms of personality, he is still a bit skittish, but he bonded with me pretty quickly, and he’s now very much a lap cat and an epic snuggler. He can frequently be found sleeping on my pillows or at the foot of my bed. He’s generally well behaved, although he’s also very inquisitive and a smart little kitty. (I know, everyone thinks they have a kitty Einstein.) He also has a bit of a goofball side.
He enjoys sleeping in his cat condo and looking out the window. He also loves playing with his many toys. (Like many new pet parents, I may have gone a little overboard in the toy buying department.) He has adopted a stuffed animal, so you can see him sleeping with his seal friend in several photos.
New Kitty will be joining a household that includes a dog named Sasha. (I'm currently in the process of slowly getting them used to each other.) More pics of Sasha and new kitty can be found in this album.
In summary, he’s the Best Cat Ever and he deserves a name to match. I've had a few ideas and suggestions, but nothing that quite fits, and the longer I’ve gone without naming him, the harder it’s been to settle on something. I can't keep calling him "Little Buddy" and "Kitty Friend" forever. Please help me come up with the perfect name for this wonderful kitty!
P.S. I’ll update to let you guys know once I’ve decided on a name.
I adopted New Kitty a week ago or so. According to the rescue, he’s approximately three years old, and he’d been with the rescue since March. (He’s very timid at first, so I guess that made him difficult to adopt.) He’s had his left ear clipped, which I believe is usually done as a part of Trap/Neuter/Release, but he doesn’t seem feral to me. The rescue people didn’t know much about his background, since he was originally picked up in a different state.
I don’t have any specific naming criteria although nerdy/literary references are always welcome. I tend to go with people names, but that’s not an absolute requirement. Here are some descriptions of New Kitty and a bunch of photos to help with inspiration (some of the photos have an orange tint because I was using weird lighting in my room, just fyi):
He’s a domestic short(ish) hair cat, white with brownish-black tabby spots. In terms of personality, he is still a bit skittish, but he bonded with me pretty quickly, and he’s now very much a lap cat and an epic snuggler. He can frequently be found sleeping on my pillows or at the foot of my bed. He’s generally well behaved, although he’s also very inquisitive and a smart little kitty. (I know, everyone thinks they have a kitty Einstein.) He also has a bit of a goofball side.
He enjoys sleeping in his cat condo and looking out the window. He also loves playing with his many toys. (Like many new pet parents, I may have gone a little overboard in the toy buying department.) He has adopted a stuffed animal, so you can see him sleeping with his seal friend in several photos.
New Kitty will be joining a household that includes a dog named Sasha. (I'm currently in the process of slowly getting them used to each other.) More pics of Sasha and new kitty can be found in this album.
In summary, he’s the Best Cat Ever and he deserves a name to match. I've had a few ideas and suggestions, but nothing that quite fits, and the longer I’ve gone without naming him, the harder it’s been to settle on something. I can't keep calling him "Little Buddy" and "Kitty Friend" forever. Please help me come up with the perfect name for this wonderful kitty!
P.S. I’ll update to let you guys know once I’ve decided on a name.
Waffles
posted by dayintoday at 12:06 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by dayintoday at 12:06 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Orlando, if you want something literary and that ties in with your cute pupper. I, personally, do not like that name but keeping in the same vein I think you should name him Woolf.
posted by FirstMateKate at 12:07 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by FirstMateKate at 12:07 PM on December 30, 2016
Best answer: Sebastian or Simon. He seemed like a cat with a name that started with 's' even before I clicked through to read Sasha's name, but it would make me laugh if you named him Alex.
posted by snaw at 12:10 PM on December 30, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by snaw at 12:10 PM on December 30, 2016 [6 favorites]
I don't know which Sascha you had in mind, but how about another name from Casablanca? You've mentioned liking human names, and what with those dashing good looks and excellent taste and the way the kitty looks black and white in certain light, your kitty could be a Rick. :D
Thank you for doing your pet picture duty SO VERY THOROUGHLY.
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:11 PM on December 30, 2016 [8 favorites]
Thank you for doing your pet picture duty SO VERY THOROUGHLY.
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:11 PM on December 30, 2016 [8 favorites]
I like Ivan for him! The 1946 animated version of Peter and the Wolf has animal characters named Ivan and Sasha! Please pat him and kiss him repeatedly for me, what a good boy!
posted by little mouth at 12:13 PM on December 30, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by little mouth at 12:13 PM on December 30, 2016 [10 favorites]
Samwise!
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:16 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:16 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ivan!
posted by ramenopres at 12:16 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by ramenopres at 12:16 PM on December 30, 2016
He looks like a Horatio to me.
posted by dismas at 12:18 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by dismas at 12:18 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
I hate to say it, but to me he looks like a Steve.
posted by baseballpajamas at 12:19 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by baseballpajamas at 12:19 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Maurice: the fast-talking, trickster cat in The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett.
And what a lovely cat he is.
posted by Cat Face at 12:21 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
And what a lovely cat he is.
posted by Cat Face at 12:21 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
+1 for Jeffrey.
posted by jeffamaphone at 12:23 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by jeffamaphone at 12:23 PM on December 30, 2016
I think he looks like a Bert.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:24 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:24 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
Simon or Sam. Not sure why.
In any case, he is simply adorable! Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2016
In any case, he is simply adorable! Congratulations on your new family member!
posted by bookmammal at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2016
Edmund
posted by sciencegeek at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by sciencegeek at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2016
Tybalt (pronouced tib bahlt
One of the best cats I ever had was named Tybalt.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:31 PM on December 30, 2016
One of the best cats I ever had was named Tybalt.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:31 PM on December 30, 2016
I also thought Samwise or Sam.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 12:35 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 12:35 PM on December 30, 2016
Tyreese (Sasha's brother in The Walking Dead)
Zamani (could be shortened to Sam)
Tigerstar (from a manga series about cats called Tigerstar and Sasha)
posted by DrAstroZoom at 12:41 PM on December 30, 2016
Zamani (could be shortened to Sam)
Tigerstar (from a manga series about cats called Tigerstar and Sasha)
posted by DrAstroZoom at 12:41 PM on December 30, 2016
Ajax, Poirot, Senator D. Cat, Jackson, Dash, Hamish, Huckle, and Cozmo.
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 12:49 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 12:49 PM on December 30, 2016
I was just headed in here to suggest Burt, but Faint of Butt beat me to it.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 12:49 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 12:49 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Dunno why, but I thought when I saw his pic, "You're Bojangles!" Maybe because this guy was really so cool.
posted by bearwife at 12:54 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by bearwife at 12:54 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
I definitely agree with the S names here - I also thought his name was Sebastian as soon as I saw him. But Simon or Sam or Steve fits too!
posted by umwhat at 12:55 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by umwhat at 12:55 PM on December 30, 2016
He looks like a Pete to me 😺
posted by Mouse Army at 1:00 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by Mouse Army at 1:00 PM on December 30, 2016
Boris.
posted by clavicle at 1:01 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by clavicle at 1:01 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
That cat is a Sam if I ever saw one. Or maybe an Al. Or Joe - I think he could be a Joe.
posted by Frowner at 1:04 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by Frowner at 1:04 PM on December 30, 2016
I like Robert for this one. Burt when it seems appropriate, Bobby when you're trying to coax him out of inconvenient places.
Of course with a clipped ear, you could go for Vincent.
posted by notquitemaryann at 1:13 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
Of course with a clipped ear, you could go for Vincent.
posted by notquitemaryann at 1:13 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
He looks like a dashing charmer: László.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:14 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:14 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
Elmer
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:25 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:25 PM on December 30, 2016
Sebastian or Bernard. Maybe Benedict or Calixtus. He looks like ghe could stand a Pope kind of name!
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:35 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:35 PM on December 30, 2016
Sunny or Cookie
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:40 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:40 PM on December 30, 2016
Mick or Simon
Both jumped right into my mind as I looked at his pics. And I looked at them all!
posted by banjonaut at 2:02 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Both jumped right into my mind as I looked at his pics. And I looked at them all!
posted by banjonaut at 2:02 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
He has a letter c on his back...
Clarence
Carl
Cato
Cecil
posted by carmicha at 2:03 PM on December 30, 2016
Clarence
Carl
Cato
Cecil
posted by carmicha at 2:03 PM on December 30, 2016
I looked at his picture and immediately thought "Samwise" or Sam, for short. Cute kitty!
posted by tryniti at 2:33 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by tryniti at 2:33 PM on December 30, 2016
I also vote for a solemnish S-name, like Sebastian or Simon. Maybe Stefan or Sylvester or Seymour or Sharif or Seamus?
posted by Aravis76 at 2:36 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by Aravis76 at 2:36 PM on December 30, 2016
Those are sweet dogs! Sasha not-quite-on-the-bed is adorable!
So for that awesome little man....
Sam, Cyril, Severus
Not Snape. He's too cool for that.
Maybe Alan.
posted by TrishaU at 2:36 PM on December 30, 2016
So for that awesome little man....
Sam, Cyril, Severus
Not Snape. He's too cool for that.
Maybe Alan.
posted by TrishaU at 2:36 PM on December 30, 2016
Pyewacket (familiar spirit)
Nekko (Japanese for cat)
posted by effluvia at 2:55 PM on December 30, 2016
Nekko (Japanese for cat)
posted by effluvia at 2:55 PM on December 30, 2016
Best answer: Great cat. Great post and pictures.
I think I'd have to call him Beecee, at least as a nickname. Short for BEST CAT EVAR!!
posted by BlueHorse at 3:21 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
I think I'd have to call him Beecee, at least as a nickname. Short for BEST CAT EVAR!!
posted by BlueHorse at 3:21 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Professor Marvel!
posted by BostonTerrier at 4:00 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by BostonTerrier at 4:00 PM on December 30, 2016
Mrs. W says Bandit or Pirate.
posted by wittgenstein at 4:14 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by wittgenstein at 4:14 PM on December 30, 2016
Tralfaz
posted by Rob Rockets at 4:35 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by Rob Rockets at 4:35 PM on December 30, 2016
He looks like a Simon to me.
posted by sarcasticah at 4:58 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by sarcasticah at 4:58 PM on December 30, 2016
2nding Vincent because of the ear. Is the apparent C on his back just the sunlight?
posted by randomkeystrike at 5:38 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by randomkeystrike at 5:38 PM on December 30, 2016
Response by poster: I very much agree with everyone who says he looks like a Simon (in fact, someone suggested that name to me before I posted this question), but unfortunately, I had a previous cat named Simon, and I feel like it would be weird to re-use a name.
I like a lot of the other S name suggestions though, especially Sam/Samwise, Sylvester, and Sebastian. Also Severus.
The Casablanca mention upthread also gave me the idea for Bogart (Bo for short) which I kind of like. Some other names that are definite contenders: Ivan, Tybalt, Horatio, László, Cecil, Wally (short for Wallander maybe?), and Hamish.
Oh, and Basil, which makes me think of Basil Rathbone (or Basil from the Great Mouse Detective). I left this out of the OP because I felt like I was already going a little overboard with the background info, but he definitely has a little detective in him. He likes to check out every nook and cranny and open every drawer. The first night he was here, I woke up to find he had un-earthed all this crap that had rolled under my dresser. He also managed to find a glove that I thought I lost, but was in fact just buried under some stuff in my closet (and more impressively, he did this without opening my closet). Fortunately he's not at all destructive, so he never does anything with the stuff he finds.
2nding Vincent because of the ear. Is the apparent C on his back just the sunlight?
He actually does have that C marking, although I'll admit I hadn't really noticed it before. Vincent had occurred to me as an option because of the ear thing, and I like the name, but I'm not a fan of the potential nicknames (Vince? Vinny?), but I am considering it.
Seriously though, these are all really great suggestions! I'm going to test out some of these options, but I'm still open to any other suggestions you guys might have.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:15 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
I like a lot of the other S name suggestions though, especially Sam/Samwise, Sylvester, and Sebastian. Also Severus.
The Casablanca mention upthread also gave me the idea for Bogart (Bo for short) which I kind of like. Some other names that are definite contenders: Ivan, Tybalt, Horatio, László, Cecil, Wally (short for Wallander maybe?), and Hamish.
Oh, and Basil, which makes me think of Basil Rathbone (or Basil from the Great Mouse Detective). I left this out of the OP because I felt like I was already going a little overboard with the background info, but he definitely has a little detective in him. He likes to check out every nook and cranny and open every drawer. The first night he was here, I woke up to find he had un-earthed all this crap that had rolled under my dresser. He also managed to find a glove that I thought I lost, but was in fact just buried under some stuff in my closet (and more impressively, he did this without opening my closet). Fortunately he's not at all destructive, so he never does anything with the stuff he finds.
2nding Vincent because of the ear. Is the apparent C on his back just the sunlight?
He actually does have that C marking, although I'll admit I hadn't really noticed it before. Vincent had occurred to me as an option because of the ear thing, and I like the name, but I'm not a fan of the potential nicknames (Vince? Vinny?), but I am considering it.
Seriously though, these are all really great suggestions! I'm going to test out some of these options, but I'm still open to any other suggestions you guys might have.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:15 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Pando. Price. Pinky.
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:31 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:31 PM on December 30, 2016
Best answer: I feel like it needs to be an 'E' name. Edgar. Elvis. Elton. Eddie. Evan.
I do like Bert (or Burt) which were mentioned above, too.
posted by jferg at 8:16 PM on December 30, 2016
I do like Bert (or Burt) which were mentioned above, too.
posted by jferg at 8:16 PM on December 30, 2016
He looks like a Jesse to me, and such a handsome boy!
posted by missmary6 at 9:06 PM on December 30, 2016
posted by missmary6 at 9:06 PM on December 30, 2016
What a good boy! He looks like a Francis to me. Possibly Franklin.
posted by Tiny Bungalow at 9:34 AM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Tiny Bungalow at 9:34 AM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
i had two in mind after seeing the pic but before reading the thread. sam was my second. max was my first.
posted by lescour at 12:29 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by lescour at 12:29 PM on December 31, 2016
Best answer: Pickles.
Or Dwayne.
The Right Honourable Dwayne Pickles, Esq.
posted by spinifex23 at 4:41 PM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Or Dwayne.
The Right Honourable Dwayne Pickles, Esq.
posted by spinifex23 at 4:41 PM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: After much deliberation, I've finally settled on a name! I would like to officially introduce... *drum roll*
The Right Honourable Basil Sebastian Edward Cattington, Esq. of the Boston Cattingtons aka "Basil" aka "Baz" aka "Beecee." Here is a picture of Basil seated on his throne, presiding over his kingdom.
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful suggestions! You all gave me an impressive selection of names to choose from.
posted by litera scripta manet at 11:28 AM on January 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Right Honourable Basil Sebastian Edward Cattington, Esq. of the Boston Cattingtons aka "Basil" aka "Baz" aka "Beecee." Here is a picture of Basil seated on his throne, presiding over his kingdom.
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful suggestions! You all gave me an impressive selection of names to choose from.
posted by litera scripta manet at 11:28 AM on January 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
Oh noes, picture of Right Hon Beecee on throne is not working! Please fix link soonest. Must see.
posted by bearwife at 10:46 AM on January 3, 2017
posted by bearwife at 10:46 AM on January 3, 2017
Response by poster: Sorry! I keep forgetting that flickr defaults to making pictures private. It's fixed now.
posted by litera scripta manet at 11:54 AM on January 3, 2017
posted by litera scripta manet at 11:54 AM on January 3, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
(because I thought he looked a little spooky in that first picture).
posted by the Real Dan at 12:06 PM on December 30, 2016