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Looking for a name for your new family member? Browse more than 340 ideas below, from inky classics and celestial picks to food names, playful surprises and gender-neutral options. Treat the themes as inspiration, not a personality test: a black coat doesn’t tell you what an individual cat is like.
How to choose a name that fits your cat
Start with the sound and feeling you want, then try a few favorites aloud. A short name may be easy to call; a longer one might come with a nickname. Decide whether you want the name to evoke your cat’s appearance, a behavior you have actually seen, a particular mood, or a personal association. The lists below are creative suggestions, not rankings or claims about popularity.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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One Black Cat | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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A Black Cat Named Rose (Hope in Heartland) | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Happy Halloween, Little Black Cat: A Board Book (Baby Animal Tales) | $5.21 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Me & Jo and a Black Cat named Tupelo | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Hi! My Name is Porchy: I’m just a little black cat and this is my true story | $11.00 | Buy on Amazon |
- Say it out loud: See whether it feels comfortable to call across a room.
- Consider nicknames: A formal-sounding name can still have a casual short form.
- Choose the tone: Mysterious, elegant, funny or sweet are all fair directions.
- Let the cat be an individual: Black fur does not determine temperament. The ASPCA describes black cats with varied personalities, from cats who approach affection at their own pace to those who enjoy active play.
Classic names inspired by dark colors
These names draw on black, shadow, ink and other dark imagery. They are evocative choices, not literal descriptions of a cat’s character.
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Onyx
- Raven
- Coal
- Jet
- Ebony
- Inky
- Soot
- Smoky
- Obsidian
- Charcoal
- Licorice
- Vanta
- Velvet
- Phantom
- Shade
- Darkling
- Nightfall
- Blackjack
- Pitch
- Cinder
- Rook
- Espresso
- Graphite
- Ravenna
- Noir
- Umbra
- Storm
- Smudge
- Magic
- Inkwell
- Dusky
- Onyxia
- Velour
- Blackberry
- Licorice Twist
- Moonless
- Nightshade
- Carbon
Stars, night sky and space names
For a cat whose name should feel cosmic, try a moon, constellation or space-inspired idea.
#1 Best Overall
- Luna
- Nova
- Cosmo
- Orion
- Comet
- Stella
- Astro
- Galaxy
- Andromeda
- Lyra
- Nebula
- Eclipse
- Solstice
- Saturn
- Pluto
- Venus
- Vega
- Sirius
- Polaris
- Celeste
- Moonbeam
- Moonstone
- Orbit
- Cosmic
- Stardust
- Starling
- Night Sky
- Twilight
- Zenith
- Astra
- Io
- Jupiter
- Halley
- Quasar
- Sol
- Artemis
- Selene
- Midnight Star
- Supernova
- Black Hole
Magic, folklore and mysterious names
These picks lean into a storybook or magical mood. They are suggestions for a name’s atmosphere, not claims about a cat’s nature.
- Salem
- Merlin
- Hex
- Jinx
- Charm
- Enigma
- Oracle
- Spell
- Witch Hazel
- Circe
- Hecate
- Grimoire
- Fable
- Rune
- Spirit
- Goblin
- Gremlin
- Imp
- Pixie
- Sprite
- Djinn
- Phantom
- Wisp
- Familiar
- Cauldron
- Moonspell
- Enchanter
- Mystic
- Wand
- Magic Bean
- Riddle
- Whisper
- Shadowfax
- Hocus
- Pocus
- Voodoo
- Gotham
- Fawkes
- Merlin Moon
- Hexley
Nature and gemstone names
Dark stones, plants, weather and landscapes offer names that are distinctive without being tied to a particular personality.
- Jetstone
- Onyx
- Jade
- Opal
- Pearl
- Quartz
- Garnet
- Slate
- Flint
- Basalt
- River
- Raine
- Thunder
- Tempest
- Willow
- Fern
- Ivy
- Thistle
- Juniper
- Ravenwood
- Huckleberry
- Olive
- Indigo
- Bluebell
- Marigold
- Night Bloom
- Stormy
- Cloud
- Frost
- Everest
- Raincloud
- Petal
- Shadowleaf
- Ember
- Ash
- Birch
- Acorn
- Holly
- Meadow
- Brook
Food and drink names
Sweet, savory and café-inspired options can make charming names—or give a dignified cat a deliberately silly one.
- Mocha
- Bean
- Oreo
- Brownie
- Truffle
- Cookie
- Pepper
- Olive
- Chai
- Espresso
- Cocoa
- Fudge
- Licorice
- Sesame
- Toffee
- Nutmeg
- Clove
- Marshmallow
- Macaron
- Pickle
- Waffles
- Bagel
- Muffin
- Brown Sugar
- Cola
- Pepsi
- Guinness
- Stout
- Porter
- Merlot
- Olive Oil
- Choco
- Truffle Shuffle
- Popcorn
- Sesame Seed
- Gingersnap
- Nougat
- Caramel
- Blueberry
- Black Bean
Elegant names
For a refined, dramatic or classic feel, consider names with a formal ring to them.
Rank #3
- Publisher: Magic Cat
- Size: 6 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches
- Book Identifier: 9781419771194
- Number of Pages: 16
- Artwork: Color illustrations throughout
- Beatrix
- Ophelia
- Genevieve
- Arabella
- Victoria
- Isadora
- Josephine
- Margot
- Vivienne
- Seraphina
- Octavia
- Penelope
- Magnolia
- Odette
- Cleopatra
- Duchess
- Countess
- Prince
- Regina
- Empress
- Baron
- Monroe
- Esme
- Cosette
- Delphine
- Celestine
- Valentina
- Lucinda
- Simone
- Montague
- Winston
- Atticus
- Augustus
- Beaumont
- Chanel
- Gatsby
- Marcel
- Ritz
- Sir Pounce
- Madame
Funny and unexpected names
A surprising name can suit any cat, whether the joke is a contrast with their appearance or simply a word you love.
- Sir Purrs-a-Lot
- Meowzart
- Cat Benatar
- Chairman Meow
- Fur-guson
- Clawdia
- Catastrophe
- Meowth
- Nacho
- Toaster
- Pickles
- Spaghetti
- Professor Paws
- Captain Fluff
- Beans
- Tax Evasion
- Wednesday
- Batcat
- Bathtub
- Little Void
- Voidling
- Mr. Nibbles
- Madam Mew
- Boots
- Disco
- Turnip
- Potato
- Mr. Business
- Agent Whiskers
- Sir Hiss
- Meatball
- Soup
- Spork
- Grandpa
- Fuzz Aldrin
- Cat Sajak
- Meowly Cyrus
- Purrsephone
- Lord Fluffington
- Emergency Contact
Pop-culture-inspired names
These names nod to familiar characters and public figures. Pick one because you enjoy the reference, rather than assuming it describes your cat.
- Batman
- Wednesday
- Salem
- Bagheera
- Binx
- Toothless
- Raven
- Vader
- Kylo
- Loki
- Wanda
- Luna Lovegood
- Bellatrix
- Sirius Black
- Morticia
- Gomez
- Wednesday Addams
- Elvira
- Jiji
- Figaro
- Panther
- Zorro
- Neo
- Trinity
- Catwoman
- Black Panther
- Hobbes
- Poe
- Rorschach
- Coraline
- Joker
- Merida
- Morpheus
- Hades
- Nyx
- Riddler
- Shuri
- Soot Sprite
- Figaro Noir
- Purrlock Holmes
Gender-neutral black cat names
These options work regardless of gender and range from soft-sounding to bold or humorous.
- Onyx
- Shadow
- Salem
- Raven
- Midnight
- Smoky
- Storm
- Indigo
- Echo
- Cosmo
- Jinx
- Pepper
- Bean
- Scout
- River
- Ash
- Wren
- Nova
- Comet
- Lucky
- Pixel
- Fig
- Shadowfax
- Blaze
- Rook
- Cricket
- Harper
- Quinn
- Rowan
- Salem Moon
- Jet
- Velvet
- Twilight
- Magic
- Orbit
- Fable
- Wisp
- Indie
- Toast
- Lucky Shadow
Names inspired by habits or appearance details
Wait until you have seen a little of your cat’s individual style before choosing a behavior-based name. These are prompts to adapt to what you actually notice, not assumptions about black cats.
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- For a cat who likes to perch: Rooftop, Lookout, Sentry, Sparrow, Highrise
- For a cat who loves a cozy hiding spot: Nook, Burrow, Blanket, Pocket, Den
- For a lively playmate: Zippy, Tumble, Pounce, Zoom, Cricket
- For a cat with a distinctive white marking: Socks, Mittens, Tux, Dot, Star
- For a glossy-looking coat: Satin, Polish, Gloss, Silky, Shimmer
- For an individual who prefers space before affection: Solo, Independent, Wander, Ranger, Freebird
- For a cat who seeks company: Buddy, Pal, Honey, Darling, Snugglebug
- For a quiet presence: Hush, Whisper, Mellow, Still, Sigh
Black cats are individuals, not omens
A name can play with night or mystery without endorsing a superstition. The ASPCA wrote on February 6, 2025: “Despite some unfair and untrue superstitions, black cats are just as loving, friendly and wonderful pets as any other cat.” Its examples describe cats with different temperaments, reinforcing that coat color is not a personality guide.
One shelter’s figures should not be mistaken for a national adoption rate: Cat Care Society reported that 167 of 196 black cats it received between January 2020 and April 2021 had been adopted, describing this as an 87% adoption rate. That is an organization-specific historical report. The ASPCA identified August 17 as Black Cat Appreciation Day in its August 16, 2024 article.
Browse all 340+ name ideas
There are more than 340 suggestions across the themed lists above, including repeat appearances where a name naturally fits more than one style. Narrow the options by choosing a tone first—classic, celestial, elegant or funny—then try your favorites aloud and see which one feels right for the cat in front of you.
Quick Recap
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