It’s a big decision to own a cat, and naming your kitten is a challenge that most people don’t even consider until they’ve brought one home. If you’ve just gotten a new cat and you’re struggling to pick a name, don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll understand how to pick the purrfect name for your feline companion.
The 7 Steps to Naming Your Cat
1. Don’t Rush into a Name
Cats learn words they recognize faster when associating a term, command, or name with something positive. For example, your cat will understand “treat” when you provide them with one. When choosing a name, it’s best not to rush into something you’ll end up hating later.
If you’re worried about taking too long to find a name for your furry friend, don’t worry. You can experiment with what works for both of you and find the perfect name within a couple of weeks.
2. Strive for Double Syllables
Double-syllable names separate other words that sound the same to your cat, which will cause less confusion and quicker response times. Although, if you choose a one-syllable name, you can always repeat the name when calling your fur baby. For example, a cat named Bo can be called Bo-Bo.
Also, consider other names in your household. If your dog or kids’ name is Willow or Gracie, you’ll want to avoid names that rhyme or have the same consonants, like Shadow or Macie. Names that have double syllables make things easier for your cat to learn. Don’t make things over complicated by using three or more syllable names.
3. Use Names Ending With Vowels
Studies have proved that cats can differentiate between vowels. Some vowels, such as A, E, and I, are simpler for your cat to interpret. When searching for a name, consider hard consonants such as B, D, K, and T. Hard vowels and consonants don’t blend in with the rest of the English vocabulary and will help your cat comprehend that you’re speaking to them.
Some examples of hard vowel and consonant names are:
4. Pay Attention to Your Cat’s Behavior
Names are what make the identity and characteristics of animals and humans alike. When choosing names, paying attention to your cat’s behavior is important. Kittens tend to be playful, energetic, and silly. Some kittens can be fearful, reserved, and cautious.
How do they react to newcomers? What is their preferred toy? Do they hunt or roll around when playing? Are they graceful or clumsy?
Example names for an active or playful kitten are:
Example names for reserved cats are:
Try out names and see how your cat responds. Pick something beginning with those consonants if they respond well to them.
5. Consider Your Cat’s Breed and Appearance
Cat breeds tell the history of the cat. If your cat is Siamese, you’ll want to consider keeping a Thailand-natured name; for example, “kha han” means brave in Thai, so naming your cat Keenan or something with a similar sound will represent your cat’s origin.
Appearance is just as crucial as origin, as it resembles a cat’s nature. For example, if you have an all-white Persian cat, consider naming it Winter—Zemastan in Persian—or Snow—Parrs in Persian.
6. Pick More Than One Name and See How Your Cat Responds
Don’t get discouraged if you feel like you’re failing at coming up with a name you can agree on. Spend time with your cat and get to know all their moods and how they act when they’re sad, happy, angry, or afraid.
If you feel stuck between two names, combine them or create a nickname that resembles your conflict. Or you can simply use both of them randomly and note which one they respond to.
7. Avoid Command Names
Cats need to be trained and taught to use the cat litter box or go on countertops. Some command words may be “stop,” “come,” and “sit.” It’s best to avoid names that sound similar to commands. Otherwise, your cat may confuse their name with a command.
Also, take note of the tone of voice when speaking with your cat. You should always say your cat’s name with a friendly approach rather than a high-pitched or aggressive nature. The last thing you’d want is to get set on a name and have your cat not come to you because it associates their name with frightening noises.
Final Words
Naming your cat can be one of the most complex parts of adoption. However, it’s not the end of the world if you cannot pick a name immediately, though try to keep things simple.
When it comes down to it, you’ll need a name you like and that your cat responds well to. Overthinking will slow down the process and cause frustration. So, go with the flow and stay in the moment with your cat. Who knows, a name may just come to you when you’re least expecting it.
Featured Image Credit: Stock-Asso, Shutterstock
