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For name nerds, January is a time to find out the latest name trends. But name charts aren’t just for human babies! Cat parents often put just as much thought into their furry children’s names. So we thought it would be fun to find out what the most popular cat names were this past year. Now, proper etiquette says that ladies go first! So for this particular post, we’ll be revealing the Top 25 most popular female cat names of 2021.
Most Popular Female Cat Names, 2021
25. Princess
I don’t know about you, but I’m not the least bit surprised at this one. The name Princess is mainly of English origin and means “royal daughter.” Surprise, surprise! Since every cat parent knows that felines expect to be treated like royalty, it makes sense that Princess has become a popular name!
24. Lulu
Lulu is a nickname for names like Louise or Luella. But it’s also become common as a standalone name. Lulu’s Arabic origin means “pearl,” while its English origin means “famous warrior.” Either way, both of these meanings seem to fit the average female cat’s persona rather well.
23. Coco
This is arguably one of the sweetest female cat names! Pun intended. Coco means “chocolate bean.” If I had to take a guess, I would say this name’s popularity is common among felines with dark fur colors. So if you have a cat with fur in the tan, brown, or black range, Coco is a fitting name. Considering how many chocolate lovers there are, it makes sense that cat owners want their furry friends associated with a delicious treat.
22. Phoebe
The name Phoebe is of Greek origin and means “bright” or “radiant.” With this in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising that in Greek Mythology, Phoebe was the goddess of “bright intellect” and “prophecy.” Phoebe was also known for being associated with the moon. I’m sure many kitties appreciate being connected with a name that has such honorable meanings!
21. Ellie
Ellie comes from a number of names like Eleanor, Elizabeth, Ella, and Ellen. The English origin of Ellie means “bright shining one,” while the Greek origin means “shining light.” Female cats usually make it known that they’re the star of the house. So we can see how Ellie is rather fitting.
20. Kiki
Kiki’s French origin means “double happiness.” You may also know Kiki as a slang term for a “party with good music and good friends.” I suspect that fans of the Japanese animated film Kiki’s Delivery Service also contribute to the popularity. All around, Kiki is fun a name that makes you want to smile.
19. Molly
This one should be no surprise to anyone familiar with cat terms. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Molly is a generic nickname that is used for a female cat of any age. The name Molly also has a Hebrew origin meaning “bitter,” while its Irish origin means “star of the sea.” As an added fun fact: Molly was originally a nickname for Mary.
18. Rosie
If you guessed that Rosie means “rose,” you would be correct. Some names are just that self-explanatory! We think this name is a beautiful option for a calico cat or any other feline with hints of red in their fur. Short, sweet, and classic, this name can easily fit a beautiful cat.
17. Pepper
Sometimes name inspiration comes from the spice shelf! The name Pepper means “hot spice.” Thanks to the spice you probably have on your table, Pepper is fitting for cats with coat colors anywhere from grey to black.
16. Penny
Penny is traditionally a nickname for Penelope. But in today’s age, it’s commonly used as a standalone. The name is of English origin and means “weaver.” So, this name could be especially fitting for a cat that enjoys kneading on fabric! It can also be a solid choice for fans of Penny from The Big Bang Theory. Does anyone else miss that show, or is it just me?
15. Olive
It turns out that olives aren’t just for Mediterranean or Italian meals. The name Olive is of Latin origin and, no surprise, means “olive tree.” Its sister name, Olivia, actually took the #1 spot for most popular baby girl name in the United States in 2020. Maybe most cat parents know an Olivia, so they pick the more simplistic Olive for their feline friend.
14. Willow
Willow is of English origin and means “willow tree.” While some cat parents are picking this name for its earthy appeal, others might be looking at the name’s deeper meaning. This name is a thoughtful choice for a female cat because willow trees are said to be associated with elegance and grace.
13. Sophie
Sophie is actually the French form of the Greek name Sophia. With a name that sounds soft and sweet, it’s no wonder that it’s become popular among female cat names. The name Sophie means “wisdom,” which is fitting for a feline. After all, cats know what’s important in life: naps and food. That’s true wisdom.
12. Daisy
The name Daisy means “day’s eye” and is of English origin. In fact, this meaning is why daisy flowers were named daises. It turns out that the head of a daisy closes at night and reopens in the morning. In honor of the classic white daisy, we think this name is a perfect match for a cat with white fur. Or if you’re an American, you might also use this name as a nod to Daisy Sour Cream. No judgment here!
11. Cleo
Cleo is a nickname for Cleopatra, but it still sounds like a strong name on its own. The name Cleo is of Greek origin and means “pride,” “glory,” and “the celebrated one.” I wouldn’t be surprised if cat parents are picking Cleo simply because of the historical Cleopatra. Since cats were once worshipped by Egyptians, and Cleopatra was the Queen of Egypt, this name is fitting for the little “queen” in your home.
10. Lola
Starting off the Top 10 list is Lola, which is a short form of the Spanish name Dolores, meaning “sorrow.” The name Lola means “lady of sorrows,” which has biblical roots. Lady of Sorrows is also one of the Virgin Mary’s many titles, which is where this name is derived from. I wonder how much the well-loved song “Copacabana” has to do with this name’s popularity. But even if your cat isn’t a showgirl with “yellow feathers in her hair,” Lola is still a sweet and fun name.
9. Zoe
Zoe is a Greek name meaning “life.” Believe it or not, this name also has biblical roots. Back in the third century, Alexandrian Jews translated the name Eve from Hebrew to Greek, making it Zoe. As you may have guessed, Zoey is a popular variation of Zoe. But from what we’ve learned so far, it appears that cat parents prefer “short and sweet” names for their feline friends.
8. Stella
Stella is of Latin origin and means “star.” Since every cat thinks they’re the star of the house, I think the reasoning behind this name’s popularity speaks for itself. And of course, who can forget the famous scene from A Street Car Named Desire? We hope you never have to “do a Stanley” to get your Stella’s attention!
7. Chloe
Chloe comes from the Greek Khloe and means “blooming,” “young green shoot,” and “fertility.” Chloe is an alternative name for Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest. She was called Chloe in the spring months due to the name’s meaning. Chloe is also known as one of the earliest Christian converts from the New Testament. Considering this name’s strong association with harvest, it makes a great choice for a cat born in the spring.
6. Kitty
I know, I know. This one is not exactly an original name for a cat. But hey, it’s fitting, so I can understand why it’s been a popular choice. In case you aren’t familiar, Kitty isn’t solely reserved as a cat name. It also serves as a nickname for Catherine. And although hard to come by, it’s also a standalone name for girls. No joke, I actually have a friend whose mom’s real name is Kitty. What do you think, cat lovers? Is Kitty a good name or is that taking things too far?
5. Nala
Starting off the Top 5 list is Nala. When thinking about how well-loved The Lion King is, it shouldn’t be shocking that this name is so high on the list. It looks like the writers of that movie put a lot of thought into the names because Nala is of African origin and means “successful,” “queen,” “gift,” and “beloved.” I would be willing to bet that the internet-famous Nala also has something to do with its popularity.
4. Lucy
Lucy is of Latin origin and means “light.” It’s also a variant of the name Lucielle. Maybe some cat parents are using it in honor of the iconic Lucielle Ball from I Love Lucy. With a sweet and vintage vibe, this name is a classic choice. Plus, what cat wouldn’t be proud to be named after “America’s Sweetheart?”
3. Lily
This name, unsurprisingly, comes from the lily flower. It’s also a nickname for Lillian, Liliana, and Lilith. Lilies symbolize purity and innocence. This flower is mentioned in the Bible, leading it to become the traditional flower of Easter, as it is considered a symbol of the resurrection. Considering how pure and innocent our furry friends are, we think it’s a perfect name.
Here are a couple of bonus tales about the lily. In Greek Mythology, Zeus’s wife, Hera, formed a lily with the milk of her breast. In Roman mythology, the goddess of beauty, Venus, was jealous of the lily’s beauty and caused a pistil to grow in its center.
2. Bella
Bella means “beautiful” in Italian, so you can probably guess why it’s the second most popular female cat name! After all, aren’t all cats beautiful? Depending on how a source averages names, Bella was either #1 or #2 last year for female cats in 2020. If read our post about female cat facts, you’ll see that Bella made #1. But it turns out that changed in 2021. So now, let’s see which name won the top spot!
1. Luna
Luna means “moon” in Latin. We think this name is a solid choice for a cat with a mysterious nature. There’s also no doubt in my mind that Luna from Happy Potter has contributed to its popularity. If you look at the quirky personality of that character, you’ll see how some felines resemble her. Feminine, mysterious, and sweet, Luna is one of those names that’s hard not to love. We suspect Luna will remain one of the most popular female cat names for a while.
Resources
https://www.thenamemeaning.com/
https://www.familyeducation.com/
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
