# Please help me name my cat! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 5, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304 "2003-03-05T18:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/21 "2003-03-06T03:34:45Z")
Cats have a way of naming themselves. I’m sure you’ll start calling the cat by one of your choices quite naturally within a few days. When I brought my second cat home, the lady I got him from suggested naming him Cleatus. I came up with Caspar, and tried to call him that for a week. Cleatus just took over and stuck, and turned out to be the perfect name for him. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/22 "2003-03-06T04:31:23Z")
I like Kali or Calypso, personally. Our kitties are named: Samantha Marie Antoinette (Sam or Sammy) Zoe Ignatious Helium (Zoe) Stella Bella (Stella) Sam and Zoe met Stella after **d\_redguy** and I got married. I have had my two since they were a few hours old (They are now 5), and he has had Stella for just over a year. (She was a stray and has only four teeth, so even the vet isn’t sure how old she is). We just let them fight it out. All are de-clawed (Not my choice) so we figured they really couldn’t hurt each other. It’s worked out ok. Zoe and Stella just ignore each other. Sam and Stella HATE each other, but _mostly_ leave each other alone. I guess some animals are like some people. You just aren’t gonna like everyone you meet. Besides, it’s kind of funny to watch those two when they decide to have at it. It’s all bats at the nose and posturing, in adittion to many amusing kitty sounds.😃 ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/23 "2003-03-06T04:33:27Z")
addition. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![DrLizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@DrLizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLizardo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/24 "2003-03-06T04:39:13Z")
Have to wing it on transmogrifying the cyrillic, but Russian for cat is Koska (kowsh-ka) and diminutive (e.g. kitty-cat) is Kosinka (kow-shing-ka)… Russian neighbors have a cat named Koska that they typically call Kosinka which I always thought was a very cool name. Of course I have a dog named “dawg” (You gotta say it… I have a southern drawl) so I may not be the best one to suggest if you think that’s stupid. I’m trusting the Russian neighbors that this is all accurate. If not, then blame them… ---
**Author:** ![DrLizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@DrLizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLizardo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/25 "2003-03-06T04:44:29Z")
Have to wing it on transmogrifying the cyrillic, but Russian for cat is Koska (ko-shka) and diminutive (e.g. kitty-cat) is Kosinka (ko-shing-ka)… Russian neighbors have a cat named Koska that they typically call Kosinka which I always thought was a very cool name. Of course I have a dog named “dawg” (You gotta say it… I have a southern drawl) so I may not be the best one to suggest if you think that’s stupid. I’m trusting the Russian neighbors that this is all accurate. If not, then blame them… ---
**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/26 "2003-03-06T06:24:15Z")
I am neither particularly fond of cats, nor of the name “Marcel”. Perhaps the two go well together? ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/27 "2003-03-06T06:34:22Z")
Of the two you’re thinking of, I think “Tango” is better because it flows more cleanly when you’re screaming. This is an excellent test of children or pet names, by the way: try yelling it in context (“Tango! Get off that counter NOW!” or “Lillian Marie, you put that DOWN!”). **bettybad** and **fizgig** have a good point, though. Cats do tend to assume the names they should have. I once had a white cat with a black head, black tail, a little black spot on his rear, and a big white spot on his shoulder. He was the most ungainly kitten you ever saw, and the people who gave him to me called him “Freddie,” I believe. I renamed him something more dignified - I can’t even remember what at this late date - but after two days, my brother looked at him and said, “That’s not a (name I’d chosen). That’s a Ralph.” And Ralph he was, for the rest of his eleven years. Now I want a kitten. And I think I’ll name him “Marcel.” ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/28 "2003-03-06T06:40:02Z")
Anyway I could see a picture of the cute kitten? I usually get inspirations by seeing something… ---
**Author:** ![brianmelendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@brianmelendez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianmelendez)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/29 "2003-03-06T07:36:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by InternetLegend \* > **bettybad and fizgig have a good point, though. Cats do tend to assume the names they should have.** Yes, but the cat probably knows its name already, and they usually keep it to themselves: > [@](#): > > **The Naming of Cats** > T.S. Eliot > > The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, > It isn’t just one of your holiday games; > You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter > When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. > First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily, > Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, > Such as Victor or Jonathan, or George or Bill Bailey - > All of them sensible everyday names. > There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, > Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: > Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter - > But all of them sensible everyday names. > But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular, > A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified, > Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, > Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? > Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, > Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat, > Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum - > Names that never belong to more than one cat. > But above and beyond there’s still one name left over, > And that is the name that you never will guess; > The name that no human research can discover - > But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess. > When you notice a cat in profound meditation, > The reason, I tell you, is always the same: > His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation > Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: > His ineffable effable > Effanineffable > Deep and inscrutable singular Name. I assume that **Lady Venom** is asking about the cat’s “sensible everyday name,” which is the one that we, their human housemates, get any input into. If one concern is harmony with the resident canine, have you considered a name for the cat that complements “Boxer”? (I would suggest “Rebellion” or “Shorts,” but they don’t seem compatible with the names that you are choosing from.) How did you go about naming Boxer? ---
**Author:** ![rumraisin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8e7dd6/32.png) [@rumraisin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rumraisin)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/30 "2003-03-06T09:09:54Z")
How about Magnificat? ---
**Author:** ![No\_Disguise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9f8e36/32.png) [@No\_Disguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Disguise)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/31 "2003-03-06T10:57:18Z")
don’t name it anything. it’ll never know the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/32 "2003-03-06T12:32:41Z")
How about jumbalaia? ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/33 "2003-03-06T13:07:21Z")
Wow, thanks for all the input! My fiance has come up with his picks; Aries and Nova. I like Aries, means Lion of God. So, we’re going to just wait and see what she is. I’m sure it’ll either be Tango or Aries. Better than his first pick of Shibby. For those of you who have seen “Dude, Where’s My Car” you’ll know why I ABSOLUTELY hate that name. LOL We had them out together all evening and only 1 mishap. The dog wandered toward her and the basement door had closed, so she got backed into a corner. She didn’t swat him this time, so I guess it’s progress. After that we were watching TV, the dog in his bed and the kittie came up on the couch with us. I think the integration will take some time, but I think it will all work out. They’re home alone today, so we’ll see how it went when we get home. We’re seriously considering putting a kittie door in the basement door so she can go down any time she wants, instead of the marker taped to the door as a door stop so it doesn’t get pushed closed. We got the dog when he was almost 6, today is his 11th bday btw, and his name was already Spike. He is a Spike. His Breeding name is Wolfgang Amadeus. blah… I will try and take some pictures and get them developed this weekend so you guys can see her. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/34 "2003-03-06T18:36:26Z")
No Disguise: My cats all know their names. Lady Venom, your cat and dog will come to terms. I have 5 cats, none of them related, and they live together as an almost peacable kingdom. My tortie and white gets too excitable sometimes and growls or hisses, but no one takes her seriously. I really liked Calypso-- what happened to that one? ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/35 "2003-03-06T18:42:38Z")
Ralph. My dad always wanted to name our cats Ralph. Or Murray. Don’t know why he was stuck on those names - we never let him name our cats. \ My current cats are Sunshine and Jody. That’s right - Jody Foster. And no, I did not name her - the shelter did, and I didn’t even connect the names in my head until my vet mentioned it. It was too late to change it, I was used to it, and so was she. So - I just call her Miss Jody. \ Susan ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/36 "2003-03-06T19:02:32Z")
Why has no-one suggested Fido yet? Bippy ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/37 "2003-03-06T20:10:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by InternetLegend \* > . > > **bettybad** and **fizgig** have a good point, though. Cats do tend to assume the names they should have. Case in point: One of our cats on the farm was mostly black except for white patches on his face that made him look as if he was wearing a cape and was trying to be the first kitty superhero. Catman served as a name for a little while, but fate intervened. Because he had longish curly fur and was an outside cat, his fur matted up to an amazing degree in the winter and it didn’t do a lot for his looks. In the summer, the fur would loosen up enough that it would simply peel off in great long strips of matted fur (he rather enjoyed this, for those that would be concerned about this). His new name: Velcro. This became further sealed when one time he came running out of the bush with a 6 inch pine branch stuck through the matted fur of his leg (not the leg itself). I figured it was some kind of evolutionary advantage, as he could probably just walk through the bush and have mice stick to him. ---
**Author:** ![ceyjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ceyjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ceyjen)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304/38 "2003-03-06T21:26:10Z")
I named one of my six cats **Holly** because I got her the day before Christmas (and Bethle- **her** didn’t sit well with the rest of my family). One is named **Luke** as in Luke Skywalker because I _love_ Star Wars. One is named **Sookie** after one of the characters in _The Witches of Eastwick_. One is named **Boo-boo** (and he used to have a partner named **Yogi** , but he ran away). One is named **Polaris** because he purrs all the time and sounds like some kind of water craft motor (also, **Evinrude** was taken by a friend of mine who used it to name _her_ cat for the same reason). And the last one is named **Pencil** because I had the absence of mind to allow my young son to name him (he looked around the room and decided to name the cat after the first object he saw). I considered naming one of them Obi-wan and just calling him “Obi,” but I didn’t want to get too _Star Wars_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-name-my-cat/159304.md?page=1)