You’ve made the big decision to get a cat – or you have decided to expand your cat family. You’ve chosen the breed or decided on a moggy – and now comes the hardest decision of them all – what will you call your new feline?
Disney cat names are a great source of inspiration – but there are so many! Disney princesses, Disney princes, actual cat characters, cute sidekicks in Disney movies – how on earth do you choose?
The good news is that I have done some of the hard work for you and have reduced the number of potential Disney cat names down based on some sound criteria about what can make for a good cat name.
Plus I’ll take you through some things to think about to help you decide which of those names is the perfect one for your new kitty cat.
Contents
Disney Cat Names – Will my cat even notice?
Sure we get excited about cat names – but does our kitty even know its own name let alone care? Research shows that domesticated cats do know and recognise their names.
The research was appropriately carried out by the University of Tokyo (home to many cat cafes which were actually used in this study) and was published in the well-reputed journal Nature.
It had been well known that domesticated cats were more vocal than wild cats and that a domesticated cat’s behaviour is influenced by their owners’ mood and facial expressions.
But considering that humans began domesticating cats about 9,500 years ago it is about time a more in-depth study was done about whether our cats even knew their own names.
The study worked with 78 different cats across single and multi cat homes as well as in cat cafes. The study found that most cats are able to distinguish their names from similar sounding words and from other cat names.
The evidence of this was that the cats perked up when they heard their names and responded by moving their heads, meowing and wiggling their ears.
This result was witnessed when both their owners and strangers used their names. And the results were similar in multi-cat households where cats didn’t react to the names of other cats in their homes but did when their name was used.
Naming a cat gives it an individual identity and helps to build a relationship between cat and owner. And you can help your cat to learn its own name by avoiding using too many nicknames, particularly when they are younger.
Factors to Considering when Naming your Cat
1. What does your cat look like?
A big fluffy cat calls for a name that says big and fluffy like say Olaf. And the color of your cat or its markings can help you make a choice. If your cat looks like a little lion then maybe a name from The Lion King will be the perfect fit?
Look at your kitty’s shape as well – is he sleek or solid? Pointy ears or flat back ears? Fluffy or sleek? Think about the concept of Onomatopoeia. This is when a word looks like what it describes.
2. What is Your Cat’s Personality?
A great cat name will reflect your cat’s personality. This can be difficult with a new cat as of course you haven’t gotten to know them yet and your cat may be very young so its personality is still developing. Take a few days to observe your new kitty and see what it is like.
A quiet docile cat will seem a bit of a disconnect if it is christened Tigger.
3. What is Your Cat’s Breed?
If your cat is a Persian or a Siamese it may well suit a prince or princess name rather than say Pumba from The Lion King. A sphynx cat possibly won’t fit in with the name of one of the lions in The Lion King.
4. Keep it Short
You will use your cat’s name an awful lot – so the fewer the syllables the better. Also, this will be easier for your cat to absorb and remember. Plus it is likely that you will be introducing your cat to friends, family, vets and others so a shorter name is easier for everyone to understand and remember.
5. Don’t let the name overwhelm your cat
If you call your kitty Pocahontas the odds are that everyone will be thinking about a dark haired princess rather than your fabulous feline. Doesn’t your cat deserve better than being second best?
I have removed the most obvious and well known of the Disney names from my top names list for this reason.
6. Does the name have longevity?
It may seem hilarious to give your cat a lengthy name when you first get it but you may well tire of calling this name out and sharing it with others.
Using Eugene Fitzherbert aka Flynn Rider from Tangled could seem like a great idea when you’re all enthused about a new kitten but filling it in for the 50th time on pet passport or vet paperwork may get tiresome.
7. Is it nice?
Again it may seem very amusing to name your cat Lucifer in its early days but does it really feel right to be having some loving time with your kitty and saying the name Lucifer sweetly? I feel the same way about using the names of Disney villains. Do you really want to call your sweet kitty Cruella de Vil or Maleficent?
8. And if you’re in a multi-cat household how will it work with the other cat names?
The key thing here is to avoid choosing a cat name that sounds too much like the name of another cat in your household as this may lead to confusion eg Sven and Ben.
What if I choose the wrong cat name?
I know I let you know that your cat does learn its name but if you choose to change your cat’s name after a few weeks it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
There is no evidence one way or the other as to what happens when a new owner changes the name of an older cat eg if you were to get a rescue kitty who was already several years old. I would suggest trying your name of choice and giving it a few months to stick and then making a decision from there.
Some Inspiration from the Naming of Famous Cats
The Grumpy Cat only became The Grumpy Cat after an image of her frown went bananas on social media. Her real name was Tartar Sauce.
Garfield was based on cats that creator Jim Davis grew up around. The actual name and personality came from Jim Davis’ grandfather, James A Garfield Davis. Davis described his grandfather as “a large, cantankerous man”.
Choupette Lagerfeld was given to Karl Lagerfeld by French model Baptiste Giabiconi when the kitten was 10 weeks old. Choupette is a common nickname in French for cute girls.
My 16 Best Disney Cat Names:
1. Ariel – The Little Mermaid
Short, sweet, well known but not just associated with The Litter Mermaid, perfect for pretty girl pussy cats.
2. Belle – Beauty and the Beast
Again, short and sweet, well known without only being associated with Beauty and the Beast and a lovely name to say to someone you love.
3. Tigger – Winnie the Pooh
The perfect name for ginger cats with energy or any cat with energy. Okay, Tigger is very heavily associated with Winnie the Pooh but it is such a cute name and I feel like the right kitties can really own this name as their own.
4. Simba – The Lion King
Short, sweet, an inspirational character, yes many will associate it with The Lion King but many won’t, perfect for a long-haired sweety.
5. Nala – The Lion King
You will be picking up that I am a big fan of The Lion King and its names. Again short and sweet and not synonymous with The Lion King.
6. Duchess – The Artistocats
Snappy and perfect for a Persian and/or Siamese in particular. A princess with attitude. Easily shortened to Duchy without confusion.
7. Thomas O’Malley – The Aristocats
I have broken my own rule with this lengthy name – I just think Thomas O’Malley kind of runs off the tongue – is that just me as I have an O’ surname as well? Can of course be shortened to Tom with minimal kitty confusion.
8. Oliver – Oliver and Company
Simple, classic, cute, shorten it even more to Olly
9. Thumper – Bambi
I think some of the best Disney cat names are in the sidekicks category. Yes Thumper is a rabbit but it is such a cute name!
10. Sebastian – The Little Mermaid
Such a cute name – easily shortened to Seb.
11. Meeko – Pocahontas
A slightly dodgy racoon but such a cute name and luckily it has quite low association with the dodgy racoon. Slightly Japanese sounding – I see this fitting a small sleek kitty.
12. Dory – Finding Nemo
Short, sharp and sweet.
13. Pascal – Tangled
Don’t we all need a pet chameleon. Such a lovely name – rather French sounding so wonderful for a stylish kitty.
14. Sven – Frozen
Short and sharp and perfect for a male kitty. I feel like his Nordic reindeer style makes this a good fit for Russian breeds like Russian Blues and Siberians.
15. Olaf – Frozen
Okay Olaf is heavily associated with Frozen but not 100%. Great short name, nice snowman associations and best suited to males.
16. Pumba – The Lion King
It may look like I have broken a rule in that warthogs are not normally seen as the most appealing animal but I think they are very cute. And Pumba is adorable in The Lion King. This is a name that is suited to shouting and to lengthening when you are looking for your kitty – Poooooooooooomba.
And here is a complete list of Disney Princesses, Princes, Cats and Sidekicks for your own review – thanks to The Rover Blog!
Disney Princesses
- Snow White
- Cinderella
- Aurora, a.k.a. Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)
- Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
- Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
- Jasmine (Aladdin)
- Pocahontas
- Mulan
- Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)
- Rapunzel (Tangled)
- Merida (Brave)
- Anna (Frozen)
- Elsa (Frozen)
- Moana
Disney Princes
- Aladdin
- Prince Adam, a.k.a. The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
- Prince Charming (Cinderella)
- Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)
- Eugene Fitzherbert a.k.a. Flynn Rider (Tangled)
- Hans (Frozen)
- Li Shang (Mulan character)
- Prince Naveen (The Princess and the Frog)
- Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)
- John Smith (Pocahontas)
- Prince Ferdinand/Florian (Snow White)
Cat Names From Disney Cats
- The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)
- Si & Am (Lady and the Tramp)
- Tigger (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
- Lucifer (Cinderella)
- Simba (The Lion King)
- Mufasa (The Lion King)
- Nala (The Lion King)
- Sarabi (The Lion King)
- Scar (The Lion King)
- Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)
- Bagheera (The Jungle Book)
- Figaro (Pinocchio)
- Rajah (Aladdin)
- Duchess (The Aristocats)
- Toulouse (The Aristocats)
- Berlioz (The Aristocats)
- Marie (The Aristocats)
- Thomas O’Malley (The Aristocats)
- Rufus (The Rescuers)
- Dinah (Alice in Wonderland)
- Oliver (Oliver & Company)
- Gideon (Pinocchio)
- Sabor (Tarzan)
- Sergeant Tibbs (101 Dalmations)
- Felicia (The Great Mouse Detective)
- D.C. (That Darn Cat!)
- Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)
Cat Names Inspired by Disney Sidekicks
- Thumper (Bambi)
- Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)
- Gus the Mouse (Cinderella)
- Jaq the Mouse (Cinderella)
- Archimedes (The Sword and the Stone)
- Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
- Flounder (The Little Mermaid)
- Abu (Aladdin)
- Zazu (The Lion King)
- Meeko (Pocahontas)
- Flit (Pocahontas)
- Pegasus (Hercules)
- Mushu (Mulan)
- Bullseye (Toy Story 2)
- Dory (Finding Nemo)
- Dug (Up)
- Pascal (Tangled)
- Maximus (Tangled)
- Sven (Frozen)
- Heihei (Moana)
- Olaf (Frozen)
- Lumier (Beauty and the Beast)
- Major Dr. David Q. Dawson (The Great Mouse Detective)
- Terk (Tarzan)
- Timothy Q. Mouse (Dumbo)
- Pacha (The Emperor’s New Groove)
- Piglet (Winnie the Pooh)
- Venellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph)
- Tito (Oliver & Company)
- Einstein (Oliver & Company)
- Rita (Oliver & Company)
- Francis (Oliver & Company)
- Little John (Robin Hood)
- Baloo (The Jungle Book)
- Louis (The Princess and The Frog)
- Baymax (Big Hero 6)
- Maximus (Tangled)
- Cogsworth (Beauty and the Beast)
- Timon (The Lion King)
- Pumba (The Lion King)
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.