140 Cat Names From Around the World with Meanings: A Global Tour
Every language has a word for the small creature currently ignoring you from the top of the bookshelf. In Japan she is neko, in Spain gato, in France chat, in Hawaii pōpoki, and in ancient Egypt she was royalty. Borrowing a name from another language gives your cat a little passport stamp: a sound no one at the dog park has, plus a real meaning you can explain when someone asks.
Below are 140 international cat names, organized as a regional tour: Japan, Korea, China and Thailand, India, Egypt, the Middle East, and Northern Europe, plus everyday words and food names that travel well. Every meaning was taken from our verified name database, because mistranslated "exotic" names are the fastest way to embarrass yourself in front of a native speaker. Start with the most popular picks, then wander by region.
Key Takeaways
- The most-loved international names are short and musical: Yuki, Sora, Neko, Momo, Nabi, Sarang. Two syllables travel best across languages too.
- Every meaning below is verified. We did not guess at translations, which is more than most "exotic names" lists can say.
- Say it out loud before you commit. Tsuki is lovely on paper; make sure you can call it across the house.
- Cats do recognize their own names: a 2019 study in Scientific Reports found pet cats can tell their name apart from other words, so pick one you will enjoy saying ten thousand times.
- Want to go deeper on one culture? Our Japanese cat names, Korean cat names, Greek cat names, Latin cat names, and Hawaiian cat names lists each go much further.
Most Popular International Cat Names
The names that crossed borders and won: recognizable, beautiful, and proven on actual cats.
Tap any card to copy the name.
Japanese Cat Names
Japan loves cats openly: cat islands, cat cafés, the beckoning maneki-neko. These names carry that affection.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaterasu | sun goddess, she who shines in heaven | The great sun goddess of Japanese myth. Amaterasu is for the golden girl who lights the whole house. | |
| Asahi | morning sun | Bright and fresh. Asahi suits the cat who wakes you at dawn, every dawn, forever. | |
| Aki | autumn | Crisp and mellow. Aki is for the orange or russet cat with a calm, seasonal soul. | |
| Chibi | tiny; little one | Endearing and small. Chibi is for the petite cat who will always be the baby. | |
| Daifuku | great luck; filled rice cake | A lucky sweet. Daifuku is for the round, soft, fortunate-feeling cat. | |
| Mika | beautiful fragrance | Lovely and melodic. Mika suits the elegant cat with a sweet presence. | |
| Pocky | thin biscuit stick | Long and snacky. Pocky is for the slim, stripey cat with endless legs. | |
| Suki | loved one; beloved | Warm and direct. Suki is for the cat everyone falls for instantly. | |
| Taro | eldest son | A classic Japanese boy's name. Taro is sturdy and traditional for the dependable firstborn cat. | |
| Kenji | strong; healthy | Solid and kind. Kenji suits the robust boy with a gentle streak. | |
| Hoshi | star | Small and bright. Hoshi is for the standout kitten, the star of every room. | |
| Tsuki | moon | Soft and glowing. Tsuki is for the night-wandering cat with luminous eyes. | |
| Anzu | apricot | Sweet and golden. Anzu suits the cream or apricot-tinted cat. | |
| Ichigo | strawberry | Fresh and red. Ichigo is for the lively girl with a pink nose and big energy. | |
| Ren | lotus; love | Serene and deep. Ren is for the calm, meditative cat. | |
| Riku | land | Grounded and steady. Riku suits the solid, reliable cat who is always underfoot in the best way. | |
| Akane | deep red | Rich and vivid. Akane is for the red-toned tabby with a dramatic coat. | |
| Akari | light, brightness | Glowing. Akari is for the bright-eyed cat who seems lit from within. | |
| Amaya | night rain | Poetic and soft. Amaya is for the grey cat who loves a rainy windowsill. | |
| Yuna | kindness | Gentle and warm. Yuna is for the sweet soul who greets every guest. |
Korean Cat Names
Korean names are melodic and modern, full of nature words and soft sounds. Nabi, Sarang, and Bomi show the pattern: short, vowel-rich, and lovely to call across the house. If you want an international name you can actually pronounce with confidence, start here.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duri | Two (Gyeongsang dialect) and togetherness | From the Gyeongsang dialect. Duri is a lovely pick for the second cat, completing the pair. | |
| Baram | Wind | Swift and free. Baram suits the fast cat who is gone before you look. | |
| Gureum | Cloud | Soft and drifting. Gureum is for the fluffy white or grey cat who floats through rooms. | |
| Byeol | Star | Bright and singular. Byeol is for the standout cat, the star of the household. | |
| Sori | Sound and voice | Musical. Sori is for the chatty cat with opinions about dinner timing. | |
| Haetnim | Beloved sun | Warm and radiant. Haetnim is for the golden sunbather who claims every sunbeam. | |
| Dalnim | Beloved moon | Gentle and glowing. Dalnim is for the serene night cat with silver fur. | |
| Dalkom | Sweet | As in sweet flavor. Dalkom is for the affectionate cat with a honeyed temperament. | |
| Choco | Chocolate | Rich and brown. Choco is for the brown-coated sweetheart. | |
| Kimchi | Fermented cabbage | Spicy and iconic. Kimchi is for the bold cat with a little kick. | |
| Haengun | Good luck and fortune | Auspicious. Haengun is for the rescue whose luck finally turned. | |
| Barami | Little wind | Quick and light. Barami is for the petite, darting kitten. | |
| Geureumi | Little cloud | Tiny and soft. Geureumi is for the small, fluffy dreamer. | |
| Sarangi | Little love | Tender and small. Sarangi is for the kitten-sized sweetheart. | |
| Gochujang | chili paste | Bold and red. Gochujang is for the fiery orange cat with attitude. | |
| Nari | Lily | Pure and elegant. Nari is for the white or graceful girl. |
Chinese & Thai Cat Names
Short, tonal, and beautiful: these names are easy to call and lovely to say. One and two syllable picks dominate this lane, which is exactly what cats learn fastest. Say each candidate aloud in your calling voice before you commit.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jin | gold; beautiful | Precious and bright. Jin is for the golden cat with a luminous coat. | |
| Mei | beautiful | Simple and classic. Mei is timeless for the lovely girl. | |
| Dao | star | The Thai word for star. Dao is bright and crisp for the standout cat. | |
| Bua | lotus flower | Serene and pure. Bua is for the calm, graceful cat. | |
| Malee | jasmine flower | Fragrant and white. Malee suits the delicate white or cream girl. | |
| Khao | white rice | Soft and essential. Khao is for the white cat, simple and perfect. | |
| Ploy | gem; precious stone | Sparkling. Ploy is for the cat with jewel-bright eyes. | |
| Rung | rainbow | Colorful and joyful. Rung is for the multicolored or calico cat. | |
| Chai | tea | Warm and comforting. Chai is for the brown-coated cuddlebug. | |
| Malai | garland, wreath | Festive and sweet. Malai is for the celebratory, affectionate cat. |
Indian Cat Names
From Sanskrit, the ancient language of scholars and scripture, and Hindi, its living descendant: names of fire, light, and royalty.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agni | fire, god of fire | The Vedic god of flame. Agni is for the orange cat with a blazing personality. | |
| Chandra | moon | Cool and luminous. Chandra is for the silver cat with a serene, glowing presence. | |
| Kali | Hindu goddess of power | Fierce and transformative. Kali is for the bold girl who fears nothing. | |
| Priya | beloved | Warm and cherished. Priya is for the cat who is adored by the entire household. | |
| Leela | divine play | Joyful and dancing. Leela is for the playful cat who turns everything into a game. | |
| Nisha | night | Dark and quiet. Nisha is for the black cat who owns the midnight hours. | |
| Kiran | ray of light | Bright and hopeful. Kiran is for the cat with a sunny, uplifting spirit. | |
| Aditya | the sun, belonging to Aditi | Radiant. Aditya is for the golden cat who warms every room. | |
| Dev | divine; godlike | Short and noble. Dev is for the dignified cat with a regal bearing. | |
| Jwala | flame | Fiery and bright. Jwala is for the spirited girl with fire in her eyes. | |
| Maharani | great queen | Majestic. Maharani is for the girl who rules the house with absolute grace. | |
| Raja | king | The Hindi word for king. Raja is for the boy who sits like a throne is under him. | |
| Rani | queen | The Hindi word for queen. Rani is for the girl with unmistakable royal posture. | |
| Sona | gold | Warm and precious. Sona is for the golden-coated treasure. | |
| Diya | lamp, light | The small oil lamp of Diwali. Diya is for the cat who brightens dark corners. | |
| Laddu | sweet ball | Round and beloved. Laddu is for the roly-poly cat everyone wants to squeeze. |
Egyptian Cat Names
Cats were sacred in ancient Egypt: protected by law, mourned by families, and worshipped as Bastet. These names carry five thousand years of reverence.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anubis | jackal god | Guardian of the dead. Anubis is for the black cat with a solemn, watchful gaze. | |
| Isis | queen of the throne | The great goddess. Isis is for the majestic girl with commanding eyes. | |
| Horus | falcon-headed sun god | Sharp and royal. Horus is for the cat who surveys the house from the highest perch. | |
| Bennu | Sacred heron; soul of Ra | The Egyptian phoenix. Bennu is for the resilient rescue, reborn into comfort. | |
| Hathor | Goddess of love and music | Joyful and warm. Hathor is for the affectionate, musical girl who purrs like a song. | |
| Khepri | morning sun; scarab god | The dawn bringer. Khepri is for the cat who greets every sunrise. | |
| Amun | hidden one | Mysterious and supreme. Amun is for the cat who appears from nowhere and vanishes the same way. | |
| Khonsu | moon god | Night traveler. Khonsu is for the nocturnal wanderer with glowing eyes. | |
| Bes | Dwarf god of households | Protector of homes. Bes is for the sturdy, funny guardian of the family. | |
| Imhotep | Architect; 'he who comes in peace' | The genius builder. Imhotep is for the clever cat who engineers escapes. | |
| Anuket | goddess of the Nile | Flowing and life-giving. Anuket is for the graceful, fluid-moving girl. | |
| Atum | Creator god of Heliopolis | The first and the complete. Atum is for the dignified elder cat. | |
| Khnum | Ram-headed creator god | The potter of life. Khnum is for the strong, steady, sculptural cat. | |
| Heka | God of magic | Enchanting. Heka is for the cat with an almost supernatural ability to find treats. |
Arabic, Hebrew & Persian Cat Names
Short, ancient, and resonant: names from the languages of the Middle East. These carry centuries of history in very few syllables, which gives a small cat a surprisingly big name. They suit dignified cats with old-soul energy.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahar | dawn | The Arabic word for dawn. Sahar is soft and rosy for the early-rising girl. | |
| Farida | unique; precious | One of a kind. Farida is for the cat like no other. | |
| Ari | lion | The Hebrew word for lion. Ari is short and brave for the golden-maned boy. | |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | The archangel's name. Gabriel is for the noble protector cat. | |
| Ciro | sun, throne | Persian and royal. Ciro is for the sunny, commanding boy. | |
| Dario | possessing goodness | Persian and kingly. Dario is for the good-hearted gentleman cat. |
Northern European Cat Names
The quieter corners of Europe: German endearments, Norse myth, and Celtic light. This lane suits owners who want something uncommon without being unpronounceable. Expect strong consonants and cool, crisp sounds.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vera | faith | The Russian word for faith. Vera is calm and classic for the steady, loyal girl. | |
| Yuri | farmer; earth-worker | The Russian form of George. Yuri is for the grounded, hardworking mouser. | |
| Bärchen | little bear | The German diminutive. Bärchen is for the chunky, cuddly teddy-bear cat. | |
| Glücklich | happy; fortunate | The German word for lucky. Glücklich is for the cheerful cat with a permanent good mood. | |
| Ran | Sea goddess who nets the drowned | Norse and dramatic. Ran is for the grey, stormy-eyed huntress. | |
| Neve | bright, radiant | The Irish form. Neve is luminous for the white or silver girl. | |
| Bruno | brown | Old Germanic and warm. Bruno is for the sturdy brown tabby with a big heart. |
Everyday Words That Travel Well
You do not need a dictionary of baby names. Sometimes the most beautiful cat name is just a lovely word in another language.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popoki | cat | The Hawaiian word for cat. Popoki is playful and fun to say, perfect for the goofy charmer. | |
| Nani | beautiful | Hawaiian and simple. Nani is for the undeniably gorgeous cat. | |
| Kai | sea; shellfish | Hawaiian and serene. Kai is short and calm for the laid-back cat. | |
| Sol | sun | Spanish and warm. Sol is for the golden sunbather. | |
| Gato | cat | Spanish for cat. Gato is for the cat with a little Latin swagger. | |
| Miel | honey | French and sweet. Miel is for the golden, sweet-tempered cat. | |
| Luz | light | Spanish and bright. Luz is short and radiant for the lively girl. | |
| Cielo | sky | Spanish and open. Cielo is dreamy for the blue-eyed stargazer. | |
| Bella | beautiful | Italian and timeless. Bella is for the classic beauty. | |
| Minou | kitty and pussycat (French 'minou') | The French word for kitty. Minou is the affectionate everyday name French families actually use. | |
| Ame | rain; candy | Japanese and dual-natured. Ame is for the grey cat with a sweet streak. | |
| Doux | sweet; gentle | French and soft. Doux is for the tender boy with a gentle soul. | |
| Quince | golden fruit | French and fragrant. Quince is for the golden autumn-toned cat. | |
| Thé | tea (French 'thé') | The French word for tea. Thé is for the warm brown cat who is pure comfort. | |
| Poivre | pepper (French 'poivre') | The French word for pepper. Poivre is for the spicy little troublemaker. | |
| Inari | rice and fox deity | Japanese and rich. Inari is for the orange cat with a fox's clever glint. | |
| Kuuipo | my sweetheart | Hawaiian and tender. Kuuipo is for the beloved lap cat. | |
| Kaipo | the sweetheart | Hawaiian and warm. Kaipo is for the darling boy. | |
| Momoko | peach child | Japanese and sweet. Momoko is for the round, peachy girl. | |
| Kohana | little flower | Japanese and delicate. Kohana is for the petite, pretty girl. |
World Food & Drink Cat Names
Every culture names cats after snacks. It is practically a law of nature.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matcha | powdered green tea | Japanese and calm. Matcha is for the green-eyed cat with a zen vibe. | |
| Sake | rice wine | Japanese and warm. Sake is for the mellow, golden-hued companion. | |
| Soba | buckwheat noodles | Japanese and humble. Soba is for the long, lean, stripey cat. | |
| Yuzu | citrus fruit | Japanese and zesty. Yuzu is for the bright, energetic girl. | |
| Ume | plum | Japanese and tart-sweet. Ume is for the petite cat with a rosy tint. | |
| Dango | dumpling | Round and chewy. Dango is for the perfectly spherical cuddlebug. | |
| Bonbon | candy | French and sweet. Bonbon is for the darling who is pure sugar. | |
| Crepe | thin pancake | French and delicate. Crepe is for the flat-loafing expert, thin and elegant. | |
| Meringue | whipped egg sweet | French and cloud-soft. Meringue is for the white, fluffy dream. | |
| Framboise | raspberry (French 'framboise') | The French word for raspberry. Framboise is for the pink-nosed sweetheart. | |
| Chocolat | chocolate (French 'chocolat') | The French word for chocolate. Chocolat is for the rich brown beauty. | |
| Café | coffee (French 'café') | The French word for coffee. Café is for the dark, warm, essential morning companion. | |
| Pakora | crisp fritter | Indian and golden. Pakora is for the crunchy, golden-brown mischief-maker. | |
| Peda | milk sweet | Indian and creamy. Peda is for the soft, sweet, cream-colored cat. | |
| Dulce | sweet | Spanish and lovely. Dulce is for the gentle girl with a tender heart. |
Tips for Choosing an International Cat Name
- Check the meaning with a real source. So many "exotic" name lists invent translations. Every meaning above is verified; if you add your own, check a dictionary, not a baby-name blog.
- Say it out loud, in a calling voice. Khepri and Gochujang are wonderful until you are shouting them at midnight. Two syllables carry best.
- Mind the spelling. Hawaiian words use the ʻokina (ʻ) and long vowels; Japanese long vowels matter (Yuki versus Yūki). Close enough is fine for a cat, but know the real form.
- Match the name's weight to the cat. Bastet, Maharani, and Amaterasu are big names for big personalities. Chibi, Dango, and Bomi suit the small and sweet.
- Borrow the culture's cat word. Neko, Gato, Popoki, Minou: every language's word for cat makes a charming, honest name.
- Try it for three days. A 2019 study found cats learn to pick out their own name. Use it at mealtimes and watch the ears turn.
Our Pick
If we were naming an international cat tomorrow, we would pick Sora for a boy and Sakura for a girl: both are short, beautiful, verified Japanese words, and both suit kittens and dignified adults alike. For a unisex pick, Nabi is hard to beat: butterfly-soft, easy to call, and lovely in any language.
More Names You'll Love
- Browse the full cat names collection for every theme in one place.
- Go deeper: Japanese cat names, Korean cat names, Greek cat names, Latin cat names, and Hawaiian cat names.
- For the classics, see female cat names and male cat names.
- Feeling playful? Try funny cat names or spin our cat name generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular international cat name?
Luna, Yuki, Neko, Momo, and Sakura top nearly every global list. Luna is Latin for moon, Yuki is Japanese for snow and happiness, and Neko is simply the Japanese word for cat.
What are good Japanese names for cats?
Yuki (snow, happiness), Sora (sky), Neko (cat), Momo (peach), Sakura (cherry blossom), Hana (flower), Akira (bright, clear), and Tsuki (moon). All are real Japanese words with verified meanings.
What did the ancient Egyptians call cats?
The Egyptian word for cat was "mau," which is also the root of the Mau breed name. Bastet was the cat-headed goddess of home and protection, and cats were sacred enough to be mummified and mourned.
How do you say cat in different languages?
Neko (Japanese), Gato (Spanish), Gatto (Italian), Chat (French), Katze (German), Kedi (Turkish), Mao (Chinese), Pōpoki (Hawaiian), and Kot (Russian and Polish). Any of them makes a charming cat name.
What are good Korean names for cats?
Nabi (butterfly), Sarang (love), Bomi (spring), Byeol (star), Baram (wind), Gureum (cloud), Haetnim (beloved sun), and Dalnim (beloved moon). Korean names are melodic and easy for cats to learn.
Do cats recognize their own names?
Yes. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that pet cats can distinguish their own name from other words spoken by their owners. Use the name consistently, especially at mealtimes, and your cat will learn it fast.
What is a sophisticated name for a cat?
Try the regal international lane: Maharani, Amaterasu, and Bastet are sophisticated cat names with real history behind them. They suit cats with presence and posture. Match the name’s weight to the cat, though: a big name on a goofy kitten turns into comedy, which is also fine.
What is a catchy name for a cat?
Short, musical, and impossible to forget: Neko, Momo, Sora, and Yuki are catchy because they are two syllables with clear, open sounds. Catchy names work because cats learn short, distinct sounds fastest, especially paired with treats. Say it across the room: if it feels good to shout, it is a keeper.
By Brianna Baxter
Featured photo: Photo: Michelle Weigold, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.