168 Black and White Cat Names: Tuxedo, Cute & Cool Ideas

A black and white cat looks like it dressed up for the occasion every single day. Whether the pattern is a crisp tuxedo, cow-like spots, or a mask-and-mantle split, these cats have a built-in sense of occasion that deserves a name with personality. Great black and white cat names usually lean into the pattern: formal wear, spotted animals, game pieces, or the famous tuxedo cats of cartoons and history.

Below are 168 handpicked names, each with a verified meaning or an honest inspiration note. Start with the most popular picks, then jump to the category that fits your cat: tuxedo classics, famous namesakes, names for girls and boys, cute and playful picks, cool and mysterious ones, food-inspired names, and pattern-based names.

Key Takeaways

The strongest black and white cat names come from four lanes: formal wear (Tux, Bowtie, Spats), pattern words (Domino, Patches, Checkers), spotted animals (Panda, Penguin, Orca), and famous namesakes (Sylvester, Felix, Figaro).
"Tuxedo" describes a coat pattern, not a breed: it shows up in dozens of breeds and in mixed-breed cats everywhere.
Two-syllable names (Oreo, Domino, Mochi) are the easiest for cats to learn, and most of the top picks below follow that pattern.
If your cat leans mostly one color, our black cat names and white cat names lists have even more ideas. Got a solid-black girl? Browse our 144 female black cat names.

Black and white tuxedo cat sitting and looking at the camera

Most Popular Black and White Cat Names

These are the black and white cat names that come up again and again, the tried-and-true favourites that suit almost any tuxedo, bicolor or piebald cat, from kittens to seniors.

These are the names people choose again and again for bicolor cats: the all-time favorites that work on almost any temperament.

Tap any card to copy the name.

Tuxedo Cat Name Classics

Tuxedo cat names lean into the formal, black-tie look, think waistcoats, bow ties and old Hollywood glamour. They suit cats with that crisp white chest and dark jacket.

Formal wear is the natural vocabulary of the tuxedo cat. These names dress the part.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Tuxie	a diminutive of Tux	Tux with a cute ending, perfect for a small tuxedo kitten.
Tuxette	A feminine spin on tuxedo	keeps the formal charm with a softer sound.
Bowtie	The bow tie worn with a tuxedo	a tiny formal detail for a cat whose markings look deliberately accessorized.
Orca	The black and white killer whale	powerful and social, made for a big-personality bicolor cat.
Spats	White spats worn over dress shoes	vintage formal footwear, ideal for a cat with crisp white feet.
Cummerbund	waist band	the sash worn with a tuxedo; a gloriously silly formal name that suits a round-bellied cat.
Waistcoat	The waistcoat worn under a dinner jacket	old-world formal for a cat with a neat white chest patch.
Blacktie	The black tie dress code	the dressiest two syllables a bicolor cat can carry.
Ascot	The ascot tie of formal dress	aristocratic and smooth, for the cat who acts like he owns the furniture.
Monocle	The dapper gentleman's eyepiece	best on a cat with a white ring around one eye.
Cufflink	The cufflinks on a tuxedo shirt	small, shiny, and precise, like white-tipped paws.
Necktie	Formal neckwear for the dressed-up cat	for the cat whose dark markings frame the neck like a tie.
Derby	The derby hat of a dressed-up gentleman	jaunty and vintage, suits a confident strut.
Tophat	The top hat of formal evening wear	tall-drink-of-water formal for a long, elegant cat.
Dapper	Neat and trim in dress like a tuxedo cat	describes the look so well it barely needs the cat.
Pinstripe	The pinstriped formal suit	for a bicolor cat with fine, sharp-edged markings.
Referee	The black and white striped referee shirt	a sporty pick for a cat who supervises all household activity.
Umpire	Another striped-shirt official	slightly quirkier than Referee, same whistle-blowing energy.
Chess	The black and white checkered board	strategic and classic for a clever, watchful cat.
Checkmate	The final move on a black and white board	dramatic and decisive, for the cat who always wins the staring contest.
Othello	The board game played with black and white discs	the whole game is your cat's coat, flipping sides with every nap position.
Reversi	The original name of the Othello board game	a rarer, more mysterious take on the same black-and-white flip.
Go	The ancient game of black and white stones	minimal and zen, suits a calm, deliberate cat.
Pawn	The smallest black and white chess piece	an underdog name for a little cat with big plans.

Famous Black-and-White Cats

From cartoon legends to real-life internet celebrities, these famous black and white cats prove the pattern has star quality. A famous namesake also makes a great conversation starter.

Borrow a name with a story already attached. These are the tuxedos the world already knows.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Sylvester Jr.	Named for Sylvester Jr., the son of Sylvester in Looney Tunes	inherits the lisp, the hunting obsession, and the tuxedo.
Mr. Mistoffelees	Named for Mr. Mistoffelees, the magical tuxedo cat of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats	for the cat who disappears and reappears at will.
Sockington	Named for Sockington, the tuxedo cat who became a Twitter star in the late 2000s	a celebrity name for a photogenic cat.
Palmerston	Named for Palmerston, the black-and-white Foreign Office cat who served from 2016 to 2020	diplomatic and dignified.
Unsinkable Sam	Named for Unsinkable Sam, the cat who survived three wartime ship sinkings	a survivor's name with a story built in.
Félicette	Named for Félicette, the Parisian stray who became the first cat launched into space in 1963	small cat, giant legacy.
Pongo	The Dalmatian dad in Disney's 101 Dalmatians	spotted-dog energy for a heavily spotted cat.
Perdita	lost	also the Dalmatian mom in 101 Dalmatians; the Latin meaning adds a romantic edge to the Disney connection.
Cruella	The Dalmatian-obsessed villain of 101 Dalmatians	deliciously dramatic for a diva cat with strong opinions.
Cat in the Hat	Named for the Cat in the Hat, the tall black-and-white cat of Dr. Seuss	chaotic good in a red bow tie.
Dalma	A nod to the spotted Dalmatian	short for Dalmatian, softer and more cat-sized.
Dalmatian	the white dog with black spots	a playful nod to the most spotted dog around, made for a heavily spotted cat.
Skellington	Jack Skellington's black and white look	spooky-formal for a cat with a dramatic pinstripe coat.

Female Black-and-White Cat Names

These black and white cat names for females range from elegant to playful, a good match for a girl cat with a striking monochrome coat.

Pretty, spunky, and pattern-perfect names for her.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Artemis	goddess of the moon	Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt; moonlit and wild, for a night-prowling huntress.
Dapple	spotted marking	dappled confetti coat; delicate and pretty, made for soft scattered spots.
Dottie	gift of God	dotted coat; vintage-sweet, the polka-dot name that never goes out of style.
Dotty	speckled	speckled and spotty; a touch sillier than Dottie, perfect for a clownish spotted cat.
Ebony	dark wood	black hardwood; sleek and elegant, suits a mostly-black cat with white accents.
Freckle	small brown spot	freckled nose, freckled coat; adorable on a cat with a spotted muzzle.
Domina	lady or mistress	commanding and regal, for the queen of a black-and-white household.
Heifer	A young cow in black and white	goofy farmyard charm for a gentle, lumbering cat.
Ivory	Creamy white ivory	smooth and precious, ideal for a mostly-white cat with dark patches.
Quilt	Patchwork quilt	cozy and handmade-feeling, made for a cat whose coat looks stitched together.
Selene	selene: the moon	Greek goddess of the moon; brightest night-sky namesake; luminous and calm.
Queen	female monarch	royal title; for the cat who has never once doubted she runs the house.
Speckle	Fine dark speckles on white	dainty and precise, best on a cat with pepper-fine markings.
Gloves	White glove-like paws on a dark coat	formal and feminine, like evening gloves.
Mosaic	Mosaic of colors	artistic and intricate, for a coat that looks carefully assembled.
Yang	the bright light side in Chinese philosophy	the light half of the pair, radiant and warm.
Piano	The black and white keyboard	musical and elegant, suits a graceful cat with crisp markings.
Cookie	The sweet treat	spotted like chocolate chips; universally lovable, like the cat herself.
Polka	dance	dances through the house; bouncy and rhythmic, made for a cat who never sits still.
Mochi	Japanese rice cake	soft and squishy; pillowy-soft name for a squishy, sweet cat.

Male Black-and-White Cat Names

Bold, dapper or a little mischievous, these male black and white cat names suit boy cats with a strong monochrome presence.

Bold, dapper, and a little mischievous, like him.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Bao	treasure	precious; treasured name for a prized cat; also the steamed bun, soft and round.
Badger	The black and white faced mammal	rugged and sturdy, suits a broad-faced bruiser.
Bandit	Masked outlaw	masked facial markings; for the cat whose face looks permanently up to something.
Beetlejuice	Say it three times if you dare	striped-suit chaos energy in name form.
Blanc	white	clean and French, elegant on a mostly-white cat with dark accents.
Chip	free man	short for Charles; tiny and chipper; small-cat energy with a big-cat swagger.
Cosmo	order and universe	from Greek kosmos; also Kramer-style pop-culture spark; cosmic and goofy at once.
Holstein	The classic black and white dairy breed	big, gentle, and unmistakably spotted.
Jester	The black and white harlequin costume	the class clown of bicolor names.
Knight	The Dark Knight	brooding and heroic, for a cat with a dramatic dark mask.
Pierrot	The white-clad pantomime character	melancholy and theatrical, suits a soulful-eyed cat.
Pinto	painted	painted patches; Western and rugged, made for bold irregular patches.
Rook	chariot	the chess piece; the black bird, the castle piece; solid and strategic.
Sirius	Sirius Black	the dog star; the dog-star godfather Sirius Black; loyal with a rebel streak.
Trooper	The white-armored Star Wars stormtrooper	loyal foot-soldier energy for a devoted cat.
Zorro	fox	masked like Zorro; swashbuckling and sly, made for a masked face.
Bishop	The black and white bishops of chess	moves diagonally, like a cat's 3 a.m. zoomies path.
Piebald	spotted black and white	bold black-and-white patches; a proper old-fashioned word for the pattern itself.
Tobiano	A pinto horse pattern with dark patches on white	equestrian and distinctive.
Doodle	for a happy-go-lucky kitten	scribbly and cheerful, impossible to say grumpily.
Harlequin	Multicolored diamond pattern	theatrical and bold, suits dramatic diamond markings.
Blot	A bold black blot on white fur	punchy and graphic, for one big statement patch.

Cute & Playful Black-and-White Cat Names

For the kitten who treats every day like playtime, these cute tuxedo cat names capture that bouncy, cheerful energy.

For the goofball in the tuxedo.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Appaloosa	The spotted horse breed	horsey and handsome, made for a big spotted cat.
Argyle	The diamond knit pattern in black and white	preppy and cozy, like a favorite sweater.
Bib	Named for Bib Fortuna	a tiny name for a cat with a neat white bib patch.
Dice	White cubes dotted with black pips	playful and pocket-sized.
Pixel	Tiny picture element	geek-chic and rare; for the smallest cat with the sharpest markings.
Spots	bold spots on a light coat	straightforward and cheerful, the name equivalent of pointing at the obvious and loving it.
Octave	Eight white keys framed by black	musical and bright, suits a bouncy, rhythmic cat.
Keys	Black and white piano keys	short, sweet, and musical.
Sharps	The black sharp keys on a piano	a little edgy, a little musical.
Qwerty	Black keys on a white keyboard	nerdy and lovable, for the cat who sits on your laptop.
Keyboard	Rows of black and white keys	the long form of Keys, for a cat who types with his paws.
Sudoku	The black on white number grid puzzle	brainy and neat, suits a methodical cat.
Tetris	Falling black blocks on screen	retro-gamer joy for a cat who stacks himself into boxes.
Static	Black and white television static	fuzzy and nostalgic, perfect for a crackly-coated kitten.
Aperture	The camera's eye of light and dark	arty and modern, for the most-photographed cat in the house.
Newsprint	Black ink printed on white newspaper	vintage and inky, suits a smudgy-pawed cat.
Toner	Black toner on white pages	office-supply chic for a cat with crisp dark markings.
Typewriter	Black ribbon ink on white paper	clacky and retro, made for a loud-purring cat.
Xerox	The black on white photocopy	a copy of a copy, perfect for the second cat who looks just like the first.
Raccoon	The masked black and white face of a raccoon	mischievous and masked, for the trash-panda of the house.
Paper	White paper with black ink markings	simple and clean, suits a mostly-white cat with a few dark notes.

Sleek, Cool & Mysterious Names

These unique black and white cat names have an edge, a good fit for a cat with a sleek coat and an air of mystery.

The dark side of the tuxedo.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Eclipse	Darkened sky	dramatic and cosmic, for the cat who blots out the sun at nap time.
Phantom	Ghostly night prowler	sleek and silent, made for a cat you hear but never see.
Noir	black	black in French; film-noir cool in four letters.
Yin	the dark shaded side in Chinese philosophy	the shadow half, deep and calm.
Yinyang	The black and white Taoist symbol	balance itself, perfect for a perfectly split coat.
Taijitu	The formal name of the yin yang symbol	the scholarly version, for the philosophy-major owner.
Mono	Short for monochrome	minimal and modern, suits a stark, graphic coat.
Negative	A photo negative in black and white	inverted and intriguing.
Exposure	Light and dark in photography	the technical term for what your cat's coat already is.
Ink	Black ink	dark, fluid, and permanent, for a cat with bold black markings.
Sketch	A pencil sketch in black on white	unfinished-artist energy, suits a scruffy-charming cat.
Etch	Black lines etched on white	sharp and permanent, for crisp-edged markings.
Mask	Dark mask-like markings on the face	mysterious and dramatic, the superhero of bicolor names.
Mime	The black and white face paint of a mime artist	silent-theater charm for a quiet, expressive cat.
Convict	The old black and white striped prison uniform	rebellious stripes for a rule-breaking cat.
Film	Black and white film photography	vintage-cinema soul, suits an old-Hollywood cat.

Food-Inspired Black-and-White Names

From sweet treats to savoury snacks, these food-inspired names play on the delicious contrast of black and white.

Sweet, savory, and spotted.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Boba	After the chewy pearls in bubble tea	round, dark, and sweet, like a spotted belly.
Nori	edible seaweed	dark green-black sheets around white rice, exactly your cat's color scheme.
Onigiri	White rice triangles wrapped in dark nori	the sushi-bar name for a bicolor cat.
Rice	White rice with dark grains	simple and staple, suits a mostly-white cat.
Sesame	Black and white sesame seeds	tiny and scattered, perfect for fine speckled markings.
Sushi	After the Japanese dish	neat little rolls; tidy and delicious-sounding.
Tofu	White tofu	soft, pale, and mild, for a gentle mostly-white cat.
Cookies	Black and white like cookies and cream	the plural is friendlier than the singular.
Udder	A silly nod to dairy cow spots	gloriously goofy, for owners with a sense of humor.
Friesian	The black and white Holstein Friesian dairy cow	farm-fresh and friendly.
Confetti	small sweets, candies	sprinkled multicolor coat; celebration in a name.
Sprinkles	Colorful sprinkles	joyful and light, suits a happy spotted cat.

Spots, Patches & Pattern Names

These bicolor cat names celebrate the pattern itself, spots, patches, masks and all the beautiful asymmetry of a piebald coat.

Names that describe the coat itself.

Name	Meaning	Good for
Spot	Bold black spots on white	the classic, no-nonsense pattern name.
Skunk	The black and white striped animal	stripey and a little stinky-attitude, in the best way.
Inkblot	Inkblot-shaped dark patches	Rorschach-test markings, different in every light.
Inkjet	Black ink jetted onto white paper	modern and precise, for crisp small markings.
Braille	Raised dots read by touch and printed black on white	tactile and meaningful.
Crosshatch	Crossed black lines shading white space	artist's shading technique, suits fine-lined markings.
Stencil	Bold black shapes cut from white	graphic and punchy.
Stripes	Bold black stripes on white	straightforward, suits tabby-striped bicolor cats.
Splatter	Black paint splatter on white	Jackson Pollock energy for a chaotic coat.
Splotch	Colorful splotches	soft and blobby, perfect for irregular patches.
Stockings	White stocking markings on dark legs	vintage pin-up charm for white legs.
Halftone	Black dots forming images on white	print-shop cool, suits dotted coats.
Granite	Speckled grey stone	sophisticated and speckled.
Barcode	Black bars on white like a barcode	scannable and modern, for striped markings.
Houndstooth	The classic black and white woven pattern	fashion-house chic.
Patchwork	Quilt-like patched coat	cozy and pieced-together.
Morse	Dots and dashes of Morse code in black on white	secret-message markings.
Contrast	The striking contrast of black on white	the design term for what makes these cats photogenic.
Checkers	Checkered patches	game-board neat, suits evenly spaced patches.
Bicolor	two colored	the technical term for the coat itself, worn as a name with pride.

Tips for Naming Your Black-and-White Cat

A few practical guidelines before you decide:

1. Say it out loud. You will call this name hundreds of times. It should roll off the tongue and not sound like a command you use daily (avoid "Kit," which sounds like "sit").

2. Keep it short. One or two syllables are easiest for a cat to recognize. Longer names work if the everyday nickname is short: Sylvester becomes Sly.

3. Test it at the vet. Imagine saying it in a waiting room. If you would hesitate, keep looking.

4. Match energy, not just pattern. A shy bicolor cat named Bandit is funny for a week and wrong forever. Watch your cat for a day or two before committing.

5. Check the lookalikes. If you have other pets, make sure the names do not sound alike. Cats respond to the sound, not the spelling.

6. Pair names with care. Black and white cats often come home in bonded pairs. Salt and Pepper, Yin and Yang, or Domino and Checkers all work beautifully together.

Our Pick

If we had to name a tuxedo kitten tomorrow, we would go with Domino: it honors the pattern without describing it outright, it works on any temperament, and it has never once felt dated. For a girl, Mochi gets our vote: soft, sweet, and two perfect syllables. And if your cat has one dramatic mask marking, skip the cute stuff and go Zorro. You will not regret it.

More Names You'll Love

Cat Names, browse the full name directory
Black Cat Names, more names for the dark half of the coat
White Cat Names, more names for the light half
Calico Cat Names, for tri-color patchwork cats
Grey Cat Names, elegant ideas for silver and smoky cats
Cute Cat Names, impossible not to love
Funny Cat Names, guaranteed to make you laugh
Cat Breeds, breed profiles with temperament and grooming notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you call a black and white cat?

The most common term is "tuxedo cat," for cats whose markings look like formal wear. "Bicolor" and "piebald" are the technical terms for any two-colored coat. None of these are breeds: they describe patterns that appear in dozens of breeds and in mixed-breed cats.

Is a tuxedo cat a breed?

No. Tuxedo is a coat pattern, not a breed. It shows up in Maine Coons, British Shorthairs, Persians, American Shorthairs, and countless mixed-breed cats. The pattern comes from how white-spotting genes distribute color during development, which is why no two tuxedos look exactly alike.

What are good names for a black and white kitten?

Perennial favorites are Oreo, Domino, Tux, Felix, Panda, and Mittens. If you want a name with a verified meaning, Blanc (French for "white"), Noir (French for "black"), and Felix (Latin for "lucky, successful") are elegant choices that suit any temperament. For something rarer, try Reversi, Taijitu, or Pierrot.

Who are some famous black and white cats?

Sylvester the Cat from Looney Tunes is the most famous cartoon tuxedo, followed by Felix the Cat and Figaro from Disney's Pinocchio. Real-life famous tuxedos include Sockington, the early Twitter star, and Palmerston, the Foreign Office cat. Félicette, the first cat in space, was also a black-and-white stray from Paris.

Should I name my cat after its pattern?

Pattern names like Domino, Patches, and Checkers are popular because they are descriptive and age well. The risk is only with very literal names on a kitten whose markings may shift slightly as it grows. A safe middle ground is a pattern-adjacent name (Tuxedo, Marble, Mosaic) that suits the look without mapping it spot for spot.

What is a rare black and white cat name?

Try Taijitu (the formal name of the yin-yang symbol), Reversi (the original name of the Othello board game), Pierrot (the white-clad pantomime character), or Félicette (the first cat in space). All four are conversation starters, and none of them appear on the typical top-10 lists.

By Brianna Baxter

Do tuxedo cats have a specific personality?

There is no scientific evidence linking coat colour or pattern to personality in cats. Tuxedo cats come in every temperament, playful, shy, vocal or calm, just like cats of any other colour. Choose a name that fits the cat you meet, not a stereotype.

Can I rename an adopted black and white cat?

Yes. Cats learn a new name with consistent, positive repetition, say it when you feed, play and greet them, and pair it with a treat. Most cats respond within a couple of weeks. Keep the new name short, one or two syllables, and avoid anything that sounds like a common command.

What kinds of sounds do cats respond to best in a name?

Cats tend to respond best to short names with clear, high-pitched sounds, particularly sibilants like S and Sh, and names ending in an ee sound such as Mimi or Ziggy. Two-syllable names are often ideal: long enough to sound distinct, short enough to call out easily.

What naming mistakes should I avoid?

Avoid names that sound like training commands, names longer than three syllables that you will shorten anyway, and names that could embarrass you at the vet. Also think twice before naming a kitten purely for its baby markings, black and white patterns can shift slightly as the coat matures.

Featured photo: TeWeBs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

168 Black and White Cat Names: Tuxedo Classics, Cute & Cool Ideas