360+ Literary Cat Names Inspired by Classic and Modern Literature

Let’s face it – naming a cat is almost as fun as bringing one home. I’ve spent hours debating names with my family whenever a new furry friend joins our household. There’s something special about finding that perfect name that captures your cat’s unique personality or quirks.

For book lovers, literature offers an endless well of inspiration for cat names. From beloved characters to famous authors, literary works give us names with depth, meaning, and sometimes a touch of whimsy.

Naming your cat after a literary figure isn’t just creative, it’s a way to honor stories that have touched your life. Every time you call your cat, you’re reminded of a favorite book or character that means something to you. It’s like carrying a little piece of that literary world with you every day.

Literary Cat Names

• Atticus – From “To Kill a Mockingbird,” this name represents wisdom and integrity, perfect for a dignified cat.
• Rhett – Derived from “Gone with the Wind,” ideal for a charming, roguish cat who does things on his own terms.
• Gatsby – From “The Great Gatsby,” suited for an elegant, mysterious cat with expensive taste.
• Poe – Named after Edgar Allan Poe, perfect for a black cat with a mysterious aura.
• Scout – From “To Kill a Mockingbird,” great for a curious, adventurous feline who loves to explore.
• Darcy – Based on “Pride and Prejudice,” fitting for a proud, aloof cat who warms up over time.
• Brontë – After the literary sisters, ideal for a thoughtful, independent cat.
• Dorian – From “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” suited for a beautiful cat with a hint of mischief.
• Heathcliff – From “Wuthering Heights,” perfect for a brooding, intense cat.
• Austen – After Jane Austen, ideal for a refined, observant feline.
• Sherlock – From Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, great for a clever, investigative cat.
• Watson – Sherlock’s loyal companion, suited for a friendly, dependable cat.
• Pip – From “Great Expectations,” perfect for a small cat with big dreams.
• Huck – Short for Huckleberry from Mark Twain’s adventures, ideal for a free-spirited cat.
• Ophelia – From “Hamlet,” beautiful for a graceful, tragic female cat.
• Byron – After the romantic poet Lord Byron, suited for a passionate, dramatic cat.
• Sylvia – After poet Sylvia Plath, fitting for an intense, creative female cat.
• Stoker – After Bram Stoker, perfect for a nocturnal cat with mysterious habits.
• Kipling – After Rudyard Kipling, ideal for a cat with wild instincts and great stories.
• Zelda – After Zelda Fitzgerald, great for a glamorous, spirited female cat.

For more creative options, explore these unique usernames

Male Literary Cat Names

• Holden – From “The Catcher in the Rye,” perfect for a cat who marches to his own beat and has a unique view of the world.
• Ishmael – From “Moby Dick,” ideal for a wandering, adventurous male cat.
• Rochester – From “Jane Eyre,” suited for a brooding, mysterious cat with hidden depths.
• Thornfield – Also from “Jane Eyre,” perfect for a homebody cat who loves his territory.
• Sawyer – From “Tom Sawyer,” great for a mischievous, clever cat who’s always getting into trouble.
• Dracula – From Bram Stoker’s novel, ideal for a nocturnal, intense black cat.
• Fitzwilliam – Mr. Darcy’s first name from “Pride and Prejudice,” suited for a dignified, proper cat.
• Hemingway – After Ernest Hemingway, perfect for a strong, resilient cat (especially one with extra toes!).
• Hawthorne – After Nathaniel Hawthorne, ideal for a thoughtful cat with an air of mystery.
• Constantine – From various works, suited for a regal, commanding cat.
• Orwell – After George Orwell, perfect for an observant cat who misses nothing.
• Dickinson – After poet Emily Dickinson, great for a quiet, deep-thinking cat.
• Merlin – From Arthurian legends, ideal for a wise, magical-seeming cat.
• Jekyll – From “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” suited for a cat with dual personalities.
• Thoreau – After Henry David Thoreau, perfect for an independent, nature-loving cat.
• Beowulf – From the epic poem, ideal for a brave, strong cat who protects his home.
• Conrad – After Joseph Conrad, suited for a cat with an adventurous spirit.
• Crusoe – From “Robinson Crusoe,” perfect for a resourceful, adaptable cat.
• Marlowe – After Christopher Marlowe, ideal for a dramatic, charismatic cat.
• Odysseus – From “The Odyssey,” suited for a clever cat who always finds his way home.

For more male name ideas, check out these old-fashioned boy names

Female Literary Cat Names

• Lizzy – From “Pride and Prejudice,” perfect for a clever, spirited female cat with strong opinions.
• Daisy – From “The Great Gatsby,” ideal for a beautiful, delicate cat who captivates everyone.
• Scarlett – From “Gone with the Wind,” suited for a determined, resourceful cat who always lands on her feet.
• Desdemona – From “Othello,” perfect for a sweet, faithful cat.
• Juliet – From “Romeo and Juliet,” ideal for a romantic, affectionate cat.
• Emma – From Jane Austen’s novel, suited for a cat who thinks she knows best.
• Eyre – From “Jane Eyre,” perfect for a quiet cat with inner strength.
• Celie – From “The Color Purple,” ideal for a resilient, compassionate cat.
• Beatrice – From “Much Ado About Nothing,” suited for a witty, feisty cat.
• Cathy – From “Wuthering Heights,” perfect for a passionate, wild-spirited cat.
• Galadriel – From “Lord of the Rings,” ideal for a majestic, ethereal white cat.
• Arwen – Also from “Lord of the Rings,” suited for an elegant, graceful cat.
• Pemberley – Mr. Darcy’s estate in “Pride and Prejudice,” perfect for a dignified, refined cat.
• Portia – From “The Merchant of Venice,” ideal for an intelligent, graceful cat.
• Virginia – After Virginia Woolf, suited for a thoughtful, independent cat.
• Morgana – From Arthurian legends, perfect for a mysterious, powerful cat.
• Harper – After Harper Lee, ideal for an observant, justice-minded cat.
• Zora – After Zora Neale Hurston, suited for a colorful, vibrant cat with stories to tell.
• Clarissa – From “Mrs. Dalloway,” perfect for a sociable cat who loves to host.
• Cordelia – From “King Lear,” ideal for a loyal, honest cat.

Explore more female name options with these elegant girl names

Unisex Literary Cat Names

• Darcy – From “Pride and Prejudice,” this name works for both male and female cats with a dignified, somewhat aloof personality.
• Harper – After Harper Lee, perfect for observant cats of any gender who watch everything happening in the home.
• Blake – After William Blake, suited for creative, imaginative cats with mystical qualities.
• Scout – From “To Kill a Mockingbird,” ideal for curious, brave cats who explore every corner.
• Austen – After Jane Austen, perfect for cats with social grace and keen observation skills.
• Dickens – After Charles Dickens, suited for cats with colorful personalities or who came from humble beginnings.
• Bronte – After the literary sisters, ideal for thoughtful, passionate cats.
• Wordsworth – After the poet, perfect for cats who love nature and spending time outdoors.
• Shelley – After Percy or Mary Shelley, suited for creative, unconventional cats.
• Orwell – After George Orwell, ideal for watchful cats who observe everything.
• Beckett – After Samuel Beckett, perfect for quirky, unusual cats.
• Poe – After Edgar Allan Poe, suited for mysterious, slightly spooky cats.
• Parker – After Dorothy Parker, ideal for witty cats with attitude.
• Sidney – After Sidney Sheldon, perfect for dramatic cats who create excitement.
• Wilde – After Oscar Wilde, suited for cats with theatrical, flamboyant personalities.
• Quinn – From various literary works, ideal for playful, energetic cats.
• Marlowe – After Christopher Marlowe, perfect for dramatic, charismatic cats.
• Frost – After Robert Frost, suited for contemplative cats who enjoy peaceful moments.
• Tennyson – After Alfred, Lord Tennyson, ideal for noble, dignified cats.
• Rowan – From various fantasy works, perfect for mystical, magical-seeming cats.

For more gender-neutral naming ideas, check out these short usernames

Literary Cat Names Based On Classics

• Dorian – From Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” perfect for a beautiful cat with a hint of mischief or dual nature.
• Ahab – From “Moby Dick,” suited for a determined cat with an obsessive personality.
• Esther – From “Bleak House,” ideal for a gentle, patient cat.
• Rochester – From “Jane Eyre,” perfect for a brooding, complex male cat.
• Quixote – From “Don Quixote,” suited for a cat who gets into amusing misadventures.
• Clarissa – From Samuel Richardson’s novel, ideal for a virtuous, proper female cat.
• Fagin – From “Oliver Twist,” perfect for a clever cat who teaches younger cats tricks.
• Uriah – From “David Copperfield,” suited for a deceptively humble cat.
• Werther – From Goethe’s “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” ideal for a sensitive, emotional cat.
• Bovary – From “Madame Bovary,” perfect for a cat who dreams of a more exciting life.
• Gregor – From “The Metamorphosis,” suited for a cat who undergoes dramatic changes.
• Kurtz – From “Heart of Darkness,” ideal for a cat with a mysterious, intense presence.
• Bartleby – From “Bartleby the Scrivener,” perfect for a cat who “would prefer not to” follow commands.
• Raskolnikov – From “Crime and Punishment,” suited for a cat with inner turmoil.
• Andronicus – From “Titus Andronicus,” ideal for a regal, dramatic cat.
• Copperfield – From “David Copperfield,” perfect for a cat with a rags-to-riches story.
• Alcott – After Louisa May Alcott, suited for a family-oriented, warm cat.
• Havisham – From “Great Expectations,” ideal for an eccentric, particular cat.
• Karenina – From “Anna Karenina,” perfect for a passionate, tragic female cat.
• Walden – From Thoreau’s work, suited for a nature-loving, independent cat.

Find more classic name inspiration with these vintage usernames

Fictional Cat Names Based On Contemporary and Genre Books

• Lyra – From Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials,” perfect for a curious cat with a strong will and adventurous spirit.
• Snape – From “Harry Potter,” suited for a serious, mysterious black cat.
• Arya – From “Game of Thrones,” ideal for a fierce, independent female cat.
• Reacher – From Lee Child’s novels, perfect for a large, powerful cat who wanders.
• Daenerys – From “Game of Thrones,” suited for a regal, commanding female cat.
• Lisbeth – From “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” ideal for a tough, resourceful cat.
• Drizzt – From R.A. Salvatore’s fantasy novels, perfect for a unique cat with amazing abilities.
• Katniss – From “The Hunger Games,” suited for a survivor cat with hunting instincts.
• Tyrion – From “Game of Thrones,” ideal for a small but clever cat.
• Tris – From “Divergent,” perfect for a brave, adaptable cat.
• Dresden – From “The Dresden Files,” suited for a cat who gets into supernatural trouble.
• Samwise – From “Lord of the Rings,” ideal for a loyal, supportive cat.
• Jasnah – From “The Stormlight Archive,” perfect for an intelligent, no-nonsense female cat.
• Kvothe – From “The Name of the Wind,” suited for a talented, mysterious cat.
• Haddon – After Mark Haddon, ideal for a cat with unique perspective on the world.
• Atreides – From “Dune,” perfect for a cat with natural leadership qualities.
• Pennywise – From Stephen King’s “It,” suited for a cat with a mischievous, sometimes unsettling presence.
• Lestat – From Anne Rice’s vampire novels, ideal for an elegant, dramatic cat.
• Stark – From “Game of Thrones,” perfect for a resilient cat from northern climates.
• Thursday – From Jasper Fforde’s “Thursday Next” series, suited for a cat who seems to move between worlds.

For more fantasy-inspired names, check out these fantasy last names

Literary Cat Names Based On Children’s Books

• Paddington – From “Paddington Bear,” perfect for a cat who seems to get into gentle mischief and loves treats.
• Matilda – From Roald Dahl’s book, suited for an intelligent female cat who seems too smart for her own good.
• Tigger – From “Winnie the Pooh,” ideal for a bouncy, enthusiastic cat full of energy.
• Pippi – From “Pippi Longstocking,” perfect for a strong, unconventional female cat.
• Tumnus – From “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” suited for a gentle, kind cat.
• Ramona – From Beverly Cleary’s books, ideal for a spirited cat who gets into trouble.
• Stuart – From “Stuart Little,” perfect for a small cat with a big personality.
• Madeline – From Ludwig Bemelmans’ books, suited for a brave female cat who isn’t afraid of anything.
• Wilbur – From “Charlotte’s Web,” ideal for a sweet, sensitive cat.
• Beatrix – After Beatrix Potter, perfect for a gentle cat who loves gardens.
• Pooh – From “Winnie the Pooh,” suited for a thoughtful cat who loves to eat.
• Charlotte – From “Charlotte’s Web,” ideal for a clever, creative female cat.
• Max – From “Where the Wild Things Are,” perfect for a cat with a wild imagination.
• Eloise – From Kay Thompson’s books, suited for a cat who rules the house like a hotel.
• Ferdinand – From “The Story of Ferdinand,” ideal for a peaceful cat who likes to smell flowers.
• Frances – From Russell Hoban’s books, perfect for a cat with particular habits.
• Strega – From “Strega Nona,” suited for a magical-seeming female cat.
• Despereaux – From “The Tale of Despereaux,” ideal for a small cat with a brave heart.
• Clifford – From “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” perfect for a large, gentle cat.
• Seuss – After Dr. Seuss, suited for a whimsical, playful cat.

Find more playful name ideas with these Disney cat names

Cat Names Based On YA Books

• Hazel – From “The Fault in Our Stars,” perfect for a thoughtful, philosophical cat with wise eyes.
• Hermione – From “Harry Potter,” suited for an intelligent, capable female cat.
• Luna – From “Harry Potter,” ideal for a dreamy, unusual cat who seems to see things others don’t.
• Percy – From “Percy Jackson,” perfect for a cat who seems to attract adventure and may have water affinity.
• Tris – From “Divergent,” suited for a brave, determined female cat.
• Augustus – From “The Fault in Our Stars,” ideal for a charming, charismatic male cat.
• Clary – From “The Mortal Instruments,” perfect for an artistic female cat with hidden talents.
• Jace – From “The Mortal Instruments,” suited for a confident, attractive male cat.
• Katniss – From “The Hunger Games,” ideal for a survivor cat with strong hunting instincts.
• Peeta – From “The Hunger Games,” perfect for a loyal, gentle male cat.
• Primrose – From “The Hunger Games,” suited for a sweet, delicate female cat.
• Simon – From “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,” ideal for a cat who’s finding his way.
• Annabeth – From “Percy Jackson,” perfect for a strategic, clever female cat.
• Tobias – From “Divergent,” suited for a cat with unexpected depths.
• Starr – From “The Hate U Give,” ideal for a cat with a strong voice and presence.
• Eleanor – From “Eleanor & Park,” perfect for a unique, resilient female cat.
• Park – From “Eleanor & Park,” suited for a quiet, thoughtful male cat.
• Lara Jean – From “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” ideal for a romantic, sweet female cat.
• Cinder – From “The Lunar Chronicles,” perfect for a resourceful, hardworking cat with a past.
• Draco – From “Harry Potter,” suited for a beautiful but sometimes difficult cat.

For more name ideas for younger cats, check out these cat names that start with A

Nerdy Cat Names Based On Comics

• Banner – After Bruce Banner/Hulk, perfect for a normally calm cat who has bursts of energy.
• Parker – After Peter Parker/Spider-Man, suited for an agile, climbing cat.
• Wayne – After Bruce Wayne/Batman, ideal for a dark, mysterious cat who’s active at night.
• Selina – After Selina Kyle/Catwoman, perfect for a sleek, cunning female cat.
• Stark – After Tony Stark/Iron Man, suited for a clever, sometimes arrogant cat.
• Diana – After Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, ideal for a majestic, powerful female cat.
• Logan – After Wolverine, perfect for a tough, resilient cat.
• Storm – After X-Men’s Storm, suited for a white-furred cat with regal bearing.
• Loki – After Thor’s trickster brother, ideal for a mischievous, unpredictable cat.
• Wanda – After Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, perfect for a mysterious female cat with unusual behaviors.
• Kent – After Clark Kent/Superman, suited for a strong, dependable cat.
• Ivy – After Poison Ivy, ideal for a beautiful but sometimes dangerous female cat.
• Bucky – After Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, perfect for a cat with a troubled past.
• Natasha – After Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, suited for a sleek, stealthy female cat.
• Xavier – After Professor X, ideal for a wise, calm cat.
• Gamora – After Guardians of the Galaxy character, perfect for a fierce, independent female cat.
• Vision – After the Avenger, suited for a unique, observant cat.
• Rogue – After the X-Men character, ideal for a cat who sometimes needs space.
• Wilson – After Wade Wilson/Deadpool, perfect for an unpredictable, funny cat.
• Pepper – After Pepper Potts, suited for an efficient, put-together female cat.

For more nerdy naming inspiration, explore these nerdy cat names

Cat Names Based On Authors

• Hemingway – After Ernest Hemingway, perfect for six-toed cats or those with a bold, adventurous spirit.
• Austen – After Jane Austen, suited for observant cats with a sense of social grace.
• Tolkien – After J.R.R. Tolkien, ideal for cats with an air of fantasy and magic about them.
• Christie – After Agatha Christie, perfect for clever cats who observe everything.
• Poe – After Edgar Allan Poe, suited for mysterious, somewhat gothic black cats.
• Rowling – After J.K. Rowling, ideal for cats who seem to create magic in your life.
• Dickens – After Charles Dickens, perfect for cats with colorful personalities.
• Woolf – After Virginia Woolf, suited for independent, thoughtful cats.
• Shakespeare – After William Shakespeare, ideal for dramatic cats with expressive personalities.
• Angelou – After Maya Angelou, perfect for resilient, dignified cats.
• Twain – After Mark Twain, suited for mischievous, witty cats.
• Plath – After Sylvia Plath, ideal for intense, complex cats.
• Kafka – After Franz Kafka, perfect for strange, unusual cats.
• Steinbeck – After John Steinbeck, suited for earthy, straightforward cats.
• Fitzgerald – After F. Scott Fitzgerald, ideal for glamorous, charming cats.
• Morrison – After Toni Morrison, perfect for cats with depth and wisdom.
• Orwell – After George Orwell, suited for watchful, paranoid cats.
• Shelley – After Mary Shelley, ideal for cats with a mysterious, slightly spooky quality.
• Márquez – After Gabriel García Márquez, perfect for cats with magical qualities.
• King – After Stephen King, suited for cats who sometimes startle or spook you.

For more naming inspiration, check out these fantasy names for girls

Bookish Cat Names for Multiple Cats

• Romeo and Juliet – From Shakespeare’s play, perfect for a bonded pair of cats, especially male and female.
• Elizabeth and Darcy – From “Pride and Prejudice,” suited for a female and male cat with an opposites-attract dynamic.
• Sherlock and Watson – From Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, ideal for a clever cat paired with a loyal companion.
• Jane and Rochester – From “Jane Eyre,” perfect for a quiet female cat and a brooding male cat.
• Hansel and Gretel – From the fairy tale, suited for sibling cats who stick together.
• Benedick and Beatrice – From “Much Ado About Nothing,” ideal for cats who seem to bicker but clearly love each other.
• Huck and Jim – From “Huckleberry Finn,” perfect for adventurous cats who explore together.
• Anne and Gilbert – From “Anne of Green Gables,” suited for cats who start as rivals but become friends.
• Cathy and Heathcliff – From “Wuthering Heights,” ideal for intense, passionate cats.
• Dorothy and Toto – From “The Wizard of Oz,” perfect for a pair where one protects the other.
• Odysseus and Penelope – From “The Odyssey,” suited for cats where one wanders and one stays home.
• Emma and Knightley – From Jane Austen’s “Emma,” ideal for cats with a friendship that evolves.
• Harry, Ron, and Hermione – From “Harry Potter,” perfect for a trio of cats who have different personalities but work as a team.
• Frodo and Sam – From “Lord of the Rings,” suited for loyal best friends.
• Jekyll and Hyde – From “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” ideal for cats with contrasting personalities.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – From “Hamlet,” perfect for identical cats or those always together.
• Katniss and Peeta – From “The Hunger Games,” suited for protective pairs.
• Narnia cats – Name multiple cats after Narnia characters: Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Peter, Aslan.
• Hobbit cats – Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin for a group of small, food-loving cats.
• Little Women cats – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy for a group of female cats with distinct personalities.

For more pairing ideas, check out these twin cat names

Famous Literary Cat Names

• Crookshanks – Hermione’s cat from “Harry Potter,” perfect for intelligent, protective cats, especially those with squashed faces or bottle-brush tails.
• Cheshire – From “Alice in Wonderland,” suited for cats with prominent smiles or who appear and disappear mysteriously.
• Mrs. Norris – From “Harry Potter,” ideal for nosy, patrol-loving cats who monitor everyone’s activities.
• Macavity – From T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” perfect for mysterious cats who seem to vanish when looking for them.
• Dinah – Alice’s cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” suited for sweet, well-behaved female cats.
• Greebo – From Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” ideal for tough tomcats with attitude.
• Behemoth – The giant black cat from “The Master and Margarita,” perfect for large black cats with mischievous personalities.
• Aslan – The lion from “The Chronicles of Narnia,” suited for majestic, wise cats.
• Mog – From Judith Kerr’s books, ideal for forgetful, lovable cats who find themselves in trouble.
• Jenyanydots – From T.S. Eliot’s poems/musical “Cats,” perfect for cats who seem lazy by day but active at night.
• Pluto – From Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” suited for black cats with mysterious auras.
• Spot – Data’s cat from “Star Trek,” ideal for simple, straightforward cats.
• Mr. Mistoffelees – From T.S. Eliot’s poems/musical “Cats,” perfect for tuxedo cats or those with seemingly magical abilities.
• Pyewacket – From the novel “Bell, Book and Candle,” suited for cats with witch-like qualities.
• Church – From Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary,” ideal for cats with an otherworldly presence.
• Tabitha Twitchit – From Beatrix Potter’s stories, perfect for proper female cats who try to keep things in order.
• Jake – From “The Cat Who” mystery series, suited for Siamese cats with strong personalities.
• Crackerjack – From “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,” ideal for beloved pet cats.
• Old Deuteronomy – From T.S. Eliot’s poems/musical “Cats,” perfect for elderly, wise cats.
• Salem – From “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” suited for black cats with attitude and seemingly human intelligence.

For more spooky inspiration, check out these witchy cat names

Best Literary Cat Names

• Atticus – From “To Kill a Mockingbird,” perfect for wise, dignified cats with strong moral character.
• Gatsby – From “The Great Gatsby,” suited for elegant, mysterious cats who seem to have a glamorous past.
• Luna – From “Harry Potter,” ideal for dreamy, unusual cats who notice things others don’t.
• Sherlock – From Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, perfect for clever, observant cats who investigate everything.
• Elinor – From “Sense and Sensibility,” suited for practical, sensible female cats.
• Dorian – From “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” ideal for beautiful cats with perhaps a mischievous side.
• Scout – From “To Kill a Mockingbird,” perfect for curious, adventurous cats.
• Byron – After Lord Byron, suited for dramatic, romantic male cats.
• Poe – After Edgar Allan Poe, ideal for mysterious, somewhat gothic cats.
• Beatrice – From “Much Ado About Nothing,” perfect for witty, feisty female cats.
• Darcy – From “Pride and Prejudice,” suited for proud cats who take time to warm up to strangers.
• Ophelia – From “Hamlet,” ideal for beautiful, tragic female cats.
• Huxley – After Aldous Huxley, perfect for cats who observe society with a critical eye.
• Matilda – From Roald Dahl’s book, suited for clever female cats who seem too smart for their surroundings.
• Watson – From Sherlock Holmes stories, ideal for loyal, dependable cats.
• Austen – After Jane Austen, perfect for observant cats with social grace.
• Heathcliff – From “Wuthering Heights,” suited for intense, brooding male cats who might be a bit wild.
• Hermione – From “Harry Potter,” perfect for intelligent, capable female cats who always seem to know what to do.
• Dickinson – After Emily Dickinson, ideal for quiet, observant cats with hidden depths.
• Fitzgerald – After F. Scott Fitzgerald, suited for charming, sometimes melancholy cats with an air of bygone elegance.

For more classic options, explore these vintage girl names

Female Literary Cat Names of Fictional Cats

• Mrs. Norris – The nosy, patrol-loving cat from “Harry Potter,” perfect for female cats who monitor all household activities.
• Dinah – Alice’s cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” suited for sweet, well-mannered female cats who provide comfort.
• Griddlebone – From T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” ideal for elegant white female cats.
• Thomasina – From “The Three Lives of Thomasina,” perfect for female cats who seem to have multiple lives or personalities.
• Tabitha Twitchit – From Beatrix Potter’s stories, suited for proper mother cats who try to keep things in order.
• Eurydice – Orpheus’s cat in “Sandman,” ideal for mysterious female cats.
• Duchess – From Disney’s “The Aristocats,” perfect for elegant, refined female cats.
• Felicity – From “Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo,” suited for adventurous female cats who get into trouble.
• Marie – The white kitten from “The Aristocats,” ideal for dainty, feminine cats.
• Tao – The Siamese cat from “The Incredible Journey,” perfect for determined, loyal female cats.
• Mehitabel – The alley cat from “archy and mehitabel,” suited for street-smart, resilient female cats.
• Miss Moppet – From Beatrix Potter’s tales, ideal for female cats who encounter trouble.
• Maisie – From “Cat in an Alphabet Endgame,” perfect for playful female cats.
• Jenyanydots – From T.S. Eliot’s poems, suited for seemingly lazy female cats who come alive at night.
• Carbucketty – From the musical “Cats,” ideal for small, energetic female cats.
• Bombalurina – From the musical “Cats,” perfect for red-coated, flirtatious female cats.
• Jellylorum – From T.S. Eliot’s poems, suited for caretaker female cats.
• Silvie – From “The Nine Lives of Island Mackenzie,” ideal for silver-coated female cats.
• Gumbitch – From Fritz Leiber’s stories, perfect for supernaturally intelligent female cats.
• Saha – The temple cat from “The Cat Who Went to Heaven,” suited for spiritual, gentle female cats.

For more female-specific names, check out these girl names that mean water

Male Literary Cat Names of Fictional Cats

• Macavity – The “Mystery Cat” from T.S. Eliot’s poems, perfect for elusive male cats who seem to disappear when called.
• Crookshanks – Hermione’s intelligent half-Kneazle cat from “Harry Potter,” suited for orange male cats with squashed faces.
• Mr. Mistoffelees – The magical cat from T.S. Eliot’s poems, ideal for tuxedo cats or those who seem to perform impossible feats.
• Behemoth – The giant black cat who walks on two legs from “The Master and Margarita,” perfect for large, mischievous black male cats.
• Pluto – The black cat from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” suited for mysterious black male cats.
• Greebo – Nanny Ogg’s tough tomcat from Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” ideal for battle-scarred, one-eyed cats.
• Old Deuteronomy – The wise, ancient cat from T.S. Eliot’s poems, perfect for elderly male cats.
• Skimbleshanks – The “Railway Cat” from T.S. Eliot’s poems, suited for orange tabby cats who patrol the house.
• Growltiger – The “Terror of the Thames” from T.S. Eliot’s poems, ideal for tough, one-eyed tomcats.
• Azrael – Gargamel’s cat from “The Smurfs,” perfect for pets who seem to assist their owners.
• Salem – The witch’s familiar from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” suited for sassy black male cats.
• Jake – The intelligent Siamese from “The Cat Who” mystery series, ideal for vocal, opinionated male cats.
• Pangur Bán – From the 9th-century Irish poem, perfect for white male cats with hunting prowess.
• Mogget – The Free Magic construct in the form of a cat from Garth Nix’s “Abhorsen” series, suited for white cats with mysterious personalities.
• Bustopher Jones – The “Cat About Town” from T.S. Eliot’s poems, ideal for black and white tuxedo cats with substantial builds.
• Rum Tum Tugger – The curious cat from T.S. Eliot’s poems, perfect for fickle, independent male cats who know what they want.
• Gus – Short for “Asparagus,” the theater cat from T.S. Eliot’s poems, suited for elderly cats with a distinguished past.
• Pyewacket – The witch’s familiar from “Bell, Book and Candle,” ideal for cats with seemingly supernatural abilities.
• Church – The cat from Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary,” perfect for cats with an otherworldly presence.
• Munkustrap – The protector cat from T.S. Eliot’s poems, suited for responsible, protective male cats.

For more male-specific names, explore these strong boy names

More Names of Fictional Cats

• Petronius Arbiter – Known as “Pete,” a cat from Robert Heinlein’s “The Door into Summer,” perfect for wise cats who seem to understand more than they let on.
• Maurice – The sentient cat from Terry Pratchett’s “The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents,” suited for clever cats who seem to be planning something.
• Ribby – The cat from Beatrix Potter’s “The Pie and the Patty-Pan,” ideal for neat, proper cats who enjoy entertaining.
• Sergeant Tibbs – The tabby cat from “101 Dalmatians,” perfect for brave, helpful cats.
• Carbonel – From Barbara Sleigh’s books, suited for regal cats who act like royalty.
• Pixel – The “Cat Who Walks Through Walls” from Robert Heinlein’s book, ideal for cats who seem to appear out of nowhere.
• Tom Kitten – From Beatrix Potter’s tales, perfect for playful male kittens who get into trouble.
• Snitter – From “The Plague Dogs,” suited for nervous cats who have had a hard life.
• Aslan – The lion from “The Chronicles of Narnia,” ideal for majestic, wise cats.
• Tao – From “The Incredible Journey,” perfect for determined, loyal cats.
• Tallydab – From “Tailchaser’s Song,” suited for adventurous cats.
• Slinky Malinki – From Lynley Dodd’s books, ideal for black cats who get into mischief at night.
• Orlando – The Marmalade Cat from Kathleen Hale’s books, perfect for orange cats with families.
• Edward Tulane – The china rabbit who acts like a cat from “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” suited for aloof cats who learn to love.
• Murr – From E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr,” ideal for literary, opinionated cats.
• Sagwa – From “Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat,” perfect for Siamese cats with distinctive markings.
• Mew – From “The Cat Mew and More” by British poet Walter de la Mare, suited for talkative cats.
• Musetta – From Rita Mae Brown’s mysteries, ideal for beautiful female cats.
• Varjak Paw – From SF Said’s books, perfect for cats with unusual eye colors or special skills.
• Jinx – From Alice Hoffman’s “The Rules of Magic,” suited for black cats who seem to bring both good and bad luck.

For more mystical naming ideas, check out these celestial space cat names

More Cat Names Based on Literature

• Montag – From “Fahrenheit 451,” perfect for fiery, intense cats who seem to burn with curiosity.
• Salinger – After J.D. Salinger, suited for private, reclusive cats who choose when to socialize.
• Arwen – From “Lord of the Rings,” ideal for elegant, graceful female cats.
• Howl – From “Howl’s Moving Castle,” perfect for dramatic cats with changing moods.
• Dalloway – From “Mrs. Dalloway,” suited for sociable cats who enjoy company.
• Kipling – After Rudyard Kipling, ideal for adventurous cats with wild stories to tell.
• Sawyer – From “Tom Sawyer,” perfect for mischievous cats who charm their way out of trouble.
• Keats – After John Keats, suited for romantic, sensitive cats.
• Longbourn – The estate in “Pride and Prejudice,” ideal for cats who guard their territory.
• Whitman – After Walt Whitman, perfect for free-spirited cats who cannot be confined.
• Beckett – After Samuel Beckett, suited for unusual, existential cats.
• Bronwyn – From various Welsh tales, ideal for mystical, magical-seeming cats.
• Márquez – After Gabriel García Márquez, perfect for cats with an air of magical realism.
• Capote – After Truman Capote, suited for social, observant cats.
• Hawthorne – After Nathaniel Hawthorne, ideal for cats with mysterious, sometimes dark personalities.
• Gaskell – After Elizabeth Gaskell, perfect for proper, Victorian-like cats.
• Sylvia – After Sylvia Plath, suited for intense, poetic female cats.
• Yeats – After W.B. Yeats, ideal for cats with old souls and mystical qualities.
• Baskerville – From “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” perfect for cats with haunting meows.
• Tennyson – After Alfred, Lord Tennyson, suited for noble, dignified cats.

For more nature-inspired names, explore these tree names for girls and boys

The Enduring Bond Between Cats and Literature

Cats and books go together like… well, cats and books! Throughout history, these independent creatures have padded silently through countless stories, poems, and novels.

In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped and frequently appeared in their mythology. Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and you’ll find cats in illuminated manuscripts (sometimes chasing mice around the page margins). By the Victorian era, cats had become common characters in children’s literature.

Many famous authors were devoted cat lovers. Ernest Hemingway kept dozens of polydactyl (many-toed) cats at his home in Key West—descendants of these cats still roam the property today! Edward Lear was so attached to his cat Foss that when he built a new house, he designed it to be identical to his old one so Foss wouldn’t get confused. Mark Twain once said, “If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat.”

The 9th-century Irish poem “Pangur Bán,” written by an anonymous monk about his white cat, shows just how far back our literary relationship with cats goes:

“I and Pangur Bán, my cat
‘Tis a like task we are at
Hunting mice is his delight
Hunting words I sit all night.”

Categories of Literature Inspired Cat Names

When looking for the perfect literary name for your feline friend, it helps to think in categories. This makes the search more manageable and helps you zero in on names that might resonate with both you and your cat’s personality.

You might consider:

• Names from classic literature
• Modern books and characters
• Children’s stories
• Names of authors themselves
• Famous fictional cats
• Literary places
• Rare or unusual literary references

Let’s explore these categories and find the perfect bookish name for your furry companion!

Classic Literary Cat Names

Classic literature is filled with memorable characters whose names would be perfect for your sophisticated feline. These timeless works have given us names that carry weight and history.

Some classic literary cat names to consider:

• Behemoth – The giant, vodka-drinking black cat from Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita”
• Ichabod – From “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” perfect for a lanky, skittish cat
• Pluto – The black cat in Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling story “The Black Cat”
• Bartleby – From Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener,” ideal for a cat who “would prefer not to” do anything
• Huckleberry – For an adventurous cat, from Mark Twain’s classic
• Moby – A great name for a white cat, inspired by “Moby Dick”
• Oliver – For a cat who always wants more food, from Dickens’ “Oliver Twist”
• Romeo or Juliet – For romantic, affectionate cats

The beauty of classic literature names is their timelessness. They never go out of style and often carry interesting stories you can share when people ask about your cat’s name.

Check out more color-themed names with these black cat names

Contemporary and Genre Fiction Cat Names

If classics aren’t your style, modern literature and genre fiction offer plenty of fresh naming options. These names might feel more current and relatable to friends and family.

Popular contemporary lit cat names include:

• Richard Parker – The tiger from “Life of Pi” (great for orange cats!)
• Diesel – From “Arsenic and Old Books,” a cat detective mystery
• Maurice – From Terry Pratchett’s “The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents”
• Lisbeth – The fierce protagonist from “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
• Pennywise – From Stephen King’s “It” (for those slightly unsettling cats!)
• Pippin – A hobbit from “Lord of the Rings,” perfect for small, food-loving cats
• Khaleesi – From “Game of Thrones,” for a queenly female cat

Genre fiction like fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and horror provides especially unique options. I’m always delighted when I meet a cat named after a character from one of my favorite fantasy series!

Looking for more ideas? Browse these fantasy house names for inspiration

Children’s and Young Adult Book Cat Names

Children’s literature is bursting with wonderful cat name possibilities. These books often feature vibrant characters with memorable names that work perfectly for pets.

Some delightful options include:

• Cheshire – The grinning cat from “Alice in Wonderland”
• Percy – From the “Percy Jackson” series, great for a cat with sea-green eyes
• Aslan – The noble lion from “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” (for particularly majestic cats)
• Tigger – The bouncy tiger from “Winnie the Pooh,” perfect for energetic cats
• Matilda – For intelligent female cats, from Roald Dahl’s book
• Max – From “Where The Wild Things Are”
• Katniss – The fierce heroine from “The Hunger Games”
• Hazel – From “The Fault In Our Stars”
• Artemis – From “Artemis Fowl”

These names tend to be playful and accessible, making them easy to call out and for your cat to recognize. Plus, if you have kids, they might enjoy the connection to their favorite stories.

If you love Disney stories, check out these Disney cat names

Cat Names Based on Famous Authors and Poets

Naming your cat after a beloved author or poet creates a special tribute to the writers who’ve shaped our world with words. These names often carry a sophisticated, intellectual vibe.

Consider these author-inspired names:

• Agatha – After mystery writer Agatha Christie
• Dante – From Italian poet Dante Alighieri
• Chaucer – For Geoffrey Chaucer of “Canterbury Tales” fame
• Hugo – After French novelist Victor Hugo
• Maya – For poet Maya Angelou
• Kerouac – After beat generation writer Jack Kerouac
• Eliot – For T.S. Eliot, who wrote “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”
• Asimov – Science fiction master Isaac Asimov
• Steinbeck – After John Steinbeck

I once met a pair of cats named Fitzgerald and Zelda, after F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife. The literary reference perfectly matched the cats’ glamorous, sometimes chaotic energy!

For more sophisticated naming ideas, explore these elegant girl names

Cat Names from Iconic Fictional Cats

What better way to name a cat than after famous fictional felines from literature? These cats have left their paw prints on literary history.

Famous fictional cat names include:

• Macavity, Mr. Mistoffelees, Growltiger, Griddlebone, or Old Deuteronomy – All from T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” which inspired the musical “Cats”
• Pluto – The black cat from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat”
• Mrs. Norris – The nosy cat from the “Harry Potter” series
• Mogget – The Free Magic-bound cat from Garth Nix’s “Sabriel”
• Greebo – Nanny Ogg’s fierce tomcat from Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” novels
• Ginger – From C.S. Lewis’s “The Last Battle”
• Pangur Bán – From the famous 9th-century Irish poem

These names come with built-in personalities and stories, which can be fun if your cat happens to match the temperament of their namesake!

Find more ideas with these witch-themed cat names

Literary Cat Names Inspired by Imaginary Locations

Places from fiction make surprisingly excellent cat names. They’re often evocative, unusual, and spark conversation.

Consider these literary location names:

• Hogwarts – The magical school from “Harry Potter”
• Oz – From “The Wizard of Oz”
• Asgard – The realm of the gods in Norse mythology, featured in many books
• Wonderland – From “Alice in Wonderland”
• Winterfell – From “Game of Thrones”
• Neverland – From “Peter Pan”
• Lilliput – The land of tiny people from “Gulliver’s Travels”
• Atlantis – The mythical underwater city
• Camelot – The court of King Arthur
• Pemberly – Mr. Darcy’s estate in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Macondo – The fictional town in “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
• Azkaban – The wizard prison from “Harry Potter”
• Ithaca – Odysseus’s homeland in “The Odyssey”
• Xanadu – From Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”

I once met a cat named Rivendell (the Elven outpost in “Lord of the Rings”) who definitely had an ethereal, magical quality about her that matched the name perfectly!

Explore more mystical names with these celestial space cat names

Unique and Lesser-Known Literary Cat Names

If you’re looking for something truly distinctive, consider these lesser-known literary cat names that few others will have chosen.

Unusual literary cat name options:

• Pangur Bán – From the ancient Irish poem about a monk’s white cat
• Foss – Edward Lear’s beloved cat
• Gummitch – The supernaturally intelligent cat from Fritz Leiber’s stories
• Noboru Wataya – The cat in Haruki Murakami’s “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle”
• Murr – From E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr”
• Miss Moppet – From Beatrix Potter’s tales
• Moxie – From “Moxie” by Jennifer Mathieu
• Maisie MacKenzie – From “The Cat Who Went to Paris”

These names require a bit more explanation when introducing your cat to others, but they carry special meaning for the literary-minded pet parent.

For more distinctive options, check out these unique group names

How to Choose the Perfect Literary Name for Your Cat

Finding the right literary name for your cat involves more than just picking a character you like. Here are some tips to help you choose:

1. Match the name to your cat’s personality: Is your cat mischievous like Puck? Mysterious like Gatsby? Brave like Katniss?
2. Consider appearance: A white cat might be perfect for Moby or Daisy, while a black cat could be Poe or Shadow.
3. Think about pronunciation: You’ll be calling this name often, so make sure it’s easy to say.
4. Test it out: Try calling your cat by different names to see which ones they respond to.
5. Consider nickname potential: Will “Atticus” become “Atty”? Are you okay with that?
6. Reflect on the character’s traits: Make sure you’re comfortable with the associations of the name you choose.

I remember struggling to name a shy, gentle gray cat until I realized she had the exact temperament of Jane Eyre – quiet but with hidden strength. The name fit her perfectly, and she even seemed to recognize it right away!

Fun Facts and Trivia About Cats in Literature

Cats have left their mark on literature in fascinating ways. Here are some fun facts:

• T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” wasn’t just the inspiration for the musical “Cats” – it was originally written as letters to his godchildren.
• In Japanese literature, cats are often portrayed as supernatural beings with magical powers.
• Ernest Hemingway’s home in Key West still houses about 50-60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats, descendants of his original pet cat Snow White.
• Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire Cat may have been inspired by cheese molds from Cheshire county that were shaped like grinning cats.
• In the original Italian version of “Pinocchio,” the Fox and the Cat are villains who try to trick Pinocchio.
• Haruki Murakami frequently features cats in his novels as mysterious creatures that can move between worlds.
• The “Cat Who” mystery series by Lilian Jackson Braun spans 29 novels featuring crime-solving cats Koko and Yum Yum.
• In ancient Egyptian literature, the goddess Bastet took the form of a cat and was associated with protection.

Author	Their Famous Cat	Literary Work Inspired
Edward Lear	Foss	Many of his limericks and nonsense poems
Edgar Allan Poe	Catterina	Possibly “The Black Cat”
Charles Dickens	Bob	Minor characters in several works
Ernest Hemingway	Snow White	Inspired his love of polydactyl cats
Mark Twain	Bambino	Twain wrote a “lost cat” advertisement for him
Patricia Highsmith	Snakes	Her dark psychological themes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are literary names so popular for cats?

Literary names offer depth and meaning beyond just how they sound. They connect us to stories we love and often perfectly capture feline personality traits that authors have recognized for centuries.

Are there any famous real-life cats named after literary characters?

Yes! Taylor Swift named her cats after characters: Meredith Grey (from “Grey’s Anatomy”), Olivia Benson (from “Law & Order: SVU”), and Benjamin Button (from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story). Author Neil Gaiman has had several cats with literary names, including a black cat named Neverwhere after his own novel.

How do I know if a literary name suits my cat?

The best way is to try it out! Call your cat by the name for a few days and see if it feels right. Watch your cat’s behavior and see if it matches the character or author you’ve chosen. Sometimes the perfect name becomes obvious once you start using it.

Final Thoughts

Naming your cat after a literary character, author, or place creates a special connection between your pet and the stories you love. It’s a daily reminder of books that have touched your life and a conversation starter for fellow book lovers.

Whether you choose a well-known name like Gatsby or something obscure like Pangur Bán, your literary-named cat carries a bit of cultural legacy with them. And really, isn’t that fitting? Cats themselves are such mysterious, storied creatures – they deserve names with depth and history.

So grab your favorite book, look at your feline friend, and see which character or author they bring to mind. The perfect literary name is waiting to be discovered, just like a great story.

If you’re considering other pet naming options, check out these dog group team names for inspiration