I don't know what to name my kitten!

Thump · Sep 21, 2009

So I (finally) got a kitten, something I've been dreaming off since I was twelve years old. I got her on Friday and she's been fitting in perfectly. I was expecting a rough time what with her being used to a rowdy house with 8 kittens, two mature cats, a dog and three boys under 10 but she just made herself right at home and seduced my housemates (except the one guy who doesn't like animals - but he'll come around

).

She's a clever little thing, black with a hint of tabby lines on her back (I'm guessing she'll turn into a dark brown tabby later on). She's incredibly affectionate and loves people but is not too comfortable with other cats for some reason. I have almost 20 people trying to come up with a name and nothing they suggest seems right to me. So far we have: Perdita, Ghanima, Kitthulhu (a popular choice by people who don't have to worry about having to call out to her in the street...), Ninnymuggins (suggested by 2 drunk men and somehow stuck), Tizzle/Tizi, Friday, Dog, Calamity, Monster, Cat, Hussy, Cap'n Hussyworth...

I think you can see why I'm not too sure of them... Perdita (from Shakespeare) was my original idea but it's a little too froufrou now that I know the kitten better. She's a tough-chick type methinks

I was hoping for something literature-related but can't think of anything. Do you have any suggestions or something I could read that would help me put this whole kitten naming thing in better context/clear up my mind?

This is harder than naming a baby...

Ken · Sep 21, 2009

.. lots of people name pets in accordance with some salient feature, e.g. "Patches' if it has patched fur. So maybe you might do likewise. Seeing as how she's clever, perhaps you might call her Smarty. Congrats on the acquisition. How about some pics ^..^

alleycat · Sep 21, 2009

There are some pet name websites. You could also google for famous characters in literature; you might just find one you like.

Thump · Nov 1, 2009

Heh, I thought I'd update this thread. Turns out the kitten is a boy and in 3 seconds after I found out, I had a name for him (it's so much easier naming a boy kitten...). He is now Mr. Bingley

ragefaith · Dec 9, 2009

I named my kitten a girl name, but when I found out she was male I tried calling her a boy name, but it didn't stick. She's still my baby girl :heart:

I think names transcend gender.

smoothseas · Dec 9, 2009

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

t.s. eliot
The Naming of Cats

Enjoy your new baby....

I don't know what to name my kitten!

Thump

defying grabbity

Ken

alleycat

Still around

Thump

defying grabbity

ragefaith

Wants to be Yami when she grows up.

smoothseas

Life sucks... Then ya die...