Pet owners often think of their cats as their children. It’s not surprising that they may gravitate toward names that go beyond Fluffy or Fido. We view names for our cats as we do people. They say a lot about a person or our pet. Psychologists even suggest that parents give careful thought to their choice. After all, it can influence a child’s personality and how others perceive them.
Think of how differently you may view a person named Mike versus Theodore. It applies to pets, too. Interestingly, cats will learn their names, especially if you reinforce those associations at feeding time or with treats.1 It’s also not surprising that people have specifically preconceived notions about some monikers. It’s undoubtedly a factor that persuades us to choose one over another.
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People Names for Cats
Many pet names are the ones we’d give our children, falling in line with the evolving attitudes people have for their cats and dogs. It’s not surprising since we feel compelled to devote similar emotions and resources toward our animal companions. The average cost of owning a cat is nearly $700 a year. Of course, pet parents can easily take this figure into the four-figure bracket.
- Albert
- Alex
- Andy
- Archie
- Barry
- Benny
- Bernie
- Buddy
- Buddy
- Calvin
- Cecil
- Charlie
- Danny
- Donny
- Earl
- Eddie
- Edgar
- Elmer
- Eugene
- Everett
- Felix
- Floyd
- Frank
- Freddie
- Fritz
- Geno
- George
- Glen
- Guy
- Harry
- Harvey
- Henry
- Homer
- Jack
- Jimmy
- Joey
- Kenny
- Leo
- Leroy
- Lester
- Mark
- Marvin
- Max
- Mikey
- Nicky
- Norman
- Ollie
- Oscar
- Otis
- Paul
- Ricky
- Rodney
- Roy
- Rudy
- Sidney
- Terry
- Timmy
- Tommy
- Tony
- Victor
- Wayne
- Willie
Old Man Cat Nicknames
Nicknames bring a certain intimacy to pet names. They may provide clues about an animal’s personality, whether it’s one that the owner wants or one that a cat already embodies. Sometimes, their purpose is simply to make a statement that has little to do with the animal. They may have a humorous slant that makes their owners smile every time they call their pets.
- Ace
- Alfie
- Augie
- Bash
- Bear
- Benji
- Bertie
- Bo
- Buster
- Buzz
- Chip
- Cow
- Dale
- Dax
- Duke
- Fritz
- Gabe
- Hitch
- Hob
- Huck
- Iggy
- Joss
- Kip
- Kit
- Mac
- Mack
- Monty
- Nash
- Nico
- Ollie
- Ozzie
- Paddy
- Pippin
- Puck
- Remy
- Rico
- Rocky
- Sol
- Sully
- Toto
- Wally
- Wes
- Zak
- Ziggy
Silly Old Man Names for Cats
Some pet owners wait before making that all-important decision of a name for their cats. They want them to influence the choice. Many animals make it a no-brainer, too. You may find that your kitty provides the inspiration. Sometimes, you just want to be silly yourself with an equally funny name that will make your friends and family scratch their heads.

Good old man choices include:
- Ali
- Baby
- Boo Boo Kitty
- Bud
- Checkers
- Cheddar
- Cheeto
- Cheshire
- Cleo
- Cosmo
- Dante
- Dorothy
- Dumpling
- Finn
- Frodo
- Grizzly
- Gumbo
- Huck
- Kermit
- Lion
- Milo
- Nacho
- Opie
- Pumpkin
- Rambo
- Spock
- Sushi
- Tiger
- Toda
- Tux
- Twinkie
- Wasabi
- Whiner
- Winston
- Yogi
- Ziti
- Zoey
Bonus Names
Movies and TV shows often provide inspiration for a pet name. We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a few more favorites to round out our list.
- Betty
- Butch
- Cisco
- Ernie
- Gracie
- Hoss
- Jackie
- Josey
- Lou
- Lucy
- Margie
- Mickey
- Red
- Rusty
- Trixie
- Wilbur
- Wyatt
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name is a serious decision, whether it’s for a child or a pet. It can influence how family members, friends, and strangers view your cat. Old man names often hearken back to simpler times when the pace of life was slower. We see it in ones such as Earnest and Charity. Others are just plain funny. They make us laugh. That makes them priceless.
Featured Image: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock