Some would consider you and your feline quite lucky if you adopted a polydactyl cat! Polydactyl cats have more toes per paw than the average of five. It’s more common in the front than in the hind legs, and polydactyl cats have six (possibly seven) toes on one or more paws. This adorable genetic trait is rare and can be found in any breed. So, finding the perfect polydactyl cat name for your special kitty should be as exciting and fun as counting their toes.

Polydactylism Explained

Polydactylism is when a cat is born with one or more extra toes, which is an inherited trait that is the result of a genetic mutation. In general, polydactyl cats don’t have any health issues associated with this trait, and having the extra toes doesn’t appear to impact them much. Interestingly, this characteristic can occasionally bring with it advantages when it comes to hunting due to the increased balance offered by the extra toes.

Polydactylism can also occur in other animals, including dogs, mice, and even humans. In humans, it’s generally more rare than in other animals, and is called “polydactyly.” It’s been documented in some famous figures, including Anne Boleyn, who was rumored to have an extra finger.

Although the affected cats appear to have no other negative traits associated with the defect, cats with polydactylism should not be bred, as there may be other masked traits that continued breeding could bring out in later generations. An example of this is that 25% of purebred Munchkin cats have a risk of inheriting a fatal chromosome combination.

Female Polydactyl Cat Names

Below are our favorite polydactyl cat names, including some for black and clever cats, to spark your imagination!

Male Polydactyl Cat Names

Black Polydactyl Cat Names

If you have a black polydactyl cat, you’ve hit the rarest of kitty cat jackpots! We have selected our favorite black cat names to honor your feline’s furry exterior.

Clever Polydactyl Cat Names

There are so many fun names you can choose to celebrate your cat’s additional toes! If you are looking for something to pay tribute to a great and rare trait, maybe a wittier name is for you. Check out our list of the most clever polydactyl names below:

Bonus: Ernest Hemingway’s Polydactyl Cat

The Hemingway Home in Key West, Florida, is the home to approximately 50–60 polydactyl cats. Although not every feline has the physical trait, each carries the polydactyl DNA gene and can pass it on to their offspring.

Hemingway was gifted his first six-toed kitten, Snow White, which started his admiration and love for his extra-toed furry friends. It is said that many of the cats on the island are descendants of Snow White.  Hemingway named his cats after famous people and believed in the true individuality of each. Maybe this will inspire you to choose a famous name for your tiny-toed friend!

Finding the Right Name for Your Polydactyl Cat

We know finding a name as special and rare as your polydactyl kitten might be a bit overwhelming. Whether you’ve chosen a name specific to their dark fur, such as Midnight, or something a touch more clever, like Seven, we are sure there is an extraordinary name for everyone. However, we know some may still be searching for additional inspiration, so we’ve linked a few of our other cat name posts below:

• Food Related Cat Names: Ideas for Sweet & Adorable Cats
• Harry Potter Inspired Cat Names: Ideas for Magical & Intriguing Cats

Featured Image Credit by: Lux Blue at Shutterstock