Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Scientific Cat Names: 180 Great Ideas for Your Smart Cat

Share

Scientific Cat Names

Bringing home a brand new kitty is so exciting. Whether adopting, buying from a breeder, or picking up a kitten from a free litter, your new family member will surely bring you joy and happiness. However, you have to find a suitable name. So, where should you start? If you are a science buff, there are several selections you can make in this category that would be unique and fitting. Here are 180 scientific names for your new kitty.

divider cat paws oct 2026Great Inventors of the Past

We wouldn’t be where we are today without the world’s great inventors. You might not be familiar with every inventor, but some of them have pretty cool names. And they did some pretty amazing things.

Male Cat Names

  • Edison—Thomas Edison
  • Graham Bell—Alexander Graham Bell
  • Henry—Henry Ford
  • Franklin—Benjamin Franklin
  • Eli—Eli Whitney
  • Archimedes—Archimedes
  • Babbage—Charles Babbage
  • Morse—Samuel Morse
  • Gutenburg—Johannes Gutenbyrg
  • Jefferson—Thomas Jefferson
  • Logie—John Logie Baird
  • Galileo—Galileo
  • Vitaly—Vitaly Abalakov
  • Guido—Guido of Arezzo

Female Cat Names

  • Marian—Marian Croak
  • Margaret—Margaret E. Knight
  • Beasley—Maria E. Beasley
  • Hedy—Hedy Lemarr
  • Josephine—Josephine Cochrane
  • Melitta—Melitta Bentz
  • Beulah—Beulah Louise Henry
  • Sarah—Sarah Boone
  • Florence—Florence Parpart
  • Patricia—Patricia Bath
  • Magie—Lizzie Magie
  • Ellen—Ellen Egin
  • Caresse—Caresse Crosby
  • Esther—Esther Takeuchi
Devon Rex cat is travelling on owners lap in a car
Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock

Famous Scientific Researchers

Thanks to the ongoing research and service scientific researchers have put in through the years, several of the world’s mysteries have been solved. You could honor your favorite researcher by naming your kitty after their works of genius.

Male Cat Names

  • Einstein—Albert Einstein
  • Darwin—Charles Darwin
  • Tesla—Nikola Tesla
  • Hawking—Steven Hawking
  • Copernicus—Nicolaus Copernicus
  • Aristotle—Aristotle
  • Bohr—Neils Bohr

Female Cat Names

  • Rosalind—Rosalind Franklin
  • Marie—Marie Curie
  • Barbara—Barbara McClintock
  • Rita—Rita Levi Montalcini
  • Ada—Ada Lovelace
  • Lise—Lise Meitner
  • Wu—Chien-Shiung Wu
  • Doudna—Jennifer Doudna
cat with glasses
Image by: Kashaeva Irina, Shutterstock

Science on TV

Whether you’re talking fiction or nonfiction, there are plenty of science buffs on TV, too. You could name them after a type of scientist on your favorite show or go with a classic.

Male Cat Names

  • Nye—Bill Nye
  • Beakman—Beakman’s World
  • Sid—Sid the Science Kid
  • deGrasse—Neil deGrasse Tyson
  • Dr. Emmet Brown—Back to the Future
  • Dr. Frankenstein—Frankenstein
  • Strangeglove—Dr. Strangeglove
  • Rotwang—Metropolis
  • Walter—Breaking Bad
  • Wu—Jurassic Park
  • Farnsworth—Futurama
  • Szalinski—Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
  • Ross—Friends
  • Jimmy Neutron—Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius
  • Dexter—Dexter’s Laboratory
  • Pinky—Pinky & the Brain
  • Bruce—The Incredible Hulk
  • The Professor—Gilligan’s Island
  • Wall-E—Wall-E

Female Cat Names

  • Miss Frizzle—The Magic School Bus
  • Scully—X-Files
  • Jane—Thor: Dark World
  • Keough—Outbreak
  • Gwen—Gwen Stacy
  • Jo—Twister
  • Stone—Gravity
  • Lily—Chain Reaction
  • Marta—The Bourne Legacy
  • Helen—The Day the Earth Stood Still
  • Charlie—Top Gun
  • Sarah—The Lost World: Jurassic Park
  • Emma—The Saint
  • Bindi—Bindi the Jungle Girl
  • Sue Storm—The Fantastic Four
  • Ellie—Jurassic Park
  • Susan—Robot
  • Mears—Contagion
  • Amelia—Interstellar
  • Grace—Avatar
  • Fossey—Gorillas in the Mist
  • Peggy—Captain America: The First Avenger
  • Arroway—Contact
grey cat reading book
Image Credit: HannaN, Shutterstock

Famous Mathematicians

We all know that math and science go hand in hand. Are there any mathematical geniuses that you could name your cat after?

Male Cat Names

  • Newton—Isaac Newton
  • Euclid—Euclid of Alexandria
  • Pythagoras—Pythagoras of Samos
  • Archimedes—Archimedes of Syracuse
  • Magnus—Albertus Magnus
  • Alexander—Alexander Grothendieck
  • Carl—Carl Gauss
  • Leonhard—Leonhard Euler
  • Arthur—Arthur Caley
  • Hilbert—David Hilbert
  • Riemann—Bernhard Riemann

Female Cat Names

  • Ada—Ada Lovelace
  • Emmy—Emmy Noether
  • Sophie—Sophie Germain
  • Hypatia—Hypatia
  • Sofya—Sofya Kovalevskaya
  • Majorie—Majorie Lee Browne
  • Ingrid—Ingrid Daubechies
  • Euphemia—Euphemia Haynes
  • Dorothy—Dorothy Vaughn
  • Evelyn—Evelyn Boyd Granville
  • Phillipa—Phillipa Fawcett
  • Daina—Daina Taimina
ginger-cat-reading-book
Image Credit: Happy Author, Shutterstock

Science-Related Words

Rather than naming them after a person, there are plenty of excellent words relating to nature, space, chemical compounds, and other words in science.

  • Beaker
  • Everest
  • Permafrost
  • Botany
  • Celsius
  • Fahrenheit
  • Zinc
  • Compound
  • Molecule
  • Atom
  • Chemist
  • Alchemy
  • Robot
  • Pi
  • Cortex
  • Quantum
  • Bunsen
  • Flask
  • Pipette
  • Petri
  • Thermos
  • Graphite
  • Nimbus
  • Cirrus
  • Cumulus
  • Fossil
  • Darwin
  • Cuvette
  • Data
  • Gibbous
  • Syzygy
  • Penumbra
  • Magnet
  • Arctic

Space-Related Science Names

Here are some space-related words you can use for your kitty if you are so inclined. We think they would be interesting at the very least and pretty cool in the best-case scenario! If you’re looking for a conversation starter, start with these unisex names that work for boys or girls!

  • Comet
  • Cosmo
  • Constellation
  • Sputnik
  • Nasa
  • Orbit
  • Orion
  • Andromeda
  • Draco
  • Jupiter
  • Cassiopeia
  • Nova
  • Aries
  • Sirius
  • Moon
  • Neptune
  • Halley
  • Celeste
  • Oberon
  • Star
  • Janus
  • Mercury
  • Juno
  • Luna
  • Eclipse
  • Light Year
  • Pluto
  • Alien
  • Fractal
  • Plasma
  • Wandflower
  • Jaxa
  • Density
  • Soyuz
  • Asteroid
  • Galaxy
  • Phobos
  • Echo
cat in a space suit on the moon
Image by: 12222786, Pixabay

divider single cat paw oct 2024

How to Name Your Cat

Naming your cat can be challenging and exciting at the same time. So, what is a good way to pick your cat’s name? You probably already have a couple of options you’ve been mulling over, but you can’t pick the one that fits them best. Don’t worry, sometimes, we all need a little inspiration.

Pick at Random

You could always let fate decide for you. Just put your favorites in a hat or whatever you choose. You can draw a name and call it a day.

Personality Fit

Naming your cat based on their personality is one of the best ways to go about it. Sometimes, specific names just fit like a glove. Test out a few and see what works!

Pick a Sentimental Favorite

If you can’t decide, name your cat after your favorite scientific innovator or science-related subject matter.

In the Name of Science

We scoured the web and put our heads together to come up with terrific scientific names we think you’ll love. Check them out!

calico cat sitting on books
Image Credit: Filtrovany_Fotographer, Pixabay

divider cat faces oct 2024

Final Thoughts

We hope we’ve given you science junkies plenty to think about! We certainly had fun compiling a list of creative ideas you can use. If you love some of the names on this list but can’t decide, remember to think about how you will name your kitty. We have complete confidence that you will pick the best scientific name of all, and it will fit your cat like a glove, hopefully like the one they’ll be wearing for midnight experiments.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: FotoYakov, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

Vet-approved health & behavior advice

Real cat stories & community features

When a Cat Becomes a Water Fountain – Why Cats Vomit After Drinking

Seeing a cat drink water and then promptly bring it back up can be confusing. Sometimes the explanation is fairly simple, particularly if...

Chatting About Sleeping Positions, Loafing & Cats in Tubes | Chatty Cattys, Episode 33

In this episode of Catster’s Chatty Cattys podcast, Dr. Karyn and Nicole dive deep into the fascinating world of feline sleep behaviors. From...

The Bite Stuff: The Truth Behind a Cat’s Sudden Nip

A cat bite that seems to come out of nowhere is one of the more confusing things a cat owner deals with. Everything...

Your Cat’s Purr Proves They’re One of a Kind

There are few sounds more comforting to a cat parent than the familiar rumble of a purring cat. You probably know your own...

More related

Does Your Cat Listen to You? Feline Behavior Explained (Vet-Reviewed)

Felines have unique ways of showing you how much they love you. But one thing they don’t seem to do well is listen....

How to Clean a Cat Brush: 5 Simple Steps & Facts

Cats are excellent groomers and should be able to take care of all their grooming needs themselves, right? Wrong. Just because your cat...

Why Do Cats Like Squeezing into Tight Spaces? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats have many strange behaviors that can include chattering, kneading, headbutting, and more, but one of the strangest has to be their desire...

Why Does My Cat Keep Going to Their Litterbox (But Nothing Happens)? Vet Approved Advice

Over 37% of households in the United States have invited a cat into their homes; that is over 45 million households! About 63%...

Keep reading

Can Cats Eat BBQ Sauce? Vet-Reviewed Facts

Firing up your grill for a barbecue dinner, lunch, or snack is a delicious way to enjoy a meal. However, most barbecues typically involve cooking meat, which is likely to interest your cat. Most meat, particularly if it isn’t seasoned,...

Can Cats Eat BBQ Sauce

What Is the Cost to Remove a Cat Tooth? 2026 Price Guide

Part of caring for a pet cat is ensuring their dental health is monitored and managed as time goes on. Your veterinarian likely checks your cat’s teeth every time they go in for a checkup. Even so, you might be...

pet dentist cleans cat teeth in a vet clinic

How to Train a Cat to Stay Off Counters: 5 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks

Cats are naturally attracted to high places, but that’s not a good thing when it’s your kitchen counter. Aside from being a nuisance, cats on countertops can be dangerous for them and not hygienic for you. They can walk on...

cat walks on the kitchen table

Maine Coon Hip Dysplasia: Why Is It So Common? Our Vet Answers

Your Maine Coon is a loveable giant of a cat, but you’ve noticed that they seem to favor a hind leg when they’re walking or jumping. You’ll want to consult a veterinarian because it could be hip dysplasia. Let’s take...

maine coon cat at the vet with owner

Can Cats Eat Tuna? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Tuna is one of the human foods most offered to cats, either as a treat or part of their daily diet. However, just because your cat loves tuna doesn’t mean it’s healthy or safe for them. Cats shouldn’t eat tuna...

Can Cats Eat Tuna

Authority Cat Food Review of 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary If you’ve ever stepped inside a PetSmart to pick up some food for your feline companion, there’s a good chance you’ve run across Authority brand cat food. At first glance, you’ll notice the conservative infographic labels that make...

Authority Cat Food Review Featured Image Catster

My Older Cat Is Losing Weight: 10 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

​​The average feline lifespan has increased over the years, and today, it’s not uncommon to meet cats that are 18, 19, 20, and even 20+ years old! And while they are considered “seniors” at the ripe old age of 11-14...

sick skinny cat in the veterinary clinic

Is It True That All Cats Have Tails? Vet-Reviewed Facts

A tail is a vital part of a cat’s physique and helps them balance, capture prey, and communicate with humans and other felines. For these reasons, you might think that all cats have tails, but this isn’t the case. Some...

feral cats resting outdoor

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.