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

Your Cat Isn’t Picky – Their Nose Is Just Bored

If you’ve ever sighed while scraping uneaten cat food into the trash, you’re certainly not alone. Many cat owners know the routine: their...

Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Kitten Won’t Use the Litter Box! (July 27, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

Chatting with Petra Luna About CatCrazy, Cat Food Ingredients & The Secret of E-Beams | Chatty Cattys, Episode 28

In this episode of Catster’s Chatty Cattys podcast, Nicole and Dr. Karyn welcome back Petra Luna from CatCrazy to catch up on her...

According to Vets, Most Owners Miss These Signs That a Cat is Sick

Cats are famously good at hiding discomfort. It is not stubbornness or indifference; it’s a deeply ingrained survival instinct. In the wild, showing...

More related

What Does the Bird Flu Pet Food Recall Mean For You & Your Cat?

You may have heard about the sad death of at least one cat after eating raw frozen cat food contaminated with the H5N1...

The 5 Stages of a Urinary Blockage in Cats: Vet-Verified Info & FAQ

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a syndrome related to inflammation in the bladder and urethra. It’s one of the most frustrating...

Weruva Patés Cat Food Review (2026 Update)

Review Summary You may be familiar with Weruva, as it’s a brand that’s been around since 2006, but you might not be as...

Why Are Cats Weird About Water? 5 Reasons Why Their Behavior Is Strange

Cats seem to have a complicated relationship with water. They may hate getting baths, but they’ll still have fun playing with water running...

Keep reading

The Honest Kitchen Cat Food Review in 2026: Pros, Cons, Final Verdict

Choosing high-quality cat food made with fresh, whole ingredients is becoming increasingly important for many people. The Honest Kitchen is a brand that is making high-quality food for cats widely available. Some of their products are premium priced, but the...

CAT_SAPR_The Honest Kitchen Cat Food

Why Do Cats Stretch Their Claws? 7 Vet Reviewed Reasons & Tips

If you’ve been around cats, it’s evident they’re closer to their wild roots than dogs. While humans welcomed canines into their lives up to 40,000 years ago,1 it took us longer to warm up to felines, with domestication going back...

cat paws and sharps claws

Why Is My Female Cat Spraying All of a Sudden? 5 Vet Reviewed Reasons 

Spraying is an unwanted behavior that is quite common among male cats, but it’s not limited to males. Female cats are known to spray too, so if your female cat has begun spraying all of a sudden, there are a...

tabby cat spraying outdoors to mark territory

Are Azaleas Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

Azaleas are ornamental shrubs that are incredibly popular and loved by gardeners everywhere. Not only are they sturdy, resistant plants, but the flowers also turn stunning colors that range from a vibrant jewel color to a pretty, pale pastel hue....

Catster_Are Azaleas Poisonous to Cats

Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: How Vets Apply Them to Cats

It may be hard to imagine a time when drafting the principles of basic animal care was necessary. Sadly, the inhumane treatment of the country’s livestock prompted a 1965 British parliamentary inquiry into their conditions. It eventually led Professor John...

Smiling-vet-doctor-with-dog-pet-and-fluffy-cat

8 Best Cat Foods in Australia of 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

One of the most important things that you can do to help ensure that your cat lives a long and healthy life is to feed them a high-quality diet. As the old saying goes, “You are what you eat,” which...

persian cat eating dry food from bowl

Can Cats Drink Vegetable Oil? Vet-Approved Diet Facts & FAQ

Cats are curious creatures that like to put their noses, mouths, and paws everywhere. Moreover, cat parents who cook a lot know how difficult it is to keep their feline’s inquisitive nose out of their kitchen! But if your cat...

Can Cats Drink Vegetable Oil

How Does Flea Medicine Work for Cats? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Fleas are the most common parasites that cats suffer from. Even if you have an indoor cat, they can get fleas from other pets or rodents that may sneak their way into the house. Regardless of how they get them,...

vet holding magnifying glass searching cat fleas

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.