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.

190 Stray Cat Names: Unique Options for Your New Friend

Stray Cat Names

Maybe you’ve woken up to find newborn kittens on your front porch, or perhaps you have a local stray spending more and more time around your home. If you come across a stray cat and decide to adopt them, you’re going to need a name for your new kitty. The question is, what will it be?

After all, there are so many feline names that you can choose from—too many to consider them all! That’s why a list like this is the perfect place to start. We gathered over 150 stray cat names and broken them down into categories so you can find the perfect moniker for your new pet!

divider cats oct 2024

How to Name a Stray Cat

You need to narrow down the choices of names for your stray cat, and one of the best ways to do that is by focusing on one aspect of the kitty for inspiration. One example is their coat color. If your stray is gray, you could go with a name like “Shadow”; if they are black, you could go with something like “Midnight.”

Picking a moniker based on a pet’s sex is also popular. You can browse male and female cat names to find a suitable one or make up one of your own.

You can also choose a name for your cat based on their personality. This might take a bit longer if you’re still getting to know your pet, but it’s an excellent way to select a name. If your stray cat is spunky, you might go with a name like “Moxie.” Perhaps your stray is quiet and reserved, so you pick a moniker like “Professor Scruffs-a-Lot.” A great way to choose your cat’s name, especially for a stray cat, is to base it around where you found them.

Really, there are limitless possibilities when it comes to naming your pet, so let’s narrow down your options!

Fabulous Female Stray Cat Names

a gray stray cat is walking along the sidewalk
Image By: Gansstock, Shutterstock

If you’ve decided to name your cat based on sex, we’ve got you covered. These fabulous female names come from books, movies, musicals, and more!

  • Abby
  • Alice
  • Annelie
  • Annie
  • Buffy
  • Daisey
  • Diamond
  • Eponine
  • Fern
  • Fiona
  • Freda
  • Glory
  • Grace
  • Heidi
  • Holly
  • Hope
  • Indira
  • Ivy
  • Kylie
  • Lady
  • Lia
  • Liberty
  • Lottie
  • Luna
  • Maya
  • Miss Kittie
  • Miss Kitty Fantastico
  • Octavia
  • Polly
  • Rey
  • Rizzo
  • Sasha
  • Stella
  • Tessa
  • Trixie

Marvelous Male Stray Cat Names

If you have a male cat on your hands, one of these names will surely be a marvelous fit! You’ll find a wealth of male stray cat names here, whether you want something cute, Disney-esque, or a bit more Shakespearean.

  • Able
  • Abraham
  • Brooklyn
  • Bruiser
  • Buddy
  • Butch
  • Champ
  • Chance
  • Chase
  • Dewey
  • Fitz
  • Foster
  • Gruber
  • Gulliver
  • Hardy
  • Houdini
  • Iago
  • Jinx
  • Julius
  • Malachi
  • Mo
  • Momoa
  • Mr. Purrsuasive
  • Newton
  • Nico
  • Oliver
  • Oscar
  • Percy
  • Reuben
  • Robin Hood
  • Roman
  • Snake
  • Spike
  • Tarzan
  • Zeke

divider cats oct 2024

Stray Names for Your Stray Cat

stray cat_Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay
Image Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay

Maybe you’d rather pay homage to how you found your kitty or where you found them so you can always remember the day. If so, try one of these monikers on for size.

  • Alley
  • Axle
  • Coyote
  • DC
  • Day Found (Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
  • Engie
  • Flower
  • Granite
  • Indie
  • Leaf
  • Loner
  • Mercedes
  • Midnight
  • Mystakat
  • Nona
  • Oak
  • Rain
  • Retread
  • Riffraff
  • Rookie
  • Scampy
  • Solo
  • Steel
  • Stone
  • Stormy
  • Sunny
  • Tastrophe
  • Wendy
  • Winnie
  • Zoe

Grateful Names for Your Stray Cat

Feeling incredibly grateful you found your stray feline? Then choose a name that expresses that gratitude and happiness! These names are great for letting people know your kitty is lovely and amazing, and you’re so happy you found them.

  • Angel
  • Apple
  • Asher
  • Behati
  • Benicio
  • Bingo
  • Boone
  • Charm
  • Clover
  • Dara
  • Destiny
  • Diamond
  • Felicity
  • Fortuna
  • Gem
  • Happy
  • Jackpot
  • Joy
  • Karma
  • Kismet
  • Lakshmi
  • Lucky
  • Meera
  • Otto
  • Pooka
  • Sadiya
  • Serendipity
  • Sparkle
  • Treasure
  • Yonchi

divider cats oct 2024

Personality-Based Names for Your Stray Cat

woman photographs a stray cat with a smartphone
Image Credit: Serhii Ivashchuk, Shutterstock

Cats are characters—there’s no doubt. So, there will be a thing or two that stands out most when it comes to your pet’s personality, and that might be the way to go when it comes to picking out a fantastic name for them. Whether your kitty is fierce or shy or sticks to you like glue, you’ll find a great moniker here!

  • Beast
  • Binx
  • Casper
  • Cavalier
  • Chaos
  • Cheshire
  • Dug
  • E.T.
  • Enigma
  • Hodgepodge
  • Hoover
  • Kayle
  • Koen
  • Marvel
  • Moxie
  • Munchkin
  • Ninja
  • Romeo
  • Sassy
  • Scout
  • Serafina
  • Shadow
  • Sheba
  • Stucker
  • Sweetie
  • Taggers
  • Tenshu
  • Vader
  • Velcro
  • Wispy

Unique Names for Your Stray Cat

Perhaps none of the previous names appeals to you, and what you really want is a unique name for your stray feline. Here are some names that run the gamut from incredibly unique to just a bit different from the norm. Take a look to find your stray cat’s new moniker!

  • Alita
  • Archimedes
  • Atlas
  • Bahia
  • Berm
  • Bones
  • Catmandu
  • Caymen
  • Clementine
  • Eilir
  • Faryl
  • Gaia
  • Kaboodle
  • Kaffey
  • Legolas
  • Lennon
  • Lotus
  • Moke
  • Muzby
  • Nikkia
  • Omi
  • Palomine
  • Reiki
  • Riley
  • Shash
  • Shiloh
  • Tanah
  • Tunji
  • Whiskey
  • Yuki

divider cats oct 2024

Final Thoughts

Naming a feline—stray or otherwise—can be an endeavor, just because there are so many ways you can go. But with this list, you should have a much simpler time finding the best moniker for your stray cat (or at least have a better idea of where to start). The most important things, though, are to take your time, get to know your kitty, and enjoy your time together!

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay

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.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Is Cat Laryngitis Contagious? Health Facts & Care Guide (Vet Answer)

If your cat has recently experienced a change in vocalization, swallowing, or a cough, it is possible that they have laryngitis, which is...

Siamese Kittens for Sale in Minnesota: Breeders List 2025

Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to...

Longest Cat Whiskers in the World: 2025 Record Holders

The record holder for the longest whisker on a cat belongs to Missi, a Maine Coon in Finland with an incredible 7.5-inch whisker....

10 Amazing DIY Cardboard Cat Trees You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)

Cat ownership is an expensive venture, especially considering that most non-food items aren’t designed to last forever. Cat toys will get lost or...

More related

What’s Your Take on Cat Strollers? Why Olga Isn’t the Ideal Candidate

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga. Most of the pet owners...

Should You Let Your Cats Eat At The Dinner Table? 12 Vet Reviewed Pros & Cons

Although most cat owners keep their pets’ food and water bowls on the kitchen floor, some serve their cats at the dinner table....

10 Worst Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners (With Info & Pictures)

There’s nothing quite like cat ownership—for better and for worse. Cats are remarkable animals, and they can be loving yet independent, inquisitive yet...

10 Herbs That Are Safe for Cats (& Ones to Avoid) Our Vet Answers

It’s natural to want to fill your home and garden with sweet smelling flowers and fragrant herbs, but if you also share your...

Keep reading

How Long Does It Take for a Cat to Digest Food? Vet-Verified Digestive Anatomy & Physiology

Many pet cat owners love watching their cat feasting on their favorite food, grooming themselves, and then going on to do adorable “cat things”. Meal times also offer pet owners a very interesting way to bond with their pets, feeding...

Cat eating wet food from white bowl on wooden floor

How to Put On a Cat Collar in 4 Easy Steps

Getting your cat into a collar doesn’t have to be traumatic for you or your pet, and outfitting your cat with the proper collar is essential to maintaining their health and safety. A well-fitting collar with identifying information, including your...

Breakaway Red Collar Cat

Are Lightning Bugs Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Lightning bugs, or fireflies (family Lampyridae), can be fun to watch and relatively easy to find on a summer evening. Your cat also might like chasing them around. However, if your cat ate one when you weren’t looking, you might...

Lightning Bugs

Can Cats Eat Grass? Vet Approved Info & Facts

Cats are no strangers to odd behaviors, but as owners it is easy to worry because our feline friends do not always put their safety at the top of the list. It is quite common to see cats munching on...

Can Cats Eat Grass

10 Best Flea Combs for Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Caring for your feline friend involves more than just feeding them and ensuring they get regular check-ups. One major aspect of pet care is grooming, which includes dealing with pests like fleas that can cause your cat discomfort and health...

flea combing a tabby cat, looking for fleas

7 Best Natural Flea Treatments for Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Many cat owners face an ongoing battle against their tiny foes: fleas. It seems that no matter how careful we are, these little critters always seem to find a way into our houses. Besides being annoying, fleas can impact your...

grey cat scratching itself indoors

Why Does My Cat Lick Me, Then Bite Me? 5 Reasons for This Behavior

Sometimes our cats do slightly strange things that can leave us scratching our heads. One example is when your cat licks you and then bites you soon after—What’s up with that? Some cats might give you a tiny bite that...

White cat bitting fingers

Why Does My Kitten Climb Me Like a Tree? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & How to Stop it

Your little rascal has already won their way into your heart, but maybe you don’t want to sacrifice your new pants or sensitive skin to their shredding claws. Kittens sometimes climb their humans like they would climb a tree for...

Kitten climbing on a person's tree