There’s really nothing like a text from a friend that reads, “HELP ME NAME MY NEW KITTIES!” I’m the geeky type, as are most of my friends, so when this happened recently, the three of us suggested all sorts of nerdy names my friend could give her two new adoptees.
While she didn’t end up taking our advice—the two little ones are named Tempest and Zephyr, after mythological storm and wind spirits, respectively—it inspired me to come up with some new names for potential future kitty friends.
Some of my absolute favorite nerdy cat names are below, from more obviously geeky names to others that might fly a little more under the radar. Have a furry friend with a name that's not listed here? Share it in the comments!
Catnip Everdeen
The Hunger Games
For the furry friend that's not about to go down without a fight.
D.Va
Overwatch
This “nimble and powerful” playable character is cute and deadly. Remind you of any pets you know?
Toothless
How to Train Your Dragon
Hiccup’s black dragon always did seem pretty catlike.
Pabu
The Legend of Korra
A red panda, not a cat, but still one of the cutest animated companions ever.
Crookshanks
Harry Potter
A great name for the grumpy pet that you’re 500% sure would stomp the Whomping Willow for you.
Harry Pawter
Harry Potter
The Cat Who Lived. Nine times.
Pawl Atreides
Dune
Because it just makes sense to name your cat after a self-proclaimed messiah.
RELATED: 10 Books Like Dune by Frank Herbert to Spice Up Your Reading Life
Meowkasa
Attack on Titan
Mikasa Ackerman is worth a thousand soldiers. Just like your kitten.
The Kitten Lestat
Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles
For your nocturnal companion who's slightly less likely to bite you than an actual vampire is.
RELATED: 15 Bloody Good Vampire Books
The Doc-Purr
Doctor Who
Let's be real: you've always wanted to be a Companion, and with a cat in your life, you're definitely not the protagonist anymore.
RELATED: The 13th Doctor Can Teach Us a Lot About Being Human
Alanna of Trebond
The Song of the Lioness quartet
Nothing screams kitty loyalty like naming your fierce protectress after Tamora Pierce's classic lady knight.
Meowth
Pokemon
For a cat who'll protect the world from devastation.
Meowyl Dixon
The Walking Dead
Because everyone could use some extra defense in case of zombie apocalypse.
RELATED: 10 Major Differences Between The Walking Dead Comics and the Show
Litten
Pokemon Sun and Moon
Or, you could go for a modern update.
Bonus: As your kitten evolves into a cat, you can rename them to Torracat or Incineroar.
Aaron Purr
Hamilton: An American Musical
The perfect name for a cat that's inimitable, original, and doesn't mind listening to you singing along to showtunes.
Squire Gingivere
Redwall
This vegetarian feline from Brian Jacques’ classic Redwall book series would makes a great namesake for a gentle-hearted cat.
Chrestomanci
The Worlds of Chrestomanci
Diana Wynne Jones' debonair nine-lived sorceror.
Legolas
Lord of the Rings
Legolas may not have nine lives, exactly, but he definitely lives long enough to come close.
Catleesi
A Song of Ice and Fire
For the cat who's totally convinced she's the Mother of Dragons.
Ripley
The Alien series
For your spider-hunting cat—because spiders are basically the same thing as xenomorphs, right?
Selina Kyle
DC Comics
Naming your feline after DC's Catwoman is especially perfect if you already have a Doberman named Bruce Wayne.
Serenity
Firefly
You can't take the sky—or any of her toys—away from her.
Chewie
Star Wars
A fitting name for a furry companion on all your adventures in a galaxy, far away.
RELATED: Star Wars Author Chuck Wendig Talks Creating New Stories Within the Universe
Altair
Assassin's Creed
The protagonist of the original parkour assassination game—so essentially a cat on hind legs.
Wakanda
Marvel Comics
A fictional African kingdom ruled by the Black Panther, aka King T'Challa (which would also make a pretty rad cat name).
Amidala
Star Wars
Step back through the franchise to give your cat a name fit for a queen.
RELATED: Search Your Feelings: What Is the Real, True “Star Wars" Watching Order?
Nyota
Star Trek
The first name of the Enterprise's chief communications officer Uhura, and Swahili for "star."
Samus
Metroid
For a kitty who thinks she's a space explorer.
Spider-Cat
Marvel Comics
There's Spider everything already, why not add a Spider-Cat to the mix? They can even hang out with Spider-Pig.
Like the cats you see in this article? Find more nerdy pets on stickers, shirts, and other geeky gear in The Portalist's store!
Luna
Sailor Moon
Every magical girl needs a companion, and Sailor Moon's companion, Luna, is the talking cat we all deserve.
RELATED: 5 Times Sailor Moon Taught Me the Difference Between Empowerment and Strength
Cat-lo Ren
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
For the pet that's moody, constantly irritated, yet still beloved by a wide fanbase.
Of course, there are way too many nerdy kitty names to include here. Did you give your cat a delightfully geeky name? Let me know in the comments!
All images via Susan Morrissey.