Black Cat Names
Start with Shadow, Onyx or Midnight if you want a dark-coat reference. For a different style, try Pepper, Bean or Olive. These are editorial suggestions, not popularity rankings or predictions of temperament.
The same collection covers male, female and unisex ideas. Use the filters below, or start with male labels or female labels. Any cat can use a name from either group.
For a reviewed shortlist by breed and coat, see Black Bombay names, Black Chausie names, Black Maine Coon names, Black Selkirk Rex names, Black Siberian names.
Other reviewed choices for this topic include Black Sphynx names, Black-and-White Turkish Van names, Black Persian names.
Meanings, origins and pronunciations appear only for records with checked sources. Blank fields have not been verified. Gender and collection labels are browsing choices.
| Name | Meaning | Gender | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaamicaa Gladys | Unisex | ||
| Abdukar | Unisex | ||
| Abell | Unisex | ||
| Abra | Female | ||
| Abracadabra | Unisex | ||
| Absinthe | Unisex | ||
| Abyss | Unisex | ||
| Ace | Male | ||
| Ace Of Clubs | Unisex | ||
| Ace Of Spades | Male | ||
| Adame | Unisex | ||
| Addams | Male | ||
| Adrianna | Unisex | ||
| Afie | Unisex | ||
| Africa | Female | ||
| Agheera | Unisex | ||
| Ainsworth | Unisex | ||
| Alchemy | Female | ||
| Alderman | Unisex | ||
| Ali | Male | ||
| Alina | Female | ||
| Allison | Female | ||
| Almanza | Unisex | ||
| Almond Joy | Unisex | ||
| Altair | Male | ||
| Alter Ego | Unisex | ||
| Amadeus | Male | ||
| Amillieey | Unisex | ||
| Amoroq | Unisex | ||
| Angel Worth | Unisex | ||
| Angus | Male | ||
| Anij | Unisex | ||
| Anna May Wong | Unisex | ||
| Ape | Male | ||
| Aragon | Male | ||
| Archie | A familiar form of Archibald | Male | English |
| Argyle | Male | ||
| Armijo | Unisex | ||
| Arsenault | Unisex | ||
| Arwen | Female | ||
| Ash | The ash tree, fire residue, or a short form of Ashley | Male | English |
| Asha | Female | ||
| Ashby | Female | ||
| Asheby | Female | ||
| Ashely | Female | ||
| Asher | Male | ||
| Ashes | Female | ||
| Asheton | Female | ||
| Ashley | Female | ||
| Ashton | Male |
1259 names found. Page 1 of 26.
A small shortlist by the reference you want
| Route | Names to compare | What you are choosing |
|---|---|---|
| A dark visual reference | Shadow, Onyx, Midnight | A word or image that you connect with the coat. Onyx is a layered stone; this is an association, not a claim that every onyx stone is solid black. |
| Food and everyday words | Pepper, Bean, Olive | A food reference that you enjoy saying, without assigning a flavour or personality to the cat. |
| A character reference | Binx, Salem | A particular fictional character. Open the source notes to choose the reference you intend. |
| A personal-name style | Luna, Cleo, Felix, Milo | A call you like even when the coat is not the reason for choosing it. |
Choose the full call and its nickname together
Say two or three finalists in an ordinary sentence and ask another caregiver to read the spelling. Write down the nickname if you plan to use one. For example, choosing Midnight on a form but using Midi at home means the household should agree on both forms.
Keep a colour association separate from claims about luck, health or behaviour. A name such as Shadow can describe an image you like; it does not establish that the cat is timid or will follow someone around. The linked profiles distinguish checked word meanings from your personal reason for choosing a name.
How to read the larger list
The alphabetical catalog above contains more suggestions than this shortlist. Its collection and gender labels are editorial browsing choices. Meaning and origin fields appear only where the current record has checked sources. There is no survey showing that every name in the collection is commonly used for black cats.
Use your shortlist to save finalists. If you need help introducing the chosen call, see the name-training practice plan.
Related Naming Guides
Renaming an Adopted Cat: Teaching the New Name
You can keep an adopted cat’s existing name or introduce a new one. Use one agreed call, pair it with something the cat enjoys, and update the records that connect the old and new names.
How to Teach a Cat Their Name: A Short Practice Plan
Start with a relaxed cat in a quiet setting. Say one consistent name, reward a look toward you, and build up gradually. A response in one practice session does not establish reliable recall.
Naming Cats in a Multi-Cat Household: Calls and Separate Practice
Choose everyday calls that your household can keep separate, including the nicknames people actually use. Practise with each cat individually before adding the distraction of other cats.
Do Cats Know Their Names? What Three Studies Actually Show
Experiments support discrimination of familiar calls and some name-face or picture-word associations. These findings do not establish human-like self-understanding, a best name length or reliable recall.
Cat Name Pronunciation Card: A Copyable Caregiver Template
Copy a blank handoff card with the everyday call, a household pronunciation cue, accepted aliases and the matching clinic or rescue record. The example is illustrative.
Changing a Cat's Name in Microchip Records: A Registry Checklist
Update the pet-name field with the registry holding the record, then check contact details and the separate clinic record. A name edit and a transfer of registered keepership are different tasks.