LaPerm Cat Names, Names For Curly-Haired Laperm Kittens
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The LaPerm started with a bald kitten on a cherry farm. On March 1, 1982, in The Dalles, Oregon, a brown tabby barn cat named Speedy gave birth to a litter that included one hairless female with faint tabby markings on her bare skin. Linda and Richard Koehl, who owned the orchard, kept her as an ordinary working farm cat and named her Curly. Over weeks, Curly's bald body filled in with a soft, ringleted coat. Years later, when she had her own first litter, all five kittens were male and all five grew up curled the same way.
TICA admitted the breed as a new breed class in 1995 and granted full Championship in February 2003. CFA followed a slower path — Miscellaneous in 2000, New Breed 2005, full Championship in May 2008. The name puns on 'a perm' and means *wavy* in several languages. The coat sits in the rex family genetically but is a distinct mutation; TICA notes the LaPerm is the only rex breed whose whiskers are long and flexible rather than short and brittle, which is one of the show-standard tells.
The breed leans into faces. LaPerms are widely described as kiss-seekers — cats who climb to a person's face rather than settling on a lap. They are quiet, follow owners through the house, and read mood reliably.
A few naming registers fit the breed's specific origin. Curly. Speedy. Dalles. Marcel — the famous wave hairstyle. Wave, Ringlet, Spiral, Crimp. Cherry, Bing, Orchard, Blossom. Pacific Northwest geography travels well too: Cascade, Hood, Columbia.
Most Popular LaPerm Cat Names
A curated 30-pick shortlist of the most established and recognizable picks for LaPerm cats. Browse the full alphabetical list below for all 106 options.
| Name | Meaning | Gender | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron | shining light, high mountain, messenger | Male | |
| Adam | earth, created by God | Male | |
| Ai | love | Female | |
| Aida | joyful, helper, reward | Female | Arabic |
| Aidan | help, little fire | Male | Irish |
| Aine | Ardent | Female | Irish |
| Aisha | living, prosperous | Female | Arabic |
| Aja | pronounced Asia | Male | Hindi |
| Akamai | Hawaiian for smart | Unisex | |
| Alexandra | Feminine of Alexander. Defender of mankind. | Female | Greek |
| Allred | Wise Red-Haired Man | Unisex | English |
| Anna | Arthur's sister | Female | Greek |
| Annie | Prayer | Female | English |
| Anthony | "priceless one" | Male | Latin |
| Arthur | Strong as a rock, noble, follower of Thor | Male | Celtic |
| Augustin | Revered, Exalted | Male | French |
| Beau | Handsome. | Male | |
| Benjamin | son of my right hand | Male | |
| Bowie | after David Bowie | Male | Scottish |
| Caroline | strong, melody, song | Female | |
| Cassidy | Clever: Curly-headed. | Female | Irish |
| Chance | French for luck | Male | |
| Chase | hunter, To follow or go in pursuit | Male | |
| Claire | bright, clear | Female | |
| Colby | coal town | Male | English |
| Crispina | curly-haired | Female | Latin |
| Curly | Having curls or wavy hair. | Unisex | |
| David | Dearly loved | Male | |
| Derry | great lover, an ancient hero | Male | Irish |
| Dorian | place name | Male | Greek |
| Elizabeth | My God is bountiful:God of plenty. Elizabeth was mother of John the Baptist i... | Female | |
| Elliott | The Lord is my God | Male | English |
| Eloise | intelligent, smart | Female | |
| Emily | named after Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson | Female | English |
| Fairfax | Blond | Male | English |
| Finley | fair-haired hero | Female | Irish |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Male | |
| Gaston | the foreigner, the guest | Male | |
| Greta | Female | Female | |
| Gwendolyn | White, pure | Female | English |
| Helen | bright one, torchlight | Female | Greek |
| Henri | Ruler Of The Home | Unisex | French |
| Hugo | Intelligent | Male | Latinized |
| Isaac | laughing one | Male | |
| Jemima | dove | Female | |
| Juliette | youthful | Female | |
| Keira | after the actress Keira Knightley | Female | Irish |
| Kelly | Lively: aggressive. | Female | Irish |
| Leo | Lion. | Male | Latin |
| Liam | Form of William. | Male | Irish |
106 names found. Page 1 of 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the LaPerm breed actually start?
On a cherry orchard outside The Dalles, Oregon, on March 1, 1982. A working farm cat named Speedy gave birth to a litter that included one bald female kitten with faint tabby skin markings. Linda and Richard Koehl named her Curly. Her coat grew in soft and curly over the following weeks, and her own later litter of five all-male kittens carried the same trait. The breed traces every modern LaPerm back to Curly.
Why was Curly born bald if LaPerms have curly coats?
The LaPerm coat develops gradually after birth. Curly was born hairless and grew her ringleted coat over the first weeks of life — and the same pattern still shows up in modern litters. Some LaPerm kittens are born bald, some born straight-haired and then curl, and some born with light curls that tighten with age. The mutation that produces the coat is distinct from the Cornish and Devon Rex mutations.
When did the LaPerm get full breed recognition?
TICA admitted the LaPerm to its New Breed class in 1995 and granted full Championship status in February 2003. CFA was slower — Miscellaneous in 2000, New Breed 2005, full Championship in May 2008. The breed was developed entirely in the United States from the original Oregon line, with later international outcrosses to broaden the gene pool.
Are LaPerms hypoallergenic?
No breed is truly hypoallergenic, including the LaPerm. The curly coat sheds less visibly than a typical shorthair coat, which can reduce ambient hair and dander circulation, but LaPerms still produce the Fel d 1 allergen responsible for most cat allergies. Owners with allergies should spend time with an adult LaPerm before committing.
What names work for a LaPerm?
Founding-cat names: Curly, Speedy, Dalles, Koehl. Coat-texture names: Wave, Ringlet, Spiral, Crimp, Marcel. Cherry-orchard origin: Cherry, Bing, Orchard, Blossom. Pacific Northwest geography: Cascade, Hood, Columbia, Oregon. The breed's quiet, face-seeking temperament also suits softer two-syllable names — Willow, Juno, Hazel — that match its kiss-seeking habit better than louder calls.
Related Naming Guides
Laperm Cat Names: Names Inspired by the Unique and Affectionate Laperm Breed
The LaPerm's soft, curly coat and affectionate, social personality make naming this distinctive breed a joy, and this guide organizes ideas around their most charming traits. Curl-inspired picks like Curly, Twist, Corky, Spiral, Curlie, and Wave celebrate their signature wavy or corkscrew fur. Playful options such as Ziggy, Jax, Pip, and Tango match their lively, curious energy, while gentler choices like Whisper and Breeze suit calmer, cuddly LaPerms. Whether your curly companion is bouncing through the house or curled up purring on your lap, you'll find a quirky, elegant, or playful name that perfectly fits their unique character.
Charming Laperm Cat Names, Names for Male or Female Laperm Kittens
LaPerm kittens originated in 1980s America and are loved for their curly coats and warm personalities, so their names deserve the same character. Nature picks split nicely by gender: River, Barkley, and Cedar for boys, Willow, Luna, and Fern for girls. Food names include Muffin, Peanut, and Whiskey for males, with Cocoa, Honey, and Olive for females. Pop culture brings Gizmo, Frodo, Simba, Elsa, Hermione, and Daisy. Personality picks Chester, Sparky, Shadow, Pixie, Cuddles, and Zoe round things out, while mythology offers Apollo, Odin, Thor, Freya, Athena, and Isis.
Captivating Laperm Cat Names: Unique Ideas for Male and Female Kittens
LaPerm cats are known for distinctive curly fur and affectionate, playful personalities, so their names should match that warmth. You can pick nature-inspired Willow, River, Clover, or Stone, or lean tasty with Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Mochi, or Whiskey. Pop-culture fans might choose Gizmo from Gremlins, Sookie from True Blood, Thor, or Hermione for a clever female. Trait-led picks like Ziggy, Cuddles, Pippin, and Jasper capture the breed's liveliness or composure. Mythology rounds it out with Athena for wisdom, Apollo for brightness, Freya for beauty, and Odin for a wise, dignified male LaPerm.