Ragamuffin Cat Names, Names For Ragamuffin Breed Kittens
★ View Top 25 Ragamuffin Cat Names »
The Ragamuffin almost ended up named Liebling. In 1994, a group of breeders split from Ann Baker's strict International Ragdoll Cat Association to develop their own line, and the working name they chose was the German word for 'darling.' One of the founders, Curt Gehm, suggested Ragamuffin instead — a deliberate nod to the breed's mixed-cat ancestry — and the name stuck.
The split was structural, not ornamental. Baker's IRCA controlled the Ragdoll name and breeding rules; the breakaway group wanted to introduce domestic longhair genetics for a wider gene pool while keeping the frame and the calm temperament. CFA registered the new breed in 2003 and advanced it to Championship in 2011. The UK GCCF followed on 17 June 2015 — late by registry standards, partly because the breed had to establish independent identity rather than ride on the Ragdoll name.
A Ragamuffin matures slowly. Full size lands at around four years, with males reaching 20 lb and females around 15 lb. The walnut-shaped eyes, broad modified-wedge head, and the puffy whisker pads give the breed its sweet expression — and CFA's standard is unusually frank about temperament, describing the breed as bred specifically to cuddle. They greet visitors at the door, learn harness walking, and are tolerant with children and dogs.
The naming side splits comfortably into three. The founding-name wink: Liebling (the rejected first name), Muffin, Curt. Cuddle-coded names that match the breed's deliberate-lap-cat selection: Plush, Pillow, Snuggle, Velvet, Mochi. And walnut-eye-grounded names that nod to the eye shape: Hazel, Walnut, Chestnut.
Anyone weighing the Ragamuffin against its parent line should also browse our Ragdoll cat names — Ann Baker's 1960s breed, same calm temperament and large frame, just with a stricter colourpoint-only standard.
Most Popular Ragamuffin Cat Names
A curated 30-pick shortlist of the most established and recognizable picks for Ragamuffin cats. Browse the full alphabetical list below for all 566 options.
| Name | Meaning | Gender | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abby | My father rejoices. Biblical: the name of King David's third wife described a... | Female | English |
| Adeline | Sweet: of the nobility. Noble. | Female | |
| Afina | Blueberry | Female | Rumanian |
| Africa | pleasing, pleasant | Female | Place |
| Ager | Gathers | Male | |
| Ai | love | Female | |
| Aine | Ardent | Female | Irish |
| Ainmire | Great lord | Male | |
| Airrin | Female | ||
| Akansha | Wish or desire. | Female | |
| Akuna | Unisex | ||
| Albus Dumbledore | White | Unisex | |
| Aldea | One of great wealth | Female | |
| Alexandrea | Feminine of Alexander. Defender of mankind. | Female | |
| Alexandria | Feminine of Alexander. Defender of mankind. | Female | English |
| Alvin | elf wine, noble friend | Male | English |
| Amaris | Amaris meaning child of the moon is the astrological name for Cancer. | Female | |
| Amarylis | Sparkling | Female | Greek |
| Ambrosio | Divine | Male | |
| Amor | Spanish for love | Female | |
| Anacelia | Female | ||
| Analeigh | Grace. favor. Variant of Anna. | Female | |
| Andrew Kirke | Gryffindor beater. | Male | |
| Andy | Greek, "strong and manly" | Male | English |
| Angel | Angel | Male | Word |
| Angelina Johnson | Gryffindor chaser. | Female | |
| Annabelle | Joy | Female | Combination |
| Annie | Prayer | Female | English |
| Anubis | Royal Child | Female | Greek |
| Ape | Primate | Male | English |
| Aria | "lioness" | Female | Italian |
| Ariel | lioness of god | Female | |
| Armani | Brand of men's clothing | Male | Persian |
| Ashton | ash trees place | Male | English |
| Aspen | Aspen Tree | Female | English |
| Asterix | Gaulish comic hero; star-like | Male | |
| Attila | "little father" | Male | Hungarian |
| Augie | Majestic Dignity: Grandeur. | Female | |
| Austin | From Augustine - Exalted one | Male | English |
| Azul | Blue | Unisex | |
| Azure | Sky-Blue. | Female | English |
| Bacardi | Rum brand | Male | |
| Bach | German composer | Male | |
| Bailey | bailiff, fortification, able | Female | Occupational |
| Bam-Bam | Unisex | ||
| Bambino | Little child | Unisex | |
| Baracca | Male | ||
| Barbara | foreign, strange, exotic, mysterious | Female | Latin |
| Barbie | Traveler from a foreign land. In Catholic custom St. Barbara is a protectress... | Female | English |
| Barrie | Fair-haired. | Female | Feminine |
566 names found. Page 1 of 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Ragamuffin and a Ragdoll?
The Ragamuffin descends from a 1994 breakaway from Ann Baker's Ragdoll line. The two breeds share the large, longhaired frame and the calm lap-cat temperament. They differ mainly in colour standards: CFA Ragdolls are colourpointed (Siamese-style point pattern), while Ragamuffins permit all colours and patterns except colourpoint for show. Body type is also subtly different — Ragamuffins were bred to a more substantial build with the puffy whisker pad.
Why is the breed called 'Ragamuffin'?
The breakaway breeders first chose 'Liebling' (German for darling/sweetheart). Founder Curt Gehm suggested Ragamuffin instead, as a nod to the breed's mixed-cat ancestry — the new line was outcrossed to domestic longhairs to widen the gene pool. The name kept a phonetic echo of 'Ragdoll' while signalling honestly that this was a breed built from many sources, not a single founder line.
How big do Ragamuffins get and how fast do they mature?
Males commonly reach 20 lb and females around 15 lb at full size. CFA notes the breed matures slowly — about four years to full development, similar to the Maine Coon. Names should age well across that timeline; what suits a kitten may sit oddly on a 20-lb adult.
When was the Ragamuffin officially recognised?
ACFA accepted the breed in 2001. CFA registered it in 2003 and granted Championship status in 2011. The UK's GCCF granted Championship on 17 June 2015 — relatively late, because the breed had to establish independent identity from the Ragdoll line that preceded it.
Are Ragamuffins really lap cats?
Yes — and CFA is unusually direct on this, describing the breed as 'bred specifically to cuddle.' GCCF adds that they are 'never aloof.' They greet visitors at the door, follow people around the home, will learn harness and leash walking, and tolerate children and dogs well. This is a breed selected for non-aggression and physical attachment, not just a happy accident of temperament.
What names suit a Ragamuffin?
Three groups work well. Founding-history names: Liebling (the rejected first name), Muffin, Curt. Cuddle-coded names that match the breed's deliberate selection: Plush, Pillow, Snuggle, Velvet, Mochi, Cushion. And eye-shape names — the breed's walnut-shaped eyes suit Hazel, Walnut, Chestnut, Acorn — which give a slower-feeling name that ages well across the four-year maturation.