Black and Orange Cat Names

A cat with black and orange fur is usually a tortoiseshell, or tortie for short. Add white patches and you have a calico. Both coats are striking, with orange and black swirled or patched together like glowing embers in a dark fire, and both deserve names that celebrate the contrast.

This page covers tortie names, calico names and girl names (because nearly all of these cats are female), plus a section for black cats with orange or copper eyes. Every name is tagged in our sorter, where you can filter by the black and orange coat and add a style such as cute or funny.

Tortoiseshell, calico and torbie: what is the difference?

Why are these cats almost always girls? The orange and black coat colors are both controlled by a gene on the X chromosome. A female has two X chromosomes, so she can carry orange on one and black on the other. Early in development, one X switches off at random in each patch of skin cells, which produces the patchwork. A typical male has only one X chromosome, so he is usually either orange or not. Male torties and calicos do exist, but they are rare and usually have an extra X chromosome (XXY), which typically leaves them unable to father kittens.

Names for black and orange tortoiseshell cats

Names inspired by mixed dark and orange coats: chocolate and coffee, embers and coal, butterflies and volcanoes.

• AshNeutral: For a cat with smoky gray or black patches among the orange.
• BumblebeeNeutral: Striped in dark and gold.
• Burnt ToastNeutral: Toasty orange with a few dark spots.
• CalicoGirl: Named for the tricolor coat itself. Calicos are almost always female.
• CallieGirl: A classic nickname for a calico girl.
• CalliopeGirl: The Greek muse of epic poetry, and it sounds a lot like calico.
• CampfireNeutral: Orange flames against a dark night.
• CharcoalNeutral: Dark with a hint of glowing ember.
• CiaraGirl: An Irish name meaning "dark," great for a black and orange tortie.
• CiaranBoy: Irish for "little dark one," for an orange cat with dark patches.
• CinderNeutral: A glowing piece of coal, for black fur with orange patches.
• CoalNeutral: Dark coal that glows orange when it burns.
• CocoaNeutral: A warm chocolate name for a dark patchy cat.
• ConfettiGirl: Flecks of color everywhere.
• DoyleBoy: An Irish surname meaning "dark stranger," for an orange cat with dark patches.
• DuskNeutral: The time when orange sky fades into dark.
• EclipseNeutral: When dark covers the sun, a fit for a black and orange cat.
• EmberNeutral: A glowing orange coal, perfect for a dark cat with orange flecks.
• EspressoBoy: Dark, strong and full of energy.
• FireflyNeutral: A glowing bug that lights up the dark.
• FrecklesNeutral: For a cat with flecks of dark and orange.
• FudgeNeutral: Rich, dark and sweet.
• JigsawNeutral: For a cat whose patches look like puzzle pieces.
• KuroNeutral: Japanese for "black," for an orange cat with black patches.
• LadybugGirl: Many ladybugs are orange or red with black spots.
• LavaNeutral: Black rock and glowing orange, a match for a tortie.
• LicoriceNeutral: Black candy for a black-patched cat.
• MagmaNeutral: Molten rock, hot and orange under the surface.
• ManekiNeutral: From maneki-neko, the beckoning cat figure, often shown as a calico.
• MikenekoNeutral: The Japanese term for a calico cat, from mike, meaning "triple fur."
• MochaNeutral: Coffee and chocolate, for a dark and orange cat.
• MonarchNeutral: The orange-and-black butterfly, for an orange and black cat.
• MosaicNeutral: Many small pieces of color, just like a tortie coat.
• NeapolitanNeutral: Three flavors in one, like a calico's three colors.
• ObsidianNeutral: Black volcanic glass, for a black cat with fiery eyes.
• OrioleNeutral: The Baltimore oriole is a bright orange-and-black bird.
• PatchworkNeutral: For a cat who looks stitched together from bright scraps.
• PintoNeutral: Named for the patchy-coated pinto horse.
• QuiltNeutral: Cozy, patchy and made of many colors.
• S'moresNeutral: Chocolate, toasted marshmallow and golden graham.
• ShellyGirl: A sweet nod to the tortoiseshell coat.
• SmokeyBoy: A good fit for a gray and orange cat.
• SmudgeNeutral: For an orange cat with a dark smudge or two.
• SootNeutral: For a cat who looks like they climbed out of a chimney.
• SunspotNeutral: Sunspots are darker patches on the surface of the sun.
• TamaGirl: A classic Japanese cat name, and the calico who served as stationmaster at Kishi Station.
• TiggerBoy: The bouncy orange-and-black striped tiger from Winnie the Pooh.
• TortelliniNeutral: A pasta pun for a tortie cat.
• TortieGirl: Short for tortoiseshell, the black-and-orange coat.
• TrioNeutral: Three colors, one cat.
• TruffleNeutral: A dark chocolate treat.
• TwilightGirl: The glow between day and night.
• VolcanoNeutral: Dark rock and glowing orange lava.
• WoollyNeutral: The woolly bear caterpillar is banded in black and orange.

Black, white and orange cat names for calicos

Three colors call for names about patches, mixtures and trios. These suit any calico.

• PatchesNeutral: A classic for a cat with patches of color.
• SprinklesNeutral: Adds fun to everything.
• Candy CornNeutral: The orange, yellow and white Halloween candy.
• Peaches and CreamGirl: A dreamy name for an orange and white girl.

Female black and orange cat names

Since nearly every tortie and calico is a girl, here are pretty, fierce and sweet girl names that suit the coat.

• MidnightGirl: A classic name for a black cat with glowing eyes.
• RavenGirl: A sleek black bird, for a sleek black cat.
• LunaGirl: Latin for "moon," and the black cat from Sailor Moon.
• AutumnGirl: The season of orange leaves.
• AmberGirl: Golden fossilized tree resin, glowing orange.
• SaffronGirl: The precious golden-orange spice.
• SiennaGirl: A reddish-brown earth pigment, named after the Italian city of Siena.
• HazelGirl: A warm vintage name that matches amber eyes.
• RubyGirl: A red gemstone name for a rich, deep-colored girl.
• ScarlettGirl: A bold red name for a bold girl cat.
• PoppyGirl: Many poppies bloom in bright orange.
• MarigoldGirl: A bright orange flower.
• DahliaGirl: A showy flower that comes in fiery orange shades.
• Tiger LilyGirl: A spotted orange lily, ideal for a striped orange girl.
• FreyaGirl: The Norse goddess said to ride in a chariot pulled by cats.
• SekhmetGirl: The lioness-headed Egyptian goddess of war.
• BastetGirl: The ancient Egyptian cat goddess.
• HecateGirl: The Greek goddess associated with magic and witchcraft.
• MorganaGirl: Morgan le Fay, the enchantress of Arthurian legend.
• WednesdayGirl: Wednesday Addams, the deadpan daughter of the Addams Family.
• MorticiaGirl: The elegant matriarch of the Addams Family.
• WinifredGirl: Winifred Sanderson, the red-haired eldest witch of Hocus Pocus.
• SabrinaGirl: As in Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
• TigressGirl: A female tiger, for a fierce striped orange girl.
• VixenGirl: A female fox, for a fierce girl cat.

Black and orange cat names for rare boys

If you have one of the rare male torties or calicos, these boy names fit the dark and fiery coat.

• BagheeraBoy: The black panther of The Jungle Book.
• BinxBoy: Thackery Binx, the black cat of Hocus Pocus.
• SalemBoy: A witchy name linked to the Salem witch trials and Sabrina's cat.
• JackBoy: As in jack-o'-lantern, the carved Halloween pumpkin.
• Jack-OBoy: A playful short form of jack-o'-lantern.
• PhantomBoy: For a cat who moves without a sound.
• HobbesBoy: Calvin's stuffed (or very real) orange-and-black tiger in Calvin and Hobbes.
• TigerBoy: The original striped orange cat.
• BengalBoy: Named for the Bengal tiger.
• BlazeBoy: A bright, roaring fire for a bold orange cat.
• InfernoBoy: A raging fire, for a fearless orange cat.
• FlintBoy: A gray stone that throws sparks when struck with steel.

Black and orange kitten names

Cute, small and sweet names for tortie and calico kittens.

• BeanNeutral: A tiny name for a tiny cat.
• PipNeutral: A tiny name for a tiny kitten.
• ButtonNeutral: Cute as one.
• BooNeutral: A tiny Halloween name for a tiny kitten.
• JellybeanNeutral: Small, sweet and colorful.
• CookieNeutral: A classic sweet name.
• AcornNeutral: Small, round and full of potential.

Names for black cats with orange eyes

A solid black cat with orange or copper eyes is a showstopper, especially in low light. Cat fanciers often call deep orange eyes "copper." The Bombay breed, for example, is known for a glossy black coat and copper to gold eyes. These names play on the contrast between dark fur and glowing eyes.

Black cat names that highlight orange eyes

Dark names, glowing names and Halloween favorites.

• OnyxNeutral: A black gemstone, perfect for a black cat with orange eyes.
• JetNeutral: Jet black and fast.
• InkNeutral: Deep black, for a black cat with amber eyes.
• ShadowNeutral: Dark, quiet and always nearby.
• JijiBoy: Kiki's talking black cat in Studio Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service.
• LanternNeutral: A glowing orange light in the dark.
• PumpkinNeutral: The quintessential orange cat name.
• HexNeutral: A witchy spell in a single syllable.
• HocusNeutral: Half of Hocus Pocus, great for pairs.
• PocusNeutral: The other half of Hocus Pocus.
• GrimalkinNeutral: An old word for a cat, linked to witches' familiars.
• FamiliarNeutral: A witch's animal companion.

Names for cats with orange or amber eyes

Whatever the coat color, these names point straight at bright orange, copper or amber eyes.

• TopazNeutral: A gemstone that often comes in golden orange shades.
• CitrineGirl: A golden-orange variety of quartz.
• CarnelianGirl: A red-orange gemstone.
• GoldieGirl: Golden and adorable.
• CopperNeutral: A warm metallic name for a deep orange coat.
• HoneyGirl: Golden and sweet, perfect for a light orange girl.
• SunnyNeutral: Bright, warm and cheerful.
• SunstoneNeutral: A gemstone that sparkles in orange and peach tones.
• Harvest MoonNeutral: The full moon closest to the autumn equinox, often glowing orange as it rises.
• KohakuNeutral: A Japanese word for amber, and also the name of a classic red-and-white koi variety.
• KinNeutral: Japanese for "gold."
• KoganeNeutral: Japanese for "gold."
• GoldNeutral: Simple, shiny and precious.
• BronzeNeutral: A warm metal name for a tough cat.
• PennyGirl: Copper pennies, copper fur. A sweet classic.
• SolBoy: The Latin name for the sun.
• SoleilGirl: French for "sun."

Tips for naming a tortie or calico

Tortie and calico owners often talk about "tortitude," the bold, opinionated personality many people associate with these cats. That is owner folklore, not proven science, but it is a fun reason to give your girl a name with some attitude. Beyond that, the usual naming advice applies:

1. Keep it to one or two syllables for everyday use. A longer formal name is fine, but give it a short call name. "Sir Fluffington" becomes "Fluff" by week two anyway.
2. Say it out loud ten times. If you feel silly yelling it across the yard or at the vet's front desk, keep looking.
3. Avoid names that sound like commands. "Kit" and "sit," or "Bo" and "no," can blur together for a cat who is still learning.
4. Watch your cat for a few days. Personality is often the best tiebreaker. A kitten who climbs the curtains may be a Blaze, not a Biscuit.
5. Use the name often and pair it with good things. Say it at mealtime and during treats. A 2019 study in the journal Scientific Reports found that pet cats can tell their own name apart from similar-sounding words.

More orange cat name lists

• Grey and Orange Cat Names
• Halloween Orange Cat Names
• Female Orange Cat Names
• Orange and White Cat Names
• All orange cat names + sorter