Unique Orange Cat Names

The most common orange cat names are popular for good reason, but if you want something nobody else has, you have to dig deeper. A good unique name still makes sense for an orange cat: it hints at fire, gold, the sun, a citrus fruit or a famous redhead, even if most people need a moment to get it.

Every name below is tagged unique in our database, and most come with a short explanation so you can answer the inevitable "Where did that name come from?" We have also grouped exotic names from other languages and uncommon names for kittens.

Unique male orange cat names

Uncommon boy names that still fit a ginger tom.

• AgniBoy: The god of fire in Hinduism.
• AodhBoy: An old Irish name meaning "fire," pronounced roughly like "ay."
• BangorBoy: A city in Maine, for an orange Maine Coon.
• BarbarossaBoy: Italian for "red beard," the nickname of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I.
• BengalBoy: Named for the Bengal tiger.
• BraeburnBoy: A crisp apple variety with a Scottish-sounding name.
• CalciferBoy: The fire demon who powers the castle in Howl's Moving Castle.
• CopernicusBoy: The astronomer who put the sun at the center of the solar system.
• CortlandBoy: An apple variety and a strong boy name.
• CrookshanksBoy: Hermione's big, bandy-legged ginger cat in the Harry Potter books.
• CyrusBoy: A great king of ancient Persia, lovely for an orange Persian.
• DariusBoy: Another king of ancient Persia.
• DeargBoy: Irish for "red."
• ElioBoy: An Italian name linked to Helios, the sun.
• Erik the RedBoy: The Viking explorer who founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, nicknamed for his red hair.
• FionnBoy: The original Irish spelling of Finn, the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.
• FlannBoy: An old Irish name meaning "ruddy" or "blood red."
• GrigioBoy: Italian for "gray."
• HafezBoy: A celebrated 14th-century Persian poet.
• HeliosBoy: The Greek personification of the sun.
• IchabodBoy: Ichabod Crane, the schoolteacher of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
• IgnatiusBoy: A Latin name often linked to ignis, "fire."
• IgnisBoy: Latin for "fire."
• KatahdinBoy: Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine.
• KeeganBoy: An Irish surname linked to Aodh, "fire."
• MandrakeBoy: A plant with a long history in folklore and magic.
• MarmadukeBoy: A grand old English name. Also a famous Great Dane.
• PilgrimBoy: For a cat who wandered in from far away.
• RaBoy: The ancient Egyptian sun god.
• ReidBoy: From an Old English word meaning "red."
• ReynardBoy: The trickster fox of medieval European fables.
• Richard ParkerBoy: The Bengal tiger who shares a lifeboat with Pi in Life of Pi.
• RufioBoy: The spiky-haired leader of the Lost Boys in the movie Hook.
• RufusBoy: From a Latin word meaning "red-haired."
• ShahBoy: A title of Persian kings.
• SolBoy: The Latin name for the sun.
• StubbsBoy: The orange cat known as the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska.
• Van GoghBoy: A nod to the painter of the famous Sunflowers series.
• VesuviusBoy: The volcano that buried Pompeii.
• WeasleyBoy: The famously red-haired wizarding family from Harry Potter.
• XerxesBoy: A Persian king with an unforgettable name.

Unique female orange cat names

Rare, pretty names for orange girls.

• BastetGirl: The ancient Egyptian cat goddess.
• BelladonnaGirl: Another name for deadly nightshade, a plant tied to witchy lore.
• BelliniGirl: A peach and sparkling wine cocktail.
• BeniGirl: Japanese for "crimson."
• CalendulaGirl: Also called pot marigold, with sunny orange petals.
• CalliopeGirl: The Greek muse of epic poetry, and it sounds a lot like calico.
• CaoimheGirl: An Irish name meaning "gentle," pronounced "KEE-va."
• Cara CaraGirl: A pink-fleshed navel orange variety.
• CarnelianGirl: A red-orange gemstone.
• ChampagneGirl: A pale golden shade with a celebratory feel.
• CitrineGirl: A golden-orange variety of quartz.
• ClodaghGirl: Named after a river in Ireland, pronounced "CLO-da."
• ElphabaGirl: The green-skinned witch at the heart of Wicked.
• EtnaGirl: An active volcano in Sicily.
• FiammaGirl: Italian for "flame."
• FiammettaGirl: Italian for "little flame."
• GrianGirl: The Irish word for "sun."
• LantanaGirl: A garden shrub with clusters of orange and yellow flowers.
• LasairGirl: An Irish word meaning "flame."
• LeelooGirl: The orange-haired heroine of The Fifth Element.
• MelbaGirl: As in peach Melba, a dessert of peaches and cream.
• MoonstoneGirl: A pale, softly glowing gemstone.
• NasturtiumGirl: A garden flower with bright orange blooms.
• NiamhGirl: An Irish name usually translated as "bright" or "radiant."
• OpalGirl: Fire opals glow orange, and many opals shimmer with gray and cream.
• Panna CottaGirl: A creamy Italian dessert.
• PapayaGirl: A tropical fruit with bright orange flesh.
• PaprikaGirl: A bright red-orange spice for a spicy girl.
• PersiaGirl: For an orange Persian cat.
• PonyoGirl: The goldfish girl from Studio Ghibli's Ponyo.
• SaffronGirl: The precious golden-orange spice.
• SaharaGirl: Endless golden sand.
• SaoirseGirl: An Irish name meaning "freedom."
• SedonaGirl: The Arizona town famous for its red-orange rocks.
• SeptemberGirl: The start of fall.
• SeraphinaGirl: Linked to the seraphim, from a Hebrew word associated with burning.
• ShirinGirl: A Persian name meaning "sweet."
• SoleilGirl: French for "sun."
• SorayaGirl: The Persian name for the Pleiades star cluster.
• SunnivaGirl: A Scandinavian name usually translated as "sun gift."
• TawnyGirl: A warm orange-brown color word.
• Tiger LilyGirl: A spotted orange lily, ideal for a striped orange girl.
• TomyrisGirl: A queen of the Massagetae who, according to Herodotus, defeated Cyrus the Great.
• UrsaGirl: Latin for "bear," as in the constellation Ursa Major.
• ValenciaGirl: A sweet orange variety and a city in Spain.
• YgritteGirl: The red-haired wildling archer from Game of Thrones, "kissed by fire."
• ZenobiaGirl: The warrior queen of Palmyra who challenged Rome.
• ZinniaGirl: A cheerful garden flower that blooms in orange.

Unique gender-neutral orange cat names

Uncommon names for any orange cat.

• AcadiaNeutral: Named for Acadia National Park in Maine, great for an orange Maine Coon.
• AmurNeutral: Named for the Amur tiger, a very large tiger subspecies.
• AzarNeutral: A Persian name meaning "fire."
• BergamotNeutral: The fragrant citrus that flavors Earl Grey tea.
• BisqueNeutral: A pale orange-pink color, and a creamy soup.
• BruleeNeutral: As in creme brulee, golden caramelized sugar on cream.
• CalamansiNeutral: A small, tangy citrus grown in the Philippines.
• CascoNeutral: Casco Bay, off the coast of Portland, Maine.
• CayenneNeutral: A hot red-orange pepper for a fiery cat.
• ChaiNeutral: A warm spiced tea for a warm spiced cat.
• CinnabarNeutral: The red mineral once used to make vermilion paint.
• CobwebNeutral: For a cat who hides in dusty corners.
• CurryNeutral: Warm, golden and full of spice.
• DaidaiNeutral: Japanese for bitter orange, and also a word for the color orange.
• DuneNeutral: Warm sand, for a pale orange cat.
• EquinoxNeutral: The first day of fall.
• FlambeNeutral: Food set on fire, for a fiery orange cat.
• FogNeutral: Soft gray mist.
• FulvousNeutral: An old color word meaning tawny or reddish-yellow.
• FuyuNeutral: Japanese for "winter."
• GalwayNeutral: A lively city on Ireland's west coast.
• GraphiteNeutral: The gray in a pencil.
• GrimalkinNeutral: An old word for a cat, linked to witches' familiars.
• GrisNeutral: French and Spanish for "gray."
• HallowNeutral: From Halloween itself, All Hallows' Eve.
• HarvestNeutral: Pumpkins, gourds and golden fields.
• Harvest MoonNeutral: The full moon closest to the autumn equinox, often glowing orange as it rises.
• HiNeutral: Japanese for "fire."
• HickoryNeutral: A hardwood tree with golden fall color.
• IkuraNeutral: Japanese for salmon roe, the bright orange sushi topping.
• InariNeutral: A Shinto deity of rice whose messengers are said to be foxes.
• InkNeutral: Deep black, for a black cat with amber eyes.
• JaffaNeutral: A sweet, thick-skinned orange variety.
• JonagoldNeutral: A golden-red apple variety.
• KakiNeutral: Japanese for persimmon, a bright orange fruit.
• KennebecNeutral: One of Maine's major rivers.
• KinNeutral: Japanese for "gold."
• KindleNeutral: To kindle is to light a fire.
• KoganeNeutral: Japanese for "gold."
• KohakuNeutral: A Japanese word for amber, and also the name of a classic red-and-white koi variety.
• KoiNeutral: Many koi are orange and white, just like some cats.
• KumquatNeutral: A tiny, tart citrus fruit with a funny name.
• LanternNeutral: A glowing orange light in the dark.
• MarzipanNeutral: A pale almond sweet.
• MasalaNeutral: A blend of spices, warm and golden.
• MeringueNeutral: A pale, airy sweet.
• MikenekoNeutral: The Japanese term for a calico cat, from mike, meaning "triple fur."
• MonarchNeutral: The orange-and-black butterfly, for an orange and black cat.
• MosaicNeutral: Many small pieces of color, just like a tortie coat.
• MuesliNeutral: Pale oats and dried fruit.
• NimbusNeutral: A gray rain cloud.
• NovemberNeutral: Late fall, cozy and quiet.
• NowruzNeutral: The Persian New Year, celebrated at the spring equinox.
• OchreNeutral: An earthy yellow-orange pigment used since prehistoric times.
• OctoberNeutral: The most orange month of the year.
• OgunquitNeutral: A Maine beach town with a fun name to say.
• OrioleNeutral: The Baltimore oriole is a bright orange-and-black bird.
• ParadiseNeutral: As in the bird of paradise flower, with its orange and blue petals.
• PemaquidNeutral: Pemaquid Point is home to one of Maine's best-known lighthouses.
• PenobscotNeutral: A river and bay in Maine.
• PersimmonNeutral: A glossy orange autumn fruit.
• PewterNeutral: A soft gray metal.
• PintoNeutral: Named for the patchy-coated pinto horse.
• PipNeutral: A tiny name for a tiny kitten.
• PortlandNeutral: Maine's largest city.
• PotionNeutral: For a cat who seems to have cast a spell on you.
• PumiceNeutral: A light gray volcanic stone.
• PyewacketNeutral: The witch's cat in the film Bell, Book and Candle.
• QuiltNeutral: Cozy, patchy and made of many colors.
• RuaNeutral: An Irish word used for red hair.
• RumiNeutral: The beloved 13th-century Persian poet.
• RussetNeutral: A reddish-brown color word, also a type of potato and apple.
• SamhainNeutral: The Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest, pronounced "SOW-in."
• SatsumaNeutral: A sweet, easy-peel mandarin named after a former Japanese province.
• SevilleNeutral: Seville oranges are the classic choice for marmalade.
• ShirazNeutral: A historic city in Iran, also the name of a wine grape.
• ShuNeutral: Japanese for "vermilion."
• SrirachaNeutral: A hot sauce name for a hot-tempered cat.
• SumatraNeutral: Named for the Sumatran tiger, the smallest living tiger subspecies.
• SunspotNeutral: Sunspots are darker patches on the surface of the sun.
• SunstoneNeutral: A gemstone that sparkles in orange and peach tones.
• SuryaNeutral: The sun deity in Hinduism.
• TangeloNeutral: A cross between a tangerine and a pomelo.
• Thai TeaNeutral: Thai iced tea is famous for its bright orange color.
• TigrisNeutral: A river in Mesopotamia whose name sounds like "tiger."
• TikkaNeutral: As in tikka masala, a warm orange curry.
• TineNeutral: Irish for "fire," pronounced roughly "TIN-yeh."
• TopazNeutral: A gemstone that often comes in golden orange shades.
• TsukiNeutral: Japanese for "moon."
• TurmericNeutral: A bright golden-orange spice.
• VermilionNeutral: A vivid red-orange pigment.
• VulpixNeutral: The fox Pokemon with six curled tails.
• ZiggyNeutral: A rock-star name for a cat with flair.

Exotic orange cat names from other languages

Words from other languages are an easy way to find a name that is both unique and meaningful. These are the translations we use on the site.

Unique names for orange kittens

Uncommon names that are cute now and will still suit a grown cat.

• KitNeutral: A baby fox is called a kit, and kit is also an old nickname for a kitten.
• KinakoNeutral: Japanese roasted soybean flour, a soft golden tan.
• MomoGirl: Japanese for "peach."
• HoshiNeutral: Japanese for "star."
• SoraNeutral: Japanese for "sky."
• DangoNeutral: Sweet Japanese rice dumplings on a skewer.
• AcornNeutral: Small, round and full of potential.
• PineconeNeutral: A small, spiky fall find.
• DandelionNeutral: A golden flower that turns into a fluffy puff.
• EwokNeutral: The small, furry forest creatures of Star Wars.
• TribbleNeutral: The furry, fast-multiplying creatures of Star Trek.
• BarleyNeutral: A golden grain with a friendly sound.
• FawnGirl: A pale tan color and a baby deer.
• CloverGirl: A lucky little plant.

Rare color words for orange

Old and unusual words for shades of orange and red are a goldmine for unique names.

• SiennaGirl: A reddish-brown earth pigment, named after the Italian city of Siena.
• AkaneGirl: Japanese for deep red, named for the madder plant.

How to check a name is really unique

There is no national registry of cat names, so no one can promise a name is one of a kind. A few quick checks help:

• Search the name plus "cat." If the first page is full of cats with that name, it is more common than you think.
• Ask your vet's front desk. They see hundreds of pets and know which names come up every week.
• Check the meaning. A unique name from another language should mean what you think it means. Confirm it with a reliable dictionary or a native speaker.
• Make sure it is easy to say. A rare name is great until nobody can pronounce it. Give tricky names a simple nickname.

Tips for choosing a unique name

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

• Clever Orange Cat Names
• Japanese Orange Cat Names
• Irish Names for Orange Cats
• Cool Orange Cat Names
• All orange cat names + sorter