Choose a Kitten Name

That new kitten's tearing around the house, and you're having a blast playing and snuggling with your new friend. But you realize that you can't keep calling it "kitty" forever. And you may be tossing out names here & there, trying to see what sticks, but you're here because you're saying you're stuck. Here, you'll learn some of the ways others have come to settle in on the perfect name for their new little friend. (or maybe even a pair of friends!)

Steps

 * 1) Your cat will not be needing to establish its own identity as your kid would. So if it's burdened with a name that will hinder its future success in life, check again. It may really be your daughter.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2)  If it's still a cat after checking, sit back & take stock of its appearance. What are its most distinguishing features? Its coat? Its feet? Its color? A missing (or extra) toe, eye (well not extra, but), tail, or even LEG?[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3)  Watch it for personality quirks. Does it do something distinctive? Maybe it runs in a particular way. Maybe it launches itself absolutely vertically a foot or more toward the ceiling. Or maybe it's a look that its gives you.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4)  Listen to your new feline companion. Chances are it makes certain noises that may seem unworldly. Not your classic meow. Maybe, on the other hand, it's VERY worldly. Maybe it's a little more like a human utterance than you would have expected.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5)  As you might do with a new baby, you may be tempted to name your kitten after a dear departed relative or friend. Or you may want to honor a cat you had in the past (or maybe some other animal...a GOAT, for instance).[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6)  Remember that this is mostly your choice. You have control over this process, although the kitten may have something to say about the outcome.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7)  Do you have a favorite book, movie, poem, author, or TV program. Many cats are named after characters in movies, for example.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 8)  If you find yourself drawn to the heavens, there's a moon, galaxy, planet, or another unearthly body that's a good fit for the critter.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 9)  What's your favorite pastime? Eating? Spying on your neighbors? Bird watching? Yoga? Spitting? Entomology? There's an insect that would be proud to lend its name to your feline friend.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 10)  Did you get your cat to take to shows? What are some of the names of your favorite show cats from the past? What did you like about those names? Like the number of letters in the name? Maybe you liked the over-the-top majesty of the name?[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 11)  What was happening when you first laid eyes on the kitty? Did something important take place? Something historic? A holiday? Or something quite ordinary (like maybe you had a cold).[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 12)  Finally, you should call your cat by the new name you've chosen for it. Is it responsive? Or does it ignore you or even react in some negative way to being called by your new name? Some kittens just won't accept being called Fido, Spot, or Fluffy. If the kitten has a positive response to the name, you have a winner.[[Image:Choose a Kitten Name Step 12.jpg|center]]

*Examples of the ways cats are named:

 * Appearance: a cat missing an eye and a leg may be named "Lucky".
 * Personality quirks: a kitten who will collapse into deep slumber in an instant could be called "Flaytee" (as in deflate),
 * A sound from the kitten: A cat who makes a sound like "Ow!" might fittingly end up with a name like "Wimpy".
 * Your favorite uncle was named Thomas. Try that out on the cat.
 * "Gone With the Wind" is your all-time favorite movie, so the little girl will henceforth be addressed as "Leigh" (for Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett O'Hara).
 * You are a professional astronomer. And your favorite galaxy is one named M87. So be it.
 * You are a prolific spitter. Well, you, of all people know what phlegm is. Try that.
 * Your kitten will go on to a life on the road as your little showpiece. The greatest show cat of all time has a name like "Queen Smutty Face de la Boite de Littiere." Call your cat such a long name (or even longer) if you want to win.
 * When you went to get your little friend, you heard on your car radio on the way to the adoption center that there was a tornado warning for your area. Maybe your kitten will come to be named "Twisty".
 * A name that sounds like the name of your human son is going to create confusion. So, if your son is Phil, avoid calling your new kitten "Lil". Unless you like chaos in your home, then maybe you should just name the cat "Phil" and be done with it. You might also consider naming the little guy "Hello", for that matter.
 * Many names lend themselves to nicknames. They are good names.
 * Don't let other people tell you that the name you've chosen is too common, silly, unoriginal or undignified. You are the one with the cat. You get to name him.
 * Whatever you pick as a name, you must give your kitten first right of refusal. If the name is just not something that your kitty responds to, then it (the name) is useless. Go back & try again.

Related wikiHows

 * React If You Find a Lost Kitten or Cat

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.felinedesign.net/catnameswh.htm