Did you know that Tabby cats have been walking around proudly with their stripes since ancient Egypt? These fabulous felines were once considered royalty, lounging around pyramids and demanding attention with a mere flick of their tails. Fast forward a few millennia, and it doesn’t look like much has changed. Just that now they are doing the same all over the world.
Before getting to the naming ceremony, here’s a quick definition of a tabby cat – (3)
M-shaped mark on the forehead
Stripes by its eyes and across its cheeks, back, legs and tail.
Characteristic striped, dotted, lined, flecked, banded, or swirled patterns on the body
It’s thought that the name “tabby” comes from the French word “taffeta,” a type of striped silk. (2) It is not a breed per se, but a coat type found in several breeds like Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Birman, Javanese, American Bobtail, American Curl, etc. People say that the Egyptian Mau is the originator of tabby. There may be several opinions here, but none to deny the beauty of these unique cats.
Having said that, let’s get one step closer to the naming ceremony of your tabby.
Top 100 Tabby Cat Names
Tabby Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Stripes | For a tabby with distinct striped patterns. |
Tigerlily | A playful name inspired by a wild tiger and a flower. |
Marmalade | For a sweet, orange-tabby cat. |
Butterscotch | A rich, golden name for a soft tabby. |
Cinnamon | Warm and spicy, just like your tabby. |
Mocha | For a cat with a coffee-colored coat. |
Rusty | Perfect for a reddish-brown tabby. |
Taffy | Sweet, sticky, and a little playful. |
Maple | Inspired by the reddish-brown color of maple leaves. |
Nutmeg | A cozy, spiced name for a tabby with a warm hue. |
Pepper | For a tabby with a bit of spice in its personality. |
Whiskey | A smooth, golden-brown name. |
Latte | Light and warm, perfect for a light-colored tabby. |
Gingerbread | Sweet and full of flavor, for a ginger-colored tabby. |
Caramel | For a rich, warm-toned tabby. |
Cheeto | A playful name for an orange tabby. |
Fudge | Rich and dark like a fudgy treat. |
Tater Tot | For a small and cute tabby. |
Snickers | Sweet and full of personality. |
Biscuit | Warm and comforting, just like a tabby cat. |
Tawny | A lovely, light brown name for a tabby. |
Twix | Sweet and crunchy, a perfect match for a playful tabby. |
Mellow | For a laid-back, chill tabby. |
Pecan | Nutty and sweet, just like your tabby. |
Spicy | For a sassy and energetic tabby. |
Pumpkin | A perfect name for an orange tabby, especially in fall. |
Saffron | A golden name for a tabby with a spice-like personality. |
Nutty | Cute for a playful, energetic cat. |
Latte | A smooth name for a coffee-colored tabby. |
Toffee | Sweet and light, like caramelized sugar. |
Honeycomb | For a tabby with a golden or honey-colored coat. |
Pretzel | Twisted and playful, perfect for a curly or fun tabby. |
Peanut | Small, cute, and perfect for a tiny tabby. |
Cocoa | A rich brown name for a tabby with a darker coat. |
Rust | For a tabby with reddish-brown tones. |
Ember | A warm and glowing name for a fiery tabby. |
Maple Syrup | Sweet and golden, perfect for a light-colored tabby. |
Clove | For a cat with a spicy, bold personality. |
Munchkin | For a small and adorable tabby. |
Amber | For a cat with a warm, amber-colored coat. |
Whiskey | A smooth, golden-brown name. |
Brulee | Sweet and rich, just like the dessert. |
Copper | For a tabby with a reddish-brown tone. |
Peaches | Sweet, soft, and full of flavor. |
Biscotti | A crunchy, sweet name for a tabby. |
Pistachio | A nutty, light-green name for a unique tabby. |
Sable | A dark and rich name for a tabby with dark stripes. |
Buttercup | Sweet and delicate, for a soft tabby. |
Walnut | For a brown tabby with a deep, nutty coat. |
Fig | A sweet name for a dark tabby with a deep hue. |
Marshmallow | Light and fluffy, perfect for a soft tabby. |
Maple Leaf | For a reddish-brown tabby. |
Biscuit | Warm and comforting. |
Clover | For a lucky tabby with a patch of color. |
Frito | Fun and unique for a quirky tabby. |
Sparky | For a lively and energetic tabby. |
Jack-O-Lantern | Perfect for a fall-colored, orange tabby. |
Snuffy | Cute and playful. |
Waffle | Light, fluffy, and sweet. |
Jellybean | Colorful and fun. |
Tiggy | A sweet nickname for a tiger-striped tabby. |
Furball | For a fluffy, round tabby. |
Stardust | For a mystical tabby with a starry coat. |
Scruffy | For a wild and unkempt tabby. |
Churro | Sweet and fun, like the Spanish treat. |
Whiskers | For a cat with prominent whiskers. |
Tux | For a tabby who wears a tuxedo-style coat. |
Calypso | For a cat with a rhythmic personality. |
Velvet | Soft and smooth, just like velvet. |
Marmot | A small and cute name for a furry tabby. |
GingerSnap | Sweet and spicy, just like the cookie. |
Truffle | Rich and dark, perfect for a sweet tabby. |
Waffles | Light, fluffy, and adorable. |
Ziggy | For a fun-loving, energetic tabby. |
Pippin | For a playful, mischievous tabby. |
Jax | Strong and tough, like a warrior tabby. |
Duchess | For a regal and elegant tabby. |
Mr. Muffin | Cute and round, just like the baked treat. |
Maple Leaf | For a tabby with reddish tones. |
Bubbles | For a light and playful tabby. |
Sable | For a sleek, dark tabby. |
Sundance | For a tabby that loves the sun. |
Zigzag | For a cat with a curvy personality. |
Scruffy | Perfect for a tabby with a messy coat. |
Tabasco | Hot and spicy! |
Whiskerino | For a tabby with distinctive whiskers. |
Sprout | For a small and fresh cat. |
Pip | A short and cute name for a tiny tabby. |
Buttons | For a playful tabby. |
Moka | For a coffee-colored tabby. |
Pudding | Sweet and soft, just like the dessert. |
Biscuit | Warm and comforting. |
Fuzzball | For a fluffy tabby with a lot of personality. |
Clover | For a lucky tabby with a patch of color. |
Mocha | For a tabby with a dark, coffee-colored coat. |
Peppercorn | For a tabby with a spicy personality. |
Tansy | For a sweet and bright tabby. |
Buckwheat | For a unique and special tabby. |
Peppy | For an energetic, bouncy tabby. |
Crumble | For a small, sweet tabby. |
Male Tabby Cat Names
Ladies first? Maybe not always. Let’s start with some names for your male tabby. (if yours is a male, of course)
Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Sir Stripes-a-Lot | Regal and commanding, just like his presence. |
Purrlock | For the curious and clever cat of your ‘Holmes’. |
Cheshire | Remember the grinning cat from "Alice in Wonderland." |
Mr. Mews | Tabbys do have a lot to talk at times. |
MacTabby | A nod to their Scottish ancestors. |
ZigZag | Difficult to find a part of their bodies without stripes. |
Stripey McGee | Or you could go only for Stripey. |
Tiger | A lot of resemblance, isn’t it? |
Female Tabby Cat Names
Maybe not first but can’t miss the ladies. Here are some great names if you have a female tabby –
Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Tiger Lily | For its fierce and beautiful personality. |
Zara | Stylish and modern. |
Cleocatra | For their Egyptian origins. |
Isis | Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood. |
Sphinxie | A nod to the Great Sphinx of Giza. |
Misty | For your enchanting feline. |
Nefertiti | A famous Egyptian queen, symbolizing beauty and grace. |
Bastet | Egyptian goddess of home and fertility, often depicted as a lioness. |
Orange Tabby Cat Names
Orange tabby cats are really unique. Before getting to their names, we want you to know some really interesting facts about them. These will make you adore your orange tabby more!
Only 1 in 5 orange tabby cats is a female
Funny fact – There are 4 different patterns found in orange tabby cats but none is actually a solid orange.
These are like one of the most energetic and erratic cats out there.
Winston Churchill had 2 orange tabby cats in his life - Tango and Jock.
This last fact may not be shocking to you as you would have already seen them take the spotlight from Hollywood to Instagram. We’ll even suggest you some names based on the popular characters.
And on that note, let’s get started with the names. The ones we are talking about from the big screen are -
Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Garfield | Famous orange cat from the comic strip. |
Crookshanks | Harry Potter's loyal cat. |
Milo | From Milo and Otis , the famous duo. |
Orangey | The cat from Breakfast at Tiffany's . |
Puss in Boots | The beloved character from Shrek 2 . |
Spot | Star Trek’s famous cat. |
Orion | From Men in Black , named after the constellation. |
Chester | The orange cheetah from Cheetos. |
Don’t want to go down this route? Here are some other great names for your tabby cat –
Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Ginger | A classic name for an orange cat. |
Goldie | For a golden, shiny coat. |
Marigold | Named after the vibrant yellow-orange flower. |
Muffin | Cute and soft like a delicious treat. |
Saffron | For the spice with a golden hue. |
Tawny | A warm, earthy tone for a cat with a reddish-brown coat. |
Rusty | A classic name for a cat with a reddish-orange hue. |
Tangerine | A sweet and tangy name for an orange cat. |
Caramel | For a sweet and rich-colored cat. |
Butterscotch | Sweet and buttery, perfect for a gentle, golden kitty. |
Fanta | Inspired by the bright orange soda. |
Cat Names for Grey Tabby Cats
You thought only orange tabby cats are unique? Wait till you get to know some interesting facts about the grey ones.
Grey Tabbies can have yellow, green, copper, hazel, and blue eyes.
One of the US’s first stuffed toys was called the Ithaca Kitty was inspired by a grey tabby.
Pusheen, the cat popularly seen on merchandise, from cushions to backpacks, phone covers, pencil cases, and more is a grey tabby.
Here’s a list of some interesting names for your grey tabby –
Cat Name | Description |
|---|---|
Smoky | For a grey cat with a soft, smoky coat. |
Earl Grey | A classic tea-inspired name for a refined feline. |
Slate | A solid, grey-colored stone name for a calm cat. |
Graphite | Inspired by the sleek, dark grey mineral. |
Opal | A beautiful name for a cat with iridescent grey tones. |
Pepper | For a cat with a peppery, speckled coat. |
Steel | Strong and sturdy, just like the metal. |
Grayson | A classic and sophisticated grey-inspired name. |
Smudge | For a cat with a bit of a messy or blended look. |
Or how about ‘Grey’ – We know it’s obvious but it does sound cool.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
While you have the answers to your curiosities regarding tabby cats and some really great names for yours, it is important to know some facts relating to medical predispositions in cats now that you’re a parent of one. (3)
The most common health problems in spayed/neutered cats include hyperthyroidism, flea-bite hypersensitivity, obesity, periodontal disease, cardiac dysrhythmia, constipation and lameness.
Common health problems in intact cats include heart murmur, urinary tract infections (UTI), anemia, anorexia, complications and infections of the reproductive system, and overgrooming.
With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of the associated treatment costs that can at times put a big dent in your savings.
Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services.
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With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
Gardner, L. (2024, April 23). 10 Orange Tabby Cat Facts | Litter-Robot. Tabby Cat Names. https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/8-orange-tabby-cat-facts/
Adams, C. (2024, May 31). 11 Fascinating Facts About Grey Tabby Cats (With Pictures) - Catster. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/grey-tabby-cat-facts/
20 Most Common Cat Health Problems According to Gender, Neutering Status and Age. (2023, August 16). Vetic | Pet Care Reimagined. https://vetic.in/blog/pet-health/common-cat-health-problems/
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 10). Tabby cat. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabby_cat
