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.
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)
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 –
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 -
Garfield
Crookshanks – Harry Potter
Milo – Milo and Otis
Orangey – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Puss in Boots – Shrek 2 (you could just go with Puss here)
Spot – Star Trek
Orion – Men in Black
Chester – The orange cheetah from Cheetos (we know Cheetos is not big screen but is it any less popular?)
Don’t want to go down this route? Here are some other great names for your tabby cat –
Ginger
Goldie
Marigold
Muffin
Saffron
Tawny
Rusty
Tangerine
Caramel
Butterscotch
Fanta
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 –
Smoky
Earl Grey
Slate
Graphite
Opal
Pepper
Steel
Grayson
Smudge
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
