ADVERTISEMENT

We often hear about crazy names people give to their babies, or names they were gifted by their very creative parents. But it turns out that pets too can have names that lift eyebrows—if not of their fellow animals, then surely their vets’. Well, according to this viral Twitter thread, at least.

It all started when Brittany Means, a writer and editor from Albuquerque, NM, shared this tweet: “One of my greatest joys in life is when Jeff calls the vet to make an appointment and they ask for his name, and he says, Jeff. Then, they ask for our cat's name, and I watch him gather his strength before he tells them, Baby Jeff.”

This hit all too close to home to many pet owners out there who took the thread as an opportunity to share the ensued hilarity behind their furballs’ names. Especially when it’s time for a vet’s appointment.

Bored Panda spoke with Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training and behavior specialist with a vision to reduce the number of cats euthanized in shelters, who runs the Cat Behavior Solutions agency. We asked Molly how important, in her opinion, the name we give to our cat is and she said that a cat’s name is more important to you than others.

“So pick something you love – or something that makes you giggle,” Molly suggested. She also added that the cat doesn’t speak English so he has no idea of the meaning behind his name. “Cats will learn their names fairly quickly and it is an opportunity for you to get their attention on cue.”

ADVERTISEMENT

For those who are wondering if cats actually recognize their names, and Molly confirmed that cats indeed do recognize them. For that reason, “if you ever decide to change it, try to pick something that has the same number of syllables and ends in the same sound,” the cat behavior specialist explained.

#7

Funny-Cat-Names

ARevelsStocks Report

Add photo comments
POST
erinw_ avatar
ERIN W.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother had a kitten wonder up that he kept and named him "Thomas Jesus Rodriguez"! 😀

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Moreover, cat names, just like human names, have their trends. “I see cat names trending with popular movie characters, TV shows and heartthrobs. Timon and Pumba (the warthog and meerkat) from Lion King are cute for siblings,” Molly told us.

“Working with a lot of shelter cats, I see a lot of names – and have the opportunity to name a lot of cats. Food themes are popular; we have candy cats with names like Skittles, Jelly Bean, and Pez. I typically adopt red cats and name them in a spicy theme: Tabasco, Salsa, and Pico de Gato.”

ADVERTISEMENT

When it comes to the names you don’t want to give your furball, Molly reminds everyone to not name their cat anything that might offend someone else. “Name your cat something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside,” she concluded.

ADVERTISEMENT
#22

Funny-Cat-Names

notgross Report

Add photo comments
POST
scarlettohara193674 avatar
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son has a cat named Frank Sinatra. But he's Siamese with blue eyes and we call him old blue eyes!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Funny-Cat-Names

DrDFox1 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Funny-Cat-Names

harriekd Report

Add photo comments
POST
jenniferdavid_harper avatar
bubs623 avatar
Bubs623
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids, now adults, used to call our cat 'kitty'. That became 'titty' because the youngest couldn't quite say 'kitty' correctly. Then one day, my middle son couldn't remember 'titty' so he called the cat 'nipples'. Nipples is now 20 years old and responds only to Nipples, and sometimes Nippleclees, as if he's a Roman cat.

libstak avatar
Libstak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could have been worse, like Titswobble or something.....

terayarnell avatar
Pangoro
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An old roommate of mine had a cat named A**l. I refused to call her that and nicknamed her Annie. He was such a tool!

emilyroth avatar
Monarch cat lady
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 of mine is named Booboo I call him Boobie instead. I think my neighbors think I'm nuts when windows open and I'm walking around my house yelling boobies!! He is also called boobalicous

parmeisan avatar
Parmeisan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbour is always walking around outside calling "Asshᴏle" (their cat is named Dazzle) and can confirm, I wondered if they were nuts

Load More Replies...
thomasewing avatar
Thomas Ewing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My then (1977) new kitten was so hungry she glommed onto a fresh doughnut that I'd just brought from the bakery where I worked, and she became Donut. A super sweet, affectionate little calico that had an olive-drab spot on her side. I've never seen greenish fur on any animal; she's the first and only.

aleksandarrobinson avatar
PlatinumTheCat
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn’t as weird if you think of the actual definition which is a foolish or stupid person, so it could just be a dumb cat

teresaspnics avatar
Teresa Spanics
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your dear sweet Boobs 😭😿💔

snetzele avatar
Lucy Carriero Traverse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a cat named Baby Boobs. She was supposed to be named Betty Boop but my husband took her to her first vet appointment. A combination of not paying attention and hard of hearing caused the mixup but the name stuck when the vet staff made such a fuss. I think I caused some concern when discussing my Baby Boobs in public.

harperhale-gibson avatar
HarperTheCentaur (they/them)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't think of a clever way to make this Community reference, so I'll just say it plainly: there is a monkey named Annie's Boobs in Community. I love him.

kristelho avatar
Kris92
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's the spitting image of my little lady cat, Pusa (translates to Kitty).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Funny-Cat-Names

GeorgeWept Report

Add photo comments
POST
joolee avatar
Joolee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep, gotta check for the microchip. I've lost my Murray cat and I wish whoever has him would check. My heart is broken.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

Funny-Cat-Names

BronwynAnn Report

Add photo comments
POST
superheroesagainstandros avatar
LinkTheHylian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fattie Harris was a footballer. Not as famous as Fatty Foulke, but he was a solid 'keeper in his own right.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

Funny-Cat-Names

Brazen_8 Report

Add photo comments
POST
darylmcgill avatar
Nowyermad
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It involves a lot of paperwork. It's probably best to hire a lawyer.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Funny-Cat-Names

itsPeaBea Report

Note: this post originally had 95 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

See Also on Bored Panda