Literary Cat Names — 100+ Book and Author Inspired

Why Choose a Literary Cat Name?

Cats and literature have a long, intertwined history. Ernest Hemingway famously kept dozens of polydactyl cats at his Key West home. T.S. Eliot wrote an entire poetry collection about cats (Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, which later became the musical Cats). Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, and Haruki Murakami — the list of literary cat lovers is practically endless.

A literary cat name is more than just a label — it's a conversation starter. When someone asks about your cat "Atticus" or "Bronte," you get to share a little piece of a story you love. It also gives your cat a sense of gravitas. Let's be honest: a cat sprawled across a sunlit windowsill already looks like they're contemplating the deeper meaning of existence. They deserve a name with some literary weight.

Classic Literature Cat Names

Classic novels are a goldmine for distinguished, timeless cat names. These names carry the weight of some of the greatest stories ever written, and they sound just as elegant when you're calling your cat in for dinner.

Author-Inspired Cat Names

Why name your cat after a character when you can name them after the genius who created entire worlds? Author cat names tend to sound sophisticated and roll off the tongue beautifully. Plus, many of these authors were dedicated cat people themselves — so it feels like a fitting tribute.

• Hemingway — For the bold, adventurous cat (especially polydactyl ones!)
• Poe — Perfect for a mysterious black cat
• Austen — Elegant and refined, ideal for a poised female cat
• Dickens — A warm, approachable name for a friendly cat
• Brontë — Wild and soulful, great for a cat with intensity
• Twain — Ideal for a witty, mischievous cat
• Tolkien — For an adventurous cat who loves to explore
• Shelley — Works for fans of Mary Shelley or Percy Bysshe Shelley
• Byron — Dramatic, romantic, and a bit rebellious
• Eliot — A nod to T.S. Eliot, the ultimate literary cat lover
• Woolf — For an introspective, contemplative cat
• Kafka — Perfect for a cat who stares at you like they know something you don't
• Neruda — Poetic and passionate
• Orwell — For the cat who always seems to be watching
• Harper — Inspired by Harper Lee, sweet and strong
• Louisa — For Louisa May Alcott fans
• Dumas — Swashbuckling energy for an active cat
• Plath — Intense, beautiful, and unforgettable

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Literary Cat Names

If you're a fan of epic world-building and otherworldly adventures, fantasy and science fiction offer some of the most imaginative and unique names for your cat. These names carry a sense of magic and wonder — which, if you think about it, is exactly what cats bring into our lives.

Children's Book Cat Names

If you have kids at home — or if you're just young at heart — children's literature is a wonderful source of cat names. These names are playful, memorable, and often come with built-in stories that make them extra fun to share. Kids especially love being able to connect their pet's name to a character they recognize from storytime.

• Matilda — From Roald Dahl's beloved novel about a brilliant little girl
• Mog — From Judith Kerr's Mog the Forgetful Cat series
• Coraline — From Neil Gaiman's delightfully spooky story
• Figaro — Geppetto's cat in Pinocchio
• Babar — A regal name from the classic elephant tales
• Winnie — Inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh
• Madeline — From Ludwig Bemelmans' Parisian adventures
• Eloise — From Kay Thompson's spirited Plaza Hotel resident
• Paddington — For a cat who's always getting into gentle mischief
• Charlotte — From E.B. White's Charlotte's Web
• Ramona — From Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby series
• Peter — As in Peter Rabbit, or Peter Pan
• Pippi — From Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking — for wild, spirited cats

Children's book names are also great because they tend to be easy to say and remember — two important qualities in a cat name. If your little one can say the name, they'll feel even more bonded to their furry friend.

Literary Cat Names by Personality

Sometimes the best way to choose a name is to match it to your cat's personality. Is your cat regal and dignified? A lovable goofball? A shadowy mystery? Here's a personality-based guide to help you narrow things down.

More Unique Literary Cat Names to Consider

If you want something a little more unusual — a name that won't be shared by three other cats at the vet's office — dig a little deeper into the literary canon. These names come from poetry, lesser-known novels, mythology referenced in literature, and literary movements.

• Zelda — For F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife and muse, Zelda Fitzgerald
• Dashiell ("Dash") — After Dashiell Hammett, master of detective fiction
• Cleo — Short for Cleopatra, featured in countless literary works
• Calliope — The Greek muse of epic poetry
• Sappho — The ancient Greek poet
• Langston — After Langston Hughes, Harlem Renaissance poet
• Tennyson ("Tenny") — After Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• Beckett — After Samuel Beckett, for existential cats
• Capote — After Truman Capote
• Faulkner — For a cat with Southern charm
• Keats — For a beautiful, poetic soul
• Sylvia — After Sylvia Plath
• Sassoon — After war poet Siegfried Sassoon
• Octavia — After sci-fi legend Octavia Butler
• Borges — After Jorge Luis Borges, for labyrinthine cats
• Flannery — After Flannery O'Connor
• Zora — After Zora Neale Hurston
• Rumi — After the beloved Persian poet

These names stand out from the crowd and give you a chance to celebrate authors and literary figures who deserve more recognition. Plus, names like "Dash," "Cleo," and "Tenny" provide easy, cat-friendly short forms.

Famous Cats from Literature

Of course, we can't talk about literary cat names without mentioning the cats who are actual characters in books. These feline literary stars have earned their place in the canon — and their names make wonderful choices for your own cat.

• Cheshire — The grinning, disappearing cat from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
• Crookshanks — Hermione's clever, ginger cat in Harry Potter
• Behemoth — The giant, vodka-drinking black cat from Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita
• Dinah — Alice's pet cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
• Mogget — The sarcastic, shape-shifting cat from Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series
• Church — The resurrected cat from Stephen King's Pet Sematary (for horror fans!)
• Pluto — The black cat from Poe's The Black Cat
• Buttercup — Katniss's cat in The Hunger Games
• Macavity — T.S. Eliot's "Mystery Cat" from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
• Jennyanydots — Another gem from T.S. Eliot (usually shortened to "Jenny")
• Pangur Bán — From the famous medieval Irish poem about a monk and his white cat

Tips for Choosing the Right Literary Cat Name

With over 100 options to choose from, narrowing down the perfect literary name can feel overwhelming. Here are a few practical tips to help you decide:

1. Consider your cat's appearance. A grey cat named Gandalf, a ginger cat named Crookshanks, or a black cat named Poe — visual connections make the name feel even more fitting.
2. Think about personality. Spend a few days getting to know your new cat before committing. Their quirks might point you toward the perfect name.
3. Keep it pronounceable. You'll be saying this name dozens of times a day. Make sure it feels comfortable in your mouth and is easy for all family members (including kids) to say.
4. Test the nickname. Most literary names have great built-in nicknames. "Hermione" becomes "Mione," "Fitzgerald" becomes "Fitz," and "Dashiell" becomes "Dash."
5. Choose a name you love. Pick a name from a book or author that genuinely means something to you. The personal connection will make the name feel special every time you use it.
6. Say it with your last name. Some pet parents enjoy the humor of a full literary name: "Edgar Allan Paws" or "Jane Pawsten" — have fun with it!

Once you've settled on the perfect literary name, it becomes part of your cat's story — and what a story it'll be. If you want to take that story even further, PetTales lets you create a personalized storybook starring your cat as the hero. Imagine little Gatsby or Hermione on the pages of their very own illustrated adventure — it's a beautiful way to celebrate the literary name you've chosen.

Quick Reference: 100+ Literary Cat Names at a Glance

Here's your complete quick-reference list, organized alphabetically, so you can scan for the name that jumps out at you:

No matter which name you choose, you're giving your cat something special — a name with history, meaning, and a great story behind it. And isn't that exactly what every cat deserves? Happy naming, fellow book lover. 📖🐱