The Top 20 Trending Cat Names of 2025

Classic characters like Gatsby and Zoro are back in the spotlight.

November 12, 2025

It’s coming to the time of year when we all reflect on what made 2025 special, and every social media platform is packaging up their annual lookbacks. Rover, the popular pet service platform, is no exception. Every year, the site releases a list of the most popular cat names based on their massive database of over a million pets. But this year, instead of just announcing the most commonly chosen names (hint: it’s Luna and Milo again), Rover decided to mix things up and focus on new and trending names — revealing some surprising results.

For cats, some classic names, like Snowball, made a big return. Also making the list are a smattering of food names — Tater, Pickle, and although not totally a food, the totally delicious Martini among them. It looks like new cat parents are less influenced by big pop culture moments than dog parents; while new trending dog names included Elphie and Rumi, thanks to Wicked and K-Pop Demon Hunters, cat names are going back to the classics — literally, in the case of literary nods like Gatsby and Milton. When pop culture does enter the mix, cat parents aren’t making particularly current references; Bill Murray is up 1031 percent, Mary-Kate is up 531 percent, and Edward Scissorpaws is up 231 percent. But who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?

The trending cat names are quite the eclectic grab bag this year. Below are the top 10 trending female cat names and top 10 trending male cat names of 2025.

The top 10 trending male cat names of 2025

10. Zoro

The swashbuckler known as the “Pirate Hunter” in a classic manga series is the perfect namesake for cats who like to take swipes at their guardians.

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9. Pepe

This could be a reference to the classic cartoon skunk, the online cartoon frog, or your cat might just be a little spicy Italian.

8. Asher

For the dusty gray cats out there.

7. Bones

A simple choice for anyone who wishes Halloween could last year round — or for Star Trek superfans.

6. Caesar

Regal, elegant, and classic — also pretty tasty.

5. Snowball

There is definitely a specific type of cat one pictures when they hear the name “Snowball.”

4. Gatsby

Your cat will forever chase after a green laser pointer and pine wistfully for the construct of the American dream that is just out of reach.

3. Stewie

Most likely a nod to the Family Guy character — who is not a cat, but an intelligent bald baby with a posh British accent. Then again, he’s always scheming, and cats can definitely be genius masterminds.

2. Milton

Milton is usually a last name, commonly associated with the British upperclass — or John Milton, the poet who wrote Paradise Lost. Cats definitely give off aristocratic energy, so we get it.

1. Tater

Adorable and bite-sized!

The top 10 trending female cat names of 2025

10. Kit

Short for Kitty! Or Kit-Kat! Or possibly an homage to childhood for anyone who grew up with American Girl dolls.

9. Khaleesi

Game of Thrones might have ended, but the name Khaleesi lives on for those with fierce, regal cats.

8. Marie

The elegant white kitten from Disney’s Aristocats is an absolute icon — and clearly, many cat parents out there think so too.

7. Eleanor

A dignified name, Eleanor could refer to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Or for a less dignified option, it could be a nod to The Good Place’s disastrous leading lady Eleanor Shellstrop.

6. Martini

Shaken, not stirred. Just kidding — please don’t shake your cats.

5. Pippin

A Broadway musical or a Lord of the Rings character; no matter which option, Pippin’s just a cute name.

4. Sissy

Sissy is a nickname for a number of female names like Cecilia, Frances, or Priscilla — or a shortened form of “sister.” Pets are family, after all.

3. Pickle

Pickleball is super popular at the moment. And as always, so are pickles.

2. Snowball

Truly a gender neutral choice! So long as the cat is white and fluffy, Snowball is a perfect name.

1. Priscilla

A Latin name that means “venerable,” Priscilla is a great choice for revered cats — and a nice nod to Priscilla Presley.

Petrana Radulovic

Petrana Radulovic is a New York City-based writer who focuses on entertainment and culture beats. In her free time, she writes fiction, sings karaoke, and tries new recipes. Her work has appeared in Polygon, IGN, Reactor, and more. She lives with a very affectionate cat named Bagel, who loves head kisses and meeting people at parties. He is smart enough to open cabinets but still too dumb to understand stairs.