Cat Names From Movies: 100+ Famous, Cute & Unique Movie-Inspired Cat Names

Finding the right name for a cat can be surprisingly difficult. You want something that sounds good, fits your cat’s personality, and is memorable enough to feel special. Movie-inspired cat names make that choice easier because many already come with a personality, story, or unmistakable cinematic connection.

From the elegant Duchess and Marie in The Aristocats to the fearless Jonesy from Alien, mischievous Binx from Hocus Pocus, and magical Crookshanks from Harry Potter, movies have given cat lovers plenty of unforgettable names.

This guide brings together famous, cute, funny, unique, male, female, black, orange, Disney, fantasy, and classic cat names from movies so you can find a name that genuinely fits your feline.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Cat Names From Movies?

Some of the best cat names from movies are Jonesy, Binx, Figaro, Duchess, Marie, Toulouse, Oliver, Crookshanks, Church, Snowbell, Mittens, Garfield, Jiji, Puss, Lucifer, Bagheera, Simba, Nala, and Mr. Bigglesworth. The best choice depends on your cat’s appearance and personality. For a black cat, Binx or Lucifer works well; for a regal cat, Duchess or Bagheera may be a better fit.

How to Choose the Right Movie-Inspired Cat Name

A movie reference is fun, but the best name should still work in everyday life. Before choosing one, consider these factors.

Match the Name to Your Cat’s Personality

A playful kitten might suit Mittens, Milo, or Jiji, while a confident cat may deserve Duchess, Bagheera, or Mufasa.

If your cat spends most of the day sleeping, a dramatic name like Hannibal can also be funny because of the contrast.

Consider Your Cat’s Appearance

Color and physical features can make a movie name feel especially natural.

• Black cat: Binx, Jiji, Lucifer, BagheeraCopy
• Orange cat: Jonesy, Garfield, Oliver, SimbaCopy
• White cat: Marie, Snowbell, DuchessCopy
• Gray cat: Cheshire, Crookshanks, AslanCopy
• Fluffy cat: Mr. Bigglesworth, Duchess, MarieCopy
• Large cat: Bagheera, Mufasa, AslanCopy

Think About How Easy the Name Is to Say

A character may have an impressive full name, but a shorter version can be more practical.

For example, Mr. Bigglesworth is hilarious, but Biggles may be easier when calling your cat from another room.

100+ Cat Names From Movies

Here are some of the most recognizable and usable movie-inspired names, along with their film connections.

Many of these names are consistently included among movie-inspired cat-name favorites, although some come from animated films, fantasy films, or animal characters rather than domestic cats specifically.

Famous Movie Cat Names

If you want a name that other movie fans are likely to recognize immediately, start with the classics.

Jonesy

Jonesy is the orange tabby aboard the spaceship Nostromo in Alien. He is an excellent name for an orange cat, particularly one who seems to survive every household disaster.

Binx

Binx comes from Hocus Pocus and has become one of the most recognizable names for black cats. It is short, memorable, and has a spooky Halloween connection.

Figaro

Figaro, Geppetto’s cat in Disney’s Pinocchio, is a charming choice for a playful or affectionate cat.

Duchess

Duchess is the elegant mother cat in Disney’s The Aristocats. Disney describes the film as centering on Duchess and her three kittens, alongside the alley cat Thomas O’Malley.

Crookshanks

Crookshanks, Hermione Granger’s unusual-looking cat in Harry Potter, is perfect for a fluffy cat with an independent or slightly grumpy personality.

Mr. Bigglesworth

If your cat is hairless, serious-looking, or simply acts as though he owns the house, Mr. Bigglesworth is hard to beat.

Cute Cat Names From Movies

Not every movie-inspired name needs to sound powerful. Some are simply adorable.

• Mochi — Big Hero 6Copy
• Mittens — BoltCopy
• Marie — The AristocatsCopy
• Figaro — PinocchioCopy
• Jiji — Kiki’s Delivery ServiceCopy
• Milo — The Adventures of Milo and OtisCopy
• Snowbell — Stuart LittleCopy
• Gizmo — GremlinsCopy
• Oliver — Oliver & CompanyCopy
• Buttercup — The Hunger GamesCopy
• Dinah — Alice in WonderlandCopy
• Goose — Captain MarvelCopy

Best picks for a tiny kitten: Mochi, Jiji, Gizmo, Milo, Figaro, and Mittens.

Female Cat Names From Movies

If you’re naming a girl cat, these movie characters offer plenty of personality.

For a particularly feminine name, Marie, Duchess, Nala, and Leia are easy choices that still sound natural when used every day.

Male Cat Names From Movies

Movie characters also provide excellent names for boy cats, from charming rogues to powerful heroes.

• Jonesy — AlienCopy
• Oliver — Oliver & CompanyCopy
• Figaro — PinocchioCopy
• Toulouse — The AristocatsCopy
• Berlioz — The AristocatsCopy
• Milo — The Adventures of Milo and OtisCopy
• Puss — ShrekCopy
• Simba — The Lion KingCopy
• Mufasa — The Lion KingCopy
• Bagheera — The Jungle BookCopy
• Aslan — The Chronicles of NarniaCopy
• Rajah — AladdinCopy
• Garfield — GarfieldCopy
• Church — Pet SemataryCopy
• Orion — Men in BlackCopy
• Goose — Captain MarvelCopy
• T’Challa — Black PantherCopy
• Vader — Star WarsCopy
• Thor — Marvel filmsCopy
• Loki — Marvel filmsCopy

For a male cat with a big personality, Jonesy, Puss, Oliver, Simba, or Loki are particularly memorable.

Black Cat Names From Movies

Black cats naturally lend themselves to mysterious, magical, and dramatic movie names.

Best Black Cat Names

1. Binx — Hocus PocusCopy
2. Jiji — Kiki’s Delivery ServiceCopy
3. Lucifer — CinderellaCopy
4. Bagheera — The Jungle BookCopy
5. Vader — Star WarsCopy
6. Felix — Felix the CatCopy
7. Salem — SabrinaCopy
8. Figaro — PinocchioCopy
9. Cheshire — Alice in WonderlandCopy
10. Pyewacket — Bell, Book and CandleCopy

Binx is probably the strongest choice if you want an unmistakable spooky movie reference. Jiji is better for someone who wants a cute anime-inspired name, while Lucifer suits a cat with a mischievous streak.

Orange Cat Names From Movies

Orange cats have produced some especially memorable movie characters.

Top Orange Cat Names

• Jonesy — AlienCopy
• Garfield — GarfieldCopy
• Oliver — Oliver & CompanyCopy
• Ulysses — Inside Llewyn DavisCopy
• Bob — A Street Cat Named BobCopy
• Simba — The Lion KingCopy
• Tigger — Winnie the PoohCopy
• Puss — ShrekCopy
• Thomas O’Malley — The AristocatsCopy
• Mittens — BoltCopy

If your cat is an orange tabby with a relaxed personality, Garfield is an obvious classic. For a more unusual choice, Jonesy or Ulysses gives you a deeper film reference.

Disney Cat Names From Movies

Disney has an especially rich collection of feline characters.

The Aristocats

The Aristocats is one of the best sources for cat names because the story revolves around Duchess and her kittens, while Thomas O’Malley and his jazz-cat companions add even more choices.

• DuchessCopy
• MarieCopy
• ToulouseCopy
• BerliozCopy
• Thomas O’MalleyCopy
• Scat CatCopy
• Shun GonCopy
• PeppoCopy
• Hit CatCopy
• Billy BossCopy

Other Disney Movie Names

• Figaro — PinocchioCopy
• Simba — The Lion KingCopy
• Nala — The Lion KingCopy
• Mufasa — The Lion KingCopy
• Scar — The Lion KingCopy
• Bagheera — The Jungle BookCopy
• Shere Khan — The Jungle BookCopy
• Rajah — AladdinCopy
• Lucifer — CinderellaCopy
• Dinah — Alice in WonderlandCopy
• Oliver — Oliver & CompanyCopy
• Mittens — BoltCopy
• Meeko — PocahontasCopy

If you specifically want a Disney cat name, Figaro, Marie, Duchess, Simba, Nala, and Oliver are among the easiest to recognize and use.

Funny Cat Names From Movies

A funny name can be even better when the cat’s personality creates the joke.

Funny Choices

• Mr. BigglesworthCopy
• Fat LouieCopy
• PussCopy
• MeowthCopy
• MeowthraCopy
• Mr. TinklesCopy
• Thomas O’MalleyCopy
• Richard ParkerCopy
• GarfieldCopy
• GooseCopy
• CatbusCopy
• Scat CatCopy

Richard Parker is particularly funny for an ordinary house cat because the name sounds extremely formal and dramatic. Life of Pi uses Richard Parker for the Bengal tiger that shares the lifeboat with Pi.

Unique Cat Names From Movies

If you want something less common than Simba or Garfield, look beyond the obvious choices.

Unusual Movie-Inspired Names

• Ulysses — Inside Llewyn DavisCopy
• Pyewacket — Bell, Book and CandleCopy
• Orion — Men in BlackCopy
• Toulouse — The AristocatsCopy
• Berlioz — The AristocatsCopy
• Crookshanks — Harry PotterCopy
• Thomasina — The Three Lives of ThomasinaCopy
• Meowthra — The LEGO NINJAGO MovieCopy
• Catbus — My Neighbor TotoroCopy
• Tao — The Incredible JourneyCopy
• Keanu — KeanuCopy
• Ulysses — Inside Llewyn DavisCopy

These names are especially useful if you want your cat’s name to start a conversation rather than simply identify your pet.

Best Movie Cat Names by Personality

Choosing by personality is often more effective than choosing by gender.

Movie Cat Names by Cat Color

Your cat’s coat can narrow down hundreds of possibilities to a handful of names that immediately feel right.

Black Cats

Binx, Jiji, Lucifer, Bagheera, Vader, Felix, Salem

White Cats

Marie, Snowbell, Duchess, Olaf, Hedwig

Orange Cats

Jonesy, Garfield, Oliver, Simba, Ulysses, Bob

Gray Cats

Cheshire, Crookshanks, Aslan, Berlioz

Brown or Golden Cats

Nala, Rajah, Mufasa, Bagheera, Simba

Multicolored Cats

Mittens, Buttercup, Sassy, Goose, Figaro

Movie Cat Names That Are Easy to Call

One practical consideration is often overlooked: you will probably say your cat’s name hundreds of times.

Short names tend to be convenient for everyday use. Consider:

• BinxCopy
• JijiCopy
• MiloCopy
• NalaCopy
• SimbaCopy
• GooseCopy
• PussCopy
• BobCopy
• OliverCopy
• MarieCopy
• FigaroCopy
• JonesyCopy

Longer names such as Mr. Bigglesworth, Thomas O’Malley, and Richard Parker can still be fantastic, especially if you enjoy using nicknames.

Should You Name Your Cat After a Movie Character?

Absolutely—if the name feels right for your cat.

A movie-inspired name gives you more than a label. It can reflect a character’s personality, connect your pet to a favorite film, or simply make the name more memorable.

However, don’t choose a name solely because a character is famous. Jonesy might be a better name for your orange tabby than Mufasa, even if you love The Lion King. The strongest choice is the one that fits both your cat and your taste.

A Simple Decision Guide for Choosing One Name

If you’re stuck between several options, use this five-step method:

1. Look at your cat’s appearance. Start with color, size, and coat.Copy
2. Watch their behavior. Are they calm, chaotic, affectionate, or independent?Copy
3. Choose three movie names. Avoid keeping a list of twenty favorites.Copy
4. Say each name aloud. Notice which one feels natural.Copy
5. Use the name for a day. The right name often becomes obvious once you start using it.Copy

For example, imagine you have a black kitten who is constantly climbing, hiding, and causing trouble. Binx immediately communicates the spooky movie connection while remaining short and easy to say.

Expert Tips for Picking a Movie Cat Name

Don’t Pick a Name You Will Get Tired of Saying

A clever reference may be funny for a week but annoying after a year. Ask yourself whether you can comfortably imagine calling the name at the vet, in the backyard, or from another room.

Don’t Ignore Nicknames

A long movie name can work if it naturally produces a short nickname.

Mr. Bigglesworth → Biggles

Thomas O’Malley → O’Malley

Richard Parker → Parker

Puss in Boots → Puss

Choose Recognition Level Intentionally

If you want everyone to understand the reference, choose Garfield, Simba, Nala, Binx, or Puss.

If you prefer something that only movie fans may recognize, try Jonesy, Ulysses, Pyewacket, or Tao.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a Name Only Because It Sounds Cool

A name can sound impressive on paper but feel unnatural when spoken repeatedly.

Ignoring Your Cat’s Personality

The funniest names often come from contrast. A tiny kitten called Mufasa can be more entertaining than a large cat with the same name.

Making the Name Too Complicated

If nobody can pronounce the name—or you cannot remember it easily—it may not be the most practical choice.

Choosing a Name Before Meeting the Cat

Sometimes a cat’s personality completely changes your mind. Keep a shortlist and see which name fits once you spend time together.

Movie Cat Name Checklist

• Does the name suit your cat’s personality?Copy
• Does it fit your cat’s appearance?Copy
• Is it easy to pronounce?Copy
• Can you say it comfortably in public?Copy
• Does it have a natural nickname?Copy
• Do you still like it after saying it several times?Copy
• Does the movie reference mean something to you?Copy
• Is it different enough from other pets’ names in your home?Copy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous cat name from a movie?

Some of the most recognizable choices include Garfield, Figaro, Binx, Jonesy, Simba, Nala, Duchess, Marie, and Puss. The best-known choice depends on whether you mean a literal cat character or a feline character from animation and fantasy.

What is a good name for a black cat from a movie?

Binx, Jiji, Lucifer, Bagheera, Vader, and Felix are excellent options. Binx is particularly fitting for a black cat because of its connection to Hocus Pocus.

What is a good orange cat name from a movie?

Jonesy, Garfield, Oliver, Simba, Ulysses, and Bob are strong choices. Jonesy is especially distinctive for an orange tabby because the character in Alien is a ginger cat.

What is a cute Disney cat name?

Marie, Figaro, Duchess, Oliver, Nala, and Mittens are excellent choices. Marie and Duchess are particularly good for elegant female cats, while Figaro and Oliver work well for playful cats.

What is a unique movie name for a cat?

Try Ulysses, Pyewacket, Toulouse, Berlioz, Orion, Tao, or Meowthra. These choices are less ordinary than common names such as Simba or Garfield.

What movie has the cat named Jonesy?

Jonesy is the orange tabby cat in Alien. The character became memorable partly because he survives the events aboard the Nostromo and has become a favorite reference among movie-loving cat owners.

What are the cats’ names in The Aristocats?

The best-known feline characters include Duchess, Marie, Toulouse, Berlioz, and Thomas O’Malley. Disney’s official film description identifies Duchess as the mother cat and Thomas O’Malley as the alley cat who helps the kittens.

What is a good Harry Potter cat name?

Crookshanks is the obvious choice because he is Hermione Granger’s cat. For a simpler name inspired by the same universe, Luna can also work well.

What is a good spooky cat name from a movie?

Binx, Lucifer, Church, Cheshire, Jiji, Pyewacket, and Vader all have a darker or mysterious feel. For Halloween-loving households, Binx is especially fitting.

Conclusion

The best cat names from movies do more than reference a famous film—they capture something about your cat. Jonesy works beautifully for an orange tabby, Binx has instant black-cat appeal, Duchess suits an elegant feline, Garfield is perfect for a food-loving lounger, and Crookshanks fits a fluffy cat with plenty of attitude.

If you want a name almost everyone will recognize, start with Simba, Nala, Garfield, Puss, Marie, or Figaro. For something more distinctive, consider Jonesy, Ulysses, Pyewacket, Toulouse, or Orion.

The perfect movie-inspired name is ultimately the one that sounds natural, matches your cat’s personality, and still makes you smile every time you say it.

Eleanor Whitaker

I am Eleanor Whitaker, a curious writer who enjoys exploring ideas, everyday discoveries, and useful information that can make life a little more interesting. I write with a simple and reader-friendly approach because I believe good content should be easy to understand and enjoyable to read. Through my work at Cateffy, I share practical insights, interesting facts, and helpful ideas that readers can apply to their everyday lives. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, researching new topics, and discovering interesting perspectives.

Books:

• The Little Guide to Everyday Discoveries
• Curious Minds | Simple Ideas for Everyday Life