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Are you on the hunt for finding the perfect name for your new feline companion? If so, then choosing a particular letter of the alphabet can be an excellent starting point for brainstorming excellent and unique cat names.
While the English alphabet has 26 letters that you can use to think of beautiful cat names, one letter particularly stands out: the letter N.
Numerous charming cat names start with the letter N. Whether you have a kitten or adopted an older cat, you can find the purrfect name for your feline!
How to Name Your Cat
While there’s no one-fits-all rule for naming your cat, you can follow several general tips to make your choice slightly easier.
Look for Double-Syllable Names
Double-syllable names are often the best choice when looking for a name for your cat. These are much easier to pronounce and understand compared to longer names. Also, it’s easier for our feline friends to understand double-syllable names and react to them when called.
Choose a Name That Ends in a Vowel
Another excellent tip for naming your cat is to choose a name that ends in a vowel. Typically, it’s easier for cats to understand such names and respond to them.
Consider Your Cat’s Personality and Appearance
When you’re thinking about that perfect name for your cat but lacking inspiration, consider your cat’s personality and appearance. Is your cat mischievous, playful, or energetic? Does your furry friend have any unique physical traits?
Any aspect of your feline’s personality or appearance can be of great help and enable you to come up with a creative name.
Think About the Names in Your Household
When selecting the best name for your cat, you should think about the names already in your household. The last thing that you want is for your cat and grandmother to have the same name!
Don’t Overcomplicate Things
Although searching for the perfect name for your cat can often be challenging, you shouldn’t dwell on it too much. Also, long and unusual names may sound beautiful, but they can often be hard to pronounce, and your cat could have difficulties learning and responding to them.
Take Your Time
There’s no need to rush when it comes to naming your cat; you can take your time. After all, this is the name that your feline will carry for the rest of their life.
It’s often much better to delay the name picking instead of choosing one just because you need to.
The 5 Most Popular Male Cat Names That Start With N
Before we jump straight into a long list of names, we wanted to go over some of the most popular name options starting with N for both males and females. Let’s start with the boys.
1. Norbert
Norbert might sound like an older name to some, as it has German roots that translate to “bright north” or “northern brightness”; however, that hasn’t stopped this name from making a fascinating appearance. You might not have seen this coming, but Norbert is actually the top trending cat name right now, being up 156% in popularity.
2. Nemo
We can thank the popularity of this name to the movie Finding Nemo, which was such a success that it eventually got a sequel called Finding Dory. While you’d assume this name would be a bit more popular for fish, Nemo was a beloved character that captured the hearts of many, making it one of the most popular male cat names starting with N.
3. Nugget
Nugget is a pretty unique name, and we have to guess that it stemmed from many people’s obsession with chicken nuggets or them viewing their pets as a little nugget of gold. However, all we know for sure is that this name is pretty cute, although it could make you a bit hungry every time you say it!
4. Ninja
Whether you have a black cat that lurks in the night and shows off their incredible athleticism or you’re simply just a fan of ninjas, this is another one of the most popular male cat names starting with N. In fact, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-inspired names are on Rover’s list of some of the most popular pet names in the US right now, so you might be seeing a lot more cats named Ninja, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Master Splinter, or something of the like.
5. Niko
It’s believed that Niko is a Finnish name, although it seems to have some Albanian, Slavik, and Greek origins as well. This name means “victory of the people” and could be the perfect choice for your feline friend. However, you might see some other versions of this name as well, such as Nikola, which is actually trending up 147%, most likely thanks to Nikola Jokic, an NBA player for the Denver Nuggets.
The 5 Most Popular Female Cat Names That Start With N
Now that we’ve gone over the most popular male cat names that start with N, it’s time to check out what popular girl name options there are. Listed just below are the most popular if you’re looking for a name that specifically starts with N.
1. Nala
When you hear the name Nala, you probably think of the fierce female lion from The Lion King, which is obviously the perfect name for your female feline! This name was a clear choice for the first place position for the most popular female cat names starting with N. In fact, according to a report from a local news station in Jacksonville, FL, Nala was the fifth most popular cat name in 2022.
2. Nova
The name Nova has Latin origins and is derived from the word “novus,” meaning “new.” However, it’s also a common term in astrology that is assigned to bright stars that appear suddenly in the sky and are known for having powerful energy. So, if your cat is a bit of a feisty, independent feline, this could be the perfect name for them.
3. Nina
It’s hard to come up with a better name for a female cat than Nina, considering it means “little girl” and most people now view their pets as their own “children,” hence the phrase “fur babies.” Nina has Spanish origins, but in Russian, it is also a variation of the name Anne.
4. Nora
Did you know that Nora was actually the 25th most popular name for human babies in 2023? That means it shouldn’t surprise you too much to know that people also are naming their cats Nora. It has Latic origins and means “honor” or “shining light.” We don’t know about you, but we definitely view our pets as shining lights in our lives, so the name is fitting.
5. Noodle
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that cat owners love to name their pets after food. Something about calling your cat Noodle is just so cute compared to something like Nancy. In fact, food names are skyrocketing in popularity. For example, Chive is up 793%—yes, really! Noodle is just another food name variation that we clearly can’t get enough of!
Other Popular Male Cat Names That Start With N
If you’re looking for a male cat name that starts with the letter N, you can check out these options. These names may seem traditional, but one of them might just be the perfect fit for your cat.
- Nadir
- Nash
- Nate
- Nathan
- Nayan
- Ned
- Neil
- Neo
- Nephite
- Nero
- Neville
- Newt
- Newton
- Niam
- Nick
- Nico
- Nicola
- Nigel
- Niko
- Nikolai
- Niles
- Nixon
- Noam
- Nomu
- Norbert
- Norris
- North
Other Popular Female Cat Names That Start With N
If you’re looking to capture the charm and essence of your female feline, consider one of these names. Whether your cat is a true gentle princess or a feisty warrior, there should be a name here for them.
- Nadia
- Naima
- Nala
- Nalani
- Nami
- Nancy
- Nanette
- Naomi
- Natalia
- Naya
- Nefertiti
- Nellie
- Nessa
- Nessie
- Nia
- Nikita
- Nikki
- Nina
- Nivah
- Noa
- Noelle
- Nora
- Norma
- Nova
- Nymph
Most Popular Unisex Cat Names That Start With N
It’s often best to look for gender-neutral names that can work well for both male and female cats. Luckily, the selection of cat names that start with N is quite wide; here are our favorite options.
- Nacha
- Navi
- Nell
- Neon
- Newt
- Nike
- Noah
- Nox
- Nyx
- Nyxie
Fun and Cute Cat Names That Start With N
Short and fun names are often the best when looking for something for your cat. They sound interesting, are easy to remember, and, most importantly, are easy to pronounce. Most of the following names are suitable for all cats, regardless of their sex, which makes them even more appealing.
- Nagini
- Nambo
- Nano
- Naoto
- Narcissa
- Natsu
- Nature
- Nebula
- Nene
- Neno
- Neptune
- Nerd
- Nesta
- Nester
- Nevaeh
- Nibbles
- Nickel
- Night
- Nightshade
- Nile
- Ninja
- Nino
- Nirvana
- Nisha
- Nismo
- Nissan
- Nixie
- Noble
- Noche
- Noir
- Nomad
- Nordica
- November
- Nuka
- Nunu
- Nutty
- Nylon
- Nymeria
Cat Names Inspired By Famous Characters That Start With N
When you lack inspiration for naming your cat, you can brainstorm while thinking about your favorite fictional characters. The letter N is quite popular, and there are many different famous characters whose name starts with this letter.
You can choose one of these options or think of another character you like who resonates with your cat’s personality.
- Nafisa
- Nakoma
- Nakoruru
- Namaari
- Nangi
- Nani
- Napoleon
- Nappa
- Naruto
- Naveen
- Nazz
- Nemo
- Neptor
- Nibs
- Nicky
- Noddy
- Noi
- Nymphadora
Cat Names Inspired by Places That Start With N
If you’re someone who loves traveling and exploring the world, you can use your passions to brainstorm name ideas for your cat. Various stunning locations throughout the world start with the letter N. One may be just what you’re looking for to give your cat that perfect name.
- Nagoya
- Naha
- Nairobi
- Nakuru
- Nantes
- Naples
- Narnia
- Nashville
- Nebraska
- Nelson
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New Orleans
- New York
- Newark
- Nice
- Nicosia
- Noida
- Norwich
Cat Names Inspired by Food and Beverages That Start With N
Are you a foodie? Do you love trying out new drinks? Use your passion to name your feline!
Here’s a list of popular foods and drinks that start with the letter N and can work as cat names.
- Naan
- Nacho
- Nando
- Natto
- Nectar
- Negroni
- Nesquik
- Nightcap
- Nom
- Noodle
- Nougat
- Nugget
- Nutella
- Nutmeg
- Nuts
Other Great Cat Names That Start With N
If none of the previous names spark your interest, you can also consider one of these N-inspired cat names:
- Naga
- Nagi
- Nana
- Nanook
- Naoki
- Nara
- Neda
- Nefert
- Nennen
- Nita
- Noli
- Nookie
- Noriko
Conclusion
Numerous excellent cat names start with the letter N, so if this is the letter of choice for naming your cat, you should be able to get a selection of names that work for your furry friend.
Keep in mind that finding the best name for your cat should be a fun and enjoyable experience; if you’re unable to choose a name straight away, don’t worry. Consider all cat names that start with the letter N, and make your choice once you feel comfortable. It may take a while to get to know your furry friend and see their personality before choosing the most suitable name.
Featured Image Credit: golubovystock, Shutterstock
The post The Most Popular Cat Names That Start With N appeared first on PangoVet.