Cat Names from Famous Books: 150+ Literary Character Ideas (2025)

Are you searching for the perfect name for your new feline companion? Look no further than the rich world of literature. Cat names inspired by famous literary characters offer a unique blend of sophistication, personality, and storytelling that reflects both your love of books and your cat's distinctive character.

Whether you're drawn to the timeless elegance of classic literature or the adventurous spirit of modern fantasy, literary character names provide endless inspiration. Your cat's name becomes a conversation starter, a reflection of your interests, and a daily reminder of beloved stories that have shaped our culture.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover over 150 carefully curated cat names from famous books, organized by genre and character type. We'll explore names from classic literature, fantasy adventures, mystery novels, and contemporary fiction, helping you find the perfect match for your cat's unique personality and your literary preferences.

Classic Literature Cat Names

Classic literature offers some of the most elegant and timeless names for cats. These characters have stood the test of time, making them perfect choices for cats who exude sophistication and grace.

Female Classic Literature Cat Names:

• Scarlett - From "Gone with the Wind," perfect for a feisty, determined cat
• Elizabeth - From "Pride and Prejudice," ideal for an intelligent, independent feline
• Emma - From Jane Austen's novel, great for a charming, social cat
• Catherine - From "Wuthering Heights," suited for a passionate, intense personality
• Hermione - While popularized by Harry Potter, originally from "The Winter's Tale"
• Ophelia - From "Hamlet," beautiful for a delicate, dreamy cat
• Daisy - From "The Great Gatsby," perfect for an elegant, attention-loving cat
• Jane - From "Charlotte Brontë's works, ideal for a quiet, observant feline
• Cordelia - From "King Lear," excellent for a loyal, honest cat
• Juliet - From "Romeo and Juliet," romantic choice for an affectionate cat

Male Classic Literature Cat Names:

• Atticus - From "To Kill a Mockingbird," perfect for a wise, noble cat
• Darcy - From "Pride and Prejudice," great for a proud, dignified feline
• Gatsby - From "The Great Gatsby," ideal for a charismatic, mysterious cat
• Heathcliff - From "Wuthering Heights," suited for a brooding, intense personality
• Rochester - From "Jane Eyre," perfect for a complex, intriguing cat
• Sherlock - From Arthur Conan Doyle's detective, great for a curious, intelligent feline
• Benedict - From "Much Ado About Nothing," ideal for a witty, playful cat
• Rhett - From "Gone with the Wind," excellent for a charming, roguish personality
• Winston - From "1984," suited for a thoughtful, observant cat
• Benedick - From Shakespeare's comedy, perfect for a clever, entertaining feline

These classic names carry the weight of literary history while perfectly suiting cats with distinguished personalities. They work particularly well for cats who seem to possess an old soul or display regal characteristics.

Fantasy & Adventure Book Cat Names

Fantasy literature provides some of the most magical and adventurous names for cats. These names often carry mystical qualities and heroic connotations, perfect for cats with bold, exploratory personalities.

Fantasy Female Cat Names:

• Arwen - From "Lord of the Rings," elegant choice for a graceful, ethereal cat
• Hermione - From "Harry Potter," perfect for an intelligent, brave feline
• Katniss - From "The Hunger Games," ideal for a fierce, independent cat
• Daenerys - From "Game of Thrones," great for a strong, commanding personality
• Lyra - From "His Dark Materials," suited for an adventurous, curious cat
• Eowyn - From "Lord of the Rings," excellent for a brave, determined feline
• Ginny - From "Harry Potter," perfect for a spirited, loyal cat
• Tris - From "Divergent," ideal for a brave, unconventional personality
• Cersei - From "Game of Thrones," suited for a cunning, ambitious cat
• Luna - From "Harry Potter," beautiful for a dreamy, unique feline

Fantasy Male Cat Names:

• Aragorn - From "Lord of the Rings," perfect for a noble, adventurous cat
• Harry - From "Harry Potter," great for a brave, determined feline
• Jon - From "Game of Thrones," ideal for an honorable, loyal personality
• Gandalf - From "Lord of the Rings," suited for a wise, mysterious cat
• Tyrion - From "Game of Thrones," excellent for a clever, witty feline
• Peeta - From "The Hunger Games," perfect for a gentle, caring cat
• Sirius - From "Harry Potter," great for a loyal, playful personality
• Legolas - From "Lord of the Rings," ideal for an agile, graceful cat
• Draco - From "Harry Potter," suited for a proud, sleek feline
• Frodo - From "Lord of the Rings," perfect for a small, brave cat

Fantasy names work wonderfully for cats who seem to possess magical qualities or display particularly adventurous spirits. They're especially fitting for cats who love to explore and seem to embark on their own little quests around your home.

Mystery & Detective Novel Cat Names

Mystery and detective fiction offers intriguing names perfect for cats with curious, investigative personalities. These names often carry an air of sophistication and intelligence.

Mystery Novel Female Cat Names:

• Agatha - After Agatha Christie, perfect for a clever, observant cat
• Poirot - From Hercule Poirot mysteries, great for a meticulous, particular feline
• Nancy - From "Nancy Drew," ideal for a curious, adventurous cat
• Veronica - From "Veronica Mars," suited for a smart, determined personality
• Jessica - From "Murder, She Wrote," excellent for an inquisitive, friendly feline
• Kinsey - From Sue Grafton's alphabet series, perfect for an independent cat
• Temperance - From Kathy Reichs' novels, great for a scientific, analytical personality
• Kay - From Patricia Cornwell's series, ideal for a thorough, dedicated cat
• Precious - From Alexander McCall Smith's series, suited for a wise, caring feline
• Lisbeth - From "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," perfect for a mysterious, fierce cat

Mystery Novel Male Cat Names:

• Holmes - From Sherlock Holmes, excellent for an observant, brilliant cat
• Watson - Holmes' companion, perfect for a loyal, supportive feline
• Columbo - From the TV detective, great for a persistent, unassuming cat
• Morse - From Inspector Morse, ideal for a cultured, thoughtful personality
• Marlowe - From Raymond Chandler's detective, suited for a tough, independent cat
• Spade - From "The Maltese Falcon," perfect for a no-nonsense, direct feline
• Bosch - From Michael Connelly's series, excellent for a determined, justice-minded cat
• Reacher - From Lee Child's novels, great for a strong, solitary personality
• Wallander - From Henning Mankell's series, ideal for a contemplative, persistent cat
• Maigret - From Georges Simenon's detective, suited for a patient, understanding feline

These mystery-inspired names are perfect for cats who seem to be constantly investigating their surroundings, always curious about what's happening in every corner of your home.

Modern Fiction Cat Names

Contemporary literature provides fresh, relevant names that reflect current cultural trends while maintaining literary sophistication.

Modern Fiction Female Cat Names:

• Scout - From "To Kill a Mockingbird," perfect for an adventurous, tomboyish cat
• Lolita - From Nabokov's novel, beautiful for an elegant, captivating feline
• Celie - From "The Color Purple," ideal for a resilient, strong-spirited cat
• Beloved - From Toni Morrison's novel, suited for a deeply cherished feline
• Offred - From "The Handmaid's Tale," great for a quiet, observant personality
• Hazel - From "The Fault in Our Stars," perfect for a sweet, thoughtful cat
• Katniss - From "The Hunger Games," excellent for a fierce, protective feline
• Bella - From "Twilight," ideal for an elegant, romantic personality
• Amy - From "Gone Girl," suited for a complex, mysterious cat
• Eleanor - From "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine," great for a unique, endearing feline

Modern Fiction Male Cat Names:

• Holden - From "The Catcher in the Rye," perfect for a rebellious, independent cat
• Pi - From "Life of Pi," great for a survivor, adaptable personality
• Augustus - From "The Fault in Our Stars," ideal for a charming, philosophical feline
• Edward - From "Twilight," suited for a mysterious, devoted cat
• Nick - From "Gone Girl," excellent for a complex, intriguing personality
• Charlie - From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," perfect for a sensitive, observant cat
• Ender - From "Ender's Game," great for a strategic, intelligent feline
• Thomas - From "The Maze Runner," ideal for a brave, leadership-oriented personality
• Neo - From "The Matrix" (originally literature), suited for a unique, special cat
• Santiago - From "The Alchemist," perfect for a dreamer, adventurous spirit

Modern fiction names work well for cats whose personalities seem to reflect contemporary sensibilities or for owners who prefer more current literary references.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Literary Cat Name

Selecting the ideal literary name for your cat involves more than just picking a favorite character. Consider these important factors to ensure the name suits both your cat and your lifestyle.

Match Personality to Character: Observe your cat's behavior patterns and personality traits. A quiet, observant cat might suit "Atticus," while a mischievous, adventurous feline could be perfect for "Scout" or "Harry." The best literary names reflect some aspect of the character that resonates with your cat's unique personality.

Consider Pronunciation and Length: Choose names that are easy to pronounce and not too long. While "Hermione" is beautiful, "Luna" might be more practical for daily use. Cats respond better to names with one or two syllables, though they can certainly learn longer names with patience and repetition.

Think About Nicknames: Many literary names naturally lend themselves to cute nicknames. "Elizabeth" becomes "Lizzie" or "Beth," "Augustus" becomes "Gus," and "Hermione" becomes "Mione." Consider whether you like the potential nickname options when making your choice.

Cultural Significance: Some literary names carry strong cultural or historical significance that might influence how others perceive your cat's name. While this shouldn't necessarily deter you from choosing a name you love, it's worth considering the broader associations.

Future Considerations: Think about how the name will age with your cat. A name that seems perfect for a kitten should also suit an adult cat. Literary names generally age well because they're based on established characters with depth and complexity.

Family Input: If you live with others, ensure everyone can comfortably say the chosen name. The name will be used by all family members for many years, so collective comfort with the choice matters.

Check for Pet Name Generator alternatives if you need more inspiration or want to explore names beyond literature that might complement your literary choice.

Remember that the perfect name often chooses itself once you spend time with your cat. Sometimes a cat's personality makes a particular literary character immediately come to mind, making the naming decision effortless and natural.

Conclusion

Choosing cat names inspired by famous literary characters offers a wonderful way to celebrate both your love of literature and your feline companion's unique personality. From the timeless elegance of classic literature to the magical allure of fantasy adventures, literary names provide depth, meaning, and conversation-starting potential that generic pet names simply can't match.

The over 150 names we've explored represent just a fraction of the incredible characters that populate our favorite books. Whether you're drawn to the noble courage of Atticus, the mysterious charm of Gatsby, the magical wisdom of Luna, or the adventurous spirit of Scout, there's a literary character whose essence perfectly captures your cat's personality.

Remember that the best literary cat name is one that feels right for both you and your feline friend. It should roll off your tongue easily, reflect something meaningful about either the character or your cat, and bring you joy every time you say it. Your cat's name becomes part of their identity and your shared story together.

Take your time with this important decision. Spend a few days with your new cat, observe their personality quirks and behavior patterns, and let their unique character guide you toward the perfect literary namesake. Sometimes the ideal name becomes obvious once you see how your cat moves through the world.

Whether you choose a name from our suggestions or feel inspired to explore other literary works for the perfect match, you're giving your cat a name with history, personality, and significance. That's a gift that will enrich your relationship with your feline companion for years to come, creating a daily connection between the stories you love and the pet who shares your home.