Did you get a kitty cat for Christmas? Just remember that a cat is a pet for all year around. Only get the family a cat for Christmas if you plan on staying home for the holidays to help your new friend get used to everything. Make sure the place is kitten-proof.
Sure, it looks funny on those videos where a cat tears down a Christmas tree by jumping on it or tugging on the tinsel, but it isn't funny when you're the one cleaning up the mess. Lights can shock or burn a cat and tinsel should not be eaten.
Keep the mistletoe up where a cat can't reach. If you have an Elf on the Shelf, a naughty cat might find a way to ensure he never flies back to the North Pole. A cat for Christmas can be a good idea, if you prepare.
One more thing you have to prepare is the cat's name! Perhaps something Christmas inspired would be fitting. Read on to be inspired to pick from our list of Christmas cat names for your feline.
How to name your cat
You could start by going on the cat's looks. Snow themed names fit a white cat. Black cats can be named Midnight or Coal. A cat with pale blue eyes could be named Zircon, after the birthstone of December. If she has a diamond shaped mark anywhere, you can call her Star.
A cat born in December is either a Sagittarius or a Capricorn. If you're looking for a cat to bring home, a Sagittarius would be just old enough to leave her mother. She would also be adventurous, independent, energetic and inquisitive.
Good names for the Sagittarius cat are Arrow, Gypsy and Jupiter. If your cat has a litter on or very near Christmas, you've got some little Capricorns! Capricorn cats are calm, cautious, fastidious and patient. Good names for Capricorn cats are Amalthea, Serenity and Prudence. Read on for more suggestions!
Traditional Christmas Figures
Many people can name Santa's reindeer, but can you name the Three Wise Men? They were Balthazar, (Sometimes spelled Patisar) Melchior and Gaspar. (Sometimes spelled Caspar or Jaspar.) Traditionally, they are represented as being from Arabia (some say Ethiopia), Persia and India respectively. Their gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold symbolized a ruling on Earth. Frankincense, an incense burnt during prayer, represents ruling in Heaven. Myrrh is an anointing oil used in coronations, but was also an embalming oil symbolizing death. The Three Wise Men even have their “Rudolph”, so to speak. Henry Van Dyke wrote a story called The Story of the Other Wiseman.
In this tale, Artaban was to bring precious gems to the infant Jesus, but got sidetracked along the way and gave away the gems to help others in need, never even seeing Jesus until He's hanging on the cross. Artaban weeps, having nothing even to save his Lord, but is assured he did the right thing.
Noel and Natalie are both good names associated with the Yuletide season. Gloria and Gabriel are also appropriate. Virtues associated with Christmas like Joy, Hope, Faith and Charity are appropriate. Read on for more traditional Christmas names!
- Angel
- Balthasar
- Claus
- Emmanuel
- Frank
- Gabriel
- Bethlehem
- Caspar
- Gloria
- Glory
- Santa’s little helper
- Savior
- Scrooge
- Shepherd
- Shortbread
- Malachi
- Melchior
- Myrrh
- Naz
- Joseph
- Red
- Rejoice
- Rudolf
- Santa
- Joy
- Magi
- Nazareth
- Star
- Starlight
- Noel
- Nazareth
- Noel
- Nutcracker
- Shepherd
- Spirit
Christmas Figures From Pop Culture
One of the more popular modern Christmas songs is “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. Mariah is a pretty name for a cat, so you can name your favorite Christmas present after this dashing diva. Bing, Bowie, Nat and Elvis are all musicians who had their original Christmas tunes. Garland has a nice double meaning.
There's the garland you put around a tree and Judy Garland who sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “I'll Be Home For Christmas”. Names based on the old songs like Jingle, Jolly, Figgy Pudding and Wenceslas are interesting.
Any of the eight tiny reindeer (And Rudolph!) make interesting names as does Frosty or Jack Frost. There are the names associated with Santa Claus like Kris Kringle, Nick or if your cat isn’t very jolly, Krampus or Grinch.
Do you like Christmas movies? If you love cats, you probably might not like a certain scene in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but there are other good films out there.
You could name your cat George Bailey or Clarence after the central characters in It's A Wonderful Life. You may also want to check out this list of unique cat names too!
From A Christmas Carol, the classic based on the Dickens novel, we have Ebenezer, Cratchit and Tiny Tim. A Christmas Story gives us Ralphie, Red Rider and if your cat has yellow eyes, Scut.
If your taste is more towards ballets, maybe use a name inspired by The Nutcracker like Clara, Drosselmeyer or Prince. More names follow.
- Bert
- Comet
- Cratchit
- Cupid
- Blitzen
- Clarence
- Donner
- Jack Frost
- Kris
- Mary
- Raron
- Rudolf
- Ebenezer
- Ernie
- George
- Harry
- Jack
- Tiny Tim
- Zuzu
- Rudy
- Scrooge
- Susan
Inspiring Christmas Cat Names
Sugar Plum is a sweet name for a cat as is anything based on Christmas treats like Peppermint, Gingerbread and Cocoa. Names inspired by Christmas decorations like Bell, Angel and Snowflake are cute. There are also Christmas plants you could name your cat after.
Mistletoe might be a poisonous parasite, but it makes such a cute name for a kissable kitty! Holly has poisonous berries and prickly leaves, but in Celtic lore symbolizes hope and renewal.
Poinsettia, unlike many Christmas plants, is not poisonous at all and has symbolized good cheer and the spirit of giving since the days of the ancient Aztecs.
Narcissus, the flower for the month of December, is a flower that symbolizes pride and is very appropriate for most cats. Here are some more Christmas inspired names.
- Bell
- Angel
- Balthasar
- Bella
- Beth
- Carol
- Christian
- Christmas Cookie
- Blessing
- Candle
- Blizzard
- Boots
- Candy
- Coal
- Forest
- Frosty
- Fraser Fir
- Crystal
- Douglas Fir
- Elden
- Cherub
- Cherubim
- Chestnut
- Chocolate
- Christian
- Jingle bells
- Jolly
- Joseph
- Elf
- Fir
- Fudge
- Garland
- Gift
- Ivy
- Merry
- Midnight
- Holly
- Ice
- Isabella
- North
- Peace
- Mistletoe
- Nicholas
- Nick