Fancy for some unique Egyptian cat names? Read on!
Cats were revered as gods in Ancient Egypt, and the cats never forgot this! The cats of Ancient Egypt were dressed in gold and allowed to eat from their owner's plate.
If the household cat died, she would be mummified and the family would shave their eyebrows as a sign of grief. Tombs and sarcophagi were decorated with depictions of cats.
The best known depiction of a cat in Egyptian history is, of course, The Sphynx, a depiction of a man with a pharaoh's headdress on the body of a lion. The Sphynx lends his name to a modern breed of exotic hairless cats.
The Abyssinian, Egyptian Mau and Aegean are all breeds that were “there when the Pharaoh commissioned The Sphynx” to quote Cassandra from the musical Cats.
How to name your cat like a Pharaoh
You could consider the meaning of a name, its history and whether you think it fits your cat. Let's take the previously mentioned Cassandra as an example. Her name means “to shine” and in Greek myth was the name of a princess given the gift of prophecy.
The Cassandra of the musical has a smooth coat that makes her stand out from the other cats, she acts very elegantly and she aids Mr. Mistoffelees in his magic act.
The Egyptian name Imhotep means “Comes in peace” and was the name of the architect of the step pyramid at Saqqara. If you have a tomcat who's generally calm and intelligent with a love of climbing Imhotep could be the name for him.
Hatshepsut means “foremost of noble women” and was the name of the first woman to take the title of pharaoh. Could be the perfect name for a kitty who loves to queen it up.
Modern day Egyptians tend to have Arabic names. Aida means “returning visitor” in Arabic and is best known for an opera and a Broadway musical set in Ancient Egypt. It's a good name for a stray cat who frequents your home and acts like a temporarily dethroned princess.
Faruq means “can tell right from wrong” and was the name of the last king of Egypt plus was Freddie Mercury's birth name. If your tomcat is mostly a good boy but likes to vocalize, this name fits.
Egyptian Gods Cat Names
The king of the Egyptian pantheon was named Osiris, the Lord of Life and Death. He (and consequently, the Pharaoh) is depicted holding a crook and a flail, symbolizing his ability to both guide and provide. Osiris' nemesis was Set, a jealous brother dedicated to evil and destruction. Anubis was the jackal headed judge of the dead.
Thoth was worshipped by those who sought wisdom. Bes was a trickster god with a soft spot for children. Mihos was a lion headed god who was a collector of lotus blossoms in peace time and a fierce devourer in times of war.
Isis was a loving matriarch of the Ancient Egyptian pantheon. When her husband Osiris was dismembered and the remains scattered, she went to the ends of the Earth to find all the pieces to restore him to life.
The cat head goddess Bast was protective of her followers, but promised destruction to their enemies. Sekhmet, depicted as a lioness, was a war goddess dedicated to defense. Ammit would devour the hearts of the impure.
Hathor was calmer than most Egyptian goddesses, but still had the power to protect and nurture. Here are more names that are literally divine.
- Bastet
- Osiris
- Mihos
- Sekhmet
- Bast
- Thoth
- Anubis
- Mekal
- Pakhet
- Menhit
Female Egyptian Cat Names
The go-to Egyptian female name is Cleopatra. The name is actually Greek for “Praise to my father” but was the name of the most powerful queen Egypt ever had plus a little known alchemist of the same name.
Another woman of Greek ancestry who made Egypt her home was Hypatia (meaning “Supreme”) who was a teacher, astronomer and philosopher in an age when few women did such things.
Nefertiti, whose name means “The beautiful one has come”, is immortalized in a painted bust with an ornate headdress.
As the Stevie Wonder song “Isn't She Lovely” says, the name Aisha means “life” in Arabic. Kamala means “perfection” in Arabic and is the name of Marvel's first Muslim superhero.
Read on for more good names.
- A’at
- Acenath
- Ahhotep
- Ahmose
- Akila
- Amtes
- Hasina
- Amunet
- Ana
- Anat
- Aneksi
- Balbina
- Bastet
- Berenib
- Betresh
- Magna
- Cleopatra
- Ebonique
- Echidna
- Valeria
- Femi
- Habibah
- Hafsah
- Hapynma’at
- Hathor
- Ebe
- Hent
- Hentaneb
- Henuttawy
- Herit
- Herneith
- Hebony
- Ife
- Imi
- Inhapi
- Neit
- Intakaes
- Kakra
- Kasmut
- Kawit
- Kemsit
- Kentetenka
- Khama’at
- Khamerernebty
- Khemut
- Lapis
- Layla
- Maibe
- Masikah
- Nut
- Memphis
- Menhet
- Merti
- Meryetamun
- Mosi
- Mutemwiya
- Naeemah
- Nebet
- Nebettawy
- Nebt
- Nefret
- Nefru
- Nofret
- Nubia
- Nubkhas
- Nubkhesed
- Nuru
- Rai
- Raia
- Redji
- Rehema
- Reputneb
- Shukura
- Sitamun
- Tarset
- Taweret
- Tem
- Tener
- Urbi
Male Egyptian Cat Names
In both films The Ten Commandments and Prince of Egypt, the Pharaoh mentioned in the Exodus account is identified as Ramses. In a twist of fate, this name isn't very different from Moses.
Ramses means “Born of Ra”, Ra being the name of the sun god. Moses simply means “born”. (Sometimes its translated as “drawn out” to reference his discovery among the bulrushes.)
One of the most well known Egyptian pharaohs was Tutankhamun, affectionately known as “King Tut”. The Boy King's name means “living image of Amun” (Amun being Egypt's first attempt at monotheism) and the unearthing of his tomb is one of the greatest archaeological finds.
Khalid means “eternal” and is the name of both a 7th century Islamic military leader and a current R&B singer. Read on for more!
- Abasi
- Ahmose
- Amenhotep
- Amenken
- Amenmose
- Ammon
- Amsi
- Ani
- Khalid
- Babu
- Banefre
- Baniti
- Baufre
- Akil
- Bay
- Bebi
- Bebti
- Bek
- Amun
- Chibale
- Chigaru
- Darwishi
- Dedi
- Aten
- Dedu
- Djar
- Fenuku
- Hamadi
- Hanif
- Horus
- Henenu
- Hepzefa
- Herihor
- Horwedja
- Heru
- Hondo
- Bacchus
- Huy
- Huya
- Balbina
- Idu
- Ikernofret
- Ikudidy
- Imhotep
- Ineni
- Intef
- Lucas
- Inyotefoker
- Ipuki
- Kagemni
- Mercury
- Kamuzu
- Kaphiri
- Kawab
- Kenamon
- Khui
- Khusebek
- Orson
- Khuy
- Kontar
- Lateef
- Madu
- Maherpa
- Mahu
- Mai
- Makalani
- Xerxes
- May
- Maya
- Bes
- Mehy
- Meketre
- Khensu
- Menkhaf
- Menna
- Mensah
- Merenre
- Maahes
- Mereruka
- Meri
- Meryatum
- Meryre
- Merytatum
- Metjen
- Nebamun
- Nebemakhet
- Nebenteru
- Nebetka
- Nebmakhet
- Nebwawi
- Neferpert
- Neferti
- Neferu
- Nekure
- Odion
- Okpara
- Onuris
- Osahar
- Osaze
- Pamiu
- Panehsi
- Panhesy
- Parennefer
- Paser
- Penni
- Pentu
- Qeb
- Ra
- Ranofer
- Rawer
- Renni
- Ro-an
- Rudjek
- Ruia
- Sabaf
- Sabni
- Sabola
- Sebni
- Shu
- Sefu
- Sehetepibre
- Sendjemib
- Senenmut
- Sen-nefer
- Tchanun
- Tchay
- Tehuti
- Teni-menu
- Thaneni
- Tia
- Tjuroy
- Tumaini
- Tuta
- Weni
- Woser
- Yey
- Yuf
- Yuia
- Yuny
Conclusion
Choosing an Egyptian cat name is not just about picking a label but embracing the profound symbolism and mystique that surrounds these animals. It's a way to pay tribute to the enduring legacy of cats in Egypt and to celebrate the enduring bond between humans and their beloved feline friends. So, when selecting an Egyptian name for your cat, consider the rich tapestry of history and mythology, and let it become a majestic part of your cat's unique story.
If you want a cat name with some meaning and a little dignity to it, an Egyptian one might be the way to go. Both the history and mythology of Egypt can lead to some interesting name suggestions.