Every cat has a unique personality; some are more rambunctious than others! If you’re lucky enough to live with a particularly troublesome, mischievous cat, here are 45 great names that might suit them perfectly. Read on to learn all about the origins and meanings of these sneaky, naughty, and even downright vexatious names!
1. Tempest
The name “Tempest” is French in origin and means “stormy” or “turbulent.” It’s a great mischievous, gender-neutral name for extra-playful and energetic cats.
2. Loki
Why not give your cat a name they could share with the Norse god of mischief? Loki also means “airy,” making it an ideal moniker for your little furry trickster.
3. Salem
Although the name Salem means “peaceful” and “safe” in Hebrew and Arabic, it also evokes the name of the town of Salem, Massachusetts. The Salem witch trials took place here between 1692 and 1693.
4. Machiavelli
This name is a bit of a mouthful, but it means “cunning” or “sneaky” in Latin. Of course, it also brings to mind Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, an Italian author and diplomat who lived from 1469 to 1527.
5. Eris
In Greek mythology, Eris was the goddess of strife and discord. Notably, it’s also the name of the second-largest dwarf planet in our solar system!
6. Briar
The name “Briar” has British origins. This name evokes tangled bushes full of thorny vines and roses, making it ideal for a beautiful yet somewhat prickly, feisty, and perhaps mischievous cat.
7. Nyx
While beauty and fashion buffs might first think of Nyx Cosmetics, the name also means “night” in Greek. Its origins are in Greek mythology, where Nyx was the goddess of night and darkness.
8. Harley
The name “Harley” is of British origin and essentially means a long or large field or meadow. However, it also brings to mind the mischievous DC villain Harley Quinn and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
9. Crowley
“Crowley” is a unique name of Gaelic origin. It means “descendant of the hardy warrior.” But it’s also the name of many notable historical figures and fictional characters, such as occultist Aleister Crowley and Supernatural’s sardonic, clever, and mischievous demon Crowley.
10. Scar
The name “Scar” is self-explanatory and can be fitting for a mischievous cat with a distinctive marking or scar. It also brings to mind the evil lion Scar from Disney’s The Lion King.
11. Abaddon
“Abbadon” has both Greek and Hebrew origins. In the Hebrew Bible, it can mean either an angel of the abyss or a place of destruction. Alternatively, the New Testament can refer to an angel who is the king of an army of locusts.
12. Kali
The mischievous cat name “Kali” also has varying origins, from the Hindu goddess of death and change to the Sanskrit word for “time” or “the black one.”
13. Rogue
The name “Rogue” is pretty self-explanatory. Its origins are English, meaning “unpredictable” or “mischievous.” It’s also the alter ego of X-Men character Anna Marie LeBeau.
14. Mischief
Could any name be more fitting for a mischievous cat than “Mischief”? We think not. If you aren’t satisfied with any of the other names on this list, you can always go with this one.
15. Lilith
The name “Lilith” quite literally means “belonging to the night” and has its roots in Mesopotamian mythology. Specifically, Lilith was Adam’s first wife, whom God banished from the Garden of Eden for disobedience.
16. Hecate
The name “Hecate” has Greek origins. It comes from the Greek word Hekatos, meaning “worker from afar.” In Greek mythology, she was a goddess associated with crossroads, nighttime, magic, and the moon.
17. Mara
Of Hebrew origin, the name “Mara” can either mean “bitter” or “strength.”
18. Calypso
If your cat is mischievous yet somewhat standoffish, Calypso may be the perfect fit. Calypso was a character in Greek mythology whose name means “hidden” or “to hide.”
19. Draco
Derived from the ancient Greek word “Drakon,” meaning “dragon” or “serpent,” this mischievous name also evokes Draco Malfoy, the cruel, malicious, and perpetually arrogant antagonist from the Harry Potter series.
20. Bandit
Another straightforward name on our list, “Bandit,” means a thief or robber. It comes from the Italian word “bandito” or “outlaw.” It’s the perfect name for a mischievous cat who goes their way and occasionally tries to swipe a bite from your plate at dinner.
21. Hades
“Hades” originated in Greek mythology, in which this character is the god of the underworld and death. Of course, it also brings to mind the sarcastic and hilarious Hades from Disney’s Hercules, based on the same character from Greek myth.
22. Rascal
Merriam-Webster’s definition of the word “Rascal” is “a mean, unprincipled, mischievous, or dishonest person or animal.” This makes it fitting for incredibly rambunctious and playful kitties. Additionally, it can bring to mind Little Rascals, a series of 1920s films by producer Hal Roach.
23. Ruckus
“Ruckus” is defined as a “noisy disturbance or commotion.” It may also remind you of Uncle Ruckus from the popular adult cartoon The Boondocks. Either way, it’s an ideal name for your mischievous cat.
24. Dexter
The name “Dexter” is an English surname meaning “right-handed,” “dextrous,” or “favorable.” However, it reminds us of Dexter Morgan, a part-time vigilante serial killer and forensic blood-spatter analyst of the TV series Dexter.
25. Shadow
Another fairly self-explanatory name, “Shadow,” comes from the Middle English word “schadowe,” meaning “darkness.” This mysterious and spooky name is excellent for a mischievous cat.
26. Wednesday
The name “Wednesday” has German roots and refers to Woden, the German god of wisdom and war. It also reminds us of Wednesday Addams, a wonderfully mischievous and cynical character of The Addams Family fame.
27. Khaos
In Greek mythology, Khaos is the goddess of chaos and discord. The name also can mean “abyss,” “emptiness,” or “vast chasm.” Either way, it’s an excellent name for a mischievous cat!
28. Nergal
Nergal is a god of Mesopotamian mythology associated with death, war, and disease. He was a prominent figure throughout all eras of Mesopotamian society and reigned over the underworld, dubbed Kur in the associated myth.
29. Pluto
The name Pluto likely makes you think of either the ex-planet or Mickey Mouse’s pet dog. However, its true roots are in Greek mythology, where the figure was the brother of Zeus and Neptune and helped rule over the underworld.
30. Pepper
Another simple yet fitting name for a mischievous cat, “Pepper,” evokes spiciness, playfulness, and mischief. It has Middle English and Germanic roots and originated with the word “piper.”
31. Fenriz
Although this character was often depicted as a wolf in Norse mythology, it’s also the son of Loki, the god of mischief itself. It has both Scandinavian and Old Norse roots.
32. Umbra
The name “Umbra” has Latin roots. In Latin, it means “shadow” or “shade.” This makes it a more unique alternative to the name “Shadow” if that’s a bit too pedestrian for your liking.
33. Azrael
The name “Azrael” comes from both Christian and Islamic religious texts. Specifically, Azrael was the angel of death. He was responsible for transporting the souls of the dead. In Hebrew, the name translates to “help from God” or “angel of God.”
34. Belladonna
Also known fittingly as a deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna is a toxic nightshade family plant. The plant is mainly native to Europe and western Asia, and it causes delirious behavior and hallucinations when ingested. Over time, it disrupts the nervous system’s ability to regulate itself, eventually causing total respiratory failure.
35. Vlad
The name “Vlad” is short for “Vladimir” or “Vladislav.” It’s of Romanian origin with both Slavic and Russian roots, essentially meaning “glorious rule.” It also brings to mind Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula, who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
36. Sabrina
The name “Sabrina” has both Celtic and Arabic roots and can mean “from the border,” “legendary princess,” or “patience.” Of course, it’s also reminiscent of Sabrina Spellman of the popular ’70s comic book series Sabrina the Teenage Witch (as well as the Pokemon video game series’ psychic gym leader Sabrina), making it a delightfully mischievous name for your feline friend with lots of fun meanings and origins.
37. Sable
There are many great names for black cats, including Sable, which means “black” according to its Slavic origins. It also can refer to the marten-like animal, the sable, and it has a rather mischievous sound since black cats are associated with spooky happenings and mischief.
38. Blaze
The name “Blaze” is of Latin origin and can refer to a fire or a flame in general. If your cat has a fiery temper and a mischievous streak, this name might suit them perfectly!
39. Bowser
This mighty name instantly brings to mind the turtle-like King Koopa of the Super Mario Series. Still, it’s also an excellent name for animals with haughty attitudes or mischievous tendencies. Ironically, its true roots are of Norman French origin and can mean “good sir” or “fine sir.”
40. Medea
The name Medea is of Greek origin and can mean “cunning” or “ruler.” It’s a less common cat name and ideal if your feline friend is too intelligent for their own good.
41. Layla
Layla is another great name for a cat with darker fur (or just a darker personality). This Ancient Arabic name can mean “dark,” “night,” or even “dark beauty.”
42. Jagger
This name is instantly reminiscent of rock ‘n’ roll frontman Mick Jagger, who certainly has a mischievous streak. It’s of English origin and can mean “one who cuts,” making it perfect for a cat who won’t hesitate to swat their perceived aggressors playfully.
43. Aiden
This adorable Irish name means “the fiery one.” It’s a great name for mischievous and playful cats especially. While it has a masculine sound, it can also be gender-neutral.
44. Cato
This rather punny name is pronounced “kay-toe.” It has Latin roots and can mean “wise” or “cunning,” making it another great name for absurdly clever cats.
45. Hugo
We’ll wrap this list up with a unique name with French, German, Portuguese, and Italian roots. It can mean “mind,” “intellect,” or “spirit.” It’s perfect for a cat that is clever, lively, and, of course, delightfully mischievous.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © ANURAK PONGPATIMET/Shutterstock.com
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