Orange cats have long been popular pets, regardless of breed. Some people enjoy naming their cat with a clever play on their fur color, while others like to name their cats after similarly-colored objects. Another popular trend is to name the cat after a famous cat or character. However, there can only be so many Garfields and Heathcliffs around, so here is a list of 20 suggestions for orange kitten names, including several classics and some fresh new alternatives.
Orange Kitten Names for Females
Orange coloration in cats is linked to sex. Females need two copies of the gene to be orange, so only around 20% of orange cats are female.
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#10: Ginger
An absolute classic in the world of orange kitten names is Ginger. It may be a bit on the nose, given that “ginger” is what we humans call people with orange hair. That makes it a great name for a cat with orange fur, especially a female.
#9: Marmalade
Many people refer to orange tabbies as orange marmalade cats, so Marmalade is a great name for a tabby cat. It’s unique enough to stand out from the Tigers and Garfields, but normal enough that it won’t be weird to call out from your front stoop when your cat needs to come inside for dinner. It’s a gender-neutral name but would work well for a girl kitten.
#8: Creamsicle
Have a cat that’s orange and white? Why not name it after a tasty ice cream treat that’s also orange and white? Some people believe that whatever you name your cat will come out in its personality. So what better way to ensure you have a sweet cat than to call it Creamsicle? This one would be a great name for a fluffy orange and white cat, such as a Persian or Turkish Angora.
#7: Amber
Just as it is a popular name for human girls, if your kitten is a darker orange, Amber would be a great name for a female cat. Naming them after a jewel tone is especially apt if you have a cat with shiny fur. This name would be perfect for an Abyssinian or even a Bengal cat.
#6: Clementine
Clementine, like one of those cute mini oranges, is a perfect name for a miniature breed of orange cat or any cat breed with a smaller head, such as a Devon Rex. The name suggests a cat that will be small and sweet, and it is also an old-fashioned name for girls.
#5: Saffron
Saffron would be a lovely name for an exotic cat breed. When used in food, saffron can be anything from vibrant yellowish-orange to a deep reddish-orange, so it would work as a name for any shade of female orange kitten.
#4: Carrot
Carrot is a cute name for an orange kitty, especially for one who is a little quirky. This name might be a little more gender-neutral, but it would make a good name for a female cat.
#3: Apricot or Peach
Depending on the shade of your cat, Apricot or Peach would be a cute name for a little orange female. Once again, the name suggests a sweet disposition for a kitten who is a ball of joy. Both of these names lend themselves to nicknames too, which is good for cat owners who never call their pet by its actual name.
#2: Butterscotch
Butterscotch is a great descriptive name and just sounds like a fun pet. While it is a little more gender-neutral, it could certainly be a sweet name for a female cat. It especially works for cat breeds that are closer to a pale yellowy-orange, or any breed of cat with dilute orange coloring.
#1: Sunny
Does your girl kitten have a happy personality? Is her coat shiny and bright? Does she light up your life? Call your little ball of happiness Sunny. This name would work especially well with longhair cat breeds who have tufts of fur around their face like the quintessential cartoon sun face.
Orange Kitten Names for Boys
Orange cats are nearly always tabbies, with striped, spotted, or swirled markings.
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#10: Tigger or Tiger
A name like Tigger or Tiger would be perfect for a male orange kitten, particularly for cat breeds with a lot of stripes, such as tabbies. Tigger in particular would be an excellent name for a Bengal cat with orange fur, since Bengals are known to be excellent jumpers.
#9: Rusty
Rusty would be as good a name for a male orange kitten, as it is a nickname for male humans with red hair. Abyssinians and Devon Rexes would suit this name particularly well, since Abyssinians tend to be a darker orange. Plus, who wouldn’t want a cat you could call a Rusty Rex?
#8: Blaze
Do you have a male cat that likes to run fast? Blaze is a great name for a fast orange cat, most especially a boy. Any cat breeds that are known to be highly active would be a good fit for the name Blaze, as would any with flame-like markings in their orange fur.
#7: Cheeto
Cheeto brings to mind a boy cat that you can’t get enough of. A cat that sheds and leaves fur around like Cheeto dust would also be a good fit for the name, so long-haired breeds might make the best Cheeto cats.
#6: Tabasco
If your boy kitten is a little wild, Tabasco could be a good name for him. A high-strung cat that is a little spicy would also make a good Tabasco, especially in breeds that are a darker orange color.
#5: Curry
Curry is also a good name for a cat who is a little on the spicy side. Curry is more gender-neutral, but it would work well for a male cat. Any orange cat with a lot of color variation in its fur would be a good fit for the name Curry.
#4: Goldfish
It is always fun to name an animal after a different animal. Goldfish would make a great name for a kitten who loves the water or has big eyes. An Exotic Shorthair or an American Bobtail would both make great Goldfish. If you have a bright orange kitten, it could also refer to the bright color of the Goldfish snack crackers.
#3: Mango
Mango might be more gender-neutral, but if your orange boy is a bit on the yellow side, Mango would be a wonderful name for him. The name could also work for a pudgy kitten with a sweet disposition.
#2: Habanero
If your kitten is feisty and likes to play, Habanero would make a really fun name for a male orange kitten. This one may work best for kittens that are the closest to true orange, but it could also work for kittens with paler orange fur. A Munchkin or a Scottish Fold would be a great cat breed to name Habanero.
#1: Pumpkin
If your orange kitty is a little on the chubby side, they would make the perfect pumpkin. This name would work especially well for cat breeds that have round faces, like Exotic Shorthairs or British Shorthairs. Plus “Pumpkin” is a common endearment.
