There are few animals quite as mystical as the black cat. From their soft footsteps padding around the house to those captivating yellow or green eyes and that ultra-velvety black coat, I swear there is magic within them. Because of that, I have always felt like black cats needed big names. Names that match their energy. Names that sound as dark and enchanting as they look.

That is why this list of black cat names matters so much. Names are the first thing we give to our pets, and when you spend weeks or months falling in love with gorgeous black fur, you want a name that feels special too.

Looking for black kitten names? Or maybe you haven’t quite brought your cat home from the shelter just yet? Either way, this list has you covered with names from a variety of different themes.

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Why do black cats deserve unique names?

We know black cats have been symbols throughout history for thousands of years. Egyptian culture considered cats holy and black cats powerful. Japanese culture thinks black cats being gifted to single women is good luck. Celtic mythologies believed if a black cat crossed your path, you were destined for prosperity.

Still, sadly, in more modern folklore, black cats were associated with bad luck during medieval times in Europe. While that stigma is thankfully disappearing (all cats bring good luck!), the allure and mystery of a black cat has stuck around.

Black cats are one of the most mystical, most iconic cat colors going today. When you adopt a black cat, you aren’t just getting a tiny bundle of joy — you are gaining an unusually adorable bit of history.

For that reason, I love names that commemorate that unique history. Now, if your cat is black spotted or patchy, that is entirely different. But if you have a sleek, solid color kitty, you’ll want a name with a little extra something…

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Names Inspired by the Cosmos

Dark and mysterious as the night sky itself, the cosmos gives us plenty of wonderful black cat names. After all, space is deep, dark, unknown, and absolutely stunning all at once.

1 Luna

Luna translates to moon from Latin and several romance languages. Sweet, feminine, and gently radiant.

2 Eclipse

Eclipses are a special, rare kind of darkness that envelops the world while the sun is still up. Dramatic. Momentary. And unforgettable.

3 Nova

When a star suddenly increases rapidly in brightness, we call it a nova. Short. Powerful. And packs a punch despite being small.

4 Cosmo

Cosmo has that big, expansive feeling that makes it perfect for a large or male black cat with a loud personality.

5 Orion

Perfect for a bold, hunter-like black kitty. Orion is one of the most well-known constellations in our sky.

6 Vega

Easily pronounced and simple for your cat to learn, Vega is one of the brightest stars in our nighttime view.

7 Nebula

Translated to cloud, nebula is what we call the cosmic clouds of gas and dust in outer space. Dreamy and mystical as they come.

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Names From Mythology and Folklore

Need names that are as big and powerful as your little dude? Mythology is filled to the brim with strong, mysterious characters that your new kitty matches without even trying.

8 Hecate

Greek goddess of magic and the night, who is often depicted with black dogs. A gloriously iconic name for a black female kitty.

9 Anubis

Ancient Egyptian god of the afterlife, who was typically depicted as a black dog or jackal. Heavy. Dignified. And divine.

10 Nyx

Greek goddess of the night. Short. Bold. Impossibly cool.

11 Morrigan

Irish goddess who would often take the shape of a crow or raven. Feared by many, this goddess rules over fate, death, and more. She’ll rule over your house too.

12 Osiris

Ancient Egyptian god of the underworld and resurrection. Powerful, regal, and easily one of the best black cat names for boys.

13 Selene

Greek goddess of the moon. She is the sister to Helios, god of the sun, and Eos, goddess of dawn. Feminine. Soft. Sublime.

14 Hades

God of the underworld. If your cat likes to stalk around the house unseen, only to pop out and give you the evil eye, you’ve got yourself a Hades.

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Names Based on Nature’s Darker Beauties

Mother nature has blessed us with countless treasures that are beautiful but dark at the same time. Here are a few names inspired by the natural world, from deep woods and black flowers to storms and starry nights.

15 Raven

You know you want to name your black cat Raven.

16 Onyx

A gorgeous black stone that has been used in jewelry and décor for centuries. Elegant and sophisticated.

17 Obsidian

Volcanic glass that is naturally black and very sharp. An oddly appropriate name for a cat with a personality as cutting as their sleek coat.

18 Stormy

Simple. Dark. Powerful. Stormy conjures up images of black clouds, rolling thunder, and that delicious moment just before it rains.

19 Briar

Dark bushes with jagged leaves that cover bright, wonderful flowers. Feels wild and untamed, but sweet at the same time.

20 Midnight

The name every black cat owner wants to use because it’s just that perfect. Short. Sweet. And as mysterious as they come.

21 Cinder

Warm. A little outlandish. Reminds me of the rich darkness that remains in embers after a fire dies out.

22 Shadow

Because black cats love to creep around your feet and follow you everywhere without making a sound.

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Names from Books, Movies, and Pop Culture

Authors, screenwriters, filmmakers, musicians — these folks have given us some beautifully dark, artsy names that just might speak to you too.

23 Salem

Popularized by Sabrina’s sassy black cat. Short. Sweet. And packs quite the punch thanks to some sharp fangs.

24 Poe

Edgar Allan Poe. Need we say more?

25 Binx

Male black cat from Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. Whimsical but meaningful.

26 Gomez

Male black cat with crazy amounts of panache. Gomez Addams from The Addams Family will forever make black cats trendy in my book.

27 Morgana

Dark and stylish with enough mystery for days. Morgana was Morgan le Fay from Arthurian legend.

28 Bellatrix

Literally the name of an actual star in the constellation Orion. From the Harry Potter universe, Bellatrix is feminine, melodramatic, and absolute fireworks.

Tips for Naming Your Black Cat

Honestly, with a list this big, it can be tough to narrow things down. These are just a few of my favorite tips when it comes to naming your cat.

Pay attention to your cat’s behavior first. Let your new kitty settle in for a day or two and watch how they act and move around their space. You might notice your cat hides in shady spots, which could inspire names like Onyx or Shadow. If they immediately climb your curtains when you get home from work, you may lean towards stronger names with more attitude.

Keep it simple. Short names with one or two syllables are best when naming your cat. Cats respond better to short sounds, so names that are easy to pronounce quickly will train your cat faster.

Say it out loud a few times. This tip can’t be stressed enough! You might see a name and think it’s perfect, but once you try saying it 20 times a day for weeks on end, you may change your mind.

Trust your gut instinct. Sometimes you will look at your cat and just know. When that happens, run with it!

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FAQ

Do black cats need to have dark names?

Not at all! I love dark and unique names for black cats because I think it fits them well, but your cat can have any name you choose. Spend some time with your kitty and you’ll find a name that fits them perfectly.

Is it too late to name my cat something unique if I adopt an older cat?

Absolutely not! Cats are smart and capable of learning new names at any age. It might take a week or two of extra work, but they will learn with positive reinforcement and patience.

My black cat has a silly, playful personality. What do I do?

Embrace it! There is nothing wrong with choosing a silly name that fits their playful behavior. Names like Cinder and Shadow are great for mysterious cats. Try naming your playful kitty Salem or Binx.

How will I know when I’ve found the perfect name?

When you say it and it feels right — simple as that. You will also know because once your cat learns their name, they will respond to it, and only that name, every single time.

Conclusion

The bond you share with your pet is unique to you. I tried my best to provide names that fit into a variety of different themes and styles, but know that there are thousands more out there just waiting for you to discover them.

Whether you’re team mythology or love stellar definitions, your black cat is one-of-a-kind and deserves a name that fits their mysterious, beautiful selves.

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