Most Popular Cat Names of 2023

LAST UPDATED 26 March 2024

This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, Dr Gillian Hill, BVSc (Hons)

In the ever-evolving landscape of pet names, in 2023 cat owners have continued to draw inspiration from diverse sources, reflecting the intersection of popular culture and their feline companions.

Join us as we explore the enchanting realm of popular cat names. Whether your cat struts to the beat of a pop anthem or embodies the grace of a sports legend, the names that topped the charts in 2023 are sure to captivate and inspire cat enthusiasts around the country.

In this article, you'll find:

Top 10 Cat Names

Top 10 Girls Names

Top 10 Boys Names

Most Unique Names

Trending Names

2023 compared to 2022

Top Names by State/Territory

Top 10 Cat Names of 2023

  1. Luna
  2. Milo
  3. Coco
  4. Leo
  5. Loki
  6. Mochi
  7. Willow
  8. Lulu
  9. Simba
  10. Charlie
In 2023, 'Luna' remained in the top spot for most popular cat name, while 'Milo' moved up one place compared to 2022 to the silver medal position and 'Coco' rounded out the podium finishers. 'Loki' dropped from 2nd in 2022 to 5th in 2023.

Top Girl Cat Names

  1. Luna
  2. Willow
  3. Lulu
  4. Daisy
  5. Bella
  6. Cleo
  7. Lola
  8. Millie
  9. Poppy
  10. Mimi

Top Boy Cat Names

  1. Teddy
  2. Milo
  3. Coco
  4. Leo
  5. Loki
  6. Mochi
  7. Simba
  8. Charlie
  9. George
  10. Tiger

Trending Cat Names of 2023

Sports-Inspired Cat Names

While Tiger Woods is primarily renowned for his legendary golf career, his influence has subtly extended beyond the fairways and into unexpected areas, including the world of cat names.

Boosted by the viral 'Big Dog' meme featuring the golfer's greeting to a caddie, the name 'Tiger' romped 60 places up the cat-names chart, ending the year in 16th place.

animation of person playing golf
treble clef

Pop-Music Insights

Herself an avid cat-lover, Taylor Swift often shares glimpses of her feline companions on social media. The result is a surge in popularity for cat names that reflect the singer's influence, creating a playful and affectionate connection between Swift's fanbase and their beloved pets.

'Willow', the name of one of Taylor's popular songs, skipped 13 places up the top cat names chart to finish 7th.

Baby vs Cat Names

It appears that trends in naming extend beyond the boundaries of species, with both cats and babies often sharing names that reflect current cultural influences. With 50% of the top 30 cat names also appearing in the top 100 baby names for 2023, it seems that pet owners and parents alike draw inspiration from similar sources.

Names like Leo, Willow, Charlie, Bella, Daisy, George and Lola all appeared on both popular cat and baby name lists.

cartoon of baby and cat

Most Unique Cat Names of 2023

  • Polar Bear
  • Milhouse
  • George Clooney
  • Cuddles Harlequin
  • Disco Queen
  • Anzac Biscuit
  • Nymphadora
  • Fizgig
  • Surprise
  • Twenty
  • Icarus
  • Mufasa
  • Boomie

Cat Names 2023 vs 2022

Name Rank Change from 2022 % of total Cat Names in 2023 Share of total Cat Names compared to 2022
Luna 0 1.65% ↓ 0.17%
Milo ↑ 1 0.78% No change
Coco ↑ 2 0.57% ↓ 0.05%
Leo ↑ 1 0.57% ↓ 0.07%
Loki ↓ 1 0.57% ↓ 0.23%
Mochi ↑ 6 0.50% ↑ 0.03%
Willow ↑ 13 0.47% ↑ 0.09%
Lulu ↑ 16 0.47% ↑ 0.11%
Simba ↑ 2 0.45% ↓ 0.02%
Charlie ↓ 1 0.45% ↓ 0.07%

Most Popular Cat Names by State/Territory

map of australia

NSW

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Teddy
  4. Coco
  5. Milo

QLD

  1. Luna
  2. Millie
  3. Mochi
  4. Willow
  5. Cat

VIC

  1. Luna
  2. Ziggy
  3. Mochi
  4. Jasper
  5. Coco

SA

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Salem
  4. Bella
  5. Lucy

WA

  1. Luna
  2. Daisy
  3. Leo
  4. Simba
  5. Milo

ACT

  1. George
  2. Freddie
  3. Simba
  4. Aang
  5. Ash