200+ Orange Cat Names for Your Ginger Companion

Whether your orange cat is spunky, sweet, or silly, we’ve compiled names that capture their unique charm.

by Katie Koschalk, | November 13, 2024

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200+ Orange Cat Names for Your Ginger Companion

Chalit Saphaphak / Stocksy

Orange cats are known for their striking fur, quirky personalities, and sometimes, their lovable tendency to act like they’re running on just “one orange brain cell.” Whether you’ve just adopted a spunky orange kitten or a laid-back orange senior, choosing the perfect name for your new companion is an exciting part of welcoming them into your home. 

Orange cats (sometimes called ginger cats) aren’t a specific breed — they’re just cats with that captivating orange coat color. You’ll find orange cats in several breeds, including American Shorthair, Maine Coon, Siberian, and British Shorthair. And their orange coats can vary in length and pattern — whether long or short, striped (tabby or mackerel patterned), tortoiseshell, or calico.

From names inspired by their vibrant hue to ones that capture their unique, often goofy behavior, we’ve compiled plenty of options to help you find the perfect match. Orange you curious about what we’ve come up with? (Sorry, had to.) Find the best names for orange cats, below.

Male orange cat names

If you’re adopting an orange cat, there’s a high chance they’re a male. (In fact, about 80 percent of fully orange cats are male.) That’s because the gene responsible for orange coloring is carried on the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome (XY), they only need one copy of the orange gene to sport that fiery coat.

Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes (XX), so they would need two copies of the orange gene to be fully orange, making it far less common. If you’ve just brought home a charming little orange boy, here are some names to consider. 

  • Rusty

  • Blaze

  • Copper

  • Leo

  • Tiger

  • Fox

  • Carmelo

  • Simba

  • Rocket

  • Apollo

  • Aslan

  • Copernicus

  • Archie

  • Phoenix

  • Flame

  • Ziggy

  • Mufasa

  • Lion

  • Cosmos

  • Melvin

  • Taco

  • Charlie

  • Orange Boy

  • Red Boy

Female orange cat names 

While orange female cats are rarer, they deserve names that are as bold and beautiful as their striking coats. Here are some fun, feminine name options for your orange girl.

  • Amber

  • Marigold

  • Clementine

  • Honey

  • Goldie

  • Poppy

  • Maple

  • Cleo

  • Candy Corn

  • Tawny

  • Apricot

  • Coral

  • Ember

  • Ginger

  • Princess Peach

  • Calendula

  • Lily

  • Sunflower

  • Aurora

  • Sunset

  • Daisy

  • Chrysanthemum

  • Rose

  • Glory

  • Raja

  • Queenie

  • Nala

  • Dahlia

  • Savannah

  • Foxy

  • Zinnia

  • Tigerlily

  • Goldilocks

  • Sapphire

  • Paprika

  • Penny

  • Carmela

  • Fanta

Gender-neutral names for orange cats

If you’re looking for a name that works for any orange kitty, regardless of gender, we’ve got plenty of options to suit their bright personalities and striking coats. 

  • Butterscotch

  • Peaches

  • Sunny

  • Pumpkin

  • Cider

  • Spice

  • Butternut

  • Caramel

  • Copper

  • Sorbet

  • Cinnamon

  • Mandarin

  • Satsuma

  • Pecan

  • Lava

  • Tango

  • Mango

  • Carrot

  • Nectarine

  • Tangelo

  • Tangerine

  • Sweet Potato

  • Red

  • Chili

  • Turmeric

  • Saffron

  • Papaya

  • Cantelope

  • Toast

  • Jam

  • Tikka Masala

  • Tajin

  • Dijon

Names for white and orange cats

White and orange cats have an eye-catching appearance that deserves a name just as special. Whether their coats are a blend of orange and white stripes, or they have distinct patches, here are some fun name ideas that capture their unique look.

  • Creamsicle

  • Peaches n’ Cream

  • Taffy

  • Sorbet

  • Dreamsicle

  • Biscuit

  • Toffee

  • Twix

  • Churro

  • Big Mac

  • Jupiter

  • Gouda

  • Snickerdoodle

  • Marshmallow

  • Nemo (as in, the clownfish from Finding Nemo)

  • Latte

  • Strudel

  • Lasagna

Cute cat names for orange cats

Orange cats are not only beautiful, but they can also be irresistibly adorable. If you want a name that reflects their cuteness and playful charm, here are some sweet and fun options to consider.

  • Jellybean

  • Waffles

  • Muffin

  • Nugget

  • Sprinkles

  • Buttons

  • Doodle

  • Snickers 

  • Pumpkin Pie

  • Cookie

  • Skittles

  • Butterbean 

  • Guppy 

  • Cream Puff 

  • Tater Tot 

  • Corndog 

  • Donut 

  • Schnitzel 

  • Cheeze-It

  • Bon Bon 

  • Bean 

  • Bear 

  • Hashbrown 

  • Cheeze Puff 

  • Meatball 

  • Punkin (a cute way to say “pumpkin”)

  • Spud 

  • Crouton 

  • Nutter Butter 

  • Cheerio 

  • Cayenne 

  • Peanut 

Clever names for orange cats

If you’re looking for a name that’s a little more creative and witty, these clever names are perfect for your orange cat. 

  • Cheddar

  • Queso 

  • Nacho

  • Cheeto

  • Sherlock (for the curious orange cat)

  • Julius (like the Orange Julius)

  • Crookshanks (the orange cat in Harry Potter)

  • Macaroni

  • Garfield

  • Dorito

  • Sriracha

  • Sunkist

  • Tigger (the tiger from Winnie the Pooh)

  • Frito 

  • Taquito 

  • Hobbes (the tiger from Calvin and Hobbes)

  • Heathcliff (from the The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show)

  • Helios (Greek god of the sun)

  • Naranja (orange in Spanish)

  • Sunny Dee (a play on the beverage)  

Names that reflect orange cats’ quirky personalities

You’ve probably seen the memes about “orange cat behavior” or the idea that all orange cats share just one brain cell. Whether they’re darting around the house at full speed, getting themselves into funny predicaments, or simply being adorably clueless, these names capture that quirky, chaotic energy orange cats are known for.

  • Zigzag

  • Goober

  • Zippy

  • Bounce

  • Noodle

  • Rascal

  • Twitch

  • Pogo

  • Scooter

  • Sparky 

  • Bubbles

  • Doodlebug

  • Spunky

  • Jinx

  • Bonkers 

  • Bonk

  • Derpy 

  • Zoomie 

  • Turbo 

  • Gonzo (like the Muppet) 

  • Dingy 

  • Bugsy 

  • Ralph (human names just seem to fit orange cats’ goofy demeanor) 

  • Doug 

  • Fred 

  • George 

Funny names for orange cats

If your orange cat is a little comedian who always makes you laugh, a funny name might be the perfect fit. 

  • Beaker (like the Muppet)

  • Snookie (who could forget that orange-hued tan?)

  • Purrito 

  • Goofy 

  • Furrari (for a fast, orange kitty)

  • Mr. Fluffernutter

  • Chuckie 

  • Flamin’ Hot Cheeto

  • Mac n’ Cheese

  • Fireball 

  • Nach-yo Cheese

  • Apricat (a pun on apricot)

  • Catsup (a pun on ketchup) 

  • Ron Weasley (from Harry Potter)

  • Carrot Top 

Names for orange and black cats

Orange and black cats have a striking, beautiful combination of colors often associated with autumn or Halloween. If your cat has this stunning coat pattern, here are some name ideas that nod to their unique look.

  • Autumn

  • Midnight

  • Boo

  • Smokey

  • Calypso

  • Shadow

  • Pumpkin Spice

  • Eclipse

  • Monarch 

  • Witchy 

  • Jack (o’lantern)

  • Salem 

  • October 

  • Hazel 

  • Acorn 

  • Chesnut 

  • Maple 

Tips for finding the perfect name for your orange cat

Choosing the right name for your new orange cat can be fun. But with so many options, decision fatigue can set in. If you’re feeling stuck, here are some tips to guide you toward the perfect choice.

  • Consider their personality: Is your orange cat playful and energetic, or more of a laid-back lounger? Choose a name that reflects their behavior, like “Zippy” for an active cat or “Honey” for a more relaxed one. 

  • Think of your favorite things: Sometimes, the best inspiration comes from the things you love. A favorite food, hobby, or book with a personal connection can make your cat’s name extra special. If you love cheese, consider “Cheddar” or “Queso.” Or if you’re a fan of all things spooky season, names like “Pumpkin” or “Jack (o’lantern)” might be the perfect fit.

  • Keep it short and sweet: Cats tend to respond better to shorter names with one or two syllables. A name like “Sunny” or “Ziggy” can be easier for your orange cat to recognize. Of course, you can always have a longer “official” name like “Peaches n’ Cream” and call them “Peaches” for short. 

  • Test it out: Once you’ve chosen a name you like, test it out by calling your cat by that name for a day or two. If it makes you smile and fits your cat’s vibe, it could be the one. If not, try another one until a name feels right.

Adopt an orange cat 

If you have yet to adopt a cat (orange or otherwise), but you’re ready to welcome a new kitty to your home, you can search Adopt a Pet’s database for cats available near you. 

If you do end up adopting an orange cat, be sure to come back to this article and take another look at our extensive list of name ideas. After all, every new kitty deserves a name as special as they are.

Katie Koschalk

Katie Koschalk

Katie Koschalk is a freelance writer based in Northern California. Fusing her love and knowledge of animals with her journalism degree and years of professional writing, Katie is dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their caretakers by sharing helpful and accurate information. When she’s not at her desk, you can find her exploring trails with her Aussie, Hunter, cooking plant-based meals, and talking to her two cats, Jax and Sadie, in really ridiculous voices.

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