Black cats are sleek, mysterious and, despite the old superstitions, incredibly lucky to have around. Many black cat owners swear they’re the most affectionate cats of all. A great name can celebrate that glossy coat, those glowing eyes and their playful personality.
Here are more than 100 black cat names, organized by theme, from spooky classics to sweet and food-inspired ideas.
Jump to: Classic black cat names · Spooky and witchy names · Sweet and food-inspired names · Mythology and space names · Cute and unique names
Classic black cat names
These names have stood the test of time for a reason: they suit black cats perfectly.
- Shadow: always by your side
- Midnight: dark as night
- Onyx: a glossy black stone
- Raven: a sleek black bird
- Salem: a witchy classic
- Panther: a little wild cat
- Ebony: deep black wood
- Jet: shiny black gemstone
- Inky: black as ink
- Coal: dark and warm
- Licorice: black and sweet
- Sable: luxurious black fur
- Pitch: as in pitch black
- Smudge: a cute dark mark
- Domino: for a hint of white
- Velvet: soft and dark
- Nightshade: mysterious and dark
Spooky and witchy names
Lean into the black cat’s legendary connection with Halloween and magic.
- Hex: a little spell
- Spooky: for the playful ghost
- Binx: a beloved spooky cat-inspired name
- Morticia: elegant and gothic
- Wednesday: dark and witty
- Phantom: appears and disappears
- Spellbound: totally charming
- Grimm: from dark fairy tales
- Hocus: a magic word
- Pocus: to pair with Hocus
- Banshee: loud at dinnertime
- Crypt: mysterious
- Wraith: silent and stealthy
- Voodoo: a little magic
- Eclipse: blocks out the sun
- Elvira: glam and gothic
- Mystic: full of mystery
Sweet and food-inspired names
A playful food name can be the perfect contrast to a mysterious look.
- Oreo: for a hint of white
- Espresso: dark and energetic
- Olive: a small black olive
- Pepper: a little spicy
- Mocha: dark and sweet
- Truffle: rich and rare
- Blackberry: sweet and dark
- Cocoa: warm and dark
- Fudge: soft and sweet
- Bean: a little black bean
- Sesame: small and dark
- Brownie: a sweet treat
- Java: coffee black
- Chia: tiny dark seeds
- Nori: dark seaweed
- Black Pearl: a precious treat
- Caviar: a fancy delicacy
Mythology and space names
Black cats have been honored and mythologized for thousands of years.
- Bastet: the Egyptian cat goddess
- Nyx: Greek goddess of night
- Hecate: goddess of magic
- Anubis: Egyptian guardian
- Erebus: Greek god of darkness
- Freya: Norse goddess with cats
- Loki: the trickster
- Hades: ruler of the underworld
- Osiris: Egyptian king of the afterlife
- Selene: goddess of the moon
- Luna: Latin for moon
- Orion: a bright constellation
- Cosmo: the universe
- Nova: a bright new star
- Galaxy: full of stars
- Comet: fast and bright
- Pluto: small and far out
Cute and unique names
For a black cat with a soft side, try one of these.
- Mochi: soft and round
- Boo: a tiny ghost
- Button: cute as can be
- Pixie: magical and small
- Ziggy: zigzags everywhere
- Noodle: long and wiggly
- Pebble: small and smooth
- Jinx: playfully mischievous
- Fig: small and sweet
- Tux: for a tuxedo cat
- Bagheera: a famous panther-inspired name
- Puck: a mischievous sprite
- Echo: always meows back
- Indie: independent spirit
- Wink: a playful glance
- Kiko: short and sweet
- Mittens: for white paws
Bonus black cat names
Still looking? Here are a few more ideas: Beans, Darth, Jinxie, Merlin, Ninja, Opal Noir, Pepper Jack, Rook, Salem Jr., Soot, Tar, Vader, Zorro, Crow, Bat, Cinder.
How to choose from these black cat names
Look at more than color. A black cat with bright green eyes might be an Emerald, while one who hides under the bed could be a Shadow or Ninja. Short names with clear sounds are easier for cats to learn, and you can always add a fancy full name for special occasions. Try calling a few favorites at dinnertime and see which one earns a reaction.
- Try a name with an “ee” sound, like Binx or Mochi; many cats seem to respond to high-pitched names.
- Watch their personality for a few days before deciding.
- If your black cat has white markings, names like Domino, Tux or Oreo can highlight them.
- Black cats are often overlooked at shelters, so if you’ve adopted one, give them a name worthy of a lucky charm.
Generate more black cat names
Want hundreds more ideas? Use our free generator below. It’s preset for cats, and you can pick a gender, style and color to fine-tune the results. Every name comes with a short meaning.
Tap a name to copy it. Tap ♥ to save your favorites.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular black cat name?
Shadow, Luna, Salem, Midnight and Onyx are among the most popular black cat names.
Do cats respond to their names?
Studies suggest cats can recognize their names, even if they choose not to come.
Are black cats lucky?
In many cultures, including Britain and Japan, black cats are considered good luck.
More name ideas: cat name generator, funny dog names, golden retriever names, mare names, and our free pet name generator.
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