French Names for Cats: 75 Cat Names Ideas With Parisian Flair

The name of the country “France” comes from the word Francia, the territory of the Franks from the Germanic tribes. French is considered one of the Romance languages ​​of the Indo-European family, and it’s a beautiful, elegant, and slightly exotic language.

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of France is Paris – the city of love and romance, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, croissants, macaroons, pizza and Paris Fashion Week. There is nothing better than a French nickname regarding class and sophistication. The geographical position of France has shaped its culture and historical events. Other internal and external factors have also influenced the culture of this country. France is a center of high culture. French culture, at various times, has played an important role – not only in cinema, fashion, and cuisine – but also in literature, technology, social sciences and mathematics. If you’re looking for stylish pet names, check out some amazing and meaningful pet names to find the perfect name for your cat.

What do the French call their cats? This is a fascinating question. The animal’s name is given depending on the year the kitten was born, and each year corresponds to the initial letter with which the animal’s nickname should begin. This rule was introduced in 1885. These rules do not apply to non-purebred animals, and you can give them whatever name you want.

French names have a poetic and melodious style that is perfect for cats. These creatures are fast and agile, making their nicknames very suitable.

Popular French Cat Names

Consider one of these famous names for kittens:

• Babette – Nicknames ending in “ette” are considered to be diminutive and are also nicknames used for children and adolescents. The name Babette is unique in that it can be used on its own or be a diminutive of Barbara. Either way, Babette the pet is the winner.
• Beau is a famous nickname for boys, meaning “beautiful.” This is a classic choice for cute cats.
• Bijou is a word meaning “jewel.” Bijou is a unisex name that is perfect for all kinds of pets.
• Bonbon is a small, sweet and unique confection that uses liqueur and has many things in common with cats. This is a classic pet name inspired by the nickname of a food.
• Cherie – A simple pet name that means “cherished” or “beloved.” It is an affectionate French term that is short and sweet and perfect for your cute kitty.
• Clémentine – Perfect for reserved and calm pets, this girl’s name means “gentle.” Even if a clementine is also an orange fruit, it can be a great nickname for ginger kittens.
• Colette is a well-known mononym. Colette was a French writer, journalist, mime, actress, and, in every way, a wild woman. She was also a pet lover all her life and often portrayed cats in her work.
• Gaston – As the villain of Beauty and the Beast, Gaston can have a negative connotation for Disney fans. However, this nickname may also be a subtle literary allusion to Gaston Leroux, author of The Phantom of the Opera.
• Miaou – Cats probably meow in the same language. Great name for a pet.
• Minette – This is a cute, diminutive nickname for cats of any age. After all, a cat will always be your child!

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Male French Cat Names

Here are some names used for male cats:

• François: No nickname could be more French than François.
• Jacques: Another classic nickname. Jacques is the form of the name “James.”
• Matisse: The famous French artist, Henri Matisse, often depicted pets in his paintings. Every morning, they say that he fed his cats – Minush, Cussy and La Puc – with pieces of a freshly baked bun.

More male cat names:

• Alphonse
• Etienne
• Laurent
• Milou
• Monet
• Pascal
• Pierre
• Remy
• Voltaire
• Yves

READ MORE: How to Bond With Your Cat

Female French Cat Names

These female nicknames are perfect for mademoiselle cats.

• Amélie: Audiences worldwide have fallen in love with Amélie, the protagonist of the film, a charming, scheming Parisian with a penchant for playful mischief. For pets, the nickname is really unique and rarely used.
• Celine: Do you have a particularly loud feline friend? French-Canadian singer (and occasional screamer) Celine Dion might be a fitting namesake. Perfect for a meowing pet.
• Coco: Fashion designer and entrepreneur Coco Chanel was notoriously obsessed with lions. She decorated her Parisian apartment with lion-themed décor. For pets, the nickname would also work well to pay homage to Coco or Miss Chanel, on more formal occasions. 

More French female cat names:

• Adaline
• Antoinette
• Béatrice
• Camille
• Cosette
• Eloise
• Felicienne
• Giselle
• Odette
• Simone
• Vivienne

Unisex French Cat Names

You can also choose a gender-neutral nickname for your pet:

• Ames: Ames, meaning “friend,” is a natural name for four-legged family friends.
• Jules: A cute nickname for everyone from Juliet to Julius, Jules has been a popular unisex name in France for many years.
• Paris: While heiress Paris Hilton may come to mind, the nickname Paris was originally given to boys. In Greek mythology, Paris is an unusually handsome and intelligent prince.
• Vogue: For sophisticated and trendy pet breeds, this is a French word meaning “fashionable.” Vogue is a fun name for interesting breeds, like Persians and Ragdolls.
• Frances – This form of the nickname Frank can be used for both male and female cats.
• Hyacinthe – The name of this beautiful flower is used as a name for both men and women in France.
• Noel – Means Christmas. If your kitten was born at such a time, you can nickname him Noel.
• J’aime – Means “I love you.”
• Reve – Means dream. If you are a poet, artist or romantic, this is a great nickname for your pet.
• Rue – This simple name means street. For pets who love to walk.
• Bleu – A word meaning blue.
• Ciel – The French word for sky.
• Bijou – You could use the word for jewel.
• Felin – You could just use the French word for a pet.
• Myrtille – The sweet word for blueberries. For cats with a black coat.
• Jardin – You can use the word for a garden.
• Dax – Means water in French.
• Deon – Can be written in several different ways and means the god of wine.
• Pascal – Means born at Easter time.
• Percy – Means something that pierces, like your pet’s claws. A nickname for particularly scratchy kittens.

Funny French Names for Cats

If you’re looking for a funny nickname for a cat, French offers a variety of options.

• Bonjour: For the pet who greets you every day in bright and early mornings. “Bonjour, you know it won’t be time for breakfast for another two hours!”
• Chien: Means “dog.” Chien is an unexpected but elegant nickname for a cat. (We won’t tell your cat that her name is a dog)
• Sartre: Was the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre a nihilist? This is for discussion. Is your pet a nihilist? Then this name is definitely suitable.

READ MORE: 7 Things That Will Keep Your Cat Happy

French Food Names for Cats

The French are masters of all things culinary, including food-inspired names! Here are some delightfully cute gourmet feline options.

• Brie: The famous fromage sounds like a shortened version of the female nickname Brienne, giving it a crossover appeal.
• Croissant: Fresh, sweet, crescent-shaped pastries are synonymous with long, lazy breakfasts at the neighborhood café—something that every cat is sure to appreciate.
• Éclair: For black and white pets, consider this classic French pastry. Chocolate-glazed and custard-filled, the two-tone treats are as sweet as your pet.

Black Cat French Names

Black cats have a special place in culture, and while there are many names for black cats inspired by other cultures, we like a bit of French sophistication. Le Chat Noir was an iconic nightclub in 19th-century France, home to Montmartre’s bohemian counterculture. For your pet, you can consider these colorful names.

• Darcy: This is a gender-neutral nickname meaning “dark.”
• Matagot: According to local legend in the south of France, matagots are spirits that look like black cats. They are considered somewhere between evil and importunate.
• Réglisse: The French word for “licorice,” Réglisse is perfect for cute, black cats. Reggie is a sweet and casual name.
• Minuit: Minuit’s unique nickname, which means “midnight.”

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Picking a French Cat Name

Here are more pet names inspired by literal terms.

• Amour means “love.” Inspired by the movie “Love” released in 2012.
• Arbre means “tree.” If your pet loves to scratch and climb trees, you know what to call it.
• Belle means “beautiful.” Inspired by Belle & Sebastian, released in 2013.
• Coeur means “heart.”
• Etoile means “star.” Also perfect for a red pet.
• Fleur means “flower.” Fleur Isabelle Weasley from Harry Potter.
• Foi means “faith.”
• Lune means “moon.” Great nickname for a pet with a white coat.

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