Egyptian Black Cat Names: Honoring Ancient Feline Worship

Ancient Egyptians held cats in profound reverence. More than mere companions, felines were often worshipped, found mummified in ancient archaeological sites alongside common finds of cat statues.

According to scholar James Allen Baldwin, evidence of cats in Egypt dates back as far as 5,000 years. While serving multiple practical purposes—guarding homes against rodents and venomous snakes, and acting as bird hunters—they eventually ascended to divine status. Cats became sacred to Egyptians. Frankly, this level of adoration isn’t so different for many cat lovers today. Therefore, honoring a beloved pet with a name inspired by Ancient Egypt feels particularly fitting.

We have compiled a list of Egyptian cat names inspired by Egyptian culture, history, and mythology. These names offer a way to pay homage to the respect the Egyptians held for felines, providing a range of options for naming your new kitten or adopted cat, including specific Egyptian Black Cat Names.

Our Favorite Egyptian Cat Names

Looking for an Egyptian cat name that perfectly suits your feline friend? Here are some popular ideas. Consider names with strong historical connections to honor the ancient bond between Egyptians and cats. Choosing from this list can give your pet a name rich with history and meaning.

• Sphinx (or “sphynx,” a mythological creature with the body of a lion and head of a human)
• Bastet (or “Bast,” a cat goddess often depicted as fierce and nurturing)
• Mau (a divine cat believed to be the origin of felines on Earth)
• Tut (short for the famous pharaoh King Tutankhamun)
• Cleopatra (renowned Egyptian queen)
• Nefertiti (meaning “a beautiful woman has come,” a great royal wife)
• Merit (Egyptian goddess of music)
• Ra (the powerful sun god)
• Hathor (daughter of Ra, goddess of the sky, love, beauty, joy, motherhood, and music)
• Naunet (Goddess of the primeval waters or ocean)

Egyptian Female Cat Names

A domestic cat walks across desert sand, referencing ancient Egyptian landscapes.For those seeking a name with historical depth for a female cat, Ancient Egypt offers a wealth of options from powerful goddesses to queens and names reflecting beauty and nature. Exploring the meanings behind these names can help you find the perfect fit. If you are looking for spiritual names, you might also consider spiritual black cat names.

• Isis (mother of the Gods, goddess of magic, motherhood, and healing)
• Seshat (goddess of written words, wisdom, and libraries)
• Papyrus (referencing the ancient Egyptian writing material)
• Berenice (name of several historical figures, including Cleopatra’s sister)
• Ma’at (goddess of truth, justice, balance, harmony, law, morality, and order)
• Miriam (name from the Hebrew Bible, Moses’ sister, sometimes associated with Egyptian history)
• Tuya (Egyptian Queen, mother of Ramesses II)
• Zipporah (name from the Hebrew Bible, Moses’ wife)
• Zahra (meaning “flower” in Arabic, used in contexts related to Egyptian culture)
• Sanura (meaning “kitten” in Swahili, a language with some historical ties to regions influencing Egyptian culture)
• Aya (name with various potential origins, including possibly referencing an Egyptian queen or having meaning related to “sign” or “miracle”)
• Jana (meaning “to earn” or “to reap” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Heba (meaning “gift of God” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Jomana (meaning “small pearl” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Doha (referencing the early morning prayer or forenoon)
• Alaa (meaning “the graces of God” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Nada (meaning “generosity” or “dew” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Yasmin (referencing the jasmine plant, a popular name)
• Nour (meaning “light” or “radiance” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Farah (meaning “joy” or “happiness” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Dina (a matriarch of the Israelites, associated with biblical history linked to Egypt)
• Amirah (meaning “princess” or “commander” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Angie (short for Angela, meaning “angel,” a name adopted in modern Egypt)
• Mayar (meaning “reflection of a pretty woman” or “light of the moon”)
• Raneem (meaning “beautiful melody” or “singing” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Amal (meaning “hope” or “aspiration” in Arabic, common in Egypt)

Egyptian Male Cat Names

Selecting a name for a male cat from Egyptian history can provide a name with strength and significance, drawing from gods, pharaohs, and geographical landmarks. These names carry the weight of ancient power and culture. If you are welcoming two kittens into your home, exploring options for brother and sister kitten names could also be a fun exercise, drawing inspiration from historical pairs.

• Amun (god of air, one of the most powerful Egyptian gods)
• Horus (avian god of kingship and the sky)
• Nile (referencing the vital river in Egypt)
• Luxor (city in Upper Egypt, site of major ancient temples)
• Moses (Hebrew prophet whose story is closely tied to Egypt)
• Ramses (meaning “begotten by Ra,” name of powerful pharaohs)
• Anubis (god of the dead, mummification, embalming, the afterlife, cemeteries, tombs, and the Underworld)
• Aaron (meaning “high mountain” or “exalted,” brother of Moses)
• Thoth (god of the moon, knowledge, writing, hieroglyphics, science, history, accounting, and judgment)
• Mahmoud (meaning “praiseworthy” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Amr (meaning “to live a long time” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Muhammad (referencing the prophet of Islam, a name common in modern Egypt)
• Mido (nickname for Muhammad)
• Mostafa (a name for the prophet Muhammad, meaning “the chosen one,” common in Egypt)
• Abdelrahman (meaning “servant of the merciful,” referring to a name of God in Islam, common in Egypt)
• Karim (meaning “generous” or “honorable” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Ahmad (meaning “thankful one” in Arabic, a name for the prophet Muhammad, common in Egypt)
• Sherif (meaning “noble” or “honorable” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Abdallah (meaning “servant of God” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Mustafa (another variation of Mostafa)
• Ali (meaning “champion” or “elevated” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Eslam (meaning “peace” or “submission to God,” referring to Islam, common in Egypt)
• Youssef (meaning “God will increase,” the Arabic form of Joseph, common in Egypt)
• Ayman (meaning “righteous one” or “blessed” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Hamada (nickname for Muhammad)
• Miro (meaning “beautiful male,” potentially from Slavic origin but used in some contexts)

Egyptian Names for Black Cats

Finding the perfect name for a black cat can be a fun challenge. Egyptian Black Cat Names offer a unique blend of mystique and historical significance, drawing from gods, concepts of darkness, and ancient materials. These names feel particularly fitting for the sleek, dark coat of a black feline.

A sleek black cat walks along a fallen log in a forest setting.

• Osiris (judge of the dead and ruler of the underworld)
• Seth (god of chaos, war, storms, and pestilence, associated with darkness and disorder)
• Kemet (“Black Land,” an archaic nickname for Egypt, referring to the fertile black soil along the Nile)
• Onyx (a black gemstone, often associated with protection and grounding)
• Kohl (the black powder used as Egyptian eyeliner, both for beauty and protection)
• Keket (a goddess of darkness, part of the Ogdoad of Hermopolis)
• Nut (sky goddess, whose body arched over the earth, sometimes depicted as dark blue or black)
• Apep (a serpent demon of chaos, darkness, and destruction, the arch-enemy of Ra)
• Geb (deity of the earth, often depicted lying beneath Nut)
• Maibe (potentially referencing a grave or place of burial, linking to the underworld/Osiris)

For more ideas for male names with deeper meanings, check out our list of cute male cat names with meaning.

Royal Egyptian Cat Names

These names are perfect for a cat with a regal demeanor, drawing inspiration from the pharaohs and queens who ruled Ancient Egypt. A royal name bestows a sense of nobility and historical grandeur upon your pet.

• Hapu (referencing Amenhotep, son of Hapu, a scribe and architect deified after death)
• Jibade (meaning “related to royalty” in West African languages, sometimes associated via trade/cultural links)
• Khafra (pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, builder of the second pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx)
• Khalfani (meaning “shall rule” or “successor” in Swahili, relevant in broader African context)
• Narmer (often credited as the unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty)
• Ptolemy (name of the Greek dynasty that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great, including Ptolemy I, founder of the Ptolemaic Kingdom)
• Sethos (referencing Seti, name of several pharaohs, such as Seti I, father of Ramesses the Great)
• Shabaka (pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt, part of the Kushite dynasty)
• Thutmose (name of several pharaohs in the New Kingdom)
• Nefertari (meaning “the most beautiful of them,” a Great Royal Wife of Ramesses the Great)

Adorable Egyptian Cat Names

These Egyptian-inspired names evoke sweetness, beauty, and desirable qualities, fitting for a lovable and charming feline companion. If you’re considering celestial bodies for your cat’s name, our lists of planet names for cats and space names for cats female offer more unique options.

• Dakarai (meaning “happy” in Shona, a language from Southern Africa, relevant in broader African context)
• Nanu (meaning “cute” or “sweet,” potentially from various languages, including some African dialects)
• Urbi (meaning “princess” in some languages)
• Nefret (short for Nefertiti or Nefertari, meaning “stunning” or “beautiful”)
• Halima (meaning “gentle” or “patient” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Layla (meaning “night” in Arabic, common in Egypt, evokes mystique)
• Hasina (meaning “good” or “beautiful” in Swahili, relevant in broader African context)
• Mandisa (meaning “sweet” in Xhosa, a language from Southern Africa, relevant in broader African context)
• Tabby (referencing the traditional color pattern seen in many ancient Egyptian cat depictions)
• Oni (meaning “wanted” or “desired” in Yoruba, a language from West Africa, relevant in broader African context)
• Sanura (meaning “kitten” in Swahili)
• Umayma (meaning “little mother” in Arabic, common in Egypt, an endearing term)
• Zahra (meaning “flower” in Arabic, common in Egypt)
• Mesi (meaning “water” in Egyptian, referencing the life-giving Nile)
• Lotus (referencing the lotus flower, a significant symbol in Egyptian art and mythology)

Funny Egyptian Cat Names

For a cat with a playful personality, a funny name related to Egyptian themes or history can be a great choice. These names add a touch of humor or irony.

• Panya (meaning “mouse” in Swahili)
• Msamaki (meaning “fish” in Swahili)
• Chigaru (meaning “dog” in Shona)
• Sepest (referencing a deity associated with a sycamore tree)
• Gahji (meaning “hunter” in some African dialects)
• Ialu (referencing the “Field of Reeds,” the Egyptian afterlife paradise)
• Kat (referencing an ancient Egyptian weight measurement, sounds like “cat”)
• Kosey (meaning “lion” in some languages)
• Mekal (a deity sometimes associated with fierce attributes)
• Nkuku (meaning “rooster” or “chicken” in some languages)
• Oba (meaning “king” or “ruler” in Yoruba)
• Sabola (meaning “pepper” in Swahili)
• Bennu (an ancient Egyptian deity of creation, rebirth, and the sun, depicted as a bird)
• Moke (referencing something sweetened with honey, a luxury in ancient times)
• Ishaq (meaning “someone who laughs,” the Arabic form of Isaac)

Creative Egyptian Cat Names

For those seeking something more unique, these creative names draw from lesser-known deities, places, and concepts within Egyptian culture and mythology.

• Votive (referencing a votive offering made to a deity like Bastet)
• Nefertum (god of perfume, healing, and the lotus blossom)
• Mafdet (an early feline goddess associated with justice, execution, and protection against snakes and scorpions)
• Anhur (god of hunting and war)
• Aladdin (name from Arabic folklore, famously associated with a story set in a fictionalized Orient)
• Giza (city in Egypt, home to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx)
• Mau (the divine cat deity)
• Khafre (the pharaoh whose face is believed to be on the Great Sphinx of Giza)
• King Kufu (pharaoh Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Khafre’s father)
• Hatshepsut (one of the most successful female pharaohs)
• Stela (referencing the stone slab often found between the paws of the Sphinx)
• Bubasti (referencing Bubastis, an ancient city that was a major cult center for the goddess Bastet)
• Pakhet (a lioness goddess of war and the hunt, associated with the desert)
• Sobek (the crocodile god, deity of the Nile, military, and fertility)
• Wadjet (the cobra goddess, protector of Lower Egypt and the pharaoh)

Conclusion

Choosing a name for your cat is a personal and meaningful decision. By selecting an Egyptian-inspired name, you connect your modern-day companion to a rich history where cats were not just pets, but revered beings. Whether you choose a name of a powerful god, a serene goddess, a historical figure, or a concept significant to Ancient Egypt, the name will carry a sense of wonder and tribute to the felines of the past. We hope this comprehensive list, including specific egyptian black cat names, helps you find the perfect name that resonates with you and your beloved cat.

References

• Baldwin, James Allen. Why Ancient Egyptians Loved Cats So Much. JSTOR Daily. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40458771?mag=why-ancient-egyptians-loved-cats-so-much&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents