Naming a cat?

Question

I adopted a four year old cat from the Humane Society. Do I have to keep her name that she came with or can I change it?

Thank you all for your help. This cat is a pure white, long haired cat that was named "Snowball". I just couldn't take that name. We got her this week while our three kids were away at Camp Tippecanoe so we named her "Tippe" (pronounced Tippy). She hid in the basement all day yesterday but has proven to be a lap sitter today. I think we all will be very happy with her. This is our first pet ever.

Answer 1

Im surprised by this question. I thought it was common knowledge that anytime you adopt a cat that has been previously named, you MUST rename that cat "Muffin"

Now go and tell Muffin her din din is ready and stop worrying yourself over this.

Answer 2

First of all, congratulations for adopting an adult cat! Anybody can love a kitten, but it takes somebody special to open their heart to a full-grown cat And on behalf of our cats (several of whom were adult adoptees), thank you.

Now, about this name thing... By all means, give your cat a name you like. ("Snowball," how imaginative.) It's great to name the cat Tippe, like 'Tippi' Hedren (actress in two Hitchcock movies who now runs a big-cat rescue facility in southern California).

But more to the point, the final authority on cat names is, of course, Old Possum himself:

The naming of cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games:
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you a cat must have Three Different Names.

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey --
All of them sensible everyday names.

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames,
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter --
All of them sensible everyday names.

But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified;
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina or else Jellylorum --
Names that never belong to more than one cat.

But still and above all, there's one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover,
But the CAT HIMSELF KNOWS -- and will never confess.

When you notice a cat in serene contemplation,
The reason I tell you is always the same:
The cat is engaged in a rapt meditation
On the thought, on the thought, on the thought of his name:
His ineffable, effable,
Effanineffable,
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

--T. S. Eliot, "The Naming of Cats," from "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats"

Answer 3

You could probably change it .
Just make sure it's a name that the cat will like.
Cats generally like short, 2-syllable names that end with a long-e sound.
Like Sammy,Fluffy,etc.
Please don't name it Alexandra !

Answer 4

I adopted a cat from a shelter. She was a stray and had been given the name Scrabble.

I named her Sigourney (because I liked the actress) Siggie was tall, slender and had very long legs.

She didn't like Siggie and we compromised on Sylvie.

Answer 5

Of course you can change it. Eventually the cat will realize that it is also called whatever you name it. Just do a whistle or some other noise whenever you call her new name so she realizes you are calling her.

Answer 6

Cats are usually not having confusion by changing its name. Whatever its name if you say call and make a sound "Meow,it will come". Choose and name it with a name which seems cute for your new cat. CHOOSE FOR THE BEST ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS AS WELL. Thanks!

Answer 7

I think you should re-name your cat, but make sure your cat likes the new name. If your name was poo, you'd want someone to change it, wouldn't you? But you wouldn't want to be called wee, you'd want a name that suited your personality.

Just don't name your cat fluffy. That's hella lame

Answer 8

you can change it but the cat will probably already b traind to the other name if u mean 4 human years

Answer 9

When we adopted our dog from the Humane Socitey, her name was Snickers. She's now Maggie Mae

Answer 10

does the cat come when you call it? If not changing the name is okay.