Naming your pet is quite a process. Do you want to give them a cutesy name, a "human" name, or just call them "kitty?" While many of us spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect name, what you might not realize is that there are definite patterns when it comes to cat names, with people in many states leaning heavily toward one name. Who knew so many people in Montana had cats named Orion? Or that the majority of the US named their cats Bella in recent years?
So whether you want to go with the most popular name for your furry friend, you’re trying to avoid these names to come up with something unique, or you’re simply curious, Nationwide Insurance, provided by Vocativ rounded up the most popular cat names in every state based on their database of 75,000 cats.
Alabama: Lucy
For many of us, the name "Lucy" conjure thoughts of "I Love Lucy" icon Lucille Ball. But in Alabama, the name is likely to reference much furrier friends — the state’s resident cats.
Alaska: Pepper
Alaska is the home of Pepper Peak — and yes, Alaska is home to Salt (another mountain), too.
Arizona: Max
In Arizona, Max is the most popular cat name and most popular dog name. For baby names, Max hasn’t made the top 10 in Arizona in a few years.
Arkansas: Jasper
Jasper is a small town in Arkansas that is home to less than 500 people; it’s also the most popular cat name in the state.
California, Colorado, and Connecticut: Bella
The most popular cat name in these states was the most frequently reported popular cat name in all of the United States. The name Bella is often associated with the Italian word bella, which means beauty.
Delaware: Misty
Maybe it’s weather-related, or maybe it’s a Pokemon reference. Whatever it is, tons of cats in Delaware are named Misty.
Florida: Lucy
The Sunshine State is home to more cats named Lucy than any other name. Funny enough, the three states where Lucy is the most popular cat name are all in the Southeastern US..
Georgia: Bailey
It’s sweet and simple — Bailey is the most popular cat name in Georgia. My personal guess would’ve been Peaches.
Hawaii: Chloe
Chloe is also one of the most popular baby names in Hawaii, at least during 2015 and 2016.
Idaho: Oliver
"Oliver & Company" has got to be the inspiration behind all those in Idaho naming their cats Oliver.
Illinois: Tiger
If I had had to have guessed which state’s most popular cat name would be Tiger, I would’ve wrongly picked Louisiana (Geaux Tigers), but Illinois is in fact the only state in which Tiger was more popular than any other cat names.
Indiana and Kansas: Charlie
Indiana and Kansas prefer this relatively popular and common human name for their cats and kittens.
Iowa: Gracie
We have to guess that Iowans may have been inspired by Graceland University, which is based partly in the state, for this name.
Kentucky, Maine, and New Jersey: Max
When it comes to cat names, Kentucky, Maine, and New Jersey are all about the classic pet names, with Max as the most popular cat name in these states. Tennesseans also favor this name.
Louisiana: Patches
When it comes to cat names, Louisiana is all about the classics, with Patches as the most popular cat name in the state.
Maryland: Chloe
Maryland puts a modern spin on cat names, with Chloe ranking as its popular cat name. The name became especially popular with (human) baby girls in the early 2000s, and it becoming popular for kittens quickly followed.
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri: Bella
We’re betting there are some "Twilight" fans in these states who’ve named their cats and kittens after the beloved lead in the series in these states.
Mississippi: Sebastian
Mississippi was the only state where Sebastian is the most popular cat name. Maybe it’s French-inspired or Disney-inspired?
Montana: Orion
In my opinion, this is the most unique name on the list. There are a lot of opportunities to hunt and to be in the outdoors out in Montana, and Orion was a hunter in Roman mythology, so perhaps that’s the correlation between Montana and their most popular cat name.
Nebraska: Oscar
We’re not sure if there’s a deeper meaning in the relationship between the state and the most popular cat name, Oscar, but it is cute.
Nevada: Cleo
Nevada throws it way, way back by favoring Cleo, a name that stems from Cleopatra. While the name has lessened in popularity among baby girls, among Nevada-born kittens, it’s still a favorite.
New Hampshire and New York: Oliver
Oliver is a pet name fan favorite in New Hampshire and New York, being at the top of the list for most popular cat name and within the top 10 for most popular dog name in both states.
New Mexico: Simba
There seem to be some Lion King fans living out in New Mexico.
North Carolina: Bella
What name’s more perfect for a Southern Belle than Bella?
North Dakota: Boots
The most popular cat name in this Great Plain state is also something you’d likely need a good pair of in the winter season — Boots.
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island: Bella
No unique names reported here — these states followed suit with the majority with the most popular cat name in these states being Bella.
Oklahoma: Lola
Oklahoma’s most popular cat name is a bit unusual, but trendy: Lola.
Oregon: Lily
This most popular cat name may be botany-inspired. The Western Lily is an endangered plant that "only grows in a narrow band of coastal land from Southern Oregon down into Northern California."
South Carolina: Lucy
Like Alabama and Florida, Lucy is the most popular cat name in South Carolina. It’s at the top of the list for pet dog names, too.
South Dakota: Bailey
If you live in South Dakota, chances are you come home to a cat named Bailey.
Tennessee: Zoe
Tennessee keeps it short and sweet when it comes to naming furry feline friends.
Utah: Lily
Utah echoes Oregon, having the same most popular cat name: Lily.
Vermont: Teddy
Perhaps this is related to the fact that Vermont is home to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, "one of the largest producers of teddy bears and the largest seller of teddy bears by mail order and Internet."
Virginia: Oliver
Virginia’s most popular cat name wasn’t super original as they share the same one with New Hampshire, New York, and Idaho. We too, are fans of the name Oliver for kitty friends.
Washington: Luna
Washington’s most popular cat name is likely moon or mythology-inspired.
Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming: Bella
Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming round out the majority. They too, reported having the name Bella as the most popular cat name in their states. Looks like Bella’s been at the top of the overall list for the last few years now.
Wisconsin: Sophie
The most popular cat name in this state, Sophie, is pretty close to one of the most popular baby names in Wisconsin, Sophia.
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