160 Chinese Cat Names {and Meanings}

In Chinese culture, names are often bestowed with profound meanings and auspicious wishes, making them a rich source of inspiration when it comes to naming your beloved cat. Whether drawn from the serene beauty of nature or the intricate tapestry of mythology and zodiac signs, Chinese cat names offer a blend of tradition and mystique, something you may already be seeing in your new kitten!

Cat Names in Chinese

• An Ya – Graceful Peace
• Bao – Treasure
• Bi – Jade
• Chang – Flourishing
• Chao – Surpassing
• Chen – Morning
• Chun – Spring
• Da – Big or Great
• Dong – Winter
• Fang – Fragrant
• Fei – Flying
• Feng – Wind
• Fu Mao – Lucky Cat
• Gang – Strong
• Guang – Light
• Hai – Sea
• He Mao – Harmonious Cat
• Hua – Flower
• Hua Hu – Splendid Tiger
• Huan – Happiness
• Hui – Intelligent
• Jian Mao – Steadfast Cat
• Jin – Gold
• Jin Ji – Golden Rooster
• Jun Mao – Handsome Cat
• Kai – Open
• Lan – Orchid
• Lei – Thunder
• Li – Beautiful
• Lie Mao – Fierce Cat
• Ling – Spirit
• Ling Mao – Clever Cat
• Long Mao – Dragon Cat
• Lu – Deer
• Mei – Beauty
• Mei Yang – Beautiful Goat
• Ming – Bright
• Ning – Peaceful
• Qing – Pure
• Qiu – Autumn
• Ru – Scholar
• Shen Mao – Divine Cat
• Shi – Stone
• Tao – Peach
• Wei – Great
• Wen – Gentle
• Wen Mao – Gentle Cat
• Xia – Summer
• Xin – New
• Yue – Moon

Chinese Words Describing Cats

What about a cat name that means cat in Chinese? These many phrases describe our beloved cats:

• Mao – The Chinese word for “cat.”
• Hui Mao – Translates to “grey cat,” which can be used to describe a cat with a grey coat.
• Jin Mao – This phrase means “golden cat,” a term often used to refer to cats with golden fur.
• Hua Mao – Translates to “flower cat,” a name often given to cats with multi-colored or patterned fur, akin to a blooming flower.
• Mao Mi – A colloquial and affectionate term for a cat, similar to “kitty” in English.
• Ye Mao – Meaning “wild cat,” it can refer to feral cats, stray cats or cats with a wild appearance.
• Lan Mao – Translates to “lazy cat,” embodying the relaxed and leisurely nature of cats.
• Mi Mi – A cute and affectionate nickname for cats, similar to saying “meow.”
• Mao Zhua – Means “cat’s claw,” referencing the sharp claws of a cat.
• Mao Yan – Translates to “cat’s eye,” representing the distinctive cat eyes.
• Mao Tiao – Meaning “cat jump,” it describes the agile and graceful jumping ability of cats.
• Mao Shen – This phrase translates to “cat god,” sometimes used to denote the mystical and enigmatic nature of cats.

Chinese Girls’ Names for Cats

There’s a growing trend toward naming our cats and other pets with human names. Here’s a look at Chinese girls’ names and their meanings:

• Ai – Love
• Bai – Pure
• Cai – Colorful
• Di – Empress
• Duan – Upright
• En – Grace
• Fen – Fragrance
• Guo – Fruit
• He – Lotus
• Hong – Rainbow
• Huan – Happiness
• Jia – Good
• Jiao – Charming
• Juan – Graceful
• Kun – Earth
• Lan – Orchid
• Lian – Lotus
• Lu – Dew
• Man – Jade
• Min – Clever
• Na – Elegant
• Nuo – Graceful
• Pei – Precious
• Ping – Peaceful
• Qi – Wonderful
• Qiao – Skillful
• Qu – Charming
• Rong – Glorious
• Shan – Coral
• Shuang – Bright
• Su – Plain
• Tao – Peach
• Ting – Graceful
• Xia – Glow of the Sunrise
• Xiang – Fragrant
• Xin – New
• Xiu – Elegant
• Xue – Snow
• Yan – Beautiful
• Ying – Cherry Blossom
• Yue – Moon
• Zhen – Precious
• Zhi – Wisdom
• Zhuan – Charming
• Zi – Beautiful
• Zong – Following
• Zui – Lovely
• Zuo – Sitting
• Zhu – Pearl
• Zhuo – Outstanding

Chinese Boys’ Names for Your New Kitten

As with the girls, boys’ names are increasingly popular for our cats. Here’s a look at some of the most popular Chinese names for boys–including many easy to learn three and four letter names:

• An – Peace
• Bo – Waves
• Cang – Deep or Vast
• De – Virtue
• Ding – Stable
• Du – Independent
• Fai – Growth
• Gan – Adventure
• Guang – Light or Brightness
• Hao – Bravery
• Hong – Great or Vast
• Hu – Tiger
• Jian – Healthy
• Jie – Clean
• Kang – Health
• Lei – Thunder
• Li – Strong
• Liang – Bright
• Lin – Forest
• Liu – Flowing
• Long – Dragon
• Lu – Prosperity
• Ming – Bright
• Nian – Thoughtful
• Peng – Roc (a mythical bird)
• Qi – Wondrous
• Qiang – Strong
• Quan – Spring (water)
• Rui – Sharp
• Shan – Mountain
• Shao – Young
• Shen – Spirit
• Shi – Stone or World
• Song – Pine Tree
• Tai – Great
• Tian – Field
• Wei – Great or Tall
• Wen – Cultured
• Xiang – Soaring
• Xing – Star
• Xue – Snow or Studious
• Yang – Poplar (tree)
• Yao – Shining
• Yi – Righteous
• Yong – Brave
• Yuan – Original or First
• Zhi – Ambitious
• Zhong – Loyal
• Zhou – State or Continent
• Zhuo – Outstanding

Names Inspired by Chinese Festivals

Choosing cat names inspired by Chinese holidays can be a creative and symbolic way to commemorate the rich culture and traditions of China–and perhaps the time of your new cat’s birth or adoption.

Here are some potential cat names drawn from various Chinese holidays along with their significance:

• Chun (Spring Festival) – Reflects the vibrant spirit of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated during the spring season.
• Yuan (Lantern Festival) – Symbolizes the Lantern Festival which is called “Yuan Xiao Jie” in Chinese, a festive occasion marked with beautiful lantern displays.
• Qing (Qingming Festival) – Represents the Qingming Festival, a time to honor ancestors and celebrate the arrival of spring. A good name for the kitten adopted after the loss of a beloved cat.
• Duan (Dragon Boat Festival) – Signifies the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, an event marked with dragon boat races and zongzi (rice dumplings).
• Zhong (Mid-Autumn Festival) – Named after the Mid-Autumn Festival, also called “Zhong Qiu Jie”, a holiday celebrated with mooncakes and moon gazing, symbolizing family reunion.
• Chongyang (Double Ninth Festival) – Represents the Chongyang Festival, a day to appreciate the chrysanthemum flower and to hike mountains.
• Dong (Winter Solstice) – Symbolizes the Dongzhi Festival, which marks the winter solstice, a time for family gatherings and enjoying traditional foods.
• Laba (Laba Festival) – Named after the Laba Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday at the start of Chinese New Year where people enjoy Laba porridge.

Names Based on the Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac, a system rooted in Chinese astrology and calendar, revolves around a 12-year cycle, where each year is represented by a specific animal sign – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig – which are believed to influence the personality traits and destiny of the individuals born in that year.

These zodiac signs, further influenced by the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and Yin or Yang polarity, play a significant role in Chinese culture, often utilized in determining one’s compatibility in relationships, career prospects, and other life aspects, making it an integral part of Chinese cosmology and folklore.

Choose a name for the year your cat is joining your life, the year your cat was born–or just based on the characteristics that match your new kitten’s purrsonality.

Rat (Shǔ)

• Zhi Mao – Wisdom Cat: A name inspired by the rat’s intelligence and resourcefulness.
• Ya Se – A name resembling “Arthur”, representing a leader which is a characteristic of the rat zodiac.

Ox (Niú)

• Jian Mao – Steadfast Cat: A name reflecting the strong and dependable nature of the ox.
• An Ya – Graceful Peace: A name portraying the tranquil and graceful traits of the ox zodiac.

Tiger (Hǔ)

• Yong Mao – Brave Cat: A name embodying the courageous spirit of the tiger.
• Hua Hu – Splendid Tiger: A name reflecting the tiger’s majestic and powerful demeanor.

Rabbit (Tù)

• He Mao – Harmonious Cat: A name denoting the peaceful and gentle characteristics of the rabbit zodiac.
• Zhi Tu – Rabbit of Aromatic Plant: A name infusing the rabbit’s affinity with nature and plants.

Dragon (Lóng)

• Shen Mao – Divine Cat: A name portraying the mythical and magical attributes of the dragon zodiac.
• Long Mao – Dragon Cat: A name directly translating the powerful and dominant nature of the dragon.

Snake (Shé)

• Ya Mao – Elegant Cat: A name reflecting the snake’s graceful and sophisticated nature.
• Yu She – Jade Snake: A name indicating the snake’s beautiful and precious characteristics, much like jade.

Horse (Mǎ)

• Lie Mao – Fierce Cat: A name echoing the horse’s energetic and passionate nature.
• Feng Ma – Wind Horse: A name embodying the horse’s free-spirited and swift traits.

Goat (Yáng)

• Wen Mao – Gentle Cat: A name indicating the kind and gentle nature of the goat.
• Mei Yang – Beautiful Goat: A name portraying the artistic and beautiful attributes of the goat zodiac.

Monkey (Hóu)

• Ling Mao – Clever Cat: A name capturing the monkey’s clever and witty traits.
• Hou Mao – Monkey Cat: A playful name highlighting the playful and mischievous nature of the monkey zodiac.

Rooster (Jī)

• Jun Mao – Handsome Cat: A name that mirrors the rooster’s confident and attractive demeanor.
• Jin Ji – Golden Rooster: A name denoting the auspicious and bright aspects of the rooster zodiac.

Dog (Gǒu)

• Zhong Mao – Loyal Cat: A name portraying the loyal and trustworthy characteristics of the dog zodiac–characteristics also found in a cat!
• Shou Gou – Guardian Dog: A name emphasizing the protective and watchful traits of the dog–or perhaps your new watch cat.

Pig (Zhū)

• Fu Mao – Lucky Cat: A name reflecting the pig’s good fortune and prosperity.
• Zhen Zhu – Precious Pig: A name indicating the precious and cherished qualities of the pig zodiac.

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