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Lion Cat Names: Roaring Inspiration for Your New Kitten’s Name

Lions, the majestic kings of the animal kingdom, have long captivated our imaginations with their strength, grace and beauty. If you’ve recently welcomed a feline family member into your life, why not give them a name that reflects the regal essence of lions? We’ve rounded up a huge pride of lion cat names; see if one of these might make your new cat roar!

Lion inspired cat names for housecats and kittens

Male Lion Names

Ari – A Hebrew name meaning lion, representing bravery and strength.

Ariel – Derived from Hebrew, this name signifies lion of God, symbolizing divine protection and courage.

Asad – Originating from Arabic, this name means lion, embodying power and fearlessness.

Azlan – A Turkish name meaning lion, representing the majestic and regal nature of the animal.

Leander – A Greek name meaning lion-man, symbolizing both strength and tenderness.

Leonard – Derived from Germanic origins, this name means brave lion, embodying courage and valor.

Leonidas – Named after the fearless Spartan king, this name signifies courage and power.

Lionel – From Latin, this name signifies young lion, representing the energy and vitality of a lion.

Maximus – This name, meaning greatest in Latin, signifies the grandeur and strength of a lion.

Osman – A name with Arabic origins, Osman means divinely protected lion, symbolizing strength and protection.

Ravi – Derived from Sanskrit, this name means sun or lion, representing power and radiance.

Yagmur – A Turkish name meaning rain of lions, symbolizing abundance and strength.

Girls’ Names that Mean Lion or Lioness

Ariella – A Hebrew name meaning lioness of God, symbolizing strength, courage, and divine protection.

Leona – Derived from the Latin word for lioness, this name represents bravery, power, and assertiveness.

Leonie – Originating from Latin, this name means lioness, embodying strength, leadership, and independence.

Leontine – A French name meaning little lioness, symbolizing determination, fearlessness, and resilience.

Lev – This Hebrew name means lion and can be a unique option for your feline companion.

Luan – Derived from Albanian, this name means lioness, representing strength, ferocity, and protectiveness.

Nala – A Swahili name meaning lioness, popularized by Disney’s The Lion King, symbolizing beauty, loyalty, and courage.

Orlaith – Derived from Irish Gaelic, this name means golden princess or lioness of gold, signifying regal qualities, strength, and grace.

Shula – Originating from Swahili, this name means flame or spark, representing the fiery spirit and power of a lioness.

Simha – A Sanskrit name meaning lioness, symbolizing strength, bravery, and fierce protection.

Zara – Derived from Arabic, this name means princess or radiance, representing both regal qualities and the strength of a lioness.

Famous Lion and Lioness Names from Literature, Movies and More

Alex (Madagascar) – The charismatic lion from the animated film series Madagascar, known for his entertaining personality and leadership.

Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia) – The wise and powerful lion from C.S. Lewis’ fantasy series, symbolizing strength, sacrifice, and divine guidance.

Bagheera (The Jungle Book) – The black panther who acts as Mowgli’s protector in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, known for his wisdom and grace.

Cecil (Cecil the Lion) – A real-life lion known for his majestic presence and unfortunate demise, highlighting the issue of trophy hunting.

Elsa (Born Free) – Elsa the lion was a real-life lioness who was raised by George and Joy Adamson, a couple known for their conservation work in Kenya. Elsa was born in captivity and later released into the wild ; her story gained international recognition through the book and subsequent film adaptations. The best-known of all famous lioness names.

Kimba (Kimba the White Lion) – The protagonist of the anime and manga series Kimba the White Lion, embodying courage, justice, and environmentalism.

King (The Lion King) – The main character in Disney’s animated film The Lion King, representing growth, responsibility, and the circle of life.

MGM Lion (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) – The iconic roaring lion seen at the beginning of MGM films, symbolizing strength, grandeur, and cinematic excellence.

Simba (The Lion King) – The young lion prince and protagonist of Disney’s The Lion King, representing growth, identity, and reclaiming one’s destiny. The most popular Lion King names for cats!

Voltron (Voltron: Defender of the Universe) – A giant robot formed by five mechanical lions in the animated series Voltron, showcasing teamwork, heroism, and intergalactic battles.

Mythological Lions

Heracles – A Greek hero known for his strength, often depicted wearing the Nemean lion’s skin.

Khepri – An Egyptian god associated with the morning sun, often depicted as a lion-headed deity.

Maahes – An Egyptian lion-headed god of war and protection.

Manticore
A Manticore. Image: Johannes Jonston; Matthäus Merian the Elder, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Manticore – A mythical creature with the body of a lion, the head of a human, and a tail with deadly spikes.

Sekhmet – An Egyptian goddess depicted as a lioness, associated with war, healing, and protection.

authors at the Sphinx outside of Cairo, Egypt
Our visit to the Sphinx on a travel writing assignment.

Sphinx – A creature from Greek mythology with the body of a lion and the head of a human or other animal, known for its riddles.

Tanuki – A Japanese mythological creature resembling a raccoon dog, often depicted with a jovial face and large belly, sometimes associated with transforming into a lion-like form.

Yali – A mythical creature from Hindu mythology resembling a lion with an elephant trunk, often symbolizing strength and protection.

Names that Describe the Characteristics of a Lion

  • King
  • Majesty
  • Pride
  • Rex
  • Roary

Cat Names that Mean Lionhearted

Andrea – With Greek origins, Andrea means strong or lion-hearted, representing courage and resilience.

Arden – Originating from English, Arden means eagle valley or lion-hearted, representing bravery and boldness.

Bernard – Coming from Old Germanic, Bernard means brave bear or lion-hearted, evoking a sense of bravery and fortitude.

Conrad – Coming from Germanic roots, Conrad means brave counsel or lion-hearted, representing bravery and fearlessness.

Everett – With English origins, Everett means brave as a wild boar or lion-hearted, evoking a sense of courage and valor.

Ethel – Derived from Old English, Ethel means noble or lion-hearted, signifying bravery and gallantry.

Gryffindor – In the Harry Potter universe, the lion is the symbol of Gryffindor House, one of the four Hogwarts houses that Harry and his friends belong to. The House is named after its founder, Godric Gryffindor, who was known for his bravery and chivalry.

Leonard – Originating from Germanic roots, Leonard means brave lion or lion-hearted, symbolizing courage and strength. A good name for a cat who has faced adversity before his adoption.

Leopold – Derived from Old Germanic, Leopold means bold people or lion-hearted, symbolizing courage and strength.

Lennard – A variation of the name Leonard, Lennard carries the same meaning of brave lion or lion-hearted, symbolizing courage and strength.

Richard – Derived from Old Germanic origins, Richard means brave power or lion-hearted, representing courage and leadership.

Whether your cat is a proud and regal ruler or a mischievous little lion at heart, choosing a name inspired by lions will not only honor their feline lineage but also add a touch of magnificence to their identity. Happy naming!

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lion cat names; photo of lion and kitten
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