Texas, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and iconic personalities, serve as a magnificent muse for naming our beloved feline companions. The Lone Star State offers a plethora of unique monikers for cats. Whether you envision your kitty with the grit of a Texas ranger, the elegance of a southern belle, or the adventurous spirit of a frontier explorer, Texas cat names encapsulate the essence and pride of this grand state.
Most Popular Texas Names
As longtime (LONGtime) Texans, we can tell you that a few names are especially popular in the Lone Star State:
Austin – Usually used as a boy’s name, the capital city has probably become the #1 Texas-inspired name (both for residents and non-residents).
Dallas – Big D has lent its name to many babies, both male and female.
Travis – Usually a boys’ name, Travis County is the home of Austin; it is named for Alamo hero William B. Travis.
Related post: 260 Western Cat Names for Your New Pardner
Girls’ Names Associated with the State
Looking for something a little more unique for your cat, though? Here’s a look at girls‘ names inspired by Texas history, culture or geography:
- Addison – a city near Dallas.
- Amarillo – The name of this Panhandle city is Spanish for “yellow” making this a fun name for a yellow cat.
- Bella – the name of the Official Alamo Cat. (Actually her full name is Miss Isabella “Bella” Francisca Veramendi de Valero!)
- Belle – as in “Southern Belle”.
- Blanca – after the Blanco River; means “white” in Spanish.
- Brenham – the city known for Blue Bell ice cream.
- Callie – short for “Caliente”, meaning hot in Spanish, reminiscent of the Texan heat.
- Faith – often associated with the strong religious culture in the South.
- Harper – a town in Texas.
- Jacinta – Spanish for “hyacinth” and evokes Southwestern culture.
- Katy – a city near Houston.
- Lacy – after Lacy Lakeview, a city in Texas.
- Lorena – a city in Texas.
- Odessa – a city in West Texas.
- Paris – yep, there’s a Paris in Texas, too!
- Pecan – the state tree of Texas.
- Rio – after the Rio Grande.
- Rosa – Spanish for “rose”, representing the desert rose or the Yellow Rose of Texas.
- Sabina – after the Sabine River and Sabine County.
- Selena – after the late Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla.
- Star – for the “Lone Star State”.
- Sunny – Texas is known for its sunny days.
- Taylor – after the city and Taylor County.
- Texana – a unique name with clear Texas roots.
- Victoria – a city in Texas (and the birthplace of our cat, Jetty)
Boys’ Names Associated with the State
It’s more and more popular to name male cats with boy names; these male names are all inspired by the Lone State State.
- Alamo – representing the famous Texan historical site.
- Antonio – after San Antonio, one of Texas’s major cities.
- Archer – after Archer City and Archer County.
- Baylor – after Baylor University in Waco.
- Blanco – after the Blanco River.
- Bowie – after Jim Bowie, an Alamo hero.
- Brady – a city in Texas.
- Brazos – after the Brazos River.
- Brooks – after Brooks County.
- Bryan – a city in Texas, adjacent to College Station.
- Carson – after Carson County.
- Crockett – for Davy Crockett, a historical figure at the Alamo.
- Denton – after the city and county of Denton.
- Desoto – a city in Dallas County.
- Duke – representing the Texan cowboy spirit.
- Eagle – for Eagle Pass, a city in Texas.
- Easton – representing East Texas.
- Elgin – a city in Texas.
- Ellis – after Ellis County.
- Frisco – a city in Texas.
- Garland – a city in Texas.
- Houston – the largest city in Texas.
- Irving – a city in Dallas County.
- Laredo – a city on the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Lubbock – a city in West Texas.
- Mason – after Mason County and the town of Mason.
- Nolan – representing Nolan County.
- Pecos – after the Pecos River.
- Presidio – a city in Texas.
- Quanah – after Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief.
- Ranger – a city in Texas and also represents the Texas Rangers. One of the more popular Texas names for cats.
- Rio – after the Rio Grande.
- Sterling – after Sterling City and Sterling County.
- Tex – short for Texas.
- Tyler – a city in Texas.
- Waco – a city in Texas.
- Walker – representing Walker County (or Walker, Texas Ranger)
Names from Texas Movies, TV and Literature
These names encapsulate characters and places either set in Texas or embodying a distinct Texan spirit.
- Augustus (“Gus”) – From Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, a retired Texas Ranger.
- Bick – Rock Hudson’s character in the film Giant, a wealthy Texas rancher.
- Bobby – One of the Ewing brothers from Dallas.
- Boomhauer – Known for his rapid and almost incomprehensible speech, a character in King of the Hill.
- Bubber – From The Chase, a film based on a book set in Texas, the character who escapes from jail.
- Chisholm – Inspired by the Chisholm Trail; the movie Chisum featured John Wayne as John Chisum, a cattle baron.
- Coach Taylor – The high school football coach from Friday Night Lights.
- Cordell – The main character’s first name in Walker, Texas Ranger.
- Duane – A character from The Last Picture Show who dreams of a life beyond his small Texas town.
- Edna – From The Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote, an elderly woman longing to return to her hometown.
- Elsa – From The Son by Philipp Meyer, a character in a multi-generational Texas saga.
- Hud – From the movie Hud, based on Larry McMurtry’s novel, a young and rebellious rancher; a fun name for a ranch cat.
- Hank – The main character in King of the Hill, set in the fictional Arlen, Texas.
- J.R. – The scheming oil baron J.R. Ewing from Dallas.
- Jacy – From The Last Picture Show, a high school beauty queen in a small Texas town.
- Jeannie – From The Good Old Boys by Elmer Kelton, represents strong women in the Texas frontier.
- Jett – James Dean’s character in the film Giant, an ambitious cowboy.
- Jordan – From The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a film based on the musical, a confident madam.
- Llewelyn – A character from No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, who finds drug money.
- Luanne – Hank’s niece in King of the Hill.
- Maddie – A 9-1-1 call center operator from 9-1-1: Lone Star.
- Moss – Surname of Llewelyn, from No Country for Old Men, sometimes used as a first name.
- Peggy – Hank’s wife in King of the Hill.
- Pilar – From All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, a young Mexican woman John Grady falls for.
- Ray – Ray Krebbs, the ranch hand in Dallas.
- Rip – Character in Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses, a Texan cowboy.
- Sonora – From The Wild Horsemen, a novel about the Texas frontier, a young and adventurous woman.
- Sue Ellen – J.R.’s wife in Dallas.
- Thalia – The fictional Texas town in Larry McMurtry’s The Last Picture Show.
- Trivette – James Trivette, Walker’s partner in Walker, Texas Ranger.
- Wacey – A character from the movie 8 Seconds, set in the world of Texas rodeo.
- Woodrow – From Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, a retired Texas Ranger.
- Yancey – From Cimarron a bold frontiersman.
- Yeller – From Old Yeller, set in Mason; a fun name for a yellow cat.
Cat Names Inspired by Texas Rivers
Could one of the rivers of Texas inspire a cat name?
- Angelina
- Barton
- Blanco
- Bosque
- Bravo (from Rio Bravo, the name of the Rio Grande in Mexico)
- Brazos
- Buffalo
- Caddo
- Coleto
- Colorado
- Comal
- Concho
- Cypress
- Frio
- Guadalupe
- Lavaca
- Leon
- Llano
- Loving
- Medina
- Neches
- Nueces
- Pecos
- Sabinal
- Sabine
- Trinity
- Wichita
- Zavala
- Toyah
Names Inspired by Texas Attractions
These names should give you a good variety of options, each with its own unique Texas twist!
- Alamo – San Antonio’s iconic mission and fortress compound, historically significant for the Battle of the Alamo.
- Astro – Inspired by the Houston Astrodome, the world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium.
- Barton – Named after Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring in Austin.
- Big Bend – A national park in Texas known for its expansive desert, mountains, and river canyons; a fun name for a big cat.
- Bishop – After Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, a Victorian-era building.
- Bluebonnet – Texas’ state flower.
- Brazos – Brazos Bend State Park, known for its diverse wildlife and scenic views.
- Caddo – Caddo Lake, a swampy lake on the Texas-Louisiana border.
- Chisos – Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park.
- Cowboy – Inspired by the Dallas Cowboys and the cowboy culture of Texas.
- Enchanted – Named after Enchanted Rock, a large pink granite rock formation.
- Fiesta – Fiesta San Antonio, one of the state’s biggest festivals.
- Goliad – Goliad State Park and Historic Site, rich with Texas history.
- Guadalupe – Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to the state’s highest peak.
- Hamilton – As in Hamilton Pool, a natural pool formed thousands of years ago.
- Jacinto – San Jacinto Monument, commemorating the Battle of San Jacinto.
- Lone Star – Symbolic nickname for the state of Texas.
- Lubbock – The Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, dedicated to the musician.
- Maverick – A reference to Texas’ independent spirit and also a Dallas basketball team.
- Misson – After the missions in San Antonio, such as Mission Concepción.
- Moody – Moody Gardens in Galveston, known for its pyramids filled with animals and plants.
- Nasher – Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas.
- Padre – Padre Island.
- Palo Duro – A canyon state park, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.”
- Ranger – Texas Rangers.
- Rodeo – Celebrating the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo event.
- Sam – After Sam Houston Statue, a tribute to the former governor and hero.
- Sixth – As in Sixth Street in Austin, a historic street and entertainment district.
- Spacey – Honoring the Space Center in Houston.
- Star – Lone Star State, another nickname for Texas.
- Stockyard – Fort Worth Stockyards, celebrating the city’s cowboy heritage.
- Willie – Named after Willie Nelson, an iconic Texan and musician.
- Zilker – Zilker Park in Austin, a recreational area known for the Austin City Limits music festival.
Texas Flora and Fauna
Nature lovers will find inspiration in Texas trees, flowers and wildlife:
- Bluebonnet – The state flower of Texas, a vibrant blue wildflower; an apt name for a blue-eyed cat.
- Buckeye – A type of tree/shrub with showy flowers found in Texas.
- Cactus – Representing the many cacti species found in Texas; sometimes used as a boys’ name or nickname. A fun name for the cat who is a little too quick with the claws!
- Cedar – From the Ashe juniper trees, colloquially called “cedars” in Texas.
- Chaparral – A bird also known as the roadrunner, the state bird of New Mexico but also found in Texas.
- Coyote – A native wild canine.
- Fawn – A young deer; a pretty name for a brown cat.
- Gator – Short for alligator, found in East Texas.
- Honey – Inspired by the honey mesquite tree.
- Juniper – Trees common in Texas, especially the Hill Country.
- Longhorn – Iconic cattle breed and mascot of the University of Texas at Austin.
- Lupine – Another name for bluebonnets and related species.
- Mocking – After the Northern mockingbird, the state bird of Texas.
- Panther – Texas was once home to many of these big cats.
- Pecan – The state tree of Texas.
- Prickly – Inspired by the prickly pear cactus.
- Quail – Several species, like the bobwhite, are native to Texas.
- Rattler – Short for rattlesnake, a group of venomous snakes common in Texas.
- Sabal – The sabal palm is native to the Rio Grande Valley.
- Scorpion – A common arachnid in the drier regions of Texas.
- Tumble – Inspired by tumbleweeds often associated with Texas landscapes.
- Ursine – Referring to the black bear, once common in Texas and making a comeback.
- Vireo – A small bird species found in parts of Texas.
- Yucca – A plant genus with several species in Texas.
- Zephyr – Inspired by Zephyr lilies, also known as rain lilies, that bloom after rains.
- Zinnia – A colorful flowering plant that grows in Texas.
Texas Slang
Texas has a rich cultural and linguistic history, which has led to some, well, unique terms and slang.
- Aggie – A student or alumni of Texas A&M University.
- Big D – Nickname for Dallas, Texas; an apt name for a big cat.
- Blue Norther – A fast-moving cold front in Texas, characterized by a sudden drop in temperature, a dark blue-black sky, and strong winds from the north. A fun name for a dark gray cat.
- Bubba – A term of endearment, typically for a brother or a close male friend.
- Coke – In many parts of Texas, any kind of soda is referred to as a “Coke,” regardless of its brand.
- Cowtown – Nickname for Fort Worth, Texas.
- Dillo – Short for armadillo, the state’s unofficial mascot.
- Fixin’ to – Getting ready to do something; similar to “about to.”
- Howdy – A friendly greeting, short for “How do you do?”
- Lone Star – Referring to the single star on the Texas flag and Texas being known as the “Lone Star State.” A fun name for a cat with one white spot.
- Mosey – To walk in a leisurely or aimless manner.
- Pardner – Texas way of saying “partner,” often in a friendly manner.
- Two-step – A partner dance done to country music.
- Wrangler – A cowboy who manages horses, but can also refer to those managing cattle.
- Y’all – A contraction of “you all,” a second-person plural pronoun.
- Yeehaw – An exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm, often associated with cowboys.
Texas Food & Drink
Texas is known for its rich culinary traditions, especially in barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Southern cuisines. Here are some cat names inspired by Texas food and drink:
- Barbacoa – Slow-cooked meats, especially beef cheek.
- Biscuit – A classic Southern side.
- Brisket – A popular cut of meat for Texas BBQ.
- Chili – Texas-style chili is known for its beef and spicy kick, without beans.
- Chipotle – Smoked and dried jalapeño pepper.
- Churro – A fried-dough pastry, often dipped in cinnamon sugar.
- Fajita – Grilled meat usually served in a tortilla, commonly beef or chicken.
- Flauta – A rolled tortilla filled with meat and fried.
- Frito – Inspired by Frito pie, a dish made with chili, cheese, and Texas-founded Fritos corn chips.
- Guacamole (or “Guac”) – A dip made from mashed avocados.
- Jalapeño – A spicy pepper popular in Tex-Mex cuisine.
- Kolache – A type of pastry filled with fruits or meats, brought to Texas by Czech immigrants.
- Lone Star – Named after the famous Texas beer.
- Margarita – A popular cocktail made with tequila.
- Mesquite – A type of wood often used for smoking meats in Texas BBQ.
- Nacho – Tortilla chips with melted cheese and often additional toppings.
- Pecan – Texas state tree and popular ingredient in pies and other desserts.
- Pico – Short for pico de gallo, a type of fresh salsa.
- Queso – A cheesy dip, often with peppers; short for “chili con queso.” An apt name for an orange cat.
- Ribs – Another BBQ favorite.
- Salsa – A spicy tomato-based sauce.
- Shiner – After Shiner Bock, a popular Texas beer.
- Taco – A folded or rolled tortilla filled with various mixtures.
- Tamale – Masa (dough) with a filling, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed.
- Tequila – A distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, popular in margaritas.
Punny Names
Looking for a little wordplay with your new cat’s name? One of these puns might be just purrfect…
- Ala-mew – inspired by The Alamo.
- A-meow-stin – play on Austin.
- Braz-purrs – a play on the Brazos River.
- Catonio – pun on San Antonio.
- El Paw-so – inspired by El Paso.
- Fur Worth – a pun on Fort Worth.
- Galvestail – inspired by Galveston.
- Hiss-ton – a play on Houston.
- Mew Braunfels – inspired by New Braunfels.
- Purrsicana – pun on Corsicana.
- Purr-is – inspired by Paris, Texas.
- Tex-Paws – a playful take on Texas.
Texas Brands
Texas has been home to numerous successful brands across various industries. Here are some cat names inspired by Texas-based brands:
- Academy (or maybe A-CAT-emy)- After Academy Sports + Outdoors, a sporting goods discount store chain.
- Blue Bell – A cat named after the state’s iconic Blue Bell Creameries ice cream must be sweet!
- Buc-ee – A popular Texas-based chain of convenience stores and gas stations.
- Chili’s – The casual dining restaurant chain.
- Dr Pepper – The unique soft drink that originated in Texas.
- Fiesta – Fiesta Mart, a supermarket chain based in Texas.
- Fossil – The American fashion designer and manufacturer.
- H-E-B – A popular supermarket chain in Texas.
- Hostess – The company known for Twinkies and other treats.
- Kendra – After Kendra Scott, the jewelry brand.
- Lone Star – The beer brand that calls itself “The National Beer of Texas”.
- Lucchese – The brand famous for its handmade cowboy boots.
- Mary Kay – The cosmetics company founded in Dallas.
- Neiman – After Neiman Marcus, the luxury department store.
- Pluckers – A popular wing bar in Texas.
- Randalls – A supermarket chain.
- Shipley – From Shipley Do-Nuts, a popular donut chain.
- Six Flags – The amusement park chain that originated in Texas.
- Southwest – After Southwest Airlines.
- Stage – A department store chain based in Houston.
- Tito – From Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
- Topo – Short for Topo Chico, a brand of sparkling mineral water popular in Texas.
- Whataburger – The iconic Texas hamburger chain.
- Yeti – The Austin-based manufacturer known for their coolers and drinkware.
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