Rome was one of the most powerful nations, and the Roman Empire lasted more than 1,000 years! This is such an incredible feat that Roman influence still lingers today, both in modern times and through the discovery of ancient Roman temples and ruins. Because of the greatness of the Romans, their influence can also spread through their names, and naming your cat after the Romans gives you an amazing pool of inspiration to draw from! We’ve rounded up 200 of the most popular Roman cat names, so choosing some to shortlist for your cat should be a breeze!
How To Name Your Cat With a Roman Name
Names that are too long (or that can’t comfortably be shortened) can be difficult to use, both for you and your cat. This is particularly true for Roman names since some of them can be long or difficult to pronounce! Your cat will learn their name more easily if they’re one to two syllables long.
When looking for inspiration, determine what the name will mean for your cat. Does your feline have a personality that simply shines out of them? Or do they have physical features that could inspire a name? By choosing a name based on something you love about your cat, you can be reminded of their amazing qualities every day.
Image By: Just Mila, Shutterstock
Top Ten Roman Cat Names
We know how difficult naming a pet can be, even with an idea to start with. We created a list of our favorite top ten names to get you started. These names are perfect for naming your cat since they’re descriptive and concise!
Mel, Latin for “Honey”
Nox, Latin for “Night”
Niveus, Latin for “Snow White”
Tigris, Latin for “Tiger”
Fera, Latin for “Wild”
Sardina, Latin for “Sardine”
Pulchra, Latin for “Beautiful”
Avarus, Latin for “Greedy”
Deus, Latin for “God”
Scurra, Latin for “Clown”
Roman Cat Names From History
Buildings, Emperors, and influential figures make great naming ideas that all point to people and places of power in the Roman Empire. If you’re looking for a name that’s instantly recognizable as being influenced by the Romans, a historical name is where you should start!
Gaius, brother of Tiberius Gracchus
Spartacus, Gladiator
Elagabalus, Roman Emperor
Caligula, Roman Emperor
Caracalla, Roman Emperor
Tarquin, the last King of Rome
Constantine, Roman Emperor
Theodosius, Roman Emperor
Octavian, the original name of Augustus Caesar
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor
Cicero, philosopher
Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra
Julius Nepos, the last Western Roman Emperor
Attila the Hun, leader of the Huns
Hadrian, Roman Emperor who built Hadrian’s Wall
Virgil, a Roman poet
Livia, Wife of Augustus
Vespasian, Roman Emperor
Lepidus, Roman general
Horace, a Roman poet
Scipio Africanus, Roman general.
Boudica, Queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe
Nerva, Roman Emperor
Romulus, founder and first king of Rome (according to legend)
Vibia, wife of Emperor Hadrian
Galla, Roman Empress
Livy, Roman historian
Servius, sixth King of Rome
Tiberius Caesar Augustus, second Roman Emperor
Mark Antony, Roman general
Marcus Junius Brutus, Senator
Carinus, Roman Emperor
Julius Caesar, the infamous Roman General
Hannibal, Carthaginian general
Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor
Pompey, Roman General
Sulla, Roman general
Antoninus, Roman Emperor
Tiberius Gracchus, Roman politician
Ptolemy, Roman General
Agrippa, Emperor’s advisor
Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt
Agrippina, mother to Nero
Trajan, Roman Emperor
Nero, Roman Emperor
Ovid, a Roman poet
Titus, Roman Emperor
Livia, wife of Emperor Augustus
Rome, the famous Empire
Emperor, the ruler of Rome
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Roman Cat Names for Male Cats
If you have a male cat that needs a powerful name, the common names of Roman men could fit them perfectly. Romans were often influenced by the people in power at the time, so many boys were named after Emperors or their families.
Maximus
Severus
Titus
Marcellus
Marcus
Augustus
Octavius
Tiberius
Gaius
Nerva
Aemilius
Cassius
Julius
Flavius
Antonius
Aulus
Servius
Lucius
Cornelius
Fabius
Caius
Faustus
Decius
Decimus
Vitus
Publius
Quintus
Claudius
Octavian
Valerius
Roman Cat Names for Female Cats
If the special little lady in your life needs a feminine name, Rome is a great place to look. Romans would feminize some of the names of their people of power to fit people of any gender, which means some genuinely unique and exciting female names are available for your cat!
Domitilla
Claudia
Fabia
Minutia
Livia
Prisca
Camilla
Terentia
Octavia
Porcia
Vibia
Cornelia
Plautia
Marcia
Servilia
Junia
Domitia
Agrippina
Valeria
Drusilla
Tullia
Sempronia
Hortensia
Aurelia
Lucretia
Antonia
Aemilia
Postuma
Julia
Flavia
Image By: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
Roman Cat Names Based on Places
If Roman history is what you’re interested in, the locations related to the Romans can provide excellent naming inspiration. Even places tangential to the Empire, such as Pompeii, are brilliant names. Take a look and see which would suit your cat.
Vatican, an independent city-state
Ara Pacis, an altar in Rome
Caracalla, one of the largest public bath complexes in Rome
Pompeii, an ancient Roman city buried under volcanic ash
Portus, an ancient harbor complex
Appian (Way), an ancient Roman road
Ostia (or Antica), an ancient port city of Rome
Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater
Circus (or Maximus), a massive chariot racing stadium
Pantheon, a well-preserved temple
Roman Cat Names from Mythology
Myths and legends have always been ideal for pet names, and Roman mythology is no different. The Romans had a complex, multi-deity belief system that closely resembled that of the Ancient Greeks. The names associated with the Roman gods and goddesses can be some of the most beautiful and unique names you can find!
Pax, goddess of peace
Pluto, god of the underworld
Pomona, goddess of fruit trees and orchards
Fortuna, goddess of luck
Nemesis, goddess of retribution
Ceres, goddess of agriculture and fertility
Trivia, goddess of crossroads
Venus, goddess of love
Ops, goddess of the earth
Flora, goddess of flowers and spring
Pietas, goddess of duty
Somnus, god of sleep
Vertumnus, god of seasons
Luna, goddess of the moon
Maia, goddess of growth
Faunus, god of the forest
Mercury ( or Mercurius), god of financial gain
Saturn, god of agriculture and time
Aurora, goddess of dawn
Apollo, god of the sun, music, and prophecy
Bacchus, god of wine
Hercules, known for his great strength
Juno, queen of the gods
Bellona, goddess of war
Aequitas, goddess of fairness
Fides, goddess of loyalty and trust
Lares, the household gods protecting the family
Janus, god of beginnings
Minerva, goddess of wisdom
Mars, god of war
Felicitas, goddess of happiness
Diana, goddess of the moon
Vesta, goddess of the hearth and home
Vulcan, god of fire
Cupid, god of love
Terminus, god of boundaries
Disciplina, goddess of discipline
Neptune, god of the sea
Sol, god of the sun
Victoria, goddess of victory
Proserpina, goddess of the underworld
Jupiter, King of the gods
Charon, the ferryman of the underworld
Image Credit: Shvaygert Ekaterina, Shutterstock
Roman Names for Black Cats
The Romans spoke Latin, and there were many words for different concepts, such as darkness and light. If you have a black cat, the Latin words for darkness and everything it entails make excellent names!
Umbra, Latin for “Shadow”
Obumbrata, Latin for “Shadowed”
Opacum, Latin for “Shaded”
Stygio, Latin for “Stygian”
Obscurata, Latin for “Darkened”
Nubila, Latin for “Cloudy”
Opacum, Latin for “Opaque”
Illuni, Latin for “Moonless”
Orbus, Latin for “Sunless”
Pix (tenebrosa), Latin for “Pitch-dark”
Levis, Latin for “Lightless”
Roman Names for White Cats
Like black cats, cats with snow-white fur or interesting splotches of white can find the most complementary names in this list of Latin words associated with white. Some names can also be applied to cats with multi-colored fur or coats that glisten and shine.
Lucidus, Latin for “Bright”
Splendens, Latin for “Shining”
Vividus, Latin for “Vivid”
Clarus, Latin for “Clear”
Nitidus, Latin for “Lustrous”
Prismatica, Latin for “Prismatic”
Solaris, Latin for “Sunlit”
Lux Lunae, Latin for “Moonlight”
Lux Stellarum, Latin for “Starlight”
Micans, Latin for “Glimpse”
Image Credit: Voraorn Ratanakorn, Shutterstock
Roman Names Based on Personality
One of the first things we notice about a new cat or kitten is their personality. Whether they’re quiet and reserved or boisterous and lively, a cat’s personality is one of their defining features. Paying homage to it with a descriptive Roman word can be a great way to name your cat and celebrate what makes them unique.
Felix, Latin for “Happy”
Malevolum, Latin for “Grumpy”
Venator, Latin for “Hunter”
Amare, Latin for “Loving”
Insanis, Latin for “Crazy”
Gratus, Latin for “Grateful”
Final Thoughts
Naming your cat can seem daunting, but if you have a concept in your mind (such as the Romans), that’s a great start. This list of Roman names has incorporated as many different inspirations as possible, from basing the name on what your cat looks like to their shining personality. As long as you like the sound of the name, you’re comfortable using it, and your cat can learn it (reasonably) easily, you should be able to find lots of great names from our list to add to your own!
Beth is a mom to two toddlers: one with four legs, one with two. Beth has years of practical experience as a veterinary care assistant, working in both the operating room and in consult, expanding her knowledge to gain certification in her favorite subject: feline behavior and welfare! When she's not writing about her favorite topics (cats and creature comforts), she's looking after her two-year-old daughter and her mischievous eight-year-old Nebelung, Kiba. When she gets a moment's respite, Beth loves to delve into fiction books. Horror is her favorite genre, with fantasy and rich history being her second go-to's....Read more
