Why Do We Humanize Our Cats? A Deep Dive into Cat Naming
People often assign names to their pets that suit the cat’s personality. It’s a common practice to choose names that reflect the cat’s character, with many pet owners naming their feline friends after people or the overall vibe associated with a specific name. This practice allows pet owners to connect emotionally with their pets, giving them a sense of individuality and personality.
Is It Appropriate to Give Cats Human Names?
This practice raises the question of whether it is appropriate to give cats human names. Some suggest that cats should be named in a more ‘feline’ manner, using traditional cat names like Ginger, Tabby, or Blackie. Others argue that cats don’t care about the names given to them as long as they receive adequate attention and care. However, a 'know-it-all' acquaintance once recommended against giving human names to cats, arguing that they are ‘cats, not people’ and should therefore be named accordingly. This rationale doesn't seem valid, as cats, much like dogs, are pets and their names don’t make a significant difference unless the names evoke a certain sense of personality or feelings.
The Personalization of Cat Names
My own experience with pet naming confirms the emotional and personal aspect of pet names. I have always named my pets based on the feeling or personality associated with a particular name, never typically after a person or a traditional cat name. For example, naming a cat ‘Ugly Monster’ might seem silly, but the cat doesn’t care and soon learns that the name is associated with food, cuddles, and other positive experiences.
Naming My Current Cats
Currently, I have three cats named Amber, Lucy, and Joey. Amber has amber-colored eyes, and even when a veterinarian confirmed her as a female, I never changed her name. Lucy, a sweet and independent cat, was named after a drama club acquaintance who shares her independent nature. Joey, described as a ‘cool cat’ who has a bit of cheek, is named after Joey from Friends, albeit with a creative twist that wouldn’t have pursued the neighborhood cats due to his neutered status.
Naming Cats After People or Characters
The names of my cats have been inspired by people or fictional characters. One of my ginger cats was originally named Reg, short for Reginald. My son suggested 'Roland Rat and Little Reggie' characters as names, but settled on 'Reggie' which later became just 'Reg'. Interestingly, my nephew had an uncle named Reg, yet 'Reggie's' persona seemed to fit the cat better, blending the personal and the fictional.
Scaling Up: My Former Dog Named Ben
A similar practice extended to my ex-husband and I’s Labrador, named Ben. Our experience was less about a person’s name and more about a specific character in a play. My husband played an old, faithful labrador called Ben in a short play at a drama festival. The character was wise and lovable, leading us to name our labrador Ben. Ben indeed became a wise old dog, embodying the lovable traits he portrayed in the play.
Consistency Is Key
No matter the cat's personality, a consistent name works wonders in building a sense of identity for the pet. My current cats, each with their own name, know and respond to it. Many cats, however, are more rigid in their naming, responding only to their own names, like the emphatic ‘Dinner’ that means food, regardless of the time of day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to naming cats or other pets. The core principle is to choose a name that reflects the pet’s personality and/or creates a positive emotional connection. Consistency and the ability to respond to the name are key factors. Whether you name your cat Amber, Lucy, Joey, or Reg, the name is less about the cat’s internal feelings and more about the human-animality bond that you wish to establish.