Everybody knows what the term for a female dog is. (And really, it’s a shame that it’s been turned into a nasty and vulgar insult.)
But have you ever wondered what the slang terms for a female cat are?
If so, then this post is for you. I’ve done some research a list of all the different terms used to describe both female and male cat, plus their origins.
You might be surprised at how many there are. (I was.)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Catt has its source in the Late Latin “catus”, meaning: “domestic cat.” This Late Latin word probably derives from an Afro-Asiatic word: “kaddîska,” meaning “wild cat”.
Female Cats Can Be a Molly
“Molly” is a generic name for female cats, whether they are kitten or older. Molly can also refer to a “intact” (or spayed) cat, who will never be able to reach “queen” status. (See below.)
The term “Molly” is typically only used for female cats in North America. There are a few variations on the spelling of “Molly”, such as “Mollie”. But in most cases, “Molly” is the accepted standard. (You would refer to a female cat as “a Molly”, not “a Molly cat”.)
According to CatWiki, the name Molly comes from the term “Mollitia,” which means “softness” or maybe even “excessiveness.”
(If you’re a language geek like me, it comes from the Latin root word “mollis,” essentially means liquid or soft in nature. The additional suffix –ity implies tenderness or openness towards others (as opposed to firmness).
I’m not sure if “soft and tender” matches up with what you would call a typical female cat in today’s society, but it does make for an interesting origin story (if perhaps a bit of a sexist one).
Female Cats Can Be a Queen
Once a female cat reaches puberty, is pregnant, or is nursing, she graduates from a “Molly” to a “Queen.”
According to Metaphorical Playtus, he word “queen” comes from the old English “cwen,” meaning honoured woman or female ruler.
Referring to cats as queens began in England where cat breeders — probably jokingly — began calling their females of this species “queens.”
In multi-cat households or feral cat colonies, males tend to give way and allow female cats priority access for food sources. This makes sense biologically, because the female cats are the ones who are, or might soon become, pregnant and will require more nourishment both during the pregnancy and while nursing.
Female Cats Can Be a Dam
A female kitten is sometimes called a “dam” by cat breeders, but you won’t find the term often outside of documents kept by organizations and their member cats.
The word ‘dam’ for a purebred female cat is mostly used by animal breeders in reference to cat breeding. The term can also refer to other species including horses and chickens, but it’s not common outside those circles.
People suspect the origin of this lesser-known term comes from the term “dame,” which refers to either a matronly woman of older age or a honored woman of a higher class, both of which are fitting for the types of cats we call dams.
Why is a Male Cat Called a Tomcat?
Back in the day, male cats used to be called “boars or “rams.”
Then, according to The Nest, in 1760 the book The Life and Adventures of a Cat was published. The popular feline character Tom the Cat wooed many females until he met his match with one female who would not be bested.
After this book came out, people began calling male cats “Toms.” (It also became a slang term for promiscuous behavior.)
The use of the word “Tom” to describe a cat became even common after the Hanna-Barbera cartoon shorts “Tom and Jerry” came out.
Tom & Jerry — Concert Madness
A Male Cat Can be Called a Gib
According to Petcosset, once a male cat is neutered, it’s no longer a tom, but a gib.
Gib cats are less territorial than toms and prefer to stay home, which make sense since they have no need or desire to roam around looking for a mate.
A Male Cat Can Be Called a Sire
When a tomcat becomes a daddy, he is called a ‘sire’. The word ‘sire’ means “to parent or father.” It’s also a term used as a respectful way of addressing for male European monarchs.
What is a Group of Cats Called?
According to Today I Found Out, there are three different ways to refer to a group of cats:
- Clowder
- Clutter
- Glaring
Popular Female Cat Names
According to Travel & Leisure, the top 50 names for female cats and kittens are:
- Luna
- Bella
- Lucy
- Kitty
- Lily
- Nala
- Chloe
- Cleo
- Stella
- Sophie
- Daisy
- Lola
- Willow
- Mia
- Gracie
- Callie
- Olive
- Molly
- Cali
- Kiki
- Ellie
- Princess
- Penny
- Pepper
- Lilly
- Zoey
- Rosie
- Coco
- Phoebe
- Piper
- Pumpkin
- Maggie
- Zoe
- Millie
- Minnie
- Lulu
- Hazel
- Ginger
- Shadow
- Baby
- Penelope
- Boo
- Ruby
- Mittens
- Izzy
- Belle
- Sadie
- Angel
- Charlie
- Athena
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and gained some knowledge about the names for male and female cats. Now you can impress your friends and family with all your newly discovered kitty knowledge!