100+ Tortoiseshell Cat Names

As any cat owner can attest to, felines are adored because of their quirky natures and independent personalities. But let’s face it. Cats are also loved because of their adorable, strokable fur. While this fur comes in all kinds of colors and designs, tortoiseshell cats are uniquely celebrated for their bi-colored coats that resemble— yes, you guessed it — the shell of a tortoise!

What many people may not know is that tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. While male tortoiseshell cats do exist, they are rare and usually sterile. The reason for this comes down to genetics: the same chromosomes that determine sex also determine the color of your cat’s fur.

To celebrate the appearance and character of tortoiseshell cats, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite names. Whether you’re after a funny name or one that ascribes to your cat’s colorful coat of fur, we’ve got the ultimate list below.

10 Favorite Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Choosing an ideal tortoiseshell cat name isn’t easy, especially when there are so many fun and unusual options. Below is a list of our top 10 favorites.

• Banshee – particularly good if your cat is the hyper type.
• Confetti – ideal for a playful feline.
• Cupcake – for the sweet cat in your life.
• Frankenstein – great if your cat is a bit of a “monster” around the house.
• Petunia – floral and fun.
• Pouncer – a cute name for a boisterous cat.
• Shadow – suited to a cat with a darker shade of fur (or personality).
• Snickers – reminiscent of the candy bar and its multiple gooey layers.
• Storm – great for a cat with gray or darker coloring (or mood).
• Tortie – hey, why not go literal?

10 Funny Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Tortoiseshell cats come in a range of funky colors and designs, which encourages plenty of amusing and quirky names.

• Carrot Top – ideal for an orange tortoiseshell cat with pronounced facial features.
• Cheddar – another food reference that suits white or orange tortoiseshells (depending on which country you’re from).
• Kumquat – it’s fun to say and great for a cute cat.
• Morticia – suited to cantankerous female felines.
• Mottley – a popular name for tortoiseshell cats.
• Nacho – this name suits cats of all types but is great if you like Mexican food.
• OJ – short, but sweet — like the orange juice!
• Paisley – a great way to honor the colored patterns of your kitty’s fur.
• Twilight – for the cat who loves to explore under the setting sun.
• Zebra – ideal for honoring the alternating fur shades on your cat.

10 Famous Tortoiseshell Cat Names

While tortoiseshell cats aren’t as popular as tabbies in films, there are some fantastic names that suit this variety of feline. Below are ten famous characters whose name would suit a tortoiseshell cat.

• Ariel – The Little Mermaid
• Bella – The Twilight Series
• Cadence – My Little Pony
• Daenerys – Game of Thrones
• Elektra – Daredevil
• Jasmine – Aladdin
• Megara – Hercules
• Primrose – The Hunger Games
• Storm – X-Men
• Trinity – The Matrix series
• Zatanna – Batman

10 Gray Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Gray tortoiseshell cats come in beautiful shades ranging from dark to light. Below are some great names to highlight this soft coloring.

• Ash – the calm after the fire, gray tortoiseshell cats often have this coloring.
• Cinder – like the solidified lava, this name denotes a dark, gray kitty.
• Coal – good for black and gray felines.
• Ember – ideal for a cat with dark features or a “burning” personality.
• Onyx – while often black, onyx can also have dazzling streaks of gray.
• Mystique – for those mysterious gray cats!
• Pepper – black and white shaded felines would suit this name.
• Pewter – for the steely gray cat.
• Shady – great for cats with pronounced patches of color.
• Stormy – like the clouds!

10 Rust-Colored Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Rust is another popular tortoiseshell cat color. These cats tend to have a deep and mysterious appearance which can be enhanced by granting them one of the names below.

• Brandy – the infamous reddish-brown liquor.
• Cayenne – spicy and red, this would suit a cat with some spark.
• Cherry – for a feline with a sweet personality.
• Garnet – like the beautiful gemstone.
• Henna – the exquisite coloring used in body art and tattooing.
• Red – why not go with something simple and to the point?
• Remy – the rich red cognac.
• Rosie – great for representing both color and femininity.
• Rusty – appealing to a literal color is always a win.
• Scarlet – for the sexy cat with a deep character.

10 Orange Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Orange tortoiseshell cats tend to have brighter fur, and this color can conjure an array of interesting names.

• Apricot – dried or fresh, it’s a sweet fruit that makes for a great name.
• Butterscotch – for the light-colored or striped tortoiseshell variety.
• Clementine – reminiscent of the citrus, this also suits cats with a western twang.
• Daffodil – a delicate name, like the flower.
• Goldie – for cats with a blingy personality.
• Lady Marmalade – a nice shout-out to this orange peel spread.
• Marigold – like the bold, beautiful flowers.
• Peaches – a sweet name for a sweet cat.
• Pumpkin – bright orange tortoiseshell cats would suit this name.
• Saffron – if your cat’s fur is a mix of orange and yellow, saffron could be a hit!
• Tawny – like the rich orange color this name derives from.

10 Brown Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Like their gray kin, brown tortoiseshell cats often come in light and dark shades. Below are some suitable names, many of which hark back to food!

• Brownie – like the delicious treat, this name would suit a sweet feline.
• Caramel – if your cat is a lighter color, caramel is a fun way to pay tribute to that.
• Chocolate – ideal if your tortoiseshell cat is of the darker brown variety.
• Ice T – like the rapper. Or make it Iced Tea, the summer drink.
• Kit Kat – for a cat with a “crisp” personality.
• Nutmeg – good for a cat with a hint of spice.
• Reese – if you love chocolate and peanut butter…
• Root Beer – ideal for a dark brown tortoiseshell cat.
• Toffee – for the lighter brown cat with a “sugary” disposition.
• Twix – great for a fun and energetic cat with multiple shades of brown.

10 Black Tortoiseshell Cat Names

Black tortoiseshell cats are known for their contrasting splashes of color. Below are some fitting names for this darker variety of the tortoiseshell pattern.

• Bean – think tacos or burritos!
• Char – burnt comes to mind.
• Coffee – ideal if you also love this stimulating morning beverage.
• Ebony – would suit a simple and elegant feline.
• Licorice – the name of this yummy candy would fit a playful feline.
• Midnight – black as…
• Opal – reminiscent of the shiny stone, this would suit an elegant kitty.
• Espresso – if drip coffee doesn’t quite cut it…
• Raisinette – great for the fan of chocolate-covered raisins.
• Raven – like this predatory bird, Raven would suit a strong-willed feline.
• Stormy – a good name to denote either a dark color or tempestuous temperament.

10 Tortoiseshell Cat Names Based on Pattern

Color isn’t the only outstanding characteristic of a tortoiseshell cat. If you’re keen to name them according to the lines and patterns in their fur, below are some great options.

• Brindle – a stripe-like pattern.
• Checker (or Check) – like the game board with alternating block patterns.
• Dottie – for a cat with a spotted coat.
• Freckles – great for a speckled tortoiseshell cat.
• Marble – this name would suit fur with swirls of color.
• Pebbles – if your cat’s fur has small round patches, this name would suit them well.
• Pixel – for the geometric-patterned cat.
• Spot – ideal for cats with strong patches of color.
• Stripes – whether they’re zig-zagged or straight, stipes is a fitting name for a cat with lines.
• Swirl – for the tortoiseshell furball that is “churning” with color.

10 Male Tortoiseshell Cat Names

While male tortoiseshell cats are rare, they do exist. Below are ten potential names for the uncommon masculine tortoiseshell feline.

• Felix
• Max
• Lucky
• Jasper
• Nadir – means “rare” in Arabic.
• Omar
• Peter
• Ray
• Xavier
• Winston

10 Female Tortoiseshell Cat Names

As female tortoiseshell cats are the most common, there is no shortage of name options! But, in the interest of space, we’ve narrowed it down to ten.

• Arielle
• Birdie
• Cleo
• Dawn
• Gypsy
• Isla
• Mia
• Sage
• Trixie
• Zoe

Choosing a Name for Your Tortoiseshell Cat

Choosing the best name for your cat always comes down to personal choice. But, if you’re after one for a tortoiseshell cat, the lists above can be a useful guide for determining which one fits the appearance and personality of your special feline.

For example, if your cat’s coloring is distinct, you could go with one of the gray, rust, orange, or black categories.

Alternatively, if your kitty stands out because of its hilarious personality, you could go for a funny tortoiseshell cat name instead. Whatever you decide, have fun!