Choosing a cattery name is one of the most enjoyable parts of starting out as a breeder — and one of the most daunting, because you will live with it for decades. Your cattery name, registered with the GCCF as your prefix, sits at the front of every kitten you ever breed. This list is here to spark ideas: more than eighty cattery name suggestions grouped by style, plus how to turn a favourite into a prefix you can actually register. If you would rather have ideas built around your own words, our cattery prefix generator does exactly that.
Before you fall in love with a name
A few ground rules will save you disappointment. To be granted by the GCCF, a prefix must be unique and not resemble an existing one, must use only letters and a few symbols (dashes, apostrophes, asterisks, exclamation marks), and must not be offensive. Keep it short — the GCCF office recommends under 20 characters, and the full registered name (prefix plus the kitten’s name) can’t exceed 30 characters including spaces, so a long prefix eats into your naming room. Before you set your heart on one, check it against the GCCF registered prefix list, and have at least four choices ready. For the full application process, see the GCCF’s own guide on what a prefix is and how to apply.
Elegant & regal cattery names
Refined, timeless names that suit a pedigree cattery and sound graceful read aloud at a show.
- Ashbourne
- Belvoir
- Marchmont
- Kingsmere
- Eversleigh
- Wyndham
- Rosendale
- Carrington
- Pemberton
- Ravenscourt
- Sterling
- Aldermere
- Beaumont
- Hartwell
- Montrose
- Highclere
Nature & botanical cattery names
Soft, evocative names drawn from the countryside, trees and flowers — popular with breeders who want something warm and characterful.
- Willowmere
- Foxglove
- Bramblewood
- Hazelbrook
- Fernvale
- Meadowsweet
- Thistledown
- Aspenwood
- Briarmoor
- Elderflower
- Wildfell
- Honeyfern
- Rowanbrook
- Silverbirch
- Cloverleigh
- Mossgate
Exotic & oriental cattery names
Names with an exotic flavour suit Siamese, Oriental and Balinese catteries especially well, evoking the breed’s Eastern heritage.
- Suvarna
- Jasmine Star
- Sapphire Silk
- Indigo Lotus
- Saffron Moon
- Monsoon
- Jade Dynasty
- Mandalay
- Siam Royale
- Orient Pearl
- Lotusveil
- Amber Dynasty
- Silkmoon
- Mekong
- Cinnabar
Classic & traditional cattery names
Grounded, no-nonsense names — often based on a place, a house or a family word — that wear well over the years.
- Greyfriars
- Whitethorn
- Old Forge
- Ashby House
- Foldgate
- Manorholme
- Cobblestone
- Ridgeline
- Oakfold
- Parkstead
- Crownhill
- Abbotscote
- Stablemews
- Saint Bride
- Heritage
Playful & fun cattery names
If your cattery has a lighter personality, a playful prefix can be charming — just make sure it still sounds right in front of a formal show name.
- Whiskerwood
- Moonpaws
- Jellybean
- Pipsqueak
- Bumblepaws
- Cattitude
- Marshmallow
- Higgledy
- Purrfection
- Mistletoes
- Nimblewhisk
- Snickerdoodle
- Tinseltoes
- Pounceabout
- Picklepaws
How to make a name your own
The names above are starting points, not a guarantee — some may already be registered, so always check and have alternatives. The most meaningful prefixes are usually personal: your surname, the name of your house, village or street, a flower or tree you love, or a theme that runs through your cats. Try combining two words, adding an elegant ending like -mere, -wood or -haven, or shortening something longer. Our cattery prefix generator does this automatically from words you enter, and gives you a shuffleable shortlist with character counts so you stay within the GCCF limits.
Generate prefix ideas from your own words
Pop in a surname, a place or a favourite word and get a shortlist of GCCF-friendly prefixes in seconds.
Once you’ve chosen: naming your kittens
Your prefix is only half the story — each kitten then gets its own name after it. For how registered names work, the 30-character rule and how to keep a litter’s names consistent, see our guides to naming a pedigree kitten and litter naming themes. And when a litter is on the way, our litter planner maps out every key date.
Cattery name ideas: FAQ
Is a cattery name the same as a GCCF prefix?
Often, yes. People use “cattery name” loosely, but only a GCCF-registered prefix is official and protected. To use a name on your kittens’ registrations it must be granted as a prefix.
Can I just use a name from this list?
Treat them as inspiration. Some may already be registered, so check the GCCF prefix list first and have at least four choices ready when you apply.
How long should a cattery name be?
Shorter is better — the GCCF recommends under 20 characters, and a shorter prefix leaves more of the 30-character total for the kitten’s own name.
Names listed here are illustrative and not checked for availability. Always confirm against the current GCCF prefix list and rules before applying.
