To think that a cat doesn't actually need a name?

[moussakka]

I've unintentionally adopted a stray kitten recently, who is lovely. I thought about giving him a name, but actually on reflection, it seems silly. He doesn't care or know the difference, and it just means that I have to call out something when letting him in. People have told me that I should name him, but it seems silly. He doesn't care. I would actually feel ridiculous calling out 'Harry' or whatever, from my doorstep. It's a cat. I don't have kids btw, so this doesn't impact any little people. (If I did, I'd let them decide on one). AIBU?

This is the book you need if its a Fat Cat!

Of course you should, how will they learn to recognise their name and that you're calling for them. Visitors are usually surprised that our house cats respond when their own name is called, just like dogs. They both come running, and more quickly, if you shout 'food'

Call him Quaver.

He's gorgeous!

@notamummy I agree that cats have a sense of identity, but I think they are different to humans, and it is not based on their 'human' name. Although that's not to say that I am against naming cats, I'm not! I don't have more than one though, so he knows exactly who I'm referring to when I make [insert affectionate cat calling sound here] noise. :)

Oh @diddle, I quite like George actually! Maybe I just haven't found the right name yet????!?

If he's called Puss anyway that could just be short for Pussolini?

Or Chairman Meow? That wouldn't sound odd shouted from a door step at all.

If you like Elvis and Morrissey for cat names, what about Ed Sheeran or Mick Hucknall for your cat?

I've always named cats but in recent additions to our family they don't really care and don't come to their names (2 boys) just to noise calls - puss puss or whistle, so I kind of agree with OP.

@mandatory love it!!!!!!!!!!!! A friend actually suggested I call him Lenin, and I was like what would the neighbours think haha

OHHHHH @thehippapotamus! You fiend!!! :p The horror

Moussakka would be a pretty cool cat name.

Our rescue moggy came ready named as as she was 10 years old we couldn't really change it.

When I found compost heap cat I was quite happy to call her that
but we gave her a proper name for the vet records
she was generally known as stinky for the months she lived with us
and is now buried next to the compost heap where I found her

cats name themselves - give it a month and you'll see

He is currently sleeping soundly next to me, absolutely oblivious to it all

He's so cute though! He deserves a name.

And frankly, I think Prince is a great name all round. It suits him well, is timely, and he can grow into it from "Little Prince."

@Talkinpeace aww rest in peace compost heap cat! I sort of saw it like that - a name would present itself... And I kind of feel that if one doesn't, then I can't really bring myself to just assign it some random thing

We had a cat called Cat. She adopted us, and hung around for a while before she decided to move in, so we had got used to calling her Cat and by the time we found out her name was something else that didn't suit her she was just Cat.

(Before anyone shouts at me, we tried to give Cat back to her owners several times but she wasn't having any of it.)

@sexlube omg I love it!!!!!!!!!!

Another of our cats was called Thief.
well actually we knew there was a thief coming in and stealing from the food bowls
then we became aware that the cat flap clicked three times at night not two
then we kept catching our cats hissing at a chest of drawers
then we found that Thief slept under it.
We had no idea where she came from
we think she lived with us for a couple of months before we actually saw her.
We made friends with her for a month but the other cats bullied her
so we gave her away to a work colleague
who gave her a new name and kept her for 6 years

My neighbours have a cat called Fish

My nan has a cat she called puss puss till my ds called him cous cous... he is now just ginge

We have a rosie, although she does respond when I shout cat

Thanks @noncommital :) and sorry! @Rosie

Completely irrelevant but just feel like it's time for Rossini's cat duet.

Mine has a name - a really boring name she was given before we rehomed her but usually gets called 'fleabag' from when frontline let me down badly a few years ago (she doesn't have fleas now but it stuck) or 'fatcat' (although she has recovered from her middle age spread and isn't anymore)...she only gets called her real name when she is pissing me off - deciding she no longer likes that particular cat food just when I've bought 12 tins and is pestering me to change it...(FGS cat name you have food in your bowl!)
Actually really funny she is currently sat on my desk and is watching what I am typing on the screen and just given me a really disapproving look - so not only does she recognise her name when called ...but she can read too!

@talkinpeace my goodness!!!! I'm equally impressed, in awe and horrified!!! Long live Thief!!!