Introduction
There’s nothing quite as stunning in the feline world as a fluffy, Persian cat. These kitties are one of the oldest cat breeds in the world, and are believed to originate in ancient Mesopotamia, later known as Persia. When they arrived in Europe, their luxuriously long and silky coats seduced everyone from peasant to royalty, so it was no surprise when they won the top prize at the very first cat show in 1871.
If you are lucky enough to have a Persian in your life, you’ll want to choose a name that reflects their beauty, ancient origins or purrsonality. Check out these unique names to give your furry bud a title worthy of this stunning and historic breed.
Persian Cat Names in Pop Culture
Exotic and mythical, the name Xerxes has become quite popular for cats of all varieties, including Persians, and its easy to see why. Xerxes the Great has forever cemented his place in human history as the most famous Persian ruler. Powerful and vicious, this God-King was meant for greatness.
He was born Xerxes I in 519 BCE in Persepolis, Iran, the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire to King Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great, king and founder of the Empire. After his service to Cyrus and his son after him, Darius helped overthrow an illegitimate ruler only to take the throne for himself. Darius the Great had vastly expanded Persian rule through military campaigns stretching into Egypt, India, and European Scythia before setting his sights on the lands of the Greeks. After several successful battles, Darius sought to take Athens, but was defeated in the Battle of Marathon. Before he was able to mount another invasion, Darius died in 486 BCE, marking the moment his son Xerxes became the King of Persia.
While his grandfather Cyrus was tolerance of different religious and cultural beliefs, Xerxes saw his conquered peoples as only subjects, ruling with military violence. To quell a Babylonian revolt, he had a golden statue of their patron deity Marduk melted down, and ignored the local traditions Cyrus had upheld.
After quelling several rebellions, Xerxes honored his father by mounting another attack on Athens. Amassing a large army that was numbered in the millions, he faced several setbacks. Water seemed to rise to stop his progress, and the bridges he ordered to be built for his army to advance were destroyed by a storm. Furious, Xerxes ordered the very sea to be lashed, shackled and punished, and the bridge builders to be beheaded. The Greeks struggled to defend their lands as Xerxes burned Athens. After several more battles, the Greeks managed to defeat the Persian forces, and Xerxes returned home with a ghost of an army.
Once the realm of historians, Xerxes’ story was brought to life for modern audiences in the graphic novel 300 by Frank Miller which details his battles against the Greeks. In the subsequent film 300, we watch the Spartan King Leonidas as he leads 300 of his countrymen into battle against Xerxes and his Persian forces. While the Spartans are defeated here, we again see the Greek armies in the sequel 300: Rise of an Empire, as they defeat Xerxes and his Persian army.
Persian Cat Name Considerations
Giving your Persian kitty a name from their homeland is a great way to honor their heritage, and many of these ancient monikers sound exotic to the western ear. But your Persian also has several characteristics that could inspire a pawfect name.
Persians sport gorgeous long-hair that comes in many colors, including tri-colors and even calico. If you’ve got a kitty who looks like the white Fancy Feast cat, perhaps a Ghost, Everest or even Ivory would fit. Bleu or Skye would be great names for a blue colored feline, while Smokey or Misty would be better for a gray cat. Or how about Champagne for an off-white or tan coat, or Caramel or Latte for a brown one?
Often, the eyes that peer out of that luxurious coat are just as stunning, so maybe a name that reflects those heavenly orbs would fit your furry feline. Try Sapphire or Indigo for blue eyes, or Jade or Ivy for green ones. For those copper eyes, perhaps Amber, or Topaz for eyes that are just undefinable.
Many Persians are pretty laid-back, and are often affectionate cuddlers. Names like Honey or Serenity may better suit your kitty’s disposition. But for your fluffy ruler, Leo may just say it all.
Male Persian Cat Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| -1 |
Dante
Medieval writer Dante Alighieri’s name means “everlasting”.
|
|
| -1 |
Amir
Whether Arabic for “prince”, or Persian for “king”, this name denotes greatness.
|
|
| -1 |
Mr. Bigglesworth
Let's not furget Dr. Evil's precious Persian from the film 'Austin Powers'.
|
|
| -1 |
Parviz
For a good-natured cat, this Persian name means “happy”.
|
|
| -1 |
Onyx
This dark gemstone would be a solid name for the black Persian in your life.
|
|
| -1 |
Sebastian
A Greek title that meant “venerable”.
|
|
| -1 |
Oliver
Latin for “olive tree”, this name would pawfectly describe your kitty’s green eyes or peaceful disposition.
|
|
| -1 |
Marduk
A Babylonian god of compassion, magic and justice.
|
|
| -1 |
Chewbacca
Got a brown furball who seems like they are from a galaxy far far away?
|
|
| -1 |
Izad
Persian word for “God” or “angel”.
|
|
| -1 |
Darius
King Darius the Great, and father to Xerxes.
|
|
| -1 |
Armin
This Persian title means “Dweller in the Garden of Eden”.
|
|
| -1 |
Oscar
An Irish name for “deer lover”, or just a grouchy boy.
|
|
| -1 |
Dari
One of the Persian languages.
|
|
| -1 |
Guiness
The deep dark brown to black color of this thick beverage may purrfectly reflect your cat’s coat.
|
|
| -1 |
Khan
Indian name for “king”.
|
|
| -1 |
Philo
Furbulous name that means “loving” in Greek.
|
|
| -1 |
Adonis
Does your cat know he’s gorgeous? Then this Greek god of beauty may fit.
|
|
| -1 |
Gizmo
Pawfect if your cat resembles this squished nose mogwai from Gremlins.
|
|
| -1 |
Xerxes
The Persian King Xerxes the Great.
|
|
| -1 |
Luxor
An ancient Egyptian city once under Persian rule.
|
|
| -1 |
Grigio
Simply divine for a white-coated gentleman.
|
|
| -1 |
Parsa
Meaning “devout” or simply “persian”.
|
|
| -1 |
Cobalt
Great moniker for a furry, black cat.
|
|
| -1 |
Basir
Persian or Arabic name that means “wise”.
|
|
| -1 |
Cyrus
Persian king and grandfather of Xerxes.
|
|
| -1 |
Caspar
“King of Treasure” in Persian.
|
|
| -1 |
Duke
A royal title for your spoiled feline.
|
|
| -1 |
Cosmo
This name means “order”, but truly meant the opposite with Seinfeld’s Cosmo Kramer.
|
|
| -2 |
Taki
The name of writer Raymond Chandler’s lovely black Persian.
|
Female Persian Cat Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| -1 |
Princess
Splendid title for a cat who believes you live to serve her.
|
|
| -1 |
Cleo
Short for Cleopatra, the beautiful Egyptian queen.
|
|
| -1 |
Bardot
Bridgette Bardot, a famously gorgeous actress.
|
|
| -1 |
Crystal
Pawfect for a cat with sparkling eyes or a sunny temperament.
|
|
| -1 |
Bella
This Italian word for “beautiful” would fit your stunning girl.
|
|
| -1 |
Darya
If your Persian’s eyes shine like the sea, try this name for “ocean”.
|
|
| -1 |
Sofie
A variation of Sophie meaning “wisdom”.
|
|
| -1 |
Florence
After Florence Nightingale who loved Persians, and had over 60 cats in her lifetime.
|
|
| -1 |
Arya
This Game of Thrones heroine sports a Persian title that means “noble”.
|
|
| -1 |
Chanel
Purrfectly suited for an elegant and proper cat.
|
|
| -1 |
Mina
If your kitty shines like a gem, try this Persian word for “glass” or “enamel”.
|
|
| -1 |
India
An exotic moniker for your one-of-a-kind feline.
|
|
| -1 |
Chloe
This popular Greek name denotes young, blooming life.
|
|
| -1 |
Frida
Found in almost any language, this name for "peaceful" expresses the calm disposition of many Persian kitties.
|
|
| -1 |
Sahar
For a kitty who loves to wake you up, perhaps this Persian name meaning “dawn”.
|
|
| -1 |
Mitsou
Marilyn Monroe’s white Persian beauty.
|
|
| -1 |
Yasmin
The delicate jasmine flower.
|
|
| -1 |
Amaya
Arabic for “night rain”.
|
|
| -1 |
Sheba
Famous Biblical queen who was said to be stunningly beautiful.
|
|
| -1 |
Leila
This Persian name meaning “night” or “dark” would fit a dark-coated gal.
|
|
| -1 |
Victoria
After Queen Victoria who loved her Persian kitty White Heather.
|
|
| -1 |
Esta
This name meaning “star” comes from the Hebrew Ester.
|
|
| -1 |
Artemisia
Greek queen who sided with Xerxes and the Persians.
|
|
| -1 |
Jewel
If your cat is your most precious possession.
|
|
| -1 |
Aphrodite
Got a goddess on your hands? The name of beauty personified may be the right fit.
|
|
| -1 |
Bianca
Italian for “white”.
|
|
| -1 |
Lacey
This name conjures the image of soft, delicate lace.
|
|
| -1 |
Roxana
“Star of magnificence” in Persian.
|
|
| -1 |
Zana
For your girly cat, this Persian word means “woman”.
|
|
| -1 |
Sasha
If you’ve got a brave defender, this Russian name would be pawfect.
|
Written by Kim Rain
Published: 04/27/2021, edited: 08/06/2023
More articles by Kim Rain
Dog Name Stories
You May Also Like
