Cat Names that Start with I

Introduction

If you’re preparing to welcome a new feline family member, choosing a name is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make.

But where do you start? Do you give your fur-baby a cute moniker, something quirky and funny, a name that suits their adorable looks, or maybe a name that reflects their charming personality? Remember, you’re going to be saying and hearing your cat’s name a lot in the years to come, so this is a decision you don’t want to rush.

If you’re searching for impressive cat names that start with I, keep reading for plenty of interesting and inventive ideas and inspiration.

Love an I name that's not on our list? Share it or the story behind it below and tag @wagwalking on Twitter for a chance to be featured on our socials!

Cat Names that Start with I in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Cat Name that Starts with I

India "Willie" Bush

Unfortunately, examples of cat names starting with the letter I in pop culture are few and far between. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find any inspiration to help you name your new fur-baby.

In fact, to find a cat who's had a significant impact on the public consciousness, you don’t need to look any further than the corridors of power of the White House. It was there that a black American Shorthair known as India “Willie” Bush, beloved kitty of George and Laura Bush, served 2 terms as the nation’s first feline.

When the Bushes welcomed this gorgeous kitty into their family in the early 1990s, they named her after Ruben “El Indio” Sierra, a former Texas Rangers baseball player. And while she shared presidential pet duties in the White House with Scottish Terriers Barney and Miss Beazley, India was clearly a very important furry family member.

Sadly, this gorgeous feline passed away in 2009 at the grand old age of 18. “India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed,” said a spokeswoman for First Lady Laura Bush at the time.

Cat Names that Start with I Considerations

The process you go through to choose a name for your cat can be as simple or as complicated as you like. If you prefer the “less is more” approach, you might take one glance at your kitty and decide, “You look like an Igor,” or, “I like the sound of Isabel for you.”

But if you’re determined to consider your pet’s name from every possible angle, there’s a huge range of factors you can take into account. These include:

Your cat’s looks. Some cats just “look” like a certain name. So if your kitty is fluffy, chubby, scrawny, silky, or has unique markings on their fur, this might inspire your choice of name.
Your cat’s personality. Rather than picking out a name in advance, it’s well worth getting to know your cat before deciding what to call them. Once you get a taste of their personality — whether they’re cheeky and clever, lazy and laid-back, idle or impish, or anything in between — you’ll be able to choose a name that suits them right down to the ground.
Your interests. Got a favorite movie or TV show (Inspector Gadget?), a musician you idolize (Iggy Pop?), or even a famous figure from history who inspires you (like Isaac Newton)? Maybe you could name your cat in their honor.
The length of the name. Shorter names are easier for cats to learn. They’re also easier for you to pronounce, which is particularly welcome if you’re going to be saying their name dozens of times a day.
Unisex names. Found a unisex name you love for your cat? Great. Just be ready to spend the rest of your cat’s life correcting people when they get their gender wrong.
Let everyone have their say. Choosing a cat name is a job for the whole family, so don’t leave it to just 1 person. Let everyone make suggestions and have their input about the names they do and don’t like.
Make it timeless. If all goes well, your cat could be part of your life for a large part of the next 2 decades. With this in mind, be careful not to choose a name that isn’t going to be outdated 2 or 5 years down the track.

Male Cat Names that Start with I

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Iago Fictional villain and schemer from Shakespeare’s Othello
0	Ian Scottish version of John
0	Icarus For the cat that loves soaking up some sunshine
0	Ice Gives you an excuse to sing “Ice Ice Baby” any time you want
0	Icky For the cat that always seems to make a mess
0	Idris An Arabic and Welsh name also sported by English actor Idris Elba
0	Iggy From Iggy Pop to Iggy Azalea, a name that hits all the right notes
0	Ignacio Spanish name meaning “fiery”. Ideal for a feisty kitty (or just one with ginger fur)
0	Ike Like Ike? This name means “laughter” and was famously the nickname of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
0	Indiana Like the archeologist/adventurer played by Harrison Ford
0	Ingmar Name of Norse origin made famous by Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman
0	Irish For the cat that seems to have the luck of the Irish
0	Isaac Hebrew name that means “he will laugh”
0	Isaiah Name of an Old Testament prophet that has been a regular feature in lists of the top 100 baby names since the mid-’90s
0	Ishaan Hindu name linked to the deity Shiva
0	Ishmael Call me Ishmael if you’re a fan of Moby Dick
0	Italo Means “from Italy”
0	Itchy Like the cartoon mouse from The Simpsons, hopefully without the homicidal streak
0	Ivan Commonly associated with Ivan the Terrible
0	Ironman For your feline hero
0	Itachi Popular anime character from the Naruto universe
0	Inigo Made famous by Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride
0	Iroh Major character from Avatar: The Last Airbender
0	Istredd Add a touch of magic with this name from The Witcher
0	Igmund Name your little Khajit after Skyrim's Jarl of Whiterun
0	Inuyasha Main protagonist from the Japanese manga series of the same name
0	Ilyn Game of Thrones name that gives new meaning to the expression "cat got your tongue?"
0	Illidan Bad guy from the Warcraft video game series
0	Idol For the cat you look up to
0	Ioan For a unique Welsh name

Female Cat Names that Start with I

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Icon For the cat that is widely admired
0	Ibby Shortened form of Elizabeth or Isabel
0	Ilona Variant of Helen common in Finland and Hungary
0	Ilsa Like the classic heroine from Casablanca, who happened to be played by another famous name starting with I
0	Imogen A name that may possibly have been created following the long-ago misprinting of the name “Innogen”
0	India Named after the country, which itself is named for the Indus River
0	Indigo If you want to name your kitty after a color of the rainbow
0	Infinity For the cat you’ll love for ever and ever and ever
0	Ingrid A name shared by everyone from stars of the silver screen to Norwegian princesses
0	Inky For something a little bit different
0	Ireland The perfect choice for any pet parent particularly fond of the Emerald Isle
0	Iris A pretty moniker for a cat, but be aware that the flower of the same name is actually toxic to felines
0	Isabel A pretty name no matter how you spell it
0	Isis Name of an ancient Egyptian goddess
0	Italy Mamma mia! Add some Italian flair with this lovely name
0	Ivana Slavic name made famous in the US by the ex-wife of business mogul and later president Donald Trump
0	Ivette French name and a variation of Yvette
0	Ivory “Pawfect” for a kitty with gorgeous white fur
0	Ivy Taken from the plant of the same name
0	Incy For the pint-sized feline
0	Ivysaur For the Pokemon-loving pet parent
0	Iridessa Light fairy from Disney's Fairies franchise
0	Isa Cute and clever green iguana from Dora the Explorer
0	Innoko Name inspired by the beautiful Innoko National Wildlife Refuge
0	Indira Made famous by former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi
0	Inferno For the fiery feline in your life
0	Igglybuff Cute pink Pokemon with a very distinctive name
0	Impa Recurring character in The Legend of Zelda
0	Ibuki Street Fighter character known for her tricky but lethal moves
0	Ishiko Japanese name that means "little stone"