Black Cat Names: 90 Mysterious, Magical & Cute Ideas

Black cats are pure magic — sleek, mysterious, and impossibly elegant, with eyes that glow like little moons in the dark. They've been companions to witches, symbols of luck (good and bad, depending on where you live), and the stars of countless spooky tales. Honestly, they're the most underrated cats around — endlessly photogenic, full of personality, and basically tiny panthers prowling your living room. So your midnight beauty deserves a name as striking as that glossy coat.

Here are 90 of the best black cat names — mysterious, magical, witchy, cute, and cool — sorted by vibe so you can find the perfect fit. I've also added tips for choosing a name that suits your sleek shadow. Whether you want spooky, celestial, or simply adorable, let's find your black cat their perfect name.

🌑 Mysterious & dark-inspired names

The most natural place to start with a black cat is that gorgeous midnight coat. These names celebrate all that sleek, shadowy beauty:

Shadow, Onyx, Sable, Soot, Ash, Ebony, Jet, Coal, Inky, Midnight, Raven, Smokey, Pitch, Cinder, Noir, Velvet, Obsidian, Slate, Espresso, Licorice, Pepper, Bean, Olive (ironic), Domino, Panther.

Shadow, Onyx, and Raven are the standout dark-inspired picks — they capture that sleek, mysterious vibe perfectly. Sable and Ebony are gorgeous, slightly grander options, while Soot, Inky, and Coal are cute and characterful for a smaller black kitty.

🔮 Witchy & magical names

Black cats and magic go together like a cat and a sunbeam — these names lean into that mystical, spellbinding charm:

Salem, Hex, Magic, Spell, Pyewacket, Binx, Sabrina, Luna, Nyx, Hecate, Merlin, Circe, Mystic, Raven, Voodoo, Tarot, Cosmo, Crow, Familiar, Witch-hazel (Hazel), Morgana, Bewitched (Bea), Spooky, Gris-gris, Omen.

Salem is the all-time favorite black cat name — witchy, iconic, and instantly fitting (thank you, Sabrina). Binx (from Hocus Pocus) and Pyewacket (a classic witch's-cat name) are beloved picks for the spooky-season superfan. Nyx, the Greek goddess of night, is a gorgeous, mysterious choice.

🌙 Celestial & night-sky names

A black cat is basically a piece of the night sky come to life — these cosmic names suit that nocturnal soul beautifully:

Luna, Nyx, Vesper, Cosmo, Eclipse, Nova, Orion, Comet, Star, Stella, Galaxy, Selene, Astrid, Twilight, Moon, Meteor, Nebula, Cosmos, Celeste, Astro, Sirius, Indigo, Crescent, Dusk, Solstice.

Luna, Vesper, and Nyx are the standout celestial picks — they nod to the moon, the evening star, and the goddess of night, all perfect for a creature most active after dark. Orion and Sirius are great cosmic choices for a boy black cat.

🥰 Cute & cool black cat names

Not every black cat needs a spooky name — plenty suit something simply adorable or effortlessly cool:

Beans, Olive, Pepper, Mochi, Gizmo, Boo, Bean, Domino, Tuxedo (Tux), Bagheera (Baggy), Sylvester, Felix, Jiji, Toothless, Berlioz, Figaro, Loki, Zorro, Bowie, Cocoa, Truffle, Guinness, Pumpernickel, Brownie, Licorice.

Boo, Beans, and Olive are adorable, low-key picks that suit a sweet black kitty. Jiji (the black cat from Kiki's Delivery Service), Bagheera (The Jungle Book), and Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon) are beloved pop-culture nods for a black cat.

Tips for naming your black cat

A few friendly, breed-and-color-specific pointers:

• Lean into the magic — or don't. Black cats carry mystical, witchy, and celestial names beautifully (Salem, Nyx, Luna), but a cute, ordinary name (Beans, Olive, Milo) is just as charming. Both feel right.
• Watch the eyes. Many black cats have stunning golden, green, or copper eyes against that dark coat. A name like Amber, Jade, or Copper can celebrate that gorgeous contrast.
• Keep it short and bright for training. Cats respond best to short names ending in a high sound (Binx, Jinx, Jiji). Pair it with treats and your black cat will learn it fast.
• Consider their personality, not just the spook factor. A goofy black cat might suit Beans or Noodle far better than Hecate. Let who they are guide you.
• Embrace the panther energy. A black cat slinking through the house really does look like a miniature panther — names like Bagheera, Panther, or Onyx lean joyfully into that.

A black cat's name is a chance to celebrate one of the most beautiful, underrated creatures around. Whether you go mysterious (Shadow), witchy (Salem), celestial (Luna), or simply cute (Beans), the right name will suit your sleek midnight companion perfectly.

Famous black cats for naming inspiration

Black cats are pop-culture royalty — if you love a fun nod, here are names inspired by the most famous black cats around:

• Salem — the wise-cracking cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
• Binx — the boy-turned-cat from Hocus Pocus.
• Jiji — the loyal companion from Kiki's Delivery Service.
• Bagheera — the noble panther from The Jungle Book.
• Toothless — the Night Fury dragon (basically a giant black cat) from How to Train Your Dragon.
• Luna — fittingly, the most popular black cat name of all.
• Figaro — the playful black-and-white kitten from Pinocchio.

Salem and Jiji top this list — famous, fitting, and genuinely great everyday names for a black cat.

Names inspired by those glowing eyes

Here's a little naming secret that's almost unique to black cats: against that dark coat, their eyes positively glow. Many black cats have stunning gold, copper, amber, or emerald-green eyes — and naming your cat after that gorgeous contrast is a beautiful, personal touch:

• For golden/amber eyes: Amber, Goldie, Honey, Topaz, Sol, Marigold, Copper, Sunny.
• For green eyes: Jade, Emerald, Olive, Fern, Sage, Clover, Pistachio, Forest.
• For copper/orange eyes: Copper, Penny, Rusty, Ember, Marmalade, Autumn.

A black cat named Topaz or Jade is a lovely tribute to the one splash of color on an otherwise inky little panther — and it tends to spark a "wait, why?" conversation that ends in everyone admiring your cat's eyes. Which, let's be honest, is exactly what they want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good names for a black cat?

Top black cat names include Shadow, Salem, Onyx, Luna, and Raven for the mysterious vibe, plus witchy picks like Binx and Nyx and cute ones like Beans and Olive. Dark, celestial, and magical names all suit black cats beautifully.

What is a mysterious name for a black cat?

Mysterious black cat names include Shadow, Onyx, Raven, Sable, Nyx, Vesper, and Midnight — sleek, dark, and evocative, perfect for an elegant black kitty with glowing eyes.

What are witchy names for a black cat?

Witchy black cat names include Salem, Binx, Pyewacket, Hex, Nyx, Hecate, and Morgana — magical, spellbinding picks inspired by black cats' long association with witches and folklore.

What should I name a black kitten?

Cute, short names suit a black kitten well — Beans, Boo, Inky, Jiji, or Olive. Or lean magical with Luna, Salem, or Nyx. Keep it short and bright so your kitten learns it fast.

Are black cats lucky?

It depends where you are! In the UK, Japan, and Ireland, black cats are considered good luck, while some other cultures see them differently. Either way, black cats make wonderful, affectionate companions — and a lucky name like Lucky or Fortuna is a fun nod.

What's a good celestial name for a black cat?

Celestial black cat names include Luna, Vesper, Nyx, Orion, Eclipse, and Sirius — they nod to the moon, stars, and night sky, perfectly suiting a creature most active after dark.

🔗 More Pet Name Guides You'll Love

Ready to name your midnight beauty?

Whether you choose a mysterious Shadow, a witchy Salem, a celestial Luna, or a cute little Beans, there's a perfect name here for your sleek black cat — one as striking and magical as they are.

👉 Open the free Pet Name Builder and match the perfect name to your cat's color, personality, and vibe — hundreds of ideas, instant matches, no signup. 🐾

Which name suits your black cat? Trust your gut — and go give that little panther their name!