140+ Purrfect Hemingway Cat Names for Your Feline Friend

Polydactyl cats have been around for centuries, but they recently gained a resurgence of fame due to their association with none other than Ernest Hemingway.

Not only did the famed author keep an impressive number of polydactyl cats at his home, but he also gave them unique names befitting their curious looks and personalities.

If you’re looking for a name for your polydactyl cat that pays homage to Hemingway’s own cats, then these Hemingway cat names are sure to inspire.

Male Hemingway Cat Names

Name	Meaning
Hemi	Short for “Hemingway,” paying homage to the famous author Ernest Hemingway.
Skipper	A term often used to refer to the captain of a ship, symbolizing leadership and adventure.
Bigfoot	Inspired by the legendary creature said to inhabit forests, known for its large footprints.
Uncle Wolfer	A playful and affectionate name, combining “uncle” with a nod to the wolf, symbolizing loyalty.
Olympus	Named after Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the mythical home of the gods.
Kentaro	A Japanese name meaning “big boy” or “strong and healthy,” representing strength and resilience.
Patty Cat	A whimsical name combining “Patty” with “cat,” suggesting a friendly and approachable nature.
Hyper	Referring to a cat with high energy levels and a playful demeanor.
Sixpack	Playfully referencing a cat with a well-defined abdomen or marking reminiscent of a six-pack.
Mouser	A cat known for its hunting skills, specifically in catching mice.
Daktylos	Greek for “finger,” symbolizing dexterity and agility, traits often associated with cats.
Puma	Inspired by the large and powerful wild cat native to the Americas.
Jake	A simple and classic name for a cat, representing friendliness and approachability.
Joe DiMaggio	Named after the legendary baseball player known for his skill and athleticism.
Dexter	A name meaning “right-handed” or “skillful,” often associated with intelligence and cunning.
Captain	Symbolizing leadership and authority, often associated with a strong and confident cat.
Fatso	A playful and affectionate name for a cat with a larger build or a penchant for eating.
Betty Grable	Named after the iconic actress known for her beauty and charm.
Footz / Footzie	Referring to a cat with distinct markings on its feet, resembling socks or boots.
Conan	Inspired by the fictional character Conan the Barbarian, known for his strength and bravery.
Clovers	Symbolizing luck and good fortune, often associated with a cat who brings happiness.
Horseshoe	A symbol of luck and protection, often associated with cats believed to bring good fortune.
Friendless	Irony in naming a cat “Friendless,” often chosen for a cat with a particularly sociable nature.
Fisher	A name suggesting agility and skill, often associated with a cat’s hunting prowess.
Seven	A number associated with mystery and spirituality, often chosen for its uniqueness.
Boxer	Inspired by the sport of boxing, symbolizing strength, agility, and determination.
Feather Puss	A whimsical name suggesting a cat with soft and fluffy fur.
Good Will	A name symbolizing positivity, kindness, and goodwill towards others.
Many Toes	A name often chosen for a polydactyl cat, one with extra toes on its paws.
Barbara Stanwyck	Named after the iconic actress known for her talent and versatility.
Hunter S. Thompson	Named after the influential writer known for his adventurous spirit and unconventional lifestyle.
Snowball	Inspired by the fluffy white appearance of a cat’s fur, reminiscent of a snowball.
Sailor	Symbolizing adventure and exploration, often chosen for a cat with a wanderlust spirit.

Female Hemingway Cat Names

Name	Meaning
Cheetahs	Inspired by the fast and agile cheetah, symbolizing speed and grace.
Giant	A name suggesting a large and majestic presence, often chosen for a particularly big cat.
Winston Churchill	Named after the iconic British Prime Minister known for his strength and resilience.
Thruster	Symbolizing a cat with energy and enthusiasm, often seen darting around with quick movements.
Toe-ny / Tony	A play on the word “toe,” often chosen for a cat with extra toes or unique paw markings.
Fred	A classic and timeless name, representing friendliness and familiarity.
Eight	A number associated with abundance and infinity, often chosen for its simplicity and uniqueness.
Digits	Symbolizing a cat with extra toes or distinctive paw markings.
Daisy	Inspired by the daisy flower, symbolizing purity and innocence.
Stormy	A name suggesting a cat with a bold and adventurous spirit, akin to a stormy weather.
Poly / Polly	Short for “polydactyl,” referring to a cat with extra toes on its paws.
Katcha	A playful name suggesting a cat who enjoys chasing and catching things.
Boise	Inspired by the city of Boise, symbolizing strength and resilience.
Wiccan	Inspired by the mystical practices of Wicca, often associated with cats and magic.
T-Rex	Named after the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a powerful and fearsome dinosaur.
Friendless’s Brother	Playfully suggesting a cat related to another named “Friendless,” perhaps indicating a similar temperament or appearance.
Princess Six-Toes	A regal name suggesting a cat with extra toes, symbolizing uniqueness and royalty.
Rudolph Valentino	Named after the legendary silent film actor known for his charisma and allure.
Princessa	A feminine and regal name, often chosen for a cat with a dignified presence.
Pilar	Inspired by the Spanish word for “pillar,” symbolizing strength and support.
Godzilla	Named after the iconic movie monster, symbolizing power and dominance.
Dact	Short for “polydactyl,” referring to a cat with extra toes on its paws.
Shine Forbes	A name suggesting brightness and prosperity, often chosen for a cat with a shiny coat.
Gina Lolabrigida	Named after the legendary Italian actress known for her beauty and elegance.
Fortuna	Inspired by the Roman goddess of luck and fortune, often chosen for a cat believed to bring good luck.
Tom Thumb	Named after the character from folklore, symbolizing small size and charm.
Panther	Inspired by the sleek and powerful big cat, often associated with grace and agility.
Christobal	A strong and regal name, often chosen for a cat with a commanding presence.
Thumbelina	Inspired by the character from the fairy tale, symbolizing small size and delicateness.

Cute Hemingway Cat Names

Name	Meaning
Toes	A playful name referencing a cat with extra toes or distinctive paw markings.
Amulet	Symbolizing protection and luck, often associated with a charm or talisman.
Slippers	A whimsical name evoking cozy comfort, often chosen for a cat that loves to relax.
Mitt	Short for “mitten,” suggesting a cat with paws resembling mittens.
Lynx	Inspired by the sleek and agile wildcat, symbolizing grace and elegance.
Albatross	Named after the majestic seabird, often associated with freedom and exploration.
Rosebud	Inspired by the budding flower, symbolizing beauty and innocence.
Billie Holiday	Named after the iconic jazz singer known for her unique voice and style.
Tyson	Inspired by the powerful boxer Mike Tyson, symbolizing strength and determination.
Hayk	Named after the legendary Armenian hero, symbolizing bravery and courage.
Matey	A playful and affectionate name, often chosen for a beloved companion.
Mittens	A cute and cuddly name suggesting a cat with soft and fluffy paws.
Ispolin	Inspired by the Russian folklore figure, symbolizing protection and guidance.
Willy	A friendly and approachable name, often chosen for a cat with a cheerful disposition.
Max	Short for “maximum,” symbolizing a cat with boundless energy and vitality.
Martha Gellhorn	Named after the esteemed journalist and war correspondent, symbolizing intelligence and curiosity.
Thumbs	A playful name referring to a cat with extra toes or distinctive paw markings.
Hemingway	Paying homage to the famous author Ernest Hemingway, often chosen for cats with extra toes.
Zane Grey	Named after the prolific Western author known for his adventurous stories.
Paws / Pawlie	A cute and straightforward name referring to a cat’s paws, often chosen for its simplicity.
Dreamcatcher	Symbolizing protection from bad dreams and negative energy, often associated with Native American culture.
Bumby	A playful and endearing name, often chosen for a mischievous and playful cat.
Tennessee Williams	Named after the renowned playwright known for his creativity and imagination.
Santa Paws	A festive and whimsical name, often chosen for a cat with a jolly and playful demeanor.
Yogi Berra	Named after the legendary baseball player known for his wisdom and wit.
Isadora Duncan	Named after the influential dancer and choreographer known for her grace and artistry.
Big Foot	A humorous name referencing the legendary creature known for its large footprints.
Titan	Named after the powerful Titans of Greek mythology, symbolizing strength and dominance.
Massimo	Italian for “massive” or “great,” often chosen for a cat with a large and imposing presence.
Clark Gable	Named after the iconic Hollywood actor known for his charm and sophistication.
Snowshoe	A cute and fitting name for a cat with white fur and distinctive markings on its paws.
Lucky	Symbolizing good fortune and blessings, often chosen for a cat believed to bring luck to its owner.

Cat Names Inspired by Hemingway Literary Characters

Name	Meaning
Santiago	Inspired by the protagonist of “The Old Man and the Sea,” symbolizing resilience and determination.
Brett	Named after the character from “The Sun Also Rises,” representing independence and passion.
Catherine	Inspired by the character from “A Farewell to Arms,” symbolizing love and sacrifice.
Nick	Named after the character from “The Sun Also Rises” and “In Our Time,” symbolizing youth and adventure.
Maria	Inspired by the character from “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” symbolizing strength and resilience.
Harry	Named after the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing toughness and survival skills.
Marita	Inspired by the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing loyalty and bravery.
Jordan	Named after the character from “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” symbolizing intellect and leadership.
Liz	Inspired by the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing beauty and grace.
Robert	Named after the character from “The Garden of Eden,” symbolizing complexity and depth.
Jig	Inspired by the character from “Hills Like White Elephants,” symbolizing decision and ambiguity.
Margot	Named after the character from “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” symbolizing elegance and sophistication.
Francis	Inspired by the character from “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” symbolizing bravery and cowardice.
Renata	Named after the character from “Across the River and Into the Trees,” symbolizing love and devotion.
Richard	Inspired by the character from “Islands in the Stream,” symbolizing creativity and passion.
Adela	Named after the character from “Across the River and Into the Trees,” symbolizing beauty and innocence.
Thomas	Inspired by the character from “Islands in the Stream,” symbolizing wisdom and introspection.
Pilar	Named after the character from “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” symbolizing strength and resilience.
Liz Coates	Inspired by the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing independence and determination.
Bill	Named after the character from “The Sun Also Rises,” symbolizing camaraderie and adventure.
Ren	Inspired by the character from “The Sun Also Rises,” symbolizing youthful idealism and rebellion.
Zaddik	Named after the character from “The Old Man and the Sea,” symbolizing wisdom and spiritual guidance.
Carlota	Inspired by the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing strength and resilience.
Robert	Named after the character from “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” symbolizing regret and introspection.
Adela	Inspired by the character from “Across the River and Into the Trees,” symbolizing love and devotion.
Liz Coates	Named after the character from “To Have and Have Not,” symbolizing independence and determination.

Cat Names Inspired by Locations Associated with Hemingway

Name	Meaning
Paris	Named after the city where Hemingway spent significant time and wrote some of his most famous works.
Key West	Inspired by the Florida Keys, particularly Key West, where Hemingway lived for many years.
Havana	Named after the capital city of Cuba, a place Hemingway frequented and wrote about extensively.
Pamplona	Inspired by the city in Spain famous for the running of the bulls, a tradition Hemingway depicted in his writing.
Milan	Named after the city in Italy where Hemingway worked as a World War I ambulance driver.
Ketchum	Inspired by the Idaho town where Hemingway spent his final years and ultimately passed away.
Oak Park	Named after the suburb of Chicago where Hemingway was born and spent his early years.
La Closerie	Inspired by the Parisian cafe where Hemingway and other writers congregated during the 1920s.
Nairobi	Named after the capital city of Kenya, which Hemingway visited during his African safaris.
Madrid	Inspired by the capital city of Spain, where Hemingway spent time during the Spanish Civil War.
Sun Valley	Named after the resort area in Idaho where Hemingway enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
Montmartre	Inspired by the historic district in Paris known for its bohemian atmosphere, frequented by Hemingway.
Venice	Named after the romantic city in Italy, where Hemingway visited and found inspiration for his writing.
Tangier	Inspired by the city in Morocco, a place Hemingway visited and where he wrote parts of “The Garden of Eden.”
Bimini	Named after the island in the Bahamas, known for its fishing and connection to Hemingway’s adventures.
Bologna	Inspired by the city in Italy, where Hemingway served as a war correspondent during World War I.
Cap d’Antibes	Named after the peninsula on the French Riviera, where Hemingway spent time writing and fishing.
Arles	Inspired by the city in France, known for its picturesque scenery, which Hemingway visited and wrote about.
Montparnasse	Named after the district in Paris where Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1920s.
Ronda	Inspired by the town in Spain, known for its dramatic gorge and bullfighting, which Hemingway admired.
Schruns	Named after the village in Austria where Hemingway recuperated from war injuries and wrote “A Farewell to Arms.”
The Florida Keys	Named after the chain of islands off the southern coast of Florida, where Hemingway often fished and relaxed.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat	Inspired by the peninsula on the French Riviera, where Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1920s.
San Francisco	Named after the city in California, where Hemingway spent time and wrote some of his works.
Torcello	Inspired by the island in the Venetian Lagoon, where Hemingway visited and found inspiration for his writing.

Interesting Facts About Hemingway’s Relationship With Cats

Here are some interesting facts about Hemingway’s relationship with cats:

A lifelong love

Hemingway wasn’t just a dog person. Throughout his life, he had a deep fondness for cats.

He adopted his first cat, Snow White (or Snowball), in Key West and continued to have feline companions throughout his life.

The Hemingway cats of Key West

His home in Key West, now a museum, is famous for its polydactyl (six-toed) cat population.

One of his cats, Snow White, gave birth to a kitten with extra toes, and the trait continued through generations of feline residents.

Today, the museum is home to dozens of these special cats.

More than pets

Hemingway reportedly found solace and comfort in his cats.

They were companions during his writing process and offered a sense of calm during challenging times.

Inspiration in fur

Some believe Hemingway’s cats inspired characters or themes in his writing.

For instance, the short story “Cat in the Rain” features a couple arguing about a lost cat, possibly reflecting on a personal experience.

A legacy of feline love

Hemingway’s fondness for cats continues to draw tourists to his Key West home.

The museum actively cares for the cat population, ensuring the legacy of these special felines.

A name fit for a cat lover

Interestingly, the genetic mutation that causes polydactylism in cats is named after the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog.

However, some playfully refer to it as the “Hemingway gene” due to the high prevalence of extra toes amongst his cats.

Final Words

We hope this journey through 140+ Hemingway cat names has ignited your imagination.

With names inspired by his life, locations, and literary works, you’re sure to find the perfect name that not only suits your cat’s personality but also honors the legacy of this iconic author.

Remember, just like Hemingway’s own cats, your feline friend deserves a name with a story.

So choose wisely, and let the literary adventures begin!

When it comes to naming a polydactyl cat, there’s no better way to honor their unique appearance than by choosing one of the iconic names that Hemingway used for his own beloved felines.