Tortoiseshell Cat Names – 100+ Perfect Ideas!
Last updated: by Jessi LarsonIf you’re looking for tortoiseshell cat names, you’re in the right place. We’ve got 100+ ideas perfect for your new tortie.
According to experts, tortoiseshell cats are almost always female, so we’ve geared our list toward girl cat names.
On the rare occasion that you have a male tortoiseshell kitten, however, many names on the list will also work for you.
Tortoiseshell cats combine two colors other than white, either closely mixed or larger patches.
These colors are loosely defined as black and red. (Although “black” can also be chocolate, gray or blue, and “red” can be orange, yellow, or cream.)
If you’re getting a tortie, you’ll love these 100+ tortoiseshell cat names. They’re perfect for a cat with “tortitude”!
Tortoiseshell Cat Names – Red, Orange, Yellow & Cream
As was mentioned above, all tortoiseshell cats have some element of red in their fur, whether it’s genuinely red or something more on the spectrum of orange, yellow, or cream.
Whether your cat is predominantly “red” or simply has a few specks, you can always go with a cat name inspired by this color.
Here are dozens of ideas we think you’ll like. Check them out and see if any are a fit for your new furbaby.
- Alani – Hawaiian for orange tree
- Amber
- Apricot – or Apricat for fun
- Auburn
- Autumn
- Blaze
- Buttercup
- Butterscotch
- Caramel
- Carrot
- Cayenne
- Chai
- Cinnamon
- Clementine
- Coriander
- Copper
- Coral
- Curry
- Fox
- Ginger
- Goldy
- Hazel
- Honey
- Jasmine
- Marigold
- Nectarine
- Nutmeg
- Papaya
- Paprika
- Parsnip
- Peaches
- Penny
- Poppy
- Pumpkin
- Red
- Ruby
- Rusty
- Saffron
- Sandy
- Sapphire
- Scarlet
- Sienna
- Sunshine
- Sunny
The ideas don’t stop here. Get more orange cat names.
Tortoiseshell Cat Names – Brown, Black & Gray
On the flip side, you could also highlight the darker side of your tortoiseshell cat. And by the darker side, we mean the color – not the infamous “tortitude” that many owners report.
Inspired by the colors brown, black and gray, these names are great for tortoiseshell cats of all shapes and sizes.
Take a look at these ideas and see what you think!
- Ash
- Brownie
- Cadbury
- Cinder
- Coal
- Coco
- Ebony
- Ember
- Espresso
- Godiva
- Guinness
- Hershey
- Java
- Kit Kat
- Maple
- Mocha
- Mystique
- Onyx
- Oreo
- Pepper
- Porter
- Raven
- Shady
- Snickers
- Speckles
- Stormy
- Twix
Are you looking for more ideas? Explore additional black cat names and grey cat names.
Tortoiseshell Cat Names – Patterns
We can’t talk about tortoiseshell cats without mentioning the crazy patterns on their fur. The colors intersect in interesting arrangements with this breed, creating quite a unique appearance.
As you look for tortoiseshell cat names, consider these ideas inspired by the distinct-looking patterns that grace their fur.
- Dot
- Dottie
- Brindle
- Checker
- Freckles
- Harlequin – or Harley or Quin for short
- Kaleidoscope
- Marble
- Patches
- Pebbles
- Pixel
- Puzzle
- Speckles
- Spot
- Stripes
- Swirl
Tortoiseshell Cat Names – Other Cool Ideas
The list isn’t over yet. We’ve got even more tortoiseshell cat names to check out.
Beautiful and unique, these ideas are fabulous for your baby bundle of fur.
From red-headed characters to famous artists to tortoiseshell nicknames, this list is full of cool names we think you’ll love.
- Agate
- Ariel – as in The Little Mermaid
- Annie – like Little Orphan Annie
- Aurora
- Confetti
- Fiona
- Iris
- Matisse
- Monarch – as in the monarch butterfly
- Mottley
- Mud (Muddy)
- Nemo
- Oriole
- Picasso
- Reese
- Snickers
- Tiger
- Tigger
- Tortie
- Tortie Shell
- Turtle
Funny Tortoiseshell Cat Names
Tortoiseshell cats are quite the characters, so giving them funny names that match their quirky personalities makes sense.
These names are silly, fun and reflect the tortoiseshell cat’s cool coloring.
- Carrot Top
- Cheddar
- Cheeto
- Curry
- Dorito
- Fanta
- Kumquat
- Mango
- Morticia
- Mottley
- Nacho
- OJ – short for orange juice
- Sweet Potato
- Zebra
Like the idea of funny cat names? You’re in luck – we’ve got even more options. Check out additional funny cat names.
Got Ideas for Tortoiseshell Cat Names?
If you have creative ideas for tortoiseshell cat names, we would love to hear them! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
We enjoy hearing from readers and use your ideas to keep our site fresh.
Fun Tortoiseshell Cat Facts
The tortoiseshell is one of the most unique-looking cats out there. Their bright-colored fur and distinct patterns stand out from the pack.
As a fan of the tortie, you’ll appreciate these fun facts about this fascinating feline:
1. Tortoiseshell is not a breed of cat.
Tortoiseshell refers to the coloring of the cat. The name comes from the fact that their coats have a similar color and pattern as a tortoiseshell.
2. Most tortoiseshell cats are female.
It’s all in the genes! For example, the X chromosome is responsible for coloring in cats, and since females have two X chromosomes, they carry both the orange and black codes.
Male cats can have tortoiseshell coloring; however, it’s scarce.
3. Add white and you get a calico cat.
If a cat’s fur includes large patches of white along with the black and orange tortoiseshell coloring, they’re actually considered a calico cat.
(Did we mention we also have calico cat names?)
4. Add tabby patterns and you get a torbie.
And if a tortoiseshell cat also has a tabby fur pattern, they’re called a torbie.
5. Tortoiseshell cats are a symbol of good luck in several cultures.
According to Irish, Scottish and American cultures, cats with tortoiseshell coloring are believed to bring good luck.
We think that if you’re fortunate enough to get a tortoiseshell cat, then you’ve already had a stroke of luck.
Other Cat Names
And finally, if you’ve looked through the list but aren’t set on anything you see, don’t fret. We’ve got plenty of other ideas.
We highly encourage you to check out our interactive cat name generator, which allows you to sort by your favorite name styles and themes to find the right fit for your feline.
Or, you could look at our most popular cat name categories and see if anything else fits your fancy:
How Do You Pick The Right Name?
Here’s an important question: how do you know if you’ve picked the right name for your cat?
After years of helping new cat owners find the perfect name, here are some tips we’ve picked up along the way:
- Is it easy to say? Some names are great on paper but tough to pronounce in everyday life. Before you become set on a name, make sure it rolls off the tongue because after all, you’ll be saying it many times a day once the cat joins your family!
- Does it fit your cat? Check to see if the name matches your cat’s personality and appearance before committing to a name.
- Say it out loud. Can you imagine calling for your cat with this name? If not, then it’s not the right choice. Move on and select something more appropriate.
- And finally, trust your gut. Ask any new cat owner: when you find the right name, you’ll know it!
38 Comments
I can’t believe you forgot the most obvious name: Shelly. :)
That was the name of a really sweet gray ,cream and apricot tortie I had years ago.
You forgot the name “Snickers”. That’s the name of the cat I have now that is a tortoise shell cat
I named my tortoiseshell kitten Reese :)
I’m surprised the name “Sol” isn’t on here. Sol means sun and the orange flecks on the tortoise shell perfectly represent the shine coming from the sun and I think that Sol is a perfect name for a cat, though it seems more masculine it can work for she-cats as well as toms.
Well, we named our new tortoise girl cat “Matilda” (Tilda for short) and it fits her. I don’t see it listed anywhere as a popular cat name but I like it. She’s got all sorts of colors…orange, black, brown, grey. Unusual looking cat for sure so she deserves a unique name.
Mine is a gray torrid and it made me think of the name Splash because to me she looked like someone had splashed her gray coat with color. But she really looked like a possum, to me. But I wasn’t sure about naming a girl “Possum”
Mine is a gray TORTIE
Another person named her tortie Split because oh the split look of her face
How about Gypsy?
i have a female cat her name is midnight
I had a diluted tortoiseshell named Pompeii. She was highly protective but a complete sweetheart to me and my mother whom she decided was /her/ person.
I called mine kurt
I called my tortoiseshell cat tiger she has the colours of a tiger.
We call our sweet Tortie, Tortoisen. (Best if said with an English Accent!)
A stray cat approached me yesterday and I gave him some tuna and he and he just stay at my garden ever since, I named him Nacho :)
My sweet 7 year old tortie’s name is Millie, doesn’t have anything to do with her color, but it suits her.
I’m probably gonna name my kitten Quinn, I have know idea why but it fits well!
Pinky is a good name
I have a Tortie and her name is Disco x
Our tortie was the runt of the litter and stayed 7 pounds for her whole 16 years. We named her Marmalade.
Our tortoiseshell cat totally blends in with our black, brown, ginger, and gray rug. She’s almost invisible when she curls up on it. We named her Camo.
My Tortoiseshell name is Toodie for that tortitude…lol…
My Tortoiseshell name is Mushu (pronounced as “moo-shoe” odd name).
i think the best name for a tortoiseshell is Candie LUV it it suits reeeaallly well.
i think the best name for a tortoiseshell is Candie
Shelly
My grandma named hers misty 1: she has a bad eye that is misty 2: her patern is misty
we have a dark tortoiseshell kitty who we named treacle! we were thinking of molasses, but didn’t want to give the boys in the family the opportunity to call her asses for short 🥲
I named a TORTIE Chimera. She has a half gold half brown face.
My friend has a tortie named arwen, shes 14 years old.
grumpy, and very aggressive
We have 2 dilute/blue torties the short haired one is named Ryder cuz we rescued her after she rode under my truck all the way to work unbeknownst to me our long haired is named blue since she’s a blue tortie were about to get a normal tortie and were thinking of naming her cricket cuz she’s a tiny runt from a litter shes so freaking tiny and cute!!! 😍😊
I had a tortie cat called xena
Growing up my mom had two calicos named Agate and Jasper. Jasper ran away when I was little, but Agate- better known as Aggie, was around my whole childhood.
I was gifted my tortie for Christmas from a coworker of my boyfriend’s, they called her Simba and that made no sense since she obviously doesn’t look like a lion and isn’t a male. Her fur is black with speckles of orange and it reminds me of sunlight filtering through the trees so I’m calling her Shadow.
My Little Tortie Is Named Trouble, She’s Quite The Tortie Diva And Being A Little Tortie Is A Tortitude And Cattitude And Being A Little Tortie-Puss She Does Best, I Love My Little Tortie-Puss Trouble
I named my little tortie Lovely but lately I’ve been thinking about changing it to Cheetah.
My torties name is Timber. Fits her well.
I had a tortie named Dixie for almost 12 years. Hands down my favorite cat in the entire world. Every calico and tortie that I have ever come across has always been so different from other types of cats. Hoping to adopt myself a new tortie baby soon.