Best Names for Black and White (Tuxedo) Cats

When I adopted my tuxedo cat from a local rescue, I knew I wanted a name as special as he was. But as I ran through the handful of black-and-white names that came to mind, none of them felt like him. Tux? A bit too predictable. Oreo? Cute, but it didn’t quite fit. After much debate (and a few failed name tests), I finally landed on Sushi — cute, quirky, and perfectly fitting his black-and-white coloring. 

Black and white cats come in all sorts of unique patterns, including the classic tuxedo, bold cow-like spots, marbled swirls, and even striking half-and-half markings. No matter the pattern, there are lots of names out there that are good matches for these two-toned beauties.

If you’re searching for the perfect name for your black-and-white feline, this list offers classic, cute, and unconventional ideas to inspire you.

Unique tuxedo cat names for boys

If you want a name for your male black-and-white cat that stands out from the usual Oreo or Socks (though those are adorable, too), consider these creative and unique options. 

• Vesper — an evening prayer

• Nimbus — a type of cloud

• Thunder

• Spade

• Yin-Yang — a Chinese philosophical concept of opposing yet complementary forces, with a circular symbol split into black (yin) and white (yang)

• Ozzy — after the heavy metal musician, Ozzy Osborne

• Ninja

• Eightball — the black-and-white ball in the game pool

• Bandit

• Onyx — a type of gemstone that is commonly black

• Cosmo

• Bowtie

• Soot

• Sylvester

• Merlin

• Gentleman

• Chess 

• Sir

• Dice

• Oz

• Jax

• Monochrome (or Chrome) — a photograph developed in black and white 

• Static — as in TV static, which appears black and white

• Spats — short for spatterdashes, which are protective shoe coverings worn by men in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially with formal wear

• Newspaper — from the joke, “What’s black and white and read all over?”

• Maestro — a distinguished musician, especially a conductor of classical music

• Obsidian — naturally forming volcanic glass 

Unique tuxedo cat names for girls

Have you recently adopted a female black-and-white cat? Whether you’re drawn to timeless, elegant names or something more off the beaten path, here are some great options for your new kitty.

• Hei Bai — pronounced like “hey-buy,” which means black and white in Mandarin

• Cressida

• Selene

• Bessie — a common name for a cow

• Callisto

• Mabel

• Clarabelle

• Artemis — the Greek goddess of hunting, the wilderness, wild animals, and nature

• Velvet

• Duchess

• Audrey — as in the classy old Hollywood movie star, Audrey Hepburn  

• Mystique

• Cleo

• Astrid

• Sable

• Chanel (or Coco) — after Coco Chanel, a French luxury fashion designer 

• Vogue 

• Margot

• Noir — the French word for “dark”

• Nyx — the Greek goddess of night

• Nashu — a character in Final Fantasy XIV with feline features who wears a tuxedo-like outfit

Food-inspired black-and-white cat names

The culinary world offers some great inspiration for black-and-white cat names. From sweet treats to savory ingredients, these names capture the colors of your salt ’n’ pepper feline in fun and creative ways.

• Oreo

• Milkshake

• Pudding

• Latte

• Cookie

• S’mores

• Brownie

• Sundae

• Whoopie — as in Whoopie Pie

• Gelato

• Fudge

• Sesame

• Cocoa

• Marshmallow

• Pumpernickel

• Spice

• Chia

• Cupcake

• Parfait 

• Pepsi

• Nori

• Poppyseed

• Pepper

• Éclair

• Tiramisu

• Licorice

• Sushi

• Olive

• Affogato — vanilla ice cream topped with espresso

• Boba

• Coconut

• Moon Pie — a treat with two round Graham crackers, marshmallow filling, and a chocolate coating

• Little Debbie — a dessert brand with various black-and-white cakes and cookies 

TV and movie-inspired black-and-white cat names

Whether you’re a film buff or just love iconic characters, a movie-inspired name might be the perfect fit for your black-and-white cat. Here are some fun and memorable options.

• Snoopy — the beloved black-and-white beagle from Peanuts

• Sylvester — the black-and-white Looney Tunes cat

• Felix — as in Felix the Cat, the classic cartoon feline

• Pongo — the Dalmatian protagonist from 101 Dalmatians

• Perdita — Pongo’s mate and the mother of the 15 puppies in 101 Dalmatians

• Cruella — as in Cruella de Vil, the villain from 101 Dalmatians

• Mickey — inspired by the black-and-white Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse

• Morticia — the darkly elegant matriarch from The Addams Family

• Wednesday — as in Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

• Willy — the Orca whale from Free Willy

• Fred — after Fred Astaire, an old Hollywood dancer, actor, and singer who was known for wearing tuxedos

• Cary — as in Cary Grant, an old Hollywood actor known for his tuxedos

• Monroe — as in Marilyn Monroe, a Hollywood legend

• Chaplin — as in Charlie Chaplin, an iconic star of black-and-white films

• Bond — after James Bond, the suave secret agent known for his sharp tuxedos

• Figaro — the tuxedo cat in the Disney movie Pinocchio

• Salem — the black cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch

• Sirius — as in Sirius Black from Harry Potter

• Albus — as in Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful wizard from Harry Potter

• Phantom — as in Phantom of the Opera 

• Zorro — the masked vigilante from The Mask of Zorro 

• Vader — as in Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise 

• Gatsby — after Jay Gatsby, the self-made millionaire from The Great Gatsby 

Animal-inspired black and white cat names 

Nature is full of black-and-white animals, so why not look to the animal kingdom for inspiration? Here are some fitting options. 

• Panda

• Cow

• Moo — as in the sound a cow makes

• Eagle

• Orca

• Penguin

• Goose

• Zebra

• Skunk

• Magpie 

• Puffin 

• Seal

• Seagull

• Dalmatian

• Lemur 

• Honey Badger 

• Crow  

• Collie — as in a black-and-white Border Collie 

Black and white marble cat names 

A marble cat coat features a swirling mix of two or more colors that create unique, flowing patterns. If your cat has a black-and-white marbled coat, here are some name ideas to complement their distinctive look.

• Marble 

• Granite 

• Howlite — a black-and-white gemstone

• Swirl 

• Cinnamon Roll

• Inky 

• Inkyblot (or Blot) 

• Inkwell 

• Stormy (or Storm) 

• Doodle 

• Monet

• Paisley — a pattern with swirls 

• Graffiti 

• Tornado 

• Splotch 

• Smudge

Common black-and-white cat names

Looking for a tried-and-true name for your black-and-white kitty? These names are popular for a reason: They perfectly capture the appearance of these two-toned felines. Here are some of the most beloved black-and-white cat names to consider.

• Tuxedo

• Tux

• Dottie (or Dot) 

• Bandit

• Charcoal

• Ace

• Domino

• Checkers

• Boots

• Patches (or Patch) 

• Mittens

• Socks

• Spotty (or Spot)

Commonly asked questions

What is a good name for a black-and-white cat?

A good name for a black-and-white cat can be inspired by their markings, personality, or anything you love. Classic choices include Tux, Oreo, Domino, Socks, and Panda. If you’re looking for something unique, consider names like Zorro, Magpie, Yin-Yang, or Cruella — all of which reflect their black-and-white coat.

How are black cats different from other cats?

Healthwise, some research suggests that black cats may have genetic mutations that provide resistance to certain diseases. Culturally, black cats are often incorrectly stigmatized as being bad luck, which leads to them being adopted less than cats of any other color. In reality, black cats are just as loving and lucky as any other feline. 

What are rare cat names?

If you want an uncommon name for your black-and-white cat, try something distinctive like Perdita, Obsidian, Howlite, or Nyx. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and stand out from the crowd.  

How do you know if you’re ready for a cat?

Before adopting a cat, consider whether you can provide a stable home, afford food and vet care, and have time for daily interaction. Cats can live 15-plus years, so it’s a long-term commitment. If you’re prepared for the responsibility, you can search Adopt a Pet’s database for your new family member.  

Resources 

Bhattacharya, Shaoni. “Black Cats May Be the More Fortunate Felines.” New Scientist, Mar. 2003, www.newscientist.com/article/dn3459-black-cats-may-be-the-more-fortunate-felines.