How We Name Our Kittens 🍬🐾
When a litter is born, it feels like your heart grows in an instant. Tiny little paws, squeaks, and noses quickly wrap themselves around your soul. Family and friends wait with anticipation for updates: Is mom okay? Are the babies healthy? How many are there? What colors? There are so many questions—and so much love to share.
Once I know that mom is resting, kittens are nursing, and everyone is thriving, I can breathe and move on to the next step: sexing the kittens. Over the years I’ve become quite skilled at it, and once I know what we have, I get excited about one of my favorite parts—naming the kittens.
Choosing Themes for Kitten Names
We love to use themes for each litter. Picking a theme depends on how many kittens there are and how many are boys and girls. Once we know that, the brainstorming begins—and it’s always a group effort! My husband, family, friends, and even their children get in on the fun.
The names we choose are used in our cattery and for their veterinary records, but I don’t expect forever families to keep them (though some do). Still, in my heart, each kitten will always carry the name I first gave them.
I’m often torn between fun, quirky themes and more sophisticated pedigree-style names. While I adore elegant names like Blue Diamonds or my dream name Betty Davis Eyes, I can’t resist playful, short names that make people smile—probably because of my years working with young children and my love of pop culture.
The Candy Shop Inspiration 🍭
Our current litter, The Candy Shop Litter, was inspired on a car ride with friends. One friend teased that I never pick her ideas, while her kids often get chosen because they’re so creative. The conversation turned to chocolate candy names.
At first, I thought candy-themed names would suit another breeder I know who has chocolate-colored kittens. But when Marshmallow was suggested, I thought of our white kittens—and suddenly I pictured a penny candy store. The idea quickly became irresistible: fun, colorful, sweet—just like kittens.
Matching Names to Kittens
Who doesn’t love candy? Sweet, playful, and joyful—just like our kittens. The colors and personalities of each kitten inspired their “candy-coated” names.
One kitten, however, had a very special story. She was the tiniest kitten ever born in our cattery, and we bottle-fed her to help her thrive. For weeks we held our breath, waiting to see if she’d make it. At first, she didn’t have a name, but once she grew stronger, we gave her the name she deserved: Sweet Hope. Today, she’s doing wonderfully.
Instagram Fun 🍬📲
This time, we let our Instagram followers join in the fun of naming! I shared polls and questions in stories, and it was so exciting to see the results.
One little red kitten was originally named Fireball, but when the majority of votes came in for Butterscotch, I decided to switch. The name fit him perfectly, and I loved that our followers helped choose it. Now our fluffy red boy is officially Butterscotch.
Final Reveal Coming Soon
The official Candy Shop Litter name reveal is just around the corner! Be sure to follow along on Instagram #exoticshorthairkittensofcc for the big unveiling.
Naming kittens is one of the most joyful parts of raising them. Each name becomes part of their story, even as they grow and head off to their forever homes.
✨ “Every Candy Shop Kitten is one-of-a-kind — and their names are just the first taste of the joy they’ll bring.” ✨