Tortoiseshell Cat Names – 100+ Perfect Ideas!

by Jessi Larson

If 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, there are many names on the list that will also work for you.

Tortoiseshell cats combine two colors other than white, either closely mixed or in 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 truly 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

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. With this breed, the colors intersect in interesting arrangements, creating quite the 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 little 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 it makes sense to give them funny names that match their quirky personalities.

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 girl cat names and funny boy 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 simply 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! 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 very rare.

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, then they’re called a torbie.

5. Tortoiseshell cats are a symbol of good luck in several cultures.

Cats with tortoiseshell coloring are believed to bring good luck, according to Irish, Scottish and American cultures.

We think that if you’re fortune 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.

In fact, 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:

• Cute cat names
• Funny cat names
• Strong cat names
• Classic cat names
• Sporty cat names
• Elegant cat names

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!

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Jessi Larson

Jessi is a marketing strategist for Fortune 50 companies who loves to research and write about pets. She enjoys finding cool new cat names, researching the best products, learning more about cat breeds and sharing tips with other pet parents.