Meet the Bombay Cat: A Mini Panther With a Big Personality. If a black panther and a snuggly marshmallow had a baby, you’d get the Bombay cat.
These velvet-coated charmers are confident, affectionate, and just the right amount of dramatic. They’ll claim your lap, rule your home, and probably star in your dreams.
This guide dives into everything from Bombay cat names to their origins, personalities, and pop culture references—because your mini house panther deserves nothing but the best (and weirdest) name possible.
Bombay Cat Breed Snapshot
| Trait | Info |
| Origin | 1958, United States (Kentucky), breeder Nikki Horner |
| TICA Classification | Championship Breed (Short Hair) |
| CFA Classification | Championship Breed (Short Hair) |
| Breed Category | Hybrid (American Shorthair × Burmese) |
| Group | Companion/Fancy |
| Regional Nicknames | “Parlor Panther”, “Mini Panther”, “Velvet Ninja” |
| Personality | Affectionate, vocal, fearless, people-oriented, dramatic |
| Best For | Apartment dwellers, snuggle addicts, introverts who want extrovert pets |
Origin of the Name “Bombay”
Despite what your brain might assume, Bombay cats aren’t from India. They’re as American as drive-thru coffee and irrational tipping culture.
Breeder Nikki Horner created the breed in the 1950s to mimic the sleek black Indian leopards of Bombay (now Mumbai).
The name was pure branding genius—exotic, mysterious, and just a little dramatic. Just like the cats themselves.
The Ultimate List of Bombay Cat Names
Here it is: the big list of Bombay cat names sorted by style, personality, and pure ridiculousness. You’re welcome.
Gender-Based Names
Male Names
| Name | Meaning/Origin | Name | Meaning/Origin |
| Shadow | Mysterious and stealthy | Smokey | Misty and moody |
| Jett | Black gemstone, sleek vibe | Bagheera | Jungle Book panther |
| Zorro | Spanish for “fox”, masked hero | Phantom | Mysterious and theatrical |
| Nero | Italian for black | Sable | Deep black fur type |
| Ash | Cool and smoldering | Coal | Obvious, but solid |
| Onyx | Black gemstone | Raven | Dark and clever |
| Vader | Yes, that Vader | Licorice | Sweet and black |
| Salem | Witchy and iconic | Merlin | Wizard energy |
| Inky | Playful and midnight-colored | Felix | Classic cat name |
| Midnight | You guessed it—dark as night | Cosmo | As in the dark cosmic void |
Female Names
| Name | Meaning/Origin | Name | Meaning/Origin |
| Luna | Moon magic | Dahlia | Dark, dramatic flower |
| Ebony | Dark wood, sultry vibes | Trixie | Mischief maker |
| Velvet | Describes their coat perfectly | Nyx | Greek goddess of night |
| Elvira | Queen of darkness | Eclipse | Cosmic and blacked-out |
| Opal | Mysterious gemstone | Wednesday | Goth icon |
| Cleo | Cleopatra, regal AF | Esme | Twilight but make it classy |
| Mystique | X-Men + enigma | Ravenna | Dark sorceress name |
| Onyxia | Feminine twist on Onyx | Stormy | Turbulent and gorgeous |
| Belladonna | Beautiful but deadly | Vanta | Short for Vantablack |
| Noir | French for black | Salemina | Feminine version of Salem |
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Thematic Names
Cosmic & Mythological
| Name | Meaning/Origin | Name | Meaning/Origin |
| Hades | Greek god of the underworld | Vega | Brightest star in Lyra |
| Charon | Ferryman of the dead | Cosmo | Space chic |
| Nyx | Night personified | Nova | Star explosion |
| Orion | Constellation, hunter | Eclipse | Solar drama |
| Nebula | Space dust, sounds cool | Solstice | Celestial event |
| Persephone | Queen of the underworld | Luna | The moon |
| Pluto | Planet AND Roman god | Galaxia | Cosmic empress |
| Astra | Starry and futuristic | Morpheus | God of dreams |
| Zephyr | Gentle wind, breezy cat | Atlas | Carries the heavens |
| Thanatos | Death in Greek myth | Andromeda | Tragic beauty, constellation |
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Personality-Based Names
Based on Drama, Sass & Sweetness
| Name | Meaning/Origin | Name | Meaning/Origin |
| Diva | Because… obviously | Zippy | Zoomies all day |
| Sassafras | Southern sass energy | Clawdia | Punny and proud |
| Mischief | Always up to something | Snoop | Always investigating |
| Pounce | Self-explanatory | Beans | Toe beans, enough said |
| Slinky | Moves like one | Whisper | Moves in silence |
| Hocus | Half of “Hocus Pocus” | Gremlin | Cute chaos |
| Jinx | Brings mischief and luck | Ninja | Silent but deadly |
| Chillax | Vibes only | Drama | Lives for the theatrics |
| Grumpet | A grumpy lil muffin | Sneak | You never see them coming |
| Mocha | Rich and smooth | Twitch | Just a little unhinged |
Popular Names in History
| Name | Significance | Name | Significance |
| Cleopatra | Queen of queens | Churchill | Stoic and serious |
| Napoleon | Tiny, dramatic leader | Caesar | Regal and slightly stabby |
| Houdini | Master of escape | Rasputin | Creepy, mystical dude |
| Poe | Gothic legend | Shakespeare | For the dramatic flair |
| Tesla | Inventive and zappy | Newton | Gravity-defying cat |
| Darwin | Because evolution, baby | Machiavelli | Strategic chaos |
| Boudica | Warrior queen energy | Lincoln | Honest cat (maybe) |
| Joan | As in Joan of Arc | Galileo | Stargazing vibes |
| Da Vinci | Artistic genius | Einstein | Genius with messy hair |
| Edison | Bright (unlike your cat at 3am) | Nefertiti | Iconic Egyptian queen |
Popular Names in Pop Culture
| Name | Where It’s From | Name | Where It’s From |
| Binx | Hocus Pocus | Gomez | Addams Family icon |
| Toothless | How to Train Your Dragon | Yzma | Underrated villain energy |
| Batman | Duh | Stitch | Cute chaos |
| Morticia | Addams Family queen | Wednesday | Addams Family, again |
| Salem | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Kylo | Dark side drama |
| Loki | Marvel’s chaotic king | Cruella | Over-the-top glam |
| Bellatrix | Harry Potter villainous perfection | Maleficent | Elegant villain vibes |
| Catra | She-Ra sass | Pikachu | Small, fast, electric |
| Luna | Sailor Moon | Korra | Avatar power |
| Neo | The Matrix slick | Eleven | Stranger Things cool |
FAQs About Bombay Cat Names
What’s a good name for a black Bombay cat?
Try Onyx, Shadow, or Binx—something sleek, mysterious, and with a touch of drama.
Are Bombay cats rare?
Yes, they’re not as common as tabbies or Persians, but their stunning looks and big personalities are unforgettable.
Can I give my Bombay cat a funny name?
Absolutely. Life’s too short for boring cat names. Gremlin, Clawdia, or Beans might be just right.
Do Bombay cats act like dogs?
Kinda. They follow you around, play fetch, and will totally ruin your Zoom calls—just like a needy pup.
What are cute female names for Bombay cats?
Ebony, Nyx, Salemina, or Elvira. Dark, elegant, and a little spicy.
Final Meow
Bombay cats are bold, beautiful, and built for drama—so their names better match.
Whether you go for myth, mischief, or straight-up pop culture chaos, the right name is out there. Just like your Bombay… probably knocking something over.
