Sydney, Nov 26: Pet Insurance Australia (PIA) has unveiled its list of the most popular cat names for 2025, revealing that Luna and Leo are the clear favourites among Aussie cat parents. The rankings are based on thousands of insured cats across the country, with human-style and pop culture–inspired names continuing to dominate.
PIA’s latest data shows that Luna tops the national female list, while Leo leads the males, supported by a strong showing from names like Milo, Daisy, Lucy and Willow. Food-inspired names such as Mochi and Oreo, along with magical and mythological picks like Merlin and Loki, are also rapidly climbing the charts.
“Luna continues its reign as Australia’s favourite female cat name, appearing in nearly every state’s top three,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says.
For male cats, Leo and Milo remain firm favourites, with “Bluey effect” names also making an impact.
“Leo and Milo remain the nation’s favourite male cat names, while names like Bear and Mochi reflect a growing trend toward human-style and food-inspired names.”
Australia’s Top 10 Female Cat Names 2025
- Luna
- Lucy
- Daisy
- Willow
- Bella
- Coco
- Freya
- Annie
- Millie / Molly (tie)
- Angel / Honey (tie)
Australia’s Top 10 Male Cat Names 2025
- Leo
- Milo
- Bluey
- Billy
- Simba / Prince (tie)
- Archie
- Bear
- Oreo
- Merlin
- Mochi
What’s Driving the Trends?
PIA’s naming data suggests that Australians increasingly see their cats as true family members, with “baby names” becoming the norm for pets.
The use of human-inspired names still runs high with feline lovers, reflecting just how deeply Australians see their cats as part of the family. Classic monikers such as Lucy, Annie, Archie and Max continue to dominate the lists, blurring the line between baby names and pet names. For many pet parents, choosing a “person name” for their cat reinforces their status as a furry child rather than ‘just a pet’, and that emotional shift is clearly showing up in the data.
“More than ever, pets are being treated as true family members, and their names absolutely reflect that. We’re seeing classic human names like Lucy, Annie, Archie and Max dominate the lists again this year,” says Crighton.
Luna, meanwhile, remains the standout favourite across both cats and dogs, mirroring broader global trends toward soft, celestial names.
Luna is the clear favourite across the country for both dogs and cats. It’s soft, celestial, and modern, and it perfectly captures the gentle, whimsical personality many cat parents adore.
Food-themed and playful names are also surging, reflecting a more light-hearted, expressive approach to pet naming.
“We’re also seeing a huge surge in quirky, joyful names like Mochi, Miso, Muffin and Oreo. Pet parents are having fun with naming, and the food-theme trend has absolutely taken off,” Crighton says. “Australians love to personalise their pets’ stories, whether it’s through magical names like Merlin and Onyx, pop-culture favourites like Bluey and Simba, or sweet food-inspired names. Naming a pet has become an emotionally significant moment for many families.”
State-by-State Highlights
While Luna and Leo dominate nationally, each state shows its own flavour and preferences.
New South Wales (NSW)
Top Female Names: Luna, Willow, Daisy, Lucy, Angel, Millie, Molly, Annie, Bella, Coco
Top Male Names: Leo, Milo, Prince, Simba, Oreo, Billy, Bluey, Locki, Max, Mochi
NSW cat owners favour soft, family-friendly choices like Luna, Leo, Willow and Daisy, with food-inspired names such as Oreo and Mochi adding a playful twist.
“NSW cat parents lean heavily toward soft and classic choices, with names like Luna, Leo, Willow and Daisy capturing that warm, family-friendly feel. We’re also seeing an adorable rise in food-inspired names such as Oreo and Mochi, a fun trend that really highlights the playful side of cat ownership in NSW.”
Victoria (VIC)
Top Female Names: Luna, Daisy, Yuki, Abby, Alice, Amber, Annie, Bambi, Bella, Billy
Top Male Names: Leo, Milo, Mochi, Louie, Oreo, Ace, Archie, Barney, Bear, Billy
Victoria’s list showcases strong cultural diversity. Names like Yuki reflect Japanese and kawaii influences, while Daisy, Louie and Archie show that timeless classics still resonate.
“Victoria’s list is one of the most culturally diverse, with names like Yuki, showing the strong influence of Japanese pop culture and the global kawaii trend. Paired with timeless favourites like Daisy, Louie and Archie, it reflects the blend of modern and traditional tastes that’s become iconic to Victorian pet parents.”
Queensland (QLD)
Top Female Names: Luna, Freya, Lucy, Missy, Nala, Poppy, Angel, Blue, Emma, Honey
Top Male Names: Billy, Casper, Loki, Merlin, Onyx, Prince, Archie, Arnold, Barry, Bear
Queensland leans into myth and magic, with Freya, Loki, Merlin and Onyx all appearing prominently, alongside softer choices like Lucy, Billy and Poppy.
“Queenslanders clearly adore mythological and magical themes, with Freya, Loki and Merlin all sitting proudly in the top lists. These names often appeal to families who want something bold and meaningful. At the same time, favourites like Lucy, Billy and Poppy keep things sweet and familiar, a perfect reflection of QLD’s warm, fun-loving culture.”
South Australia (SA)
Top Female Names: Bella, Bubbles, Coco, Franki, Koco, Misty, Molly, Tilly, Charlie
Top Male Names: Arnold, Bluey, Charlie, Flash, Mr, Rex, Simba, Sky, Sparky, Zeus
South Australian cat parents embrace individuality with stand-out names like Bubbles, Sparky, Flash and Koco, balanced by classics such as Bella, Molly, Simba and Rex.
“SA pet parents love names with character: Bubbles, Sparky, Flash and Koco all bring a real sense of personality. These choices show that South Australians aren’t afraid to be original, while classic favourites like Bella, Molly, Simba and Rex add a lovely balance of tradition.”
Western Australia (WA)
Top Female Names: Lucy, Willow, Boots, Coco, Frankie, Freya, Honey, Indi, Ivy, Lady
Top Male Names: Bluey, Eddie, Fred, George, Georgi, Luna, Max, Merlin, Miso, Muffin
WA stands out for its quirky, outdoorsy feel. Names like Boots, Indi and Ivy suggest a love of nature and adventure, while vintage picks such as George and Lady sit comfortably alongside modern choices like Miso and Muffin.
“WA has a wonderfully quirky mix this year, with names like Boots, Miso and Muffin standing out. There’s a strong blend of vintage charm, think George and Lady, alongside playful, modern picks,” Crighton says. “It’s a great example of how WA families combine creativity with nostalgia when choosing the perfect name.”
Snapshot of State Trends
- NSW: Luna and Leo lead; sentimental favourites like Prince and Angel remain strong.
- Victoria: Yuki highlights Japanese / kawaii influence alongside traditional names.
- Queensland: Freya and other myth-inspired names show a love of Nordic and fantasy themes.
- South Australia: Unique, high-character names like Bubbles, Flash and Sparky stand out.
- Western Australia: Boots, Indi and Ivy reflect an earthy, outdoorsy naming style.
With Luna and Leo firmly at the top, and playful trends like food, fantasy and human baby names growing each year, Australia’s cat naming culture in 2025 proves that our feline companions are more than pets — they’re family.
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