96 Double Pawed Cat Names: Lucky Charms of the Seven Seas

Double pawed cats, scientifically known as polydactyl cats, carry a fascinating genetic trait that gives them extra toes.

From sailing ships as lucky charms to gracing Hemingway's home, these unique felines have left their prints across history, literature, and maritime culture.

Whether you're naming your polydactyl kitten after their lucky reputation, their seafaring legacy, or their distinctive paws, here's a comprehensive guide to inspire the perfect name.

Nautical-Inspired Names

Polydactyl cats have a rich maritime history, with sailors believing their extra toes brought good fortune at sea and made them superior ship's mousers. These names honor that seafaring legacy:

• Captain - A nod to the ship's highest authority and the polydactyl cats' prestigious position aboard vessels
• Admiral - The highest naval rank, reflecting these cats' esteemed status among sailors
• Sailor - A straightforward tribute to these cats' maritime connections
• First Mate - The second-in-command on a ship, perfect for a loyal companion
• Navigator - These cats helped keep ships mouse-free during long voyages
• Mariner - Another word for sailor, with a more poetic feel
• Skipper - An informal term for a ship's captain
• Fisher - Recognizing the cats' presence on fishing vessels
• Harbor - Where ships dock and where many polydactyl cats lived
• Barbeau - French word meaning "fisherman"
• Compass - Essential navigation tool aboard ships
• Anchor - Symbol of maritime stability
• Matey - Informal term for a sailing companion
• Oceana - Referring to the vast seas these cats traversed
• Voyager - Celebrating their journeys across oceans

Literary and Pop Culture References

Famous authors and fictional works have featured polydactyl cats, creating a rich cultural legacy:

• Hemingway - The famous author who adored polydactyl cats and kept them at his Key West home
• Ernest - Hemingway's first name, a dignified choice for a polydactyl
• Snow White - The name of Hemingway's first polydactyl cat
• Crookshanks - Hermione's clever cat from Harry Potter, known for his unusual appearance
• Salem - The sarcastic feline from Sabrina the Teenage Witch
• Binx - The boy-turned-cat from Hocus Pocus
• Tom Thumb - The tiny hero from English folklore
• Thumbelina - Hans Christian Andersen's miniature heroine
• Shakespeare - For a literary-minded cat
• Poe - The master of mystery who appreciated black cats
• Gatsby - For a cat with sophisticated style
• Sherlock - The detective who noticed every detail
• Watson - Sherlock's faithful companion
• Dickens - Another literary giant
• Twain - Mark Twain, who also appreciated cats

Paw-Related Names

These names directly reference the distinctive feature of polydactyl cats - their extra toes:

• Mittens - The extra toes often make their paws look like mittens
• Boots - For paws that look like they're wearing boots
• Socks - Perfect for cats with white paws
• Bigfoot - A playful reference to their larger paws
• Sasquatch - Another name for the legendary big-footed creature
• Yeti - The Himalayan version of Bigfoot
• Snowshoe - Especially fitting for white-pawed cats
• Digits - Referencing their extra digits
• Beans - For their many toe beans
• Paws - Simple but effective
• Knuckles - For their extra "knuckles"
• Tootsie - A cute reference to their feet
• Stomper - For their distinctive walk
• Tracks - For the unique pawprints they leave
• Paddles - Named after a famous polydactyl cat owned by New Zealand's Prime Minister
• Thumbs - For their extra "thumbs"
• Catcher - Their paws look like baseball mitts
• Boxer - Their paws resemble boxing gloves

Playful and Punny Names

These creative, pun-based names celebrate the unique characteristics of polydactyl cats with humor and wit:

• Toebias - A play on the name Tobias, incorporating "toe"
• Toeny - A clever spin on Tony
• Antoenia - A feminine version of Anthony with "toe" embedded
• Pawdry - A play on "audrey" incorporating paw
• Clawrina - A spin on Katrina or ballerina with "claw"
• Pawsey - A playful take on "posey"
• Stevie Knucks - A play on singer Stevie Nicks
• Toeny Hawk - A pun on skateboarder Tony Hawk
• Pawsome - Combining "paw" and "awesome"
• Toe Jam - A playful reference to extra toes
• Pawfessor - A scholarly spin on "professor"
• Digit-al - Playing with "digital" and "digit"
• Pawlydactyl - Combining "paw" and "polydactyl"
• Pawdin - A play on "Odin" for a mighty cat
• Meowti-toed - A cat-themed play on "multi-toed"

Lucky-Themed Names

Polydactyl cats were considered bearers of good fortune, especially by sailors. These names emphasize their lucky nature:

• Lucky - Direct reference to their fortunate reputation
• Fortune - Representing good luck
• Charm - As in "lucky charm"
• Serendipity - The occurrence of fortunate accidents
• Clover - Reference to the lucky four-leaf clover
• Felix - Latin name meaning "lucky" or "fortunate"
• Fortuna - The Roman goddess of fortune and luck
• Boone - Meaning "blessing" or "good fortune"
• Venturo - Spanish word meaning "good luck"
• Mazal - Hebrew word for "luck"
• Blessing - For the good fortune they bring
• Destiny - Suggesting their fated lucky nature
• Chance - Related to luck and fortune
• Lakshmi - Hindu goddess of good fortune
• Tashi - Tibetan word for "auspiciousness"

Numerical Names (Based on Toe Count)

These names celebrate the specific number of toes a polydactyl cat might have, often incorporating numbers from different languages:

• Seis - Spanish for "six"
• Sept - French for "seven"
• Otto - Italian for "eight"
• Kyuu - Japanese for "nine"
• Shi - Mandarin for "ten"
• Sechs - German for "six"
• Sette - Italian for "seven"
• Acht - German for "eight"
• Neuf - French for "nine"
• Dieci - Italian for "ten"
• Liu - Chinese for "six"
• Septimus - Latin for "seventh"
• Octavia - Latin-derived name meaning "eight"
• Jiu - Mandarin for "nine"
• Zehn - German for "ten"
• Roku - Japanese for "six"
• Shichi - Japanese for "seven"
• Hachi - Japanese for "eight"

Historical and Cultural Significance

The story of polydactyl cats weaves through maritime history, literature, and cultural superstitions, creating a rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs.

These remarkable felines, whose name comes from the Greek words "poly" (many) and "daktylos" (digits), have captivated people for generations.

Maritime Legacy

Sailors along the East Coast of North America and in South West England considered polydactyl cats invaluable shipmates. Their extra toes were believed to enhance their balance on stormy seas and make them superior mousers.

These cats became so intertwined with maritime life that they earned the nickname "ship's cats." Their presence was considered an omen of good fortune, protecting vessels from treacherous weather and ensuring safe passage across vast oceans.

The Hemingway Connection

Perhaps no figure is more closely associated with polydactyl cats than Ernest Hemingway. The famous author's love affair with these unique felines began when a ship captain gifted him a white polydactyl cat named Snow White.

His home in Key West, Florida, became a sanctuary for these special cats, and today, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum houses approximately 60 polydactyl cats, many descended from Snow White herself.

These cats are so strongly associated with the author that polydactyl cats are often called "Hemingway cats."

Presidential and Record-Breaking Cats

Theodore Roosevelt also shared an appreciation for polydactyl cats. His cat Slippers, known for its extra toes, made history by crashing a formal White House dinner, adding a touch of feline charm to presidential affairs.

In more recent history, a ginger cat named Jake set the Guinness World Record for the most toes on a cat, with an impressive 28 digits - seven on each paw.

Geographical Distribution

The prevalence of polydactyl cats follows interesting geographical patterns. They are most commonly found along the East Coast of North America, particularly in Boston, Massachusetts, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Their concentration in these areas directly correlates with the historic shipping routes, supporting the connection between these cats and maritime culture. Significant populations also exist in South West England and Wales, again aligning with historic seafaring communities.

Cultural Superstitions

While sailors embraced polydactyl cats as lucky charms, these cats faced different perceptions in continental Europe. During darker periods of history, their unusual physical trait sometimes led to associations with witchcraft.

Some believed these cats were witch's familiars, leading to persecution in certain regions. This contrast between maritime embrace and inland suspicion helped shape the distribution of polydactyl populations we see today.

Modern Recognition

Today, polydactyl cats continue to fascinate cat enthusiasts and geneticists alike. Their condition, caused by a dominant gene that can produce up to eight toes per paw, has been extensively studied.

While once valued for their perceived hunting prowess, modern polydactyl cats are celebrated for their unique appearance and the rich historical legacy they represent. Their story serves as a reminder of how deeply intertwined cats have been with human culture, from seafaring traditions to literary history.

This remarkable heritage of polydactyl cats influences many of the names chosen for them today, reflecting their maritime connections, literary associations, and cultural significance across different societies and time periods.