After the creation of the world, God gave to Adam the notable task of naming the animals. Typically, the right of naming is reserved for the creator of said thing, but God’s inclusion of man in this role was further indication of His adoption of mankind as sons and daughters. To this day, the task of naming anything (children, businesses, inventions, etc.) is a process that brings about immense satisfaction and joy once completed. In His Omnipotence, God knew we would enjoy the process and in His generosity shared the privilege with us.
Unsurprisingly, many faithful followers find inspiration in their Faith when it comes to naming the animal members of their households.
Clever Catholic Names for Pets
Catholic websites and Facebook groups are full of posts and threads dedicated to Catholic baby names. These are often places of heavy traffic and engagement. However, there are very few places discussing names of pets owned by Catholics and Christians.
Below are names of present and past pets belonging to various members of the Body of Christ… with a few ideas thrown in the mix!
Samson // A King poodle who was quite notable in size
Pup Francis // The canine companion of a parish priest
Gregory // Perfect for a Great Dane after Saint Gregory the Great (or any other Saint who shares the title)
Puddleglum // A gray goldfish named for the character from C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair
Bethlehem, aka “Beth” // For a donkey whose species has obvious connections to the town
Reverend Fulton Sheen, aka “Rev” // A black cat
Turtullian & Aristotle // Two baby turtles hatched on the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila with a fun connection to the “ter/tur” connection. As a unit they were referred to as, “Ter” and “Tle.”
Gabriel & Michael // Two German shepherds, a breed notable as guard dogs
Tenebrae // A black dog named after the traditional Holy Wednesday custom that leaves the whole church in darkness
Dominic // A Boston terrier with black and white markings (similar to the colors of a Dominican habit)
Leviticus // One of many cats belonging to a little girl
Pangur Ban // A cat named after the poem whose author is unknown but thought to originate from a Benedictine abbey
Cateri // Another cat; named for Saint Kateri with a “punny” spelling
Dog Bosco // A dog named after the beloved Don Bosco
Simon & Peter // Twin calves born on feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
1 & 2 Timothy // Brother cats whose names were inspired both by Scripture and the Anne of Green Gables series
Bishop // A dog who was rescued with the name
Hole-in-One aka, “Holy” // The dog of a priest/avid golfer
Padre // A black cat with a white patch on the front of his neck resembling a priest’s collar
Deacon // The emotional support dog of a parish priest
Pied Beauty aka “Beauty” // For any dappled or brindle-coated animal; inspired by the work of Gerard Manly Hopkins
Polycarp // Appropriate for any pet fish
Rocco // A dog with patterns like red granite, but also with ties to Saint Rocco
Caspian // A guinea pig named after the character from the Narnia series
Damascus // A bold name for a horse inspired by Carvaggio’s famous painting Conversion on the Way to Damascus
Linus, Cletus, Clement, Agatha, Lucy, & Cecilia // Chicks who hatched around the same time and named after the martyrs in the Eucharistic prayer
Saint // A dog who is anything but (though helping his owners to grow in virtue)
Cupertino aka “Cooper” // Another beloved canine
Aquinas // A bull whose name was inspired by the “dumb ox” nickname given to the Saint by his classmates
Clairvaux // An idea for a Saint Bernard
Moses // The wavy-haired emotional support dog of a Catholic high school
Patrick // Appropriate for an Irish setter
Hound of Heaven, aka “Hound” or “Howie”// An idea for a dog named for the poem; the real Hound of Heaven is, of course, God’s Love which never stops seeking us
What other names have you heard for Catholic pets? Share with us in the comments!
Clever Catholic Names for Pets #BISblog //Click to tweet
Grace Bellon is a wife, mom, and high school theology teacher who has spent years walking with young people as they wrestle with faith, identity, and the ache for something more. She writes from the heart of a classroom, the hustle of family life, and the quiet corners where the Lord speaks most tenderly. She believes in miracles, mercy, and the delicate art of balancing home-cooked meals with takeout nights. Her sweetest joys are found in the company of one man who keeps her coffee cup full, her children who keep her laundry baskets fuller, and the Eucharist which fills her heart and soul.
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