If you have a cat as your furry friend at home, or even a cat portrait on the wall, the thought about why cats are called ‘cats’ may have crossed your mind at some point.

Then again, if you own a cat, your pet may be either a male or a female of the species. However, did you know that both of these types are referred to by different names and have distinct characteristics?

Keep reading if your enthusiasm for the feline world goes great heights, and learn all about the etymological legacy of the word ‘cat’. Also, find out the different ways in which you can refer to the male and female cats!

The Etymology of ‘cat’

A journey to discover why cats are called ‘cats’ takes us back to the Roman Empire. The word used in the classical era was ‘cattus’, which moved down through several eras of history to come to the modern usage, ‘cat’.

• The closest ancestry of the word ‘cat’ can be located in Old English through Middle English. The word ‘catt’ in Old English, and ‘cat’ or ‘catte’ in Middle English, are the direct influences on the present name of the animal.
• The Old English word conceivably goes back to its Late Latin interpretation of ‘cattus’. This word is connected with Afro-Asiatic languages like the word ‘kadis’(Nubian). Both these terms mean ‘wildcat’.
• The significance of cats across world cultures affects their naming and perception. In ancient Egypt, cats were looked at with great veneration and even associated with deities. On the other hand, in European folklore, they had mystical significance.
• The term ‘cat’ later expanded to include all the feline family.
• The ancient roots of the word ‘cat’ can even be traced back to the regions where they were first domesticated. The Nubian word ‘kadis’ and the Arabic ‘qatt’ and ‘qitt’ serve as evidence of this ancient connection.
• The Latin roots of the word ‘cattus’ also extended to the Proto-Celtic ‘kattos’, resulting in the broader European adoption of the term.
• Slavic languages also adopted the word, with ‘kotuka’ in Old Church Slavonic and ‘koska’ in Russian, along with ‘katti’ in Finnish. The last one is a loan word from Lithuanian.

The Variations in Female Cat Names

There are unique terms for female cats based on their age, reproductive status and breed. Let us find out what sets each type of female cat apart from the others, and how to refer to them.

• The name ‘Molly’ is the most general name used for womanish kitties. The name can be applied to womanish pussycats of any age.The term is commonly used to refer to spayed female cats who can no longer reproduce.
• The origin of the word Molly is ambiguous. But some believe that the name may have been influenced by the Latin word for ‘soft’ or ‘gentle’.
• Before being desexed, a female cat is referred to as a ‘queen’. This is a word used to relate to a cat that has reached sexual maturity and that goes through its first heat cycle.
• The process of ‘queening’ or the birthing process in pussycats gives the name ‘queen’ to some.
• A pregnant cat or one that is nursing is always referred to as a queen.
• The word ‘dam’ refers to a female cat that is specifically used for breeding purposes. It possibly comes from the word ‘dame’, meaning a woman of status or seniority.

Why do male cats have just one name?

Unlike female cats, male cats are usually referred to only with the word ‘tomcat’ or just ‘tom’. This is mainly because they do not go through the same distinct reproductive process as females.
Normally, the word ‘tomcat’ signifies any male cat based on their breeding status. In fact, unlike female cats, male cats are not differentiated according to stages in their lifespan. The name ‘tomcat’ gained popularity owing to a fictional character.

• Around 1700, there came about a book, The Life and Adventures of a Cat. This work depicted a charismatic cat named Tom. This cat captivated the attention of many female felines.
• This story solidified the operation of the word ‘tomcat’ while about males of the species.
• The name Tom is also been in rotation in other ways. It is used to refer to males of other animals and birds at least since 1791. An instance can be shown with the word tom-turkey.

Wrapping up the feline saga

While cats have been familiar furry friends to humans for thousands of years, the names used to refer to the males and females of the species show the unique role each plays.

The etymological history of the term ‘cat’ goes back to the earliest classical eras, while several different cultures across the world have contributed to the changing terms used to refer to cats. Whether you’re a seasoned cat owner or just a cat enthusiast, understanding the nuances of cat terminology will only add to your delight and appreciation of these captivating creatures.

So, next time you see a cat or a beautiful cat portrait painting, make sure to use the right term to refer to your feline buddy! With this newfound knowledge, you’ll be purr-fectly equipped to impress fellow cat enthusiasts and deepen your appreciation for these fascinating felines.