Looking for witchy pet names? Here are more than 150 ideas, with female, male and gender-neutral names, picks for black cats, dogs, birds and other familiars, and names inspired by goddesses, the moon, herbs, crystals and famous witches.
When you picture a witch, it's hard to imagine her without a black cat. Cats have been linked with witches for centuries, but they're not the only animal a witch can share her life with. Any animal companion can be a familiar, bringing its own energy to your home and your practice.
A name is one of the first gifts you give a new pet, so it's worth choosing one that feels right. Take your time, say a few out loud, and see which one your new friend responds to.
How to Choose a Witchy Pet Name in 5 Steps
- Watch your pet for a few days. Is she bold, sleepy, mischievous, gentle? Let personality guide you.
- Think about what you love in your craft. Moon work, herbs, crystals, a favorite goddess or a sabbat can all inspire a name.
- Keep it short and easy to call. One or two syllables work best for training dogs. Long names can always get a nickname.
- Say it out loud. Try calling the name across the room. It should feel natural, not awkward.
- Make it official with a little ritual. Light a candle, hold or sit with your pet, and speak the name with a blessing for a long, happy life together.
Witchy Pet Names for Females
These witchy pet names for female cats, dogs and other companions draw on goddesses, nature and famous witches:
- Luna: Latin for moon
- Selene: Greek goddess of the moon
- Artemis: Greek goddess of the hunt and the moon
- Hecate: Greek goddess of witchcraft and crossroads
- Freya: Norse goddess of love and magick
- Isis: Egyptian goddess of magick and healing
- Persephone: queen of the underworld and the spring
- Brigid: Celtic goddess of hearth, healing and poetry
- Morgana: after Morgan le Fay, the enchantress of Arthurian legend
- Circe: the Greek sorceress who turned men into pigs
- Medea: the sorceress of the Golden Fleece myth
- Belladonna: the beautiful, poisonous nightshade (Bella for short)
- Hazel: from witch hazel
- Willow: the tree of the moon and intuition
- Juniper: a protective evergreen
- Lavender: for a calm, sweet pet
- Ivy: for a clingy cuddler
- Aurora: the dawn
- Stella: Latin for star
- Nova: a new star
- Wren: a tiny bird with a big voice
- Opal: a shimmering, mysterious stone
- Amethyst: the purple crystal of intuition
- Pearl: linked to the moon and the sea
- Ostara: the spring equinox sabbat
- Litha: the summer solstice sabbat
- Morticia: the elegant mother of the Addams Family
- Winifred: the eldest Sanderson sister in Hocus Pocus
- Sabrina: the teenage witch
- Tabitha: the little witch in Bewitched
- Endora: Samantha's mother in Bewitched
- Elphaba: the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked
- Glinda: the Good Witch of the North
- Hermione: the brightest witch of her age
- Ophelia: a dreamy, romantic name
- Calypso: the sea nymph of Greek myth
Love goddess names? Read more about Hecate and Brigid before you choose, so you know the story behind the name.
Witchy Pet Names for Males
- Salem: the sarcastic black cat from Sabrina
- Binx: the black cat from Hocus Pocus
- Merlin: the legendary wizard
- Puck: the mischievous sprite from A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Oberon: king of the fairies
- Pan: Greek god of the wild
- Cernunnos: the Celtic horned god (Cern for short)
- Herne: Herne the Hunter of English folklore
- Lugh: the skilled Irish god of Lughnasadh
- Dagda: the good god of Irish myth
- Bran: a Celtic name meaning raven
- Odin: the Norse god of wisdom and magick
- Loki: the Norse trickster, perfect for a troublemaker
- Thor: for a big, thunderous dog
- Thoth: Egyptian god of wisdom and writing
- Anubis: the jackal-headed guide of souls, great for a dark dog
- Apollo: Greek god of the sun and prophecy
- Sol: the sun
- Orion: the hunter constellation
- Corvus: the crow constellation
- Draco: the dragon constellation
- Onyx: a black protective stone
- Jet: a glossy black gemstone
- Obsidian: volcanic glass used for scrying
- Poe: after Edgar Allan Poe, author of The Raven
- Edgar: same inspiration, more formal
- Bram: after Bram Stoker, author of Dracula
- Grimm: after the Brothers Grimm
- Gandalf: the wise wizard of Middle-earth
- Severus: the brooding potions master
- Basil: a protective kitchen herb
- Cedar: a cleansing, protective wood
- Oak: the strong tree of the Oak King
- Ash: a sacred tree, or the ashes of the fire
- Zephyr: the west wind
- Gideon: a strong, old-fashioned name
Gender-Neutral Witchy Pet Names
Not sure yet, or just love a name that fits anyone? These unisex witchy names work for any pet:
- Raven: the messenger bird
- Rowan: a tree of protection
- Sage: the cleansing herb
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Twilight
- Phantom
- Thirteen
- Nightshade
- Licorice
- Ember: a glowing spark
- Cinder
- Hex
- Jinx
- Rune: a magickal letter
- Tarot
- Sigil
- Spell
- Moon
- Comet
- Eclipse
- Solstice
- Equinox
- Yule
- Mugwort: the dreaming herb
- Mandrake
- Thistle
- Clover
- Bramble
- Smudge
- Pumpkin
- Spooky
- Pixie
- Echo
- Storm
- Indigo
Witchy Names by Theme
If you want your pet's name to match a part of your practice, this table gives you a female, male and neutral idea for each theme. For more meanings of herbs and stones, browse the free Witch's Cabinet.
| Theme | Female | Male | Neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moon and stars | Luna, Selene, Stella | Orion, Sol, Draco | Comet, Eclipse, Nova |
| Herbs and plants | Hazel, Lavender, Belladonna | Basil, Cedar, Oak | Sage, Mugwort, Thistle |
| Crystals | Amethyst, Opal, Pearl | Onyx, Jet, Obsidian | Quartz, Jade, Garnet |
| Sabbats and seasons | Ostara, Litha, Autumn | Yule, Mabon, Frost | Solstice, Equinox, Ember |
| Goddesses and gods | Hecate, Freya, Brigid | Pan, Lugh, Thoth | Rowan, Raven, Echo |
| Famous witches and wizards | Morticia, Winifred, Sabrina | Merlin, Gandalf, Salem | Jinx, Hex, Binx |
Witchy Names from Movies, TV and Books
Pop culture is full of witchy inspiration. Harry Potter, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, Hocus Pocus and Disney classics have inspired pet owners for years. A few favorites:
- Crookshanks: Hermione's clever orange cat in Harry Potter
- Minerva: Professor McGonagall, who can turn into a cat
- Hedwig: Harry's loyal snowy owl
- Salem: the sarcastic black cat from Sabrina
- Binx: Thackery Binx, the boy turned into a black cat in Hocus Pocus
- Ursula: the sea witch from The Little Mermaid
- Maleficent: the dark fairy from Sleeping Beauty
- Melisandre: the red priestess from Game of Thrones
- Phoebe, Piper or Prue: the Halliwell sisters from Charmed
- Samantha: the witch next door in Bewitched
- Wednesday: the Addams Family's deadpan daughter
- Kiki: the young witch from Kiki's Delivery Service, with her black cat Jiji
Witchy Names Inspired by Gods and Goddesses
Many witches look to mythology for a name. Ancient gods and goddesses have some of the most beautiful names around. If you choose one, it's a nice idea to learn about the deity and name your pet with respect. Our article on the Moon Goddess and the Horned God is a good place to start.
- Brigid: Celtic goddess of hearth and home, seen by many as the Maiden
- Danu: the Irish mother goddess, seen by many as the Mother
- Morrigan: Irish goddess of war and sovereignty, seen by many as the Crone
- Circe: the enchantress of Greek myth who turned her enemies into animals
- Hecate: the Greek goddess most linked with witchcraft, magick and the moon
- Nyx: the Greek goddess of the night
- Cernunnos: the Celtic "Lord of the Wild Things," often seen as the Horned God
- Pan: the Greek god of the wild and of shepherds
- Hades: Greek god of the underworld
- Harpy: the storm spirits of Greek myth, with the bodies of birds
- Ra: the Egyptian sun god
- Osiris: Egyptian god of the dead and of farming
- Neith: an ancient Egyptian creator goddess
Witchy Names by Animal
Witchy Names for Black Cats
A black cat practically demands a witchy name. Try Salem, Binx, Onyx, Jet, Midnight, Shadow, Nyx, Raven, Licorice, Hecate, Morticia, Jinx, Eclipse or Pepper. Black cats are often the last to be adopted from shelters, so if you're thinking of a familiar, consider giving one a home.
Witchy Dog Names (Female and Male)
For dogs, pick a name that's easy to call at the park. Witchy dog names for females: Luna, Freya, Artemis (perfect for a hunting breed), Hazel, Willow, Morrigan, Bella (short for Belladonna) and Juniper. Witchy dog names for males: Odin, Loki, Anubis, Thor, Merlin, Orion, Bran and Grimm.
Witchy Names for Birds, Reptiles and Small Pets
- Birds: Hedwig, Corvus, Poe, Raven, Wren, or Huginn and Muninn (Odin's two ravens) for a pair.
- Snakes and reptiles: Medusa, Ouroboros, Basil, Draco, Smaug or Jade.
- Rabbits: Ostara, Clover, Thistle, Bramble or Pumpkin.
- Rats, mice and hamsters: Pip, Mugwort, Pixie, Puck or Echo.
Keep Your Familiar Safe Around Your Craft
Whatever you call your pet, keep them safe while you practice. Many things in a witch's home can hurt animals:
- Plants: lilies are extremely dangerous to cats, and many common witchy plants, like foxglove, belladonna, mistletoe and mandrake, are toxic to pets.
- Essential oils and incense: oils like tea tree, eucalyptus and pennyroyal can harm cats and dogs. Never put oils on your pet, and use incense in a ventilated room they can leave.
- Candles: curious tails and paws and open flames don't mix. Never leave a lit candle alone with a pet.
- Small items: tumbled crystals, charms and loose herbs can be swallowed.
If your pet eats something they shouldn't, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away. Herbs and spells are never a substitute for veterinary care. To learn more about working with animal companions in your practice, see our Spirits and Familiars course.
Final Thoughts
In the end, you're the best person to decide which name fits your pet. Use this list as inspiration, but don't limit yourself to it: the perfect witchy name might come from your favorite herb, a dream, or the night you met. Whatever you choose, say it with love.
What's your familiar's name, and how did you choose it? We'd love to hear about your witchy companions.
Check out our other articles:
Get to Know Your Familiar
Hecate: The Divine Triple Goddess
Types of Witches
13 Best Herbs for a Witch's Garden
See All Articles
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Witchy Pet Name FAQs
What are some witchy pet names for a female cat?
Popular witchy names for female cats include Luna, Hecate, Morgana, Belladonna, Willow, Hazel, Selene, Freya, Morticia and Sabrina. Pick one that matches her personality, whether she's a gentle Luna or a mischievous Jinx.
What is a good witchy name for a black cat?
Salem is the classic, but Binx, Onyx, Jet, Midnight, Shadow, Nyx, Raven and Licorice are all great witchy names for a black cat. Hecate and Morticia suit an elegant black cat too.
What are some witchy dog names for females?
Try Luna, Freya, Artemis, Hazel, Willow, Juniper, Morrigan or Bella (short for Belladonna). Shorter names are easier for dogs to learn, so choose one or two syllables or plan a nickname.
Is it okay to name a pet after a god or goddess?
Many witches do, and it can be a lovely way to honor a deity you love. It's respectful to learn the deity's story first and to choose a name with care. If you work closely with a deity, trust what feels right to you.
Is my pet my familiar?
Not every pet is a familiar, but any animal can become one. A familiar is an animal you share a strong spiritual bond with, one that seems drawn to your practice and supports your energy. Spend time with your pet and see how they respond when you work.
