We know how exciting the process of arriving home with a new kitten can be. But we also know how nerve-racking it can be – especially if this is your first kitty!

If you’ve just adopted a kitten, or are deciding whether it’s for you, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive and handy guide. To launch the series, we’re starting with the basics – coming up with the purrfect name for your new ball of floof.

Lost for words after overcoming challenge #1 of choosing which kitty to take home? Delve into our range of naming ideas below.

If you don’t like your kitten’s shelter name, do you have to keep it?

All animals at RSPCA South Australia are already named when put up for adoption. The good news is, if you don’t like their existing name, you’re free to change it to whatever you want!

Don’t worry, your new kitty will soon adjust to their new name without any problems at all.

And we’d absolutely love to hear their new name and why you chose it – especially if you’ve taken inspiration from some of our ideas below!

Make sure to take a photo and tag us on Facebook or Instagram at @rspcasa and #rspcasa.

No idea where to start? Perhaps consider giving your kitten a personalised name

Sometimes, when we meet our new kitty they have a trait or feature so strong that their name simply has to reflect it.

As a starting point, see if your cat has a distinctive appearance that could inspire a cute name.

Here are some ideas:

• Sooty
• Jet
• Shadow
• Panda
• Penguin
• Cinnamon

If their appearance isn’t providing any inspo, maybe your cat has an interesting story that their name could reflect? It all depends on their story, but is your cat:

• Lucky?
• A Trooper?
• Sassy?

Want a special South Aussie kitty? You could always ask RSPCA staff which street or suburb your cat was found or born in.

• Nothing wrong with a cat named Burnside, hey?

Still unsure? What about naming them after a character?

If none of the personalised names seem right for your special one, you could always name them after a famous feline or even a cartoon character. After all, if these names are worthy for cats in the limelight, why not your own?

These are our top picks:

• Luna (Sailor Moon)
• Salem (Sabrina)
• Figaro (Pinocchio)
• Simba/Nala (The Lion King)
• Tigger (Winnie the Pooh)
• Felix (Felix the Cat)

Not your thing? How about a Greek God?

Still not sold? If you feel like your fluffball deserves a more unique name, you could always go down a little less conventional path. Perhaps you could name them after your favourite Greek God!

Consider the following for inspo:

• Zeus (God of the Sky)
• Hebe (Goddess of Youth)
• Apollo (God of the Sun)
• Athena (Goddess of Wisdom)
• Hypnos (God of Sleep)
• Iris (Goddess of the Rainbow)

Some things to keep in mind

Overall, it’s a good idea to keep your cat’s name short and sweet so that it’s easy to call and respond to.

While one or two syllables are best, if you’re in love with a longer name then make sure you also have a cute nickname in mind so that it can be easily shortened.

Remember: cats actually do know their names once they learn them – sometimes they just choose to ignore us!

Stay tuned for the rest of our complete guide to raising a kitten, and make sure to keep us updated on your journey at Facebook or Instagram by tagging us at @rspcasa and #rspcasa.