Say it out loud
A good cat name should be easy to say when you are calling from the kitchen, talking to the vet, or asking the cat to please stop investigating a cabinet. Short names and clear sounds usually hold up better than a joke you only liked for one afternoon.
Let the cat grow into it
Kitten names can be sweet, but picture the adult cat too. A tiny kitten named Bean may become a confident sofa monarch, and that can still work if the name feels affectionate instead of babyish.
Match the routine, not just the photo
Coat color can inspire a name, but personality often makes it stick. A quiet window watcher, bold climber, snack detective, or dramatic talker may tell you more than one pretty picture ever will.
Try it for a few days
Use the name during meals, play, and gentle attention before you decide. If it feels natural, your family uses it consistently, and your cat starts pairing it with good things, you probably found the right one.