Choosing a name for your beautiful new kitten or cat can be difficult - especially if you want an interesting name or one that has particular meaning.

Try to avoid choosing a long name, as it is likely to be abbreviated. Consider how the name would be shortened and whether you like the shortened form.

It is also important to consider whether you will be comfortable calling out the name, or if not you, other members of the household.

There are lots of ways to find great names. The following categories will get you thinking creatively:

1. Appearance

Looking at your kittens coloring or coat pattern, what words come to mind? Grey cats might suggest Smokey or Misty. Calico cats might suggest Patchwork or Cookie.

2. Books and Film

Who are your favorite book or movie characters? Who are your favorite authors? Names like Sherlock or Agatha may appeal if you like mysteries. Dickens or Bronte? Harry or Hermione? If you like older films, maybe Groucho or Harpo. You could surely create a huge list of possibilities here.

3. Cartoons

Cartoon cats to consider are Tom, Sylvester or Garfield. Disney and Dreamworks films offer a plethora of character names...Ariel, Bambi, Aladdin, Shrek, Mulan, Woody, Buzz.

4. Gods/Goddesses

Some examples are Aurora, Zeus, Aphrodite, Venus, Mercury and Apollo.

5. Philosophers

Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, Nietzsche, Voltaire...

6. Musicians

Classical music lovers might like Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, Vivaldi, Chopin or Puccini. Modern music lovers might like Elvis, Zeppelin, Dylan, Joplin, Madonna or Bowie.

7. Pairs

If you are naming a pair of kittens, consider famous couples or duos such as Sonny and Cher, Oscar and Lucinda, Simon and Garfunkle, Napoleon and Josephine, Torville and Dean, Rain and Bow, Adam and Eve, Fish and Chips, Salt and Vinegar, Abbott and Costello.

8. Sport

Sport stars offer lots of name possibilities. If you're into tennis, you might like Sampras, McEnroe, Agassi, Stefi or Martina. Boxing fans might like Ali or Hurricane. Soccer enthusiasts might like Beckham or Pele.

9. Fashion

Fashion designers and models provide good possibilities for your kitten's name. Dior, Chanel, Coco, Armani, Tyra, Claudia, Giselle, Prada, Hugo, Gucci, Cartier, Fendi, Dolce, Tiffany, Zegna, Ray Bands, Hermes, Lacroix, Givenchy, Hermes.

10. Food

The possibilities are endless. For sweets, there is Baci, Sugar, Toffee, Fudge, Choc and Biscuit. Herbs and spices are another helpful category - Basil, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Sage, Ginger, Pepper, Saffron and Vanilla.

11. Places

What's your favorite city or town? Sydney, Melbourne, Paris, Milan, London, Aspen, Cairo, China, Vienna, Congo, Giza, Kashmir, Reno.

12. Historical

Mythology, politics and science could give you some great ideas, like Nightingale, Avalon, Aztec, Camelot, Delilah, Evita, Godiva, Sheeba, Einstein, Freud and Edison.

13. Titles

Is your kitten rather regal? Countess, Duchess, Fraulein, Senorita, Dame, Madam, Duke, Earl, Baron, Viscount, Queen, Princess, Prince, Lady to name a few.

14. Nature

Inspiration can come from gems, flowers, trees, animals and weather. Bamboo, Amber, Crystal, Blossom, Bonsai, Buttercup, Coral, Cosmic, Tempest, Daisy, Firefly, Cougar, Nimbus, Nova and Opal.

15. Alcohol

Wines, spirits and beers offer lots of inspiration...Amaretto, Baccardi, Vodka, Whisky, Brandy, Champagne, Daiquiri, Kahlua, Madeira, Margarita, Moet, Moonshine and Shiraz.