Once you've brought your kitten home, it's time to choose a suitable name for your new companion. Many people like to take the time to get to know the personality traits of their kitten before selecting a name. But sometimes, as soon as you set eyes on your kitten, a name just sticks.

To help you choose a name that best suits your kitten, we've put together some great tips to get you on the right track.

Keep it short and sweet

Shorter names (containing one or two syllables) are often easier for your cat to learn and are easier to call out. To avoid confusion, your cat's name should sound different to the names of other people and pets in the house, and different to important commands like 'come' or 'no'.

Look for longevity

Choose a name your kitten can grow into. With cats living longer and longer you may be calling out your kitten's name for the next 20 years! Try and choose a name that is both suitable for a kitten and an adult cat.

Pay attention to personality

The unique personality of your kitten may influence your naming ideas. A playful naughty kitten might be a "Rascal" or a pampered little girl a "Princess".

Get inspired by looks

You can get naming inspiration from your kitten's breed or appearance. A Rag Doll might suit the name Fluffy, whereas a Bombay (black cat) might be aptly named Midnight.

Consider a human name

With the ever-growing humanisation of pets, it's not surprising that many people are choosing human names for their cats. Some of the most popular names for males include Oscar, Max and Sam. Popular female names are Bella, Chloe, Lucy, Missy and Coco.

Involve the family

Involve the whole family in the naming process, have each family member write down their three favourite names. Then have a family discussion about which one best suits your kitten.