The Naming of Cats

"The Naming of Cats" explains the naming customs of Jellicle Cats. It is the second musical number in the show, with the audience having just been introduced to the tribe in "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats".

Context
Rather than sung, the number is recited in unison by the cast.

"Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" ends abruptly, as Asparagus interrupts:

There's a man over there, with a look of surprise As much as to say, well, how about that?

Munkustrap adds:

Do I actually see with mine own very eyes A man who's not heard of a Jellicle Cat?

The cats are at first suspicious and reluctant to allow the audience in their domain. But then at this, the entire ensemble gathers to quietly, intensely, explain in unison about The Naming of Cats. They explain to their human visitors who they are and reveal that cats have three different names: the one the family uses daily, a more dignified name and a secret name. The contemplation of these secret names keep the felines deep in thought.

In most productions, many of the cast will leave the stage and spread out among the theatre, making intense eye contact with members of the audience as they recite the lyrics. They then leave through various side exits as the number ends, with only Victoria remaining on stage for "The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball".

Many of the names of the ensemble characters are drawn from the names mentioned in the poem; in fact very few of the names mentioned are not attached to a character in at least some productions.

Lyrics
The naming of cats is a difficult matter It isn't just one of your holiday games You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter When I tell you a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily

Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James

Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey

All of them sensible, everyday names

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter

Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames

Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter

But all of them sensible everyday names

But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular

A name that's peculiar, and more dignified

Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular

Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum

Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat

Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum

Names that never belong to more than one cat

But above and beyond there's still one name left over

And that is the name that you never will guess

The name that no human research can discover

But the at himself knows, and will never confess

When you notice a cat in profound meditation

The reason, I tell you, is always the same:

His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation

Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name


 * His ineffable effable
 * Effanineffable

Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

Trivia

 * All of the "fancier" but still "sensible everyday names" are taken from ancient Greek figures, either historical ("Plato") or mythological ("Admetus", "Electra", "Demeter")
 * The only name mentioned that has not been used in a replica Cats production is "James". Of the more obscure ones, "Peter" was the name of the ensemble identity of Gus in the Broadway revival; "Jonathan" was a swing character in the World Tour, "Augustus" was a swing character in South Korea.