Computer science student rescues a cat outside of his university and unintentionally names him after his classmate, now class is awkward: ‘Everyone looked at me strangely…’

Giuliana Tiscioni • Writer

Jun 30, 2026 9:45 PM EDT

Don't you think it's harder to name your pets rather than your kids?

No one questions the names parents give to their children, at least not out loud. They have the right to name them whatever they want, after all, they're raising those kids. However, it's not the same thing when it comes to your pets, I'm afraid. Since you don't have to actually give birth to them or teach them to navigate human society, they don't need a socially acceptable name like Mark or Shannon. They get names like Spike or Fluffy! . But just because they're animals doesn't mean their names shouldn't be meaningful and personal. Sometimes the names come from family stories, to pay homage to someone, or just because you really like how it sounds.

Reddit user u/pandagidyne had a pet naming fiasco. After rescuing a female cat that his father-in-law named, he found out at the vet she was in fact, a neutered male cat. Of course, she had a name already, so the family changed it to the male equivalent. The thing is, now they just call him a totally different name, which happens to be the same as our Redditor's classmate. Needless to say, the classmate was not happy.

Here's my question for the classmate: What's the big deal? The guy rescued a cat, the family named it, and it so happens to match your name. A funny coincidence, if you ask me, something to laugh off without giving it much thought. Don't worry, they're not obsessed with you, they're not chasing you, in fact, they probably don't care much about you.

If it were me, I would go around with the biggest smile ever telling people I have a cat named after me. The point is, let them be happy and name their pets whatever they want. Is it your cat? No. Is the cat gonna live with you? No. Are you gonna get confused over who they're talking to when they call his name? No, because, most likely, it will never be about you.

Now that I'm done venting, please, continue scrolling. If you ignore the classmate's attitude, the story is quite funny, and other Redditor's opinions make it even better. Actually, they're the best part (there goes something I never thought I'd say).

via Andrej Lišakov for Unsplash+
TIFU by telling my classmate my cats name

via pandagidyne
via pandagidyne
via Manja Vitolic for Unsplash+
via pandagidyne
via pandagidyne
Now, the best part of the post: people's responses. I'm telling you, if you ever want help dealing with annoying people, just ask Reddit. They raise them pretty funny in there.
via froglet80
via SatanStump
via Raul Varzar for Unsplash+
via InsectElectrical2066
via InsectElectrical2066
via barry922
via KatVanWall
via ReturnOfTheGempire
via Alicja Gancarz for Unsplash+

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Computer science student rescues a cat outside of his university and unintentionally names him after his classmate, now class is awkward: ‘Everyone looked at me strangely…’

Don't you think it's harder to name your pets rather than your kids?

TIFU by telling my classmate my cats name

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