Regina is Latin for "queen" — the direct feminine form of rex (king) — and carries that formal, imperious energy into whatever room it enters. On a cat, it's almost too accurate. On a dog, it's an aspiration the owner holds for a very specific type of animal: one that expects to be deferred to and usually gets it.
Mean Girls Association
Regina George — the queen bee antagonist of Mean Girls (2004) — gave the name a sharp pop-culture update that is impossible to ignore. A cat named Regina is almost certainly a deliberate Mean Girls tribute: the aloof, controlling animal who runs the household. Maine Coons and Siamese cats carry this energy with full commitment.
Royal Etymology in Daily Use
The Latin root means the name works as both tribute and description: a pet who genuinely rules the household has earned the title. The human name Regina has old-Hollywood associations through Regina Carter and a general mid-century formality that makes it vintage-cool in 2025.
The Counter-Reading: Character Baggage
Regina George is a villain, however beloved. Owners who want the regal without the mean-girl connotation might prefer Queenie as a softer alternative. Browse royal-inspired names at pet names.