Toulouse is the French city in the southwest known as "La Ville Rose" for its pink brick architecture — but for most American pet owners the name points directly to Toulouse the kitten from Disney's The Aristocats (1970): the artistically inclined orange tabby who is always painting. At rank 2556 with 36 registry appearances, this is a charming, specific cultural reference.
The Aristocats Connection
Toulouse in The Aristocats is the bold, artistic brother — orange, energetic, and convinced he's going to be a great painter. The name is close to perfect for an orange tabby cat, and owners of orange male cats have been making this choice since the film's release. The Disney association runs so deep that any other frame for the name (the French city, the painter Toulouse-Lautrec) is secondary for most people.
The Toulouse-Lautrec Connection
For owners who want to lean into the art-world angle rather than the Disney one, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — the Post-Impressionist painter known for his Moulin Rouge posters — gives the name a bohemian, artistic credibility. A cat named Toulouse who watches you sketch from across the room earns the reference either way.
The Counter-Reading: Pronunciation Varies
Toulouse (too-LOOZ) is simple enough for French speakers, but anglicized versions vary: Too-loose, Too-loos. Owners should decide on a pronunciation early and stick with it, or embrace the inconsistency as part of the name's French charm.