Skip to content

Cat Quote by Neil Gaiman

“What's your name,' Coraline asked the cat. 'Look, I'm Coraline. Okay?' 'Cats don't have names,' it said. 'No?' said Coraline. 'No,' said the cat. 'Now you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names.” quote by Neil Gaiman
Download Open image
“What's your name,' Coraline asked the cat. 'Look, I'm Coraline. Okay?' 'Cats don't have names,' it said. 'No?' said Coraline. 'No,' said the cat. 'Now you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names.”

Neil Gaiman

About This Quote

Source Film: Coraline, 2009

The cat suggests that names are unnecessary when one truly knows oneself, implying identity is internal rather than labeled.

In simple terms: Identity is deeper than a name.

Key Takeaway

Know yourself, not the label.

Themes

identity self-awareness language

Mood

curious reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • psychology
  • social interaction
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

existentialism self-concept

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you feel your name reflects who you are?
  • Can identity exist without external labels?
A Different Perspective

Names can be important for social navigation and legal matters.

2.7 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Neil Gaiman

Explore all 2,527 Neil Gaiman quotes

More Cat quotes

Browse all 2,996 Cat quotes