Let me just say something that you and I both know is entirely too true: 2020 has been a year. At the time of writing, we have 95 days until January 1, 2021. I don't know that we're all going to magically wake up to the dawning of a new era on the first day of 2021, but I'm going to hope so.
Even though 2020 has been a hot mess (and the year still has plenty of time to unleash even more of a mess on us), it's still worth documenting every little thing that's happened. You know, for posterity's sake! Because if there's another thing that's true, it's that a whole lot of us are definitely going to be telling our grandkids and great-grandkids about what we lived through this year.
When it comes to documenting the dumpster fire we all currently call home, you have options: journaling, tweeting, and updating your Facebook every 15 minutes are all valid. But I encourage you to consider an alternative: adopt a cat, and give your cat a name that perfectly encapsulates this year. In this spirit, here are 15 cat names for 2020 that pretty much sum up the few highs and the many, many lows.
1. Wuhan
On January 1, 2020, the Chinese government announced that it was investigating an "outbreak of respiratory illness in the central city of Wuhan." Of course, we all know just what that respiratory illness was, and we continue to live with its devastating impact. So far, that illness has killed more than 200,000 Americans.
While you may not want to name your new furry pet after the illness itself, Wuhan actually kind of has a nice ring to it, no? Just think: every time you step into your shoes only to discover that your cat has left you a "surprise" because she's mad, you can scream, "CURSE YOU, WUHAN!" while you fruitlessly shake your fist heavenward.
2. Soleimani
Remember this news story? When the US conducted a drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport on January 3 and killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, a lot of really thought World War III was going to break out any minute.
When 56 people were killed in a stampede at Soleimani's funeral days later, the rest of us were convinced. Luckily, that didn't happen — but the death of Soleimani was definitely a huge 2020 moment.
3. Meghan Markle
If anyone had a big January this year, it was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Royal watchers around the world were taken aback when the pair announced their decision to "step back" as senior members of the royal family. While Harry obviously played a huge role in the decision, it's clear that meeting Meghan definitely rocked his world in all the best ways. Therefore, I nominate Meghan Markle as tribute for No. 3 on the list of cat names for 2020.
4. Kobe
We're still in January, friends!
People around the world were devastated when Kobe Bryant lost his life in a helicopter crash on January 26. Kobe was traveling with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others to a basketball game when their helicopter crashed into a California mountainside. Given that Kobe lived a truly legendary life, naming a cat after the man is the least you can do. Not everyone gets to be known immediately by only one name, but Kobe definitely did.
5. Nancy Pelosi
While she is definitely a controversial figure for many, there's no denying that Nancy Pelosi has had quite the year. She made headlines around the world on February 4, when she ripped up a copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.
Nancy remained unapologetic, explaining that, "The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people."
6. Parasite
In case you missed it, this incredible film from South Korea won the Oscar for best picture in February. In doing so, Parasite became the first feature film in a foreign language to win the Academy Award in that category. The film is currently streaming on Hulu if you haven't seen it yet!
7. Joe Biden
You know who else is having a pretty big year? Joe freaking Biden. The former vice-president and current candidate for president of the United States surprised just about everyone when he dominated Super Tuesday on March 10. Joe has gone on to secure the nomination for the Democratic Party, and will go head-to-head against Trump in November.
8. The Virus That Must Not Be Named
Listen, at this point in 2020, we are all pretty sick of the c-word, right? But considering this virus has completely turned the world upside down, it's kind of impossible to make a list of possible cat names for 2020 without at least mentioning it. However, why not choose to switch it up and throw in a Harry Potter nod to boot?
9. Lockdown
I almost suggested "social distancing" as a cat name for 2020, but it doesn't have quite the same ring to it. If there is a second word we're all tired of hearing this year, it's got to be lockdown. However, as a cat name … it's kind of cool. If you're a Transformers fan, then it's also a reference to that franchise.
10. Alicia, Opal, or Patrisse
This year has seen a lot of tragic events that have brought racial tensions in the US to a boiling point. Numerous Black Americans have been killed by the police or by white people who act like vigilantes, and this summer, hundreds of thousands of Americans took to the streets to voice the need for real, sustained reform in this country.
Black Lives Matter is a political and social movement that has rocked this nation ever since its founding. There are three women who are credited with bringing the idea for the movement to life: Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors.
11. Murder Hornet
When we first heard murder hornets had arrived in Washington state, a lot of Americans were ready to throw in the towel on this whole dang year. Luckily, the panic was short-lived, as the hornets never seemed to cause that much damage. But their legacy definitely still endures, and Murder Hornet is a pretty killer option for cat names for 2020.
12. Kamala Harris
Hello! Kamala Harris was chosen by Joe Biden to be his running mate on August 21, which makes her the first Black, Indian American, South Asian, and Asian American nominee for vice-president … ever. If that's not impressive enough, the California senator has a legacy that's just about unmatched.
13. Chadwick/Chadwick Boseman/T'Challa
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died on August 28 at the age of 43. News of his death surprised and devastated people around the world. While Chadwick ultimately lost his fight against colon cancer, he touched the lives of countless children and adults around the world.
14. Ruth/RBG/Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The legendary Supreme Court justice and advocate for human rights died on September 18. News of her death devastated millions of people around the world, but the way that Ruth Bader Ginsburg lived her life is truly inspirational. Plus, if you give your cat this name, think of all the cute collars you can buy to go with it!
15. 750
On September 27, the tax returns filed by Donald Trump were released in a bombshell report published in The New York Times. Among other things, we all found out that Trump only paid $750 in taxes in 2016. The average income tax rate for Americans was 14.20% in 2016. In 2016, Trump's net worth was estimated to be $3.7 billion, so the $750 is definitely … an eye-opener. Don't you want to tell little 750 that it's time for bed? Time to eat? Time to pay her fair share in keeping this country, I mean, your home, running? I thought so.
