Taylor Swift Cats Names: Meet Meredith, Olivia and Benjamin
If you’ve ever wondered about Taylor Swift cats names, you’re not alone. It’s a search that is performed by millions of users per year. Swift has 3 cats named Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button. These are all names of characters in a TV or movie that Taylor loves. These cats are more than just pets. They have their own fan pages, brand deals and even their own IMDB credits.
All three cats are covered in this guide. You’ll learn their names, breeds, ages, and learn why Taylor chose them.
Meredith Grey: The Original Cat
The eldest and oldest of the three is Meredith. She was adopted on Halloween in 2011, and was the first cat that Taylor had brought home. She is a Scottish Fold who has a round face and folded ears.
The name refers to an easy association. Taylor’s favorite show is Grey’s Anatomy and Meredith Grey is a perfect name for a grey cat. Two birds, one name.
Meredith is no cuddle cat. She is very cuddle loving but not too cuddle friendly. The fans just adore her. She has been seen over the past decade throughout Taylor’s social media and even at her announcement of her album Midnights.
Taylor Swift Cats Names: The Quick Answer
Here’s the short version for anyone in a hurry.
| Cat Name | Breed | Adopted | Named After |
| Meredith Grey | Scottish Fold | 2011 | Grey’s Anatomy character |
| Olivia Benson | Scottish Fold | June 2014 | Law & Order: SVU character |
| Benjamin Button | Ragdoll | 2019 | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button |
Now let’s go deeper on each one.
Olivia Benson: The Spunky One
Olivia joined the family a few years later. She was adopted in June 2014, right as Taylor was shifting from country music into pop with her 1989 album.
The name is a direct nod to television. Olivia was named after Law and Order: SVU’s Captain Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay. At home, though, Taylor uses a different name entirely. She calls Olivia Sergeant Olivia, but the cat also goes by Dibbles around the house.
Olivia has done more than just sit around looking cute. She has appeared in Swift’s music videos for “Blank Space,” “Me!” and “Karma,” plus the documentary Miss Americana. She’s also been the face of ad campaigns. Olivia has starred in commercials for Keds, Diet Coke, AT&T and DirecTV, and she’s the logo for Taylor Swift Productions, Taylor’s own media company.
Here’s a fun detail: the actress Olivia is named after and eventually returned the favor. In 2023, Mariska Hargitay adopted her own cat and named it Karma, as a tribute to both Taylor’s song and the cat that shares her character’s name.
Benjamin Button: The Baby of the Group
Benjamin is the newest addition and the only one who isn’t a Scottish Fold. He’s a Ragdoll, a breed known for being calm and easygoing.
His story starts on a music video set. Benji debuted in the “ME!” music video, and that set is actually where Taylor first met him as a kitten. He wasn’t even supposed to be hers. A behind-the-scenes clip shows Taylor jokingly asking if she could take Benji, then just a prop for the shoot, home with her. The answer was yes.
Benjamin has become a favorite among fans for one reason: he actually likes being held. Taylor has said he lets humans hold him like a baby, which is rare for cats in general.
Why Do the Taylor Swift Cats Names Matter So Much to Fans?
It’s a fair question. Why do people care so much about a celebrity’s pet names?
Part of it is the pattern. Taylor didn’t pick random names. She told Rolling Stone in 2014 that Meredith and Olivia’s names were themed around strong, complex, independent women. That’s a message fans connect with.
Part of it is exposure. These cats show up in music videos, interviews, album announcements and even political statements. In one widely shared moment, Taylor endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024 using a photo of Benjamin Button, signing the post “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”
And part of it is just charm. Fans like feeling close to their favorite artist, and knowing her cats’ names and quirks is one small way to do that.
A Note on Scottish Fold Health
There’s a serious side to this story to mention. Scottish Folds are a breed with a genetic disease related to their unique folded ears, including Meredith and Olivia. All Scottish Fold cats have a degenerative joint disease known as osteochondrodysplasia and Olivia is one of them. Breeding of cats with this trait has been criticized by vets and animal welfare organizations as it leads to chronic joint pain. It is important to do some research before you choose to get a Scottish Fold yourself and consult with a vet.
Short Answer
| Question | Short Answer |
| What are Taylor Swift’s cats’ names? | Her three cats are Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button. |
| How many cats does Taylor Swift have? | Taylor Swift has three cats total. |
| What breed are Taylor Swift’s cats? | Meredith and Olivia are Scottish Folds. Benjamin Button is a Ragdoll. |
| When did Taylor Swift get her first cat? | She adopted Meredith Grey on Halloween in 2011. |
| Why is Olivia Benson called Dibbles? | Taylor gave her the nickname Dibbles even though she’s named after a TV detective. |
| Which cat appeared in Taylor’s music videos? | Olivia Benson appeared in “Blank Space,” “Me!” and “Karma.” |
The Bottom Line
Taylor Swift cats names all trace back to TV shows and movies she loves. Meredith Grey is from Grey’s Anatomy. Olivia Benson is from the TV show, Law & Order: SVU. The Brad Pitt movie Benjamin Button. All three cats have been featured in videos, interviews and appearances that are not strictly music related, and have become a part of Taylor’s public image.
The next time you see a random cat pop up in one of Taylor’s posts, you will know who you are looking at.
FAQs:
Q: What are Taylor Swift cats names?
Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button.
Q: How many cats does Taylor Swift have?
Three.
Q: What breed are Taylor Swift’s cats?
Meredith and Olivia are Scottish Folds. Benjamin is a Ragdoll.
Q: Which cat is the oldest?
Meredith Grey, adopted in 2011.
Q: Which cat is the youngest?
Benjamin Button, adopted in 2019.
Q: Why is Meredith named Meredith Grey?
After the Grey’s Anatomy character, and she’s a grey cat.
Q: Why is Olivia named Olivia Benson?
After the Law & Order: SVU detective played by Mariska Hargitay.
Q: Why is Benjamin named Benjamin Button?
After the Brad Pitt movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Q: Does Olivia Benson have a nickname?
Yes, Taylor also calls her Dibbles.
Q: Which cat appeared in the “Me!” music video?
Both Meredith and Benjamin appeared in it.
Q: Do Taylor Swift’s cats have health issues?
Yes, Scottish Folds like Meredith and Olivia carry a joint condition called osteochondrodysplasia.
Q: Has Taylor Swift ever used her cats publicly?
Yes, including a 2024 political endorsement post featuring Benjamin Button.
