kot

Kot is a term with several uses in different languages and contexts. In Polish, kot is the common noun for a domesticated cat, with the affectionate diminutive kotek meaning a small or young cat. In Russian, кот (kot) likewise denotes a male cat, while кошка (koška) refers to a female cat; коты (koty) is the plural. The Polish and Russian forms reflect a shared Slavic heritage for the animal’s name.

As a word in other contexts, Kot also appears as a surname in various countries and can occur in place names and personal names. Because of this, Kot can be encountered in genealogical records, geographic references, and contemporary media as a proper noun rather than a common noun. The use of Kot as a surname or toponym is independent of its meaning as “cat” in Slavic languages.

In culture and media, Kot may be used as a family name or character name, sometimes invoking the animal meaning, but it can also be employed without reference to cats, depending on the author or region. The term’s cross-language presence—particularly between Polish and Russian—highlights how a simple animal name can serve as a linguistic bridge and a broader onomastic element.

See also: kot (disambiguation), cat, кот.