They’re usually called ghost tabby markings, or ghost stripes. In black cats, the faint tabby pattern often shows up in certain light and can be especially noticeable in kittens.

What it means

A black cat with these subtle stripes is still a solid-colored cat genetically, but the underlying tabby pattern is only partly hidden. That’s why the markings can look like soft shadows rather than bold stripes.

Common names

  • Ghost tabby.
  • Ghost stripes.
  • Shadow stripes.
  • Sometimes people also say phantom markings.

Why it happens

Cats can carry tabby patterning even when it is not very visible, and sunlight or kitten fur can make it easier to see. The markings often fade as the cat grows, though some stay visible into adulthood.

In everyday cat-people language, “ghost tabby” is the most common term.

TL;DR: the tabby stripe shadows in a black cat are usually called ghost tabby markings.