I named my cat Nicolai and Nico for short. The irony is that Nico is Japanese for "cat". I definitely didn't know that, but am thankful that at least it makes sense and nico isn't Japanese for ferret or dishwasher or something.
Nico spent the first three hours in his carrier. He let me pet him and was purring and didn't really seem to have any desire to get out. So I let him be.
Finally, he emerged and started to explore but only when I was in the other room. The second he saw me, he flew behind the couch or to his favorite place, under the dining table on a chair. The first night he also peed in my large potted plant even though his litter box was only about three feet away. (Thankfully, today he mastered the litter box!)
He's warming up gradually, but still likes to hide under the table. He must feel safe because there is a long tablecloth that gives it a tent feel. He loves getting attention, but I have to crawl under the table to get to him. I spent a half hour tonight lying on my back under the table just to pet my cat. This is the view:
