As a child (and a non-child) I watched the Treety and Sylvester cartoons, never wondering why Sylvester was so named (aside from Mel Blanc's slobbering pronunciation for comedic effect). Today it dawned on me that Felis Sylvestris is the European wildcat. Was somebody at Warner Bros (probably Friz Freling) having fun at the expense of dolts like me?

Wow! According to Wikipedia, you are right. Apparently he was first called "Thomas."

What made it dawn on you? Can't say that would just "dawn" on me.