What is the correct form of the word "who" in the following context: "For her birthday, Elsa gave herself a kitten, who she named Bob the Cat"?

In the given context, the correct form of the word should actually be "whom." This is because "whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition, while "who" is typically used as the subject. In the sentence, "who" is referring to the kitten, which is the object of the naming action. The correct phrasing should be: "For her birthday, Elsa gave herself a kitten, whom she named Bob the Cat." Using "whom" correctly reflects that the kitten is receiving the action of naming.

The use of "which" would be inappropriate here, as it usually refers to objects or concepts, not living beings in this context. Similarly, "whose" denotes possession and does not fit the intended meaning of identifying the subject of the naming action. Therefore, using "whom" clarifies the relationship between the action of naming and the kitten as the recipient of that action.