cat names ·

Japanese Cat Names: 405 Awesome Japan Inspired Fur Baby Ideas

Regardless of whether you are Japanese or just love their culture, you can give them an exotic and unique Japanese name. Cats are revered in Japan because people believe that they bring fortune and good luck. In fact, the Maneki Neko (beckoning cat), a popular Japanese figurine, is used as a talisman for bringing good luck.

If you ever visit Japan, you will find no shortage of cat statues to take home as a souvenir. So, if you have brought a cat home and are still pondering over their name, here is a list of Japanese cat names that will make your job easier.

Let's dive in.

Popular Japanese Cat Names

In every culture, there are certain names that are very popular. Whether they are from pop culture or just have been used for a long time, it is common to find these names everywhere. The same goes for Japanese cat names as well.

Here are some of the most popular Japanese cat names.

Ai
Ame
Aniyaku
Aogaeru
Azuki
Bara
Chibi
Chihiro Ogino/Sen
Chobi
Dosei
Dou
Ginga
Haku/Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi
Hana
Haru
Hime
Kai
Kaonashi
Kasei
Kawa
Kiku
Kin
Kinsei
Koko
Makkuro-Kurosuke
Maru
Mei
Mikan
Mike
Mine
Miruku
Moka
Momo
Mori
Niji
Oshira-sama
Sakura
Shima
Suisei
Taiyou
Tanpopo
Tetsu
Tora
Uchuu
Umi
Umibe
Yama
Yoko
Yubaba
Yuki

Japanese Female Cat Names And Meanings

Female cats are known for their personalities; some can be sweet while others are boisterous. In Japanese, you can find several female cat names that suit all types of kitten personalities. From traditional feminine names to more rough and tough names, you will find it all.

Check out this list of female Japanese cat names that will surely accommodate your cat’s personality.

Aia - ruler
Aiko - little love or beloved one
Akiko - bright child
Arisu - noble
Asami - morning beauty
Asuka - fragrance
Ayame - iris
Ayano - my color
Ceiko - child of splendor
Chieko - child of wisdom
Chika - scatter flowers
Chiyo - one thousand generations
Cho - butterfly
Emi - beautiful blessing
Emiko - smiling child
Eri - blessed prize
Fumiko - child of abundant beauty
Haru - spring
Hayami - unusual and rare beauty
Hina - star
Hiro - generous
Hitomi - pupil of the eye
Honoka - harmony flower
Hoshiko - star child
Hoshi - star
Hotary - firefly
Ichika - gift
Izumi - fountain or spring
Jin - tender
Junko - pure
Kaika - forgiveness
Kameko - symbol for long life or tortoise-child
Katsumi - victorious beauty
Kayda - little dragon
Kazumi - harmonious beauty
Kiko - chronicle child
Kimiko - empress child
Kyoko - respectful child
Madoka - circle, round
Mai - dance
Maiko - child of dance
Maki - true hope
Makoto - sincere
Mana - love
Masa - true
Meiko - beautiful blessing child
Mi - beautiful
Michi - pathway
Midori - green
Miho - protected baby
Miki - beautiful princess
Miku - beautiful sky
Mitsu - light
Miyu - beautiful and gentle
Mizuki - beautiful moon
Moriko - child of the forest
Nakano - female warrior
Nanami - seven seas
Nana - seven
Naomi – honest beautiful
Natsuki – summer hope
Natsumi - beautiful summer
Noriko – lawful child
Nyoko - gem or treasure
Ren - lotus or love
Rika – true fragrance
Riko - child of truth
Rina - jasmine
Rin - dignified
Rio - village cherry blossom
Ryoko – refreshing child
Satoko - wise child
Sayuri - little lily
Setsuko - melody child
Shigeko - growing child
Shika - deer
Shinju - pearl
Shiori - poem
Sora - sky
Suki - beloved
Suzu - bell
Suzume - sparrow
Takara - treasure
Teruko - singing child
Tomoko - intellect
Tomomi - beautiful friend
Umeko - plum child
Yasuko - child of peace
Yoshie - beautiful stream
Yoshiko – child of goodness
Yua - binding love
Yui - bind clothing
Yuina - bind together
Yuka - gentle flower
Yukari - beautiful pear tree
Yuko – gentle child
Yumi – reason beautiful
Yumiko – reason beautiful child
Yuriko – lily child
Yuuna – gentle

Japanese Male Cat Names And Meanings

There is no shortage of names for male cats in the Japanese language. From ultra-masculine names to gentler names, the language has everything to offer.

Here are a few such names with meanings that will be perfect for your cat or kitten.

Akemi - beautiful dawn
Aki - autumn
Akihiko - shining prince
Akio - glorious man
Arakan - worthy one or hero
Arata - new and fresh
Atsushi - industrious director
Ayumu - vision
Dai - great or large
Daiki - great nobility
Daisuke - great help
Diachi - great first son
Eichi - wisdom
Eiji - eternity order
Fumio - scholarly hero
Haruki - shining sun
Hayate - smooth
Hibiki - echo
Hideo - excellent man
Hikaru - radiance
Hiroki - abundant strength and joy
Hiroshi - generous
Hiroyuki - widespread happiness
Hitorshi - even-tempered
Ichiro - first son
Isamu - courage
Isao - honor or merit
Itsuki - timber trees
Jiro - second son
Junichi - obedient first son
Kaede - maple
Kaito - supportive
Kaitu - ocean flying
Katashi - firm
Katsuro - victorious son
Katsu - victory
Kazuto - harmonious person
Kenji - intelligent ruler
Kenta - strong and healthy
Kichiro - lucky son
Kitaro - happy boy
Kiyoshi - purity
Kouki - country man
Kouta - great peace
Kunio - country man
Masaki - great timber tree
Masumi – true clarity
Michio - man on a journey
Minoru - truth
Mitsou - shining hero
Mitsuru - full
Nao - honest
Naoko - straight or honest
Ninja - ninjutsu master
Nobu - faith
Noburu - rise
Norio - lawful man
Nori - to rule
Osamu - disciplined
Raiden - lightning and thunder
Riku - land
Rikuto - person of land
Ryoichi - good first son
Ryo - refreshing or cool
Ryoti - great refreshment
Ryu - dragon
Ryuji - dragon man
Samurai - Japanese warrior
Satoru - daybreak
Satoshi - wise
Shinobu - endurance
Sho - to fly
Sin’ichi - faithful first-born son
Susumo - proceed
Tadao - loyal and faithful man
Taichi - large first son
Taiki - shine
Taishiro - ambitious boy
Takayuki - noble journey
Takeo - warrior hero
Takumi - artisan
Tomi - prosperous
Toshiaki - advantageous light
Toshiko - valued child
Toshi - wise
Toshio – genius leader
Tsuyoshi – strong
Yamato - great harmony
Yasu - peace
Yasushi - peaceful
Yori - trust
Yoshi – lucky or righteous
Yoshio - joyful life
Yoshiro – righteous son
Yoshito – ceremonial, correct person
Youta - great sunlight
Yuichi - heroic first son
Yuji – heroic second son
Yukio - blessed hero
Yuzuki - gentle moon

See more male cat names

Cool Japanese Cat Names

Selecting a name for your dear cat can be a hard decision. You want a name that suits the personality of your cat and is unique.

If you are unable to come up with a name, here is a cheat sheet of cool Japanese cat names that you can give a try:

Aoki
Chaiki
Chiharu
Danuja
Hachi
Harue
Ichigo
Jun
Kuma
Sanyu

Lucky Japanese Cat Names

In Japan, cats are known to be the bringers of good fortune and luck. So, if you have brought home a cat and are still not sure about the name, you can check out these lucky Japanese cat names.

Ebisu
Fuku
Kichi
Kichiro
Kounna
Neko
Nintendo
Saya
Tomiko
Yoshi

Japanese Anime Cat Names

If you haven’t heard about anime, you must be living under a rock. It is a distinctive cartoon style from Japan that has fans from all over the world. Even though they might be less unique than other names from the list, their recognizability might be positive for new pet owners.

Here are some Japanese cat names inspired from anime.

Alita - Angel Alita
Amande - Death Note
Anpu - The Disastrous Life of Saiki
Aria - Aria The Animation
Artemis - Sailor Moon
Arthur – Code Geass
Asuna - Sword Art Online
Baron - The Cat Returns
Blair - Soul Eater
Buyo - Inuyasha
Carla - Fairy Tail
Chi – Chi’s Sweet Home
Chococat - The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends
Chomusuke - Konosuba
Diana - Sailor Moon
Doraemon - Doraemon
Happy - Fairy Tail
Hello Kitty - The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends
Jibanyan - YouKai Watch
Jiji - Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kamineko – Azumanga Daioh
Karupin - The Prince Of Tennis
Kaya - Ghost Stories
Kirara - Inuyasha
Kiyomi - Death Note
Konata - Lucky Star
Korin - Dragon Ball
Kuro – Blue Exorcist
Kuroneko–sama – Trigun
Kyo – Fruits Basket
Luna - Sailor Moon
Madara – Natsume's Book Of Friends
Mao – Darker than Black
Maya - Azumanga Daioh
Meowth – Pokémon
Molly – The Ancient Magus Bride
Nekobasu - My Neighbor Totoro
Neko-sensei – Princess Tutu
Nekotalia - Hentalia
Nyanko Big – Tada Never Falls In Love
Nyanko-sensei – Natsume’s Book Of Friends
Potya – Yuri!!! on ICE
Poyo – Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki
Puck - Zero
Sakamoto – Nichijoum
Shamisen - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Sorata - Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi
Takkun – FLCL
Tama - Sazae San
Tibbs – Mary and the Witch's Flower

Japanese Food Cat Names

From tasty treats from Land of the Rising Sun to sushi-inspired ideas, get ready for cat names inspired by Japanese foods that will suit your cutest kitten perfectly.

Check out these mouthwatering ideas that can be used as cat names:

Anmitsu
Anzu
Bento
Chawanmushi
Daidai
Daifuku
Fuji
Higashi
Kaieseki
Kombu
Kyou
Manju
Matcha
Menma
Mirin
Miso
Mochi
Negi
Shincha
Sukiyaki
Sushi
Tsukemono
Tsukume
Udon
Unagi

Cat Names Inspired By Japanese Cities

If you are from Japan, you can use your hometown as a name for your cat as a reminder of your culture.

Check out these city or town names from Japan that can be used as a cat name.

Akita
Joetsu
Kochi
Kyoto
Mito
Nagoya
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Toyama

Japanese White Cat Names

Are you wondering that selecting a classic white cat name will make your cat seem less unique and interesting? If yes, then we have the perfect solution. You can simply translate them into Japanese.

Here are some Japanese names that can be used for your white cat:

Akira
Awai
Deiji
Fuyu
Fuyuko
Gin
Iguru
Kitsune
Kori
Mashiro
Miyuki
Reiki
Shimo
Sunoboru
Tenshi
Tsurana
Yukiko
Yurei
Yuri
Zoge

Japanese Black Cat Names

In many Western cultures, black cats are considered to be unlucky. However, they are among the most popular breeds in Japan. The reason behind this is that in ancient Japan, they were thought to be able to get rid of bad luck better than any other cat. That is why you will find many black cat names in Japanese.

Here are a few of them:

Akumi
Amaya
An
Anri
Hai
Hatsuki
Kage
Kaguya
Kuroguro
Makkuro
Mayonaka
Mika
Mokutan
Sumi
Sekitan
Susu
Tsuki
Tsukiko
Yamiyo
Yoru

Japanese Grey Cat Names

Anyone who owns a grey cat knows that they are beautiful and have an amazing personality. However, more often than not, they are stuck with stereotypical names. Your cat deserves more. Thankfully, Japan offers several unique names for your grey cat that will match its quirks perfectly.

Here are a few of them:

Ash
Giniro
Chrome
Haiiro
Kumo
Miku
Misty
Pearl
Rowan
Skye

Cat Name Inspiration

There is nothing wrong with following a traditional route to select a name for your kitten. However, many pet owners like to put some creativity into the name of their cat. After all, you don’t want to give a generic name to your cat. However, selecting a name for your pet friend is not an easy task. You can’t just use a random name generator. It will take time, creativity, and patience to come up with a good name.

While choosing a name, it is important to ensure that it is interesting and unique. However, selecting a name that is specific to your cat is crucial as well. That is why people often turn to foreign languages like Japanese to find the best name for their cat.

In Japan, cats have been worshipped since ancient times. The country is also the birthplace of the ‘lucky cat’ ornament and cat cafes. In fact, there are islands of the coast inhabited only by cats. It is a paradise for a cat lover.

The Japanese language has no shortage of fun cat names. So, whether you are from Japan, are an anime buff, love Japanese culture, or simply want a unique name, a cat name in Japanese will be perfect for your feline friend. The name will be exotic and beautiful with a unique meaning.

Help Choosing The Right Name

If you have decided that you want to give your cat a cute Japanese name, your choices will be almost endless. You can select a name on the basis of its meaning or how it sounds.

There are so many options that you will be overwhelmed by the available choices. You can start by considering the gender, color, and personality of your cat. Then, choose one that you can pronounce easily and correctly.

Conclusion

Japanese names are known to be beautiful, unique, and exotic. We hope that the above list was able to provide you a name you and your cat are happy with.

Selecting one of these unique names will ensure that no cat near you will have the same name. Also, it is a great way to show your love for the country and an admiration for its culture and customs.

Need more inspiration? Check our list of cat name posts here or take a look at the related section below.