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.

1. Ai
2. Ame
3. Aniyaku
4. Aogaeru
5. Azuki
6. Bara
7. Chibi
8. Chihiro Ogino/Sen
9. Chobi
10. Dosei
11. Dou
12. Ginga
13. Haku/Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi
14. Hana
15. Haru
16. Hime
17. Kai
18. Kaonashi
19. Kasei
20. Kawa
21. Kiku
22. Kin
23. Kinsei
24. Koko
25. Makkuro-Kurosuke
26. Maru
27. Mei
28. Mikan
29. Mike
30. Mine
31. Miruku
32. Moka
33. Momo
34. Mori
35. Niji
36. Oshira-sama
37. Sakura
38. Shima
39. Suisei
40. Taiyou
41. Tanpopo
42. Tetsu
43. Tora
44. Uchuu
45. Umi
46. Umibe
47. Yama
48. Yoko
49. Yubaba
50. 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.

1. Aia - ruler
2. Aiko - little love or beloved one
3. Akiko - bright child
4. Arisu - noble
5. Asami - morning beauty
6. Asuka - fragrance
7. Ayame - iris
8. Ayano - my color
9. Ceiko - child of splendor
10. Chieko - child of wisdom
11. Chika - scatter flowers
12. Chiyo - one thousand generations
13. Cho - butterfly
14. Emi - beautiful blessing
15. Emiko - smiling child
16. Eri - blessed prize
17. Fumiko - child of abundant beauty
18. Haru - spring
19. Hayami - unusual and rare beauty
20. Hina - star
21. Hiro - generous
22. Hitomi - pupil of the eye
23. Honoka - harmony flower
24. Hoshiko - star child
25. Hoshi - star
26. Hotary - firefly
27. Ichika - gift
28. Izumi - fountain or spring
29. Jin - tender
30. Junko - pure
31. Kaika - forgiveness
32. Kameko - symbol for long life or tortoise-child
33. Katsumi - victorious beauty
34. Kayda - little dragon
35. Kazumi - harmonious beauty
36. Kiko - chronicle child
37. Kimiko - empress child
38. Kyoko - respectful child
39. Madoka - circle, round
40. Mai - dance
41. Maiko - child of dance
42. Maki - true hope
43. Makoto - sincere
44. Mana - love
45. Masa - true
46. Meiko - beautiful blessing child
47. Mi - beautiful
48. Michi - pathway
49. Midori - green
50. Miho - protected baby
51. Miki - beautiful princess
52. Miku - beautiful sky
53. Mitsu - light
54. Miyu - beautiful and gentle
55. Mizuki - beautiful moon
56. Moriko - child of the forest
57. Nakano - female warrior
58. Nanami - seven seas
59. Nana - seven
60. Naomi – honest beautiful
61. Natsuki – summer hope
62. Natsumi - beautiful summer
63. Noriko – lawful child
64. Nyoko - gem or treasure
65. Ren - lotus or love
66. Rika – true fragrance
67. Riko - child of truth
68. Rina - jasmine
69. Rin - dignified
70. Rio - village cherry blossom
71. Ryoko – refreshing child
72. Satoko - wise child
73. Sayuri - little lily
74. Setsuko - melody child
75. Shigeko - growing child
76. Shika - deer
77. Shinju - pearl
78. Shiori - poem
79. Sora - sky
80. Suki - beloved
81. Suzu - bell
82. Suzume - sparrow
83. Takara - treasure
84. Teruko - singing child
85. Tomoko - intellect
86. Tomomi - beautiful friend
87. Umeko - plum child
88. Yasuko - child of peace
89. Yoshie - beautiful stream
90. Yoshiko – child of goodness
91. Yua - binding love
92. Yui - bind clothing
93. Yuina - bind together
94. Yuka - gentle flower
95. Yukari - beautiful pear tree
96. Yuko – gentle child
97. Yumi – reason beautiful
98. Yumiko – reason beautiful child
99. Yuriko – lily child
100. 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.

1. Akemi - beautiful dawn
2. Aki - autumn
3. Akihiko - shining prince
4. Akio - glorious man
5. Arakan - worthy one or hero
6. Arata - new and fresh
7. Atsushi - industrious director
8. Ayumu - vision
9. Dai - great or large
10. Daiki - great nobility
11. Daisuke - great help
12. Diachi - great first son
13. Eichi - wisdom
14. Eiji - eternity order
15. Fumio - scholarly hero
16. Haruki - shining sun
17. Hayate - smooth
18. Hibiki - echo
19. Hideo - excellent man
20. Hikaru - radiance
21. Hiroki - abundant strength and joy
22. Hiroshi - generous
23. Hiroyuki - widespread happiness
24. Hitorshi - even-tempered
25. Ichiro - first son
26. Isamu - courage
27. Isao - honor or merit
28. Itsuki - timber trees
29. Jiro - second son
30. Junichi - obedient first son
31. Kaede - maple
32. Kaito - supportive
33. Kaitu - ocean flying
34. Katashi - firm
35. Katsuro - victorious son
36. Katsu - victory
37. Kazuto - harmonious person
38. Kenji - intelligent ruler
39. Kenta - strong and healthy
40. Kichiro - lucky son
41. Kitaro - happy boy
42. Kiyoshi - purity
43. Kouki - country man
44. Kouta - great peace
45. Kunio - country man
46. Masaki - great timber tree
47. Masumi – true clarity
48. Michio - man on a journey
49. Minoru - truth
50. Mitsou - shining hero
51. Mitsuru - full
52. Nao - honest
53. Naoko - straight or honest
54. Ninja - ninjutsu master
55. Nobu - faith
56. Noburu - rise
57. Norio - lawful man
58. Nori - to rule
59. Osamu - disciplined
60. Raiden - lightning and thunder
61. Riku - land
62. Rikuto - person of land
63. Ryoichi - good first son
64. Ryo - refreshing or cool
65. Ryoti - great refreshment
66. Ryu - dragon
67. Ryuji - dragon man
68. Samurai - Japanese warrior
69. Satoru - daybreak
70. Satoshi - wise
71. Shinobu - endurance
72. Sho - to fly
73. Sin’ichi - faithful first-born son
74. Susumo - proceed
75. Tadao - loyal and faithful man
76. Taichi - large first son
77. Taiki - shine
78. Taishiro - ambitious boy
79. Takayuki - noble journey
80. Takeo - warrior hero
81. Takumi - artisan
82. Tomi - prosperous
83. Toshiaki - advantageous light
84. Toshiko - valued child
85. Toshi - wise
86. Toshio – genius leader
87. Tsuyoshi – strong
88. Yamato - great harmony
89. Yasu - peace
90. Yasushi - peaceful
91. Yori - trust
92. Yoshi – lucky or righteous
93. Yoshio - joyful life
94. Yoshiro – righteous son
95. Yoshito – ceremonial, correct person
96. Youta - great sunlight
97. Yuichi - heroic first son
98. Yuji – heroic second son
99. Yukio - blessed hero
100. 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:

1. Aoki
2. Chaiki
3. Chiharu
4. Danuja
5. Hachi
6. Harue
7. Ichigo
8. Jun
9. Kuma
10. 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.

1. Ebisu
2. Fuku
3. Kichi
4. Kichiro
5. Kounna
6. Neko
7. Nintendo
8. Saya
9. Tomiko
10. 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.

1. Alita - Angel Alita
2. Amande - Death Note
3. Anpu - The Disastrous Life of Saiki
4. Aria - Aria The Animation
5. Artemis - Sailor Moon
6. Arthur – Code Geass
7. Asuna - Sword Art Online
8. Baron - The Cat Returns
9. Blair - Soul Eater
10. Buyo - Inuyasha
11. Carla - Fairy Tail
12. Chi – Chi’s Sweet Home
13. Chococat - The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends
14. Chomusuke - Konosuba
15. Diana - Sailor Moon
16. Doraemon - Doraemon
17. Happy - Fairy Tail
18. Hello Kitty - The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends
19. Jibanyan - YouKai Watch
20. Jiji - Kiki’s Delivery Service
21. Kamineko – Azumanga Daioh
22. Karupin - The Prince Of Tennis
23. Kaya - Ghost Stories
24. Kirara - Inuyasha
25. Kiyomi - Death Note
26. Konata - Lucky Star
27. Korin - Dragon Ball
28. Kuro – Blue Exorcist
29. Kuroneko–sama – Trigun
30. Kyo – Fruits Basket
31. Luna - Sailor Moon
32. Madara – Natsume's Book Of Friends
33. Mao – Darker than Black
34. Maya - Azumanga Daioh
35. Meowth – Pokémon
36. Molly – The Ancient Magus Bride
37. Nekobasu - My Neighbor Totoro
38. Neko-sensei – Princess Tutu
39. Nekotalia - Hentalia
40. Nyanko Big – Tada Never Falls In Love
41. Nyanko-sensei – Natsume’s Book Of Friends
42. Potya – Yuri!!! on ICE
43. Poyo – Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki
44. Puck - Zero
45. Sakamoto – Nichijoum
46. Shamisen - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
47. Sorata - Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi
48. Takkun – FLCL
49. Tama - Sazae San
50. 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:

1. Anmitsu
2. Anzu
3. Bento
4. Chawanmushi
5. Daidai
6. Daifuku
7. Fuji
8. Higashi
9. Kaieseki
10. Kombu
11. Kyou
12. Manju
13. Matcha
14. Menma
15. Mirin
16. Miso
17. Mochi
18. Negi
19. Shincha
20. Sukiyaki
21. Sushi
22. Tsukemono
23. Tsukume
24. Udon
25. 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.

1. Akita
2. Joetsu
3. Kochi
4. Kyoto
5. Mito
6. Nagoya
7. Osaka
8. Sapporo
9. Tokyo
10. 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:

1. Akira
2. Awai
3. Deiji
4. Fuyu
5. Fuyuko
6. Gin
7. Iguru
8. Kitsune
9. Kori
10. Mashiro
11. Miyuki
12. Reiki
13. Shimo
14. Sunoboru
15. Tenshi
16. Tsurana
17. Yukiko
18. Yurei
19. Yuri
20. 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:

1. Akumi
2. Amaya
3. An
4. Anri
5. Hai
6. Hatsuki
7. Kage
8. Kaguya
9. Kuroguro
10. Makkuro
11. Mayonaka
12. Mika
13. Mokutan
14. Sumi
15. Sekitan
16. Susu
17. Tsuki
18. Tsukiko
19. Yamiyo
20. 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:

1. Ash
2. Giniro
3. Chrome
4. Haiiro
5. Kumo
6. Miku
7. Misty
8. Pearl
9. Rowan
10. 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.

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