200+ Japanese Cat Names: Our Top Picks for Your Fun & Authentic Cat (with Meanings)
By Hallie Roddy
Updated on
Even if your cat isn’t a Japanese breed, there are plenty of reasons why people are seeking out Japanese pet names. Japan loves their pets, and they often give them names that have some sort of meaning behind it. A name really embodies a person or an animal, and a cat quickly becomes a part of their identity. If you’ve been looking for a few meaningful names, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve provided you with some of the most common, beautiful, and unique Japanese pet names being used today.
How to Name Your Cat
Naming a cat isn’t something that you’ll want to take lightly. In fact, we recommend waiting until you get to know your pet a little better before making anything official. Imagine bringing a cat home and having a name picked out for them. After a couple of weeks, you might soon realize that the name that you’ve been training them to respond to doesn’t at all match their temperament, and you might even want to change it. Don’t be afraid to try out a few options. We bet one is more likely to stick than the others.
- Choose a shorter name or a name that is easy to turn into a nickname.
- Make sure it works for your pet as they continue to mature.
- Only name them something you’d feel comfortable saying in public or in front of company.
- Try out a few potential names before committing to “the one.”
Popular Japanese Cat Names
People around the world love their pets, but Japanese people have been spreading their love for them for years. They have no problem sharing them with the world, and some of the most popular pet names have come out of it.
- Mari
- Shiba
- Francis
- Hachiko
- Maru
- Pochi
- Keiko
- Yoshima
Female Japanese Cat Names
Most people like to have their names sorted by gender. While there are plenty of names that work for both males and females, here are some of the most popular choices for female felines:
- Yui
- Yuriko
- Tae
- Maki
- Nobuko
- Meisa
- Kaoru
- Kyoko
- Keiko
- Ran
- Kibou
- Tomoe Gozen (Japan’s most famous female samurai)
- Aya
- Rinko
- Yukie
- Kinuoy
- Setsuko
- Yamaguchi
- Satomi
- Haru
- Asuna
- Kaha
- Inoue
- Machiko
- Sachiko
- Mei
- Riho
- Yaruka
- Tao
- Mirei
Male Japanese Cat Names
A lot of male Japanese cat names are inspired by historical or current famous figures. These could be pop culture icons, military heroes, athletes, or other types of leaders.
- Takashi
- Tanaka
- Tenshin
- Hirohito
- Akihito
- Yukio
- Yuzuru
- Hideki
- Karoo
- Shinsuki
- Kotaro
- Taro
- Kusunoko Masashige
- Mako
- Hirokuki
- Akira
- Masi
- Shinji
- Ichiro
- Keisuke
- Masashi
- Kento
- Morihei
- Lil Moco
- Jushin Thunder
- Jiro Ono
- Jiroemon
- Momofuku
- Kota
- Basho
Japanese Cat Names with Meanings
Not everyone wants to choose a pet name just because it sounds cool. While that is certainly a reason to pick one, we find that names with deeper meanings behind them often make the choice feel a little more special for both you and your cat. Some of them are funnier; others are deeper. The meaning doesn’t really matter at the end of the day as long as you love it and it makes you feel happy with your decision.
- Amaterasu: goddess of the sun
- Jizo: protector of children
- Niji: rainbow
- Chuusei: loyalty
- Mamoiri tai: constant protector
- Suehirogari: open like a fan
- Hachi: lucky number “8”
- Nana: lucky number “7”
- Yuri: lily
- Daisuke: helper
- Yasu: peace
- Toshi: wise
- Kannon: goddess of mercy
- Shisa: lion-dog guardian
- Hisa: long-awaited
- Ume: plum
- Inari: rice goddess
- Nio: protector
- Omikuji: fortune
- Ema: wish board
- Toshio: hero
- Susanoo: god of mischief
- Uzume: goddess of mirth
- Yori: trust
- Akabeko: cow Buddha
- Omamori: blessing
- Sentaro: steel boy
- Ringo: apple
- Mikan: orange
- Koro Koro: cute cute
- Maron: chestnut
- Shiori: guide
- Sato: sweet
- Takara: treasure
- Kurumi: walnut
- Momo: peach
- Hana: flower
- Mochi: sweet sticky rice
- WanWan: dog
- Ichigo: strawberry
- Tenshi: angel
- Anzu: apricot
- Kirei: lovely
- Airi: affection
- Hoshi: star
- Ami: friend
- Kuma: bear
- Kimi: noble
- Aki: sparkle
- Yume: dream
- Okashi: sweets
- Chibi: small cute
- Kaida: little dragon
- Maiko: dancing child
- Nyoko: treasure
- Sanyu: happiness
- Shinju: pearl
- Petto: pet
- Nomi: flea
- Abu: horsefly
- Kawasaki: a very fast pet
- Adzuki: red bean
- Sunao no: obedient
- Kaeru: frog
- Kame: (urtle
- Runa: luna
- Sora: sky
- Sakura: flowering cherry tree
- Usagi: rabbit
- Tanuki: raccoon dog
- Pokemon: pocket monster
- Choho: butterfly
- Crea: create
- Yuki: snow
- Shiro: white; means blessings, sacred
- Ame: rain
- Ao: blue; means calmness, stability, femininity
- Akemi: bright and beautiful
- Mana: love
- Hotaru: firefly
- Rina: jasmine
- Ocha: Japanese traditional tea
- Mizu: water
- Midori: green; means growth, energy, youth
- Suzu: bell
- Satoko: wise child
- Suzume: sparrow
- Tatsu: dragon
- Shika: deer
- Ayame: iris
- Komainu: lion-dog guard
- Rilakkuma: bear in a relaxed mood
- Benten: goddess of good luck
- Taka: peregrine
- Tani: stand of glory
- Fuji: after Mt. Fuji
- Tora: tiger
- Honou: flame
- Yuuki: courage
- Riki: strength
- Byakko: Japanese white tiger
- Hinode: sunrise
- Kodama: spirit that lives in a tree
- Yosei: fairy
- Kuro: black; means powerful or foreboding
- Akune: fiery red
- Ryi: dragon
- Yuki-Onna: snow woman
- Hachiman: god of warriors
- Aka: red; means power, heat, vitality
- Katana: a type of sword
- Kabuto: a type of armor
- Sumi: black ink
- Kokoro: heart
- Kaigen: dagger
- Naginata: spear
- Uesugi Kenshin: son of powerful warlord
- Miyamoto Musashi: famous duelist, swordsmith, and school founder
- Bushi: warrior
- Sanada Yukimura: one of the greatest warriors
- Yasuke: African slave turned Japanese samurai
- Oda Nobunaga: deeply respected samurai
Conclusion
There are hundreds of Japanese names for you to give to your cat. At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you are happy with your choice and think that it suits your cat well. Hopefully, your cat will enjoy the sound of it as well.
Featured Image Credit: Ewa Studio, Shutterstock
