Whether you’ve lived there or are obsessed with the unique culture, Japan is an amazing country with even more amazing names. Better yet, they’re just as obsessed with cats as we are here in the United States. If you’re looking for a dreamy name that captures the Japanese culture, then we have tons of options for you. Each of these Japanese names and words has a specific meaning that may or may not relate to your pet cats.
How to Name Your Cat
Picking out a new name for your cat has got to be one of the most exciting responsibilities of owning a pet. This name tends to stick with the animal forever, so you want to do their personality justice. Picking a cat’s name means that you embrace their individuality and characteristics. Of course, it can be fun to have completely meaningless names as well, but we find that there is something special about a name that was given with a purpose. So take you time and get to know your cat’s personality, then choose a name based on that.
Japanese Names for Male Cats
Daifuku: rice cake with bean jam
Kohaku: amber
Haru: spring
Reo: lion
Sora: sky
Tama: ball
Kotetsu: small lion
Maron: chestnut
Ten: heavens or dot
Tora: tiger
Arata: new
Daichi: great wisdom
Hiroki: great brightness
Isamu: brave
Katsu: victory
Ken: strong/healthy
Ryota: cool
Shingo-real me
Taichi: big one
Yudai: manly and great
Yota: big male
Jumpei: pure and peaceful
Masao: hero
Nobu: trust
Ryu: dragon
Neko: cat
Image Credit: Tinka Mach, Shutterstock
Japanese Names for Female Cats
Chibi: tiny
Hana: flower
Koko: cocoa
Fuku: lucky
Hime: princess
Juro: black
Momo: peach
Rin: bell
Sakura: cherry blossom
Mei: brightness
Mugi: barley
Aki: bright or autumn
Chika: wisdom and beautiful
Kazue: peace
Kei: intelligent
Emi: favor and beautiful
Hikari: light
Jun: pure
Shun: fast
Ume: Japanese apricot
Yu: superior
Popular Cat Names in Japan
Nyan: meow
Yoshi: good luck
Momo: peach
Yuki: good fortune
Tadeo: loyal
Haruki: spring child
Taro: eldest son
Fuwafuwa: fluffy
Japanese Names for Coat Colors
Yuki: snow
Shiroi: white
Kumo: cloud
Ume no hana: plum blossom
Yukigafuru: snowy
Shinju: pearl
Kaiko: silkworm
Hakahu: white crane
Tofu: condensed soy milk
Hai: ashes
Sumoki: smokey
Kuro neko: black cat
Kage: shadow
Kazan: volcano
Karasu: raven
Yami: dark
Kuromai: black rice
Makkuro: inky
Mayonaka: midnight
Daku: dark
Image Credit: jax10289, Shutterstock
Japanese Cat Names Inspired by Nature
Hotaru: firefly
Kawa: river
Yuri: lily
Aito: sea or ocean
Mori: forest
Rina: jasmine
Haru: sunlight
Tsuki: moon
Amaya: night rain
Cho: butterfly
Kuuki: air
Rini: little bunny
Uchuu: cosmos
Nami: wave
Unusual Japanese Cat Names
Ichika: gift
Shiori: guide
Setsuko: temperate child
Miani: smiling with truth
Nen: deep hope
Tamako: precious stone
Toshiko: alert and values
Kanaye: zealous one
Famous Japanese Cat Names
Chokokyattoo: the black cat with a brown nose from Hello Kitty
Haro Kiti: the name of the white cat in Hello Kitty
Shironeko: a cat on social media known for being sleepy and happy
Fukumaru: cat famous for companionship with an older woman
Maru: plays in boxes on social media
Meicoomon: the orange Maine Coon cat from Digimon
Tailmon: Digimon character
Atemis: cat in Sailor Mood
Image Credit: ukieiri, Pixabay
Other Potential Japanese Cat Names
Kirei: pretty
Suitopi: sweet pea flower
Shuga: sugar
Fuji: unique
Chisai tori: little bird
Chiisai: small
Kei: style
Doki doki: excited
Aiko: little love
Koro: roly-poly
Akachan: baby
Chika: scattered flowers
Maru: round
Chisana: pocket-sized
Nakano: warrior
Bashira: joyful
Mokoto: true
Naia: nimble
Taeko: brave
Hiroshi: generous
Senshi: warrior
Tadaaki: faithful light
Kento: happiness
Shohei: respect
Dai: large or great
Eiji: eternity
Daiki: great glory
Fumio: literature or scholarly hero
Hibiki: echo
Jiro: second son
Kaede: maple
Kunio: country man
Kenshin: modest and truthful
Masaki: great timber tree
Masayoshi: honorable
Masumi: clarity
Noboru: rise or ascent
Nori: to rule
Osamu: disciplines
Riku: land
Ryota: refreshment
Satosi: wise
Norio: lawful man
Sho: to fly
Takumi: artisan
Takayuki: noble journey
Taiki: radiance
Taro: large son
Toshio: generous leader
Yasushi: peaceful
Youta: great sunlight
Ayame: iris
Ceiko: child of splendor
Emi: beautiful blessing
Haruna: spring vegetables
Hoshi: star
Izumi: fountain or spring
Hina: sun vegetables
Kimi: noble
Mai: dance
Maki: true hope
Masa: just or true
Michi: pathway
Image Credit: Algorithm images, Shutterstock
Final Thoughts
There is certainly no shortage of Japanese names that you could give your new pet cat. People draw inspiration from all sorts of things. Whether you like names to do with nature, color, or meaning, there is no shortage of unique names that your cats can embrace. Take some time to try on a few of these names, and we bet you’ll find one that just seems to stick better than the rest.
Hallie has been a proud nature and animal enthusiast for as long as she can remember. She attributes her passion for the environment and all its creatures to her childhood when she was showing horses on weekends and spending her weeknights devoting her attention to her pets. She enjoys spending most of her time in Michigan playing with her two rescue cats, Chewbacca and Lena, and her dog, Clayton. When Hallie isn’t using her degree in English with a writing specialization to spread informative knowledge on pet care, you can find her snuggled up on the couch reading books or watching nature documentaries....Read more
