250+ Japanese Cat Names For The Cat You Love- Catological

Japan is a country that has worshipped cats since ancient times.

It’s the birthplace of cat cafes and the traditional ‘lucky cat’ ornament, and there are even islands off the coast inhabited entirely by cats! Japan is a cat lover’s paradise with no shortage of potential cat names to offer.

Whether you have Japanese ancestry, adore Japanese culture, are an anime buff, or just want an interesting name, a Japanese cat name is purr-fect for your new feline friend!

Popular Cat Names in Japan

Like English-speaking countries, Japan has stereotypical, popular, and traditional cat names. The following are the top ten most commonly used feline names:

Momo – “Peach.”
Kuro – “Black.”
Hana – “Flower.”
Koko – “Short.”
Shiro – “White.”
Sora – “Sky.”
Fuku – “Lucky.”
Mei – “Beautiful.”
Kai – “Ocean or shell.”
Chibi – “Tiny.”

Looking through these names, it’s easy to see why they made the top ten list. If you’re looking for a non-specific but unique and exciting cat name, these are your best bet!

Japanese Male Cat Names

The Japanese language has no shortage of perfect names for your new male cat or kitten. From the ultra-masculine “Katsuro” to gentler names like “Hoshi,” this list encapsulates the best male Japanese cat names that the language has to offer:

Akemi – “Beautiful dawn.”
Akio – “Glorious man.”
Daiki – “Great nobility.”
Haruki – “Shining Sun.”
Hibiki – “Echo.”
Hikaru – “Radiance.”
Hiroshi – “Generous.”
Hitoshi – “Even-tempered.”
Homare – “Honor”
Isamu – “Courage.”
Kaito – “Supportive.”
Katashi – “Firm.”
Katsuro – “Victorious son.”
Kazuto – “Harmonious person.”
Kenji – “Healthy”
Kenta – “Big and strong.”
Kiyoshi – “Purity.”
Kouki – “Light or hope.”
Kunio – “Country man.”
Michio – “Man on a journey.”
Minoru – “Truth.”
Mitsuo – “Shining hero.”
Ninja – “Ninjutsu master.”
Nobu – “Faith.”
Norio – “Man of law.”
Raiden – “Thunder and lightning.”
Ren – “Love.”
Riku – “Wise sky.”
Ryu – “Dragon.”
Samurai – “Japanese Warrior.”
Satoru – “Daybreak.”
Satoshi – “Wise, Fast Learner”
Takeo – “Warrior Hero.”
Tomi – “Prosperous.”
Toshi – “Wise.”
Yasushi – “Peace.”
Yoshio – “Joyful life.”
Yori – “Trust.”
Yuzuki – “Gentle moon.”

These names would be perfect for your new male cat or kitten. Browsing through the meanings and trying to find the ones that best suit your cat’s personality is a surefire way to come up with a name that fits your new pet.

Learn More: The Top 200+ Names For Male Cats

Japanese Female Cat Names

Female cats can have a variety of personalities, ranging from sweet and princess-like to playful and boisterous. There are female Japanese cat names that suit all kinds of kitten personalities:

Aia – “Ruler.”
Arisu – “Noble.”
Asa – “Morning.”
Ayame – “Iris.”
Chieko – “Child of wisdom.”
Emi – “Beautiful blessing.”
Fuji – “After Mount Fuji, strength and beauty”
Haru – “Spring.”
Hime – “Princess.”
Hina – “Sun.”
Hoshi – “Star.”
Ichika – “Gift.”
Izumi – “Fountain.”
Jin – “Tender.”
Junko – “Pure.”
Kayda – “Little dragon.”
Kichi – “Fortunate.”
Kiko – “Hope Child”
Kimiko – “Empress child.”
Kyoko – “Respectful child.”
Mai – “Dance.”
Maiko – “Child of dance.”
Midori – “Green.”
Miku – “Beautiful sky.”
Mio – “Beautiful.”
Mitsu – “Light.”
Moriko – “Child of the forest.”
Nakano – “Female warrior.”
Nanami – “Seven Seas.”
Noriko – “Child of Principles.”
Riko – “Child of truth.”
Rin – “Dignified.”
Sakura – “Cherry blossom.”
Satoko – “Wise child.”
Setsuko – “Melody child.”
Shinju – “Pearl.”
Suzu – “Bell.”
Takara – “Treasure.”
Tomoko – “Intellect.”
Tomomi – “Beautiful friend.”
Yasuko – “Child of peace.”
Yoko – “Sunlight.”
Yua – “Binding love.”
Yuka – “Gentle flower.”
Yumi – “Bow”

These names have traditionally feminine meanings, like gentle flower and princess. However, I like that Japanese encompasses a broader range of female personalities with names meaning things like “Little Dragon” and “Female warrior.” If your new cat is more rough-and-tumble than dainty and delicate, there are still plenty of names to accommodate her!

Learn More: The Top 200+ Names For Female Cats

Anime Cat Names

Japan is known for anime, the distinctive cartoon style that fans worldwide flock to. Below I’ve listed names from some of the most popular animes:

Goku – From ‘Dragon Ball -Z.’
Vegeta – From ‘Dragon Ball -Z.’
Gohan – From ‘Dragon Ball -Z.’
Korin – From ‘Dragon Ball -Z.’
Naruto – From ‘Naruto.’
Sasuke – From ‘Naruto.’
Hinata – From ‘Naruto.’
Aang – From ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
Sokka – From ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
Katara – From ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
Toph – From ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
Kora – From ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra.’
Asami – From ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra.’
Mako – From ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra.’
Bolin – From ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra.’
Milo – From ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra.’
Totoro – From ‘My Neighbour Totoro.’
Doraemon – From ‘Doraemon.’
Nyan – From the game ‘Nyan Cat.’
Ichigo – From ‘Bleach.’
Rukia – From ‘Bleach.’
Orihime – From ‘Bleach.’
Artemis – From ‘Sailor Moon.’
Luna – From ‘Sailor Moon.’
Misa – From ‘Death Note.’
Ryuk – From ‘Death Note.’
Shinji – From ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.’
Rei – From ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.’
Asuka – From ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.’
Misato – From ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.’
Kirito – From ‘Sword Art Online.’
Asuna – From ‘Sword Art Online.’
Suguha – From ‘Sword Art Online.’
Yuzuru – From ‘Angel Beats.’
Kanade – From ‘Angel Beats.’
Hideki – From ‘Angel Beats.’
Takamatsu – From ‘Angel Beats.’
Kamineko – From ‘Azumanga Daioh.’

While these names are slightly less unique than others listed in this article, their recognizability could undoubtedly be a positive for some new pet owners.

Learn More: Top 350+ Italian Cat Names

Cute / Kawaii Cat Names

Japanese culture is known for being cute or “kawaii.” It makes sense, then, that many Japanese people like to name their cats after equally cute things. Some of these are so adorable that it makes me want to rename my cats!

Ai – “Love.”
Aiko – “Little Love.”
Akachan – “Baby.”
Akina – “Spring flower.”
Chika – “Scattered Flowers.”
Cho – “Butterfly”
Chotto – “Small.”
Etsu – “Delight.”
Hanako – “Flower child.”
Hare – “Sunny.”
Hashi – “Chopsticks.”
Himari – “Sunflower.”
Ichigo – “Strawberry.”
Kamu – “Chewy.”
Kanmi – “Sweetness.”
Karikari – “Crunchy.”
Kei – “Blessing.”
Keiko – “Adored One.”
Kegawa – “Fur.”
Kioko – “Happy.”
Kin – “Golden.”
Koneko – “Kitten.”
Maru – “Plump.”
Mausu – “Mouse.”
Minako – “Apple tree.”
Mochi – “Rice cake.”
Osamu – “Reign”
Oishi – “Tasty.”
Pinku – “Pink.”
Rini – “Little bunny.”
Rozu – “Rose.”
Saki – “Blossom.”
Satu – “Sugar.”
Sayuri – “Little lilly.”
Shai – “Shy.”
Shizuka – “Quiet.’
Suki – “Beloved.”
Sushi – “… Sushi.”
Suzume – “Sparrow.”
Udon – “Thick wheat noodle.”
Ume – “Plum blossom.”
Watage – Fluff.”
Yamu – “Yummy.’
Yosei – “Fairy or sprite.”

Learn More: Top 200+ Korean Cat Names

Even if your new cat is a little devil, some warm and squishy names could apply sarcastically. There’s nothing cuter than a vicious beast of a kitten whose name means “Little Lily!”

black cat stretching in front of japanese blossoms

Japanese Black Cat Names

Black cats, or ‘Kuro Neko,’ are considered unlucky in many Western cultures. In Japan, however, black cats are one of the most popular pets, and there’s a reason.

In Ancient Japan, black cats were thought to ward off bad luck more effectively than cats of any color. Because of this, there is no shortage of Japanese names for black cats:

Akumi – “The dark.”
Amaya – “Night rain.”
An – “Dark.”
Anri – “Dark jasmine.”
Hai – “Ash.”
Hatsuki – “Moon flower.”
Hotaru – “Firefly.”
Kage – “Shadow.”
Kazan – “Volcano.”
Kaguya – “Shining night.”
Kuroguro – “Deep black”
Makkuro – “Pitch black”
Mayonaka – “Midnight.”
Mika – “New Moon.”
Mokutan – “Charcoal.”
Sumi – “Black ink.”
Sumōkī – “Smoky.”
Sekitan – “Coal.”
Susu – “Soot.”
Tsuki – “Moon.”
Tsukiko – “Moon child.”
Yami – “Darkness.”
Yamiyo – “Dark night.”
Yasha – “Night devil.”
Yoru – “Night.”

I particularly like the beautiful meanings behind some of these names. “Night Rain,” “Dark Jasmine,” “Shining Night.” Your new cat will end up being a feline poet!

Learn More: The Top 150+ Names for Black Cats

Japanese White Cat Names

As it turns out, there’s a way to keep the charm of classic white cat names while still making them seem unique and interesting – by translating them into Japanese! ‘Snowy’ becomes ‘Yuki,’ ‘Lily’ becomes ‘Yuri’ and ‘Daisy’ becomes ‘Deiji.’

Akari – “Light.”
Akira – “Bright.”
Awai – “Pale.”
Deiji – “Daisy.”
Fuyu – “Winter.”
Fuyuko – “Winter child.”
Gin – “Silvery.”
Iguru – “Igloo.”
Kaiko – “Silkworm.”
Kiri – “Fog.”
Kitsune – “White fox.”
Kori – “Ice.”
Kumo – “Cloud.”
Mashiro – “Pure White.”
Miruku – “Milk”
Misuto – “Mist.”
Miyuki – “Beautiful snow.”
Reiki – “Chill or cold.”
Shimo – “Frost.”
Sunoboru – “Snowball.”
Tenshi – “Angel.”
Tsurana – “Icicle.”
Yuki – “Snow.”
Yukiko – “Snow child.”
Yurei – “Ghost or Spirit.”
Yuri – “Lily.”
Zoge – “Ivory.”

As with the “black Japanese cats” category, some of the meanings of these names sound like they’ve been plucked straight from poetry. “Snow child?” “White fox?” Beautiful!

Learn More: The Top 150+ Names for White Cats

Japanese Ginger Cat Names

Anyone who owns a ginger cat knows that they’re gorgeous and have big, beautiful personalities. There are lots of unique Japanese cat names that’ll match his or her quirks perfectly:

Aka – “Red.”
Akahana – “Red flower.”
Akane – “Brilliant red.”
Aki – “Autumn.”
Anko – “Red bean paste.”
Azuki – “Sweet Red Beans.”
Cheda – “Cheddar cheese.”
Do – “Copper.”
Gorudo – “Gold.”
Kabocha – “Pumpkin.”
Kaede – “Maple.”
Kasai – “Fire.”
Kohaku – “Amber.”
Kōkai – “Red Sea.”
Koraru – “Coral.”
Kyou – “Apricot.”
Mikan – “Orange (fruit).”
Moeru – “Blaze.”
Orenji – “Orange (colour).”
Sabita – “Rusty.”
Shinku – “Crimson.”
Shoga – “Ginger.”

Ginger cats often get saddled with stereotypical names, but they deserve so much more than that! Any of these names would be a perfect substitute for the ordinary “Ginger” or “Rusty.”

Learn More: The Top 200+ Names For Orange Cats

Japanese Tabby / Brown Cat Names

Regarding naming based on color, tabby cats can be tricky. There are only so many names that you can come up with based on the color brown, but thankfully, there’s no shortage of tabby-themed names in Japanese:

Amondo – “Almond.”
Beju – “Beige.”
Buchi – “Tabby.”
Choco – “Chocolate.”
Kasshoku – “Brown.”
Kokoa – “Cocoa.”
Komugi – “Wheat.”
Kosho – “Pepper.”
Kuri – “Chestnut.”
Kurumi – “Walnut.”
Natsumegu – “Nutmeg.”
Reo – “Leo.”
Shima – “Stripes.”
Shinrin – “Woodland or forest.”
Tafi – “Toffee.”
Tanuki – “Badger.”
Tora – “Tiger”
Toro Chan – “Little Tiger.”

While there are fewer tabby-themed names in Japanese than in the other colors, there are still some gems on this list that would suit your new cat perfectly!

Best 250+ Japanese Cat Names (With Their Meanings) For Male And Female Kitties