There are so many foreign cat breeds that it only makes sense to pay homage to their homelands by choosing a name from the countries that they originated from. Or, perhaps your kitten is too unique for the usual, run-of-the-mill cat names.
With its multitude of cat cafés and fondness for the lucky Maneki-Neko, Japan is renowned for being a country filled with cat lovers. Here is a variety of Japanese names for your Japanese kitty, split into female, male, and gender-neutral categories. There are even a few extra-special options inspired by the weather, food, colors, and anime.
How to Name Your Cat
Our cats deserve a name that suits them without being overused or tacky. Choosing the right one can be difficult, and sometimes it takes a few days to decide. Don’t be scared to take the time to consider your options regarding your new feline.
This extra time will allow them to settle into their new home and become comfortable around you. The more comfortable your new cat feels, the more you’ll see their personality come out, and you’ll be better able to choose the name that suits them best.
Female Japanese Cat Names
It’s no secret that the Japanese have a soft spot for cute things, and plenty of names are cutesy enough for your female kitty. Whether your cat is adoringly affectionate or a calm princess, these names are sure to inspire you.
A
- Ahmya (black rain)
- Aiko (little love)
- Akari (light)
- Aneko (older sister)
- Ayame (iris)
B
- Bashira (joyful)
C
- Chie (wisdom)
- Chinsu (calm peace)
- Chiyo (world)
- Cho (butterfly)
D
- Danuja (ruler)
- Deiji (daisy)
E
- Eiji (cheerful)
- Emiko (smiling child)
- Eri (blessed prize)
G
- Gen (spring)
H
- Haia (nimble)
- Hana (flower)
- Hayami (rare beauty)
- Hekima (wisdom)
- Himari (light and love)
- Hime (princess)
- Hina (sun)
I
- Ichika (gift)
- Iva (yew tree)
- Izanami (Shinto goddess of creation and death)
K
- Kaiya (forgiveness)
- Kayda (little dragon)
- Keiko (adored one)
- Kichi (fortunate)
- Kirei (pretty)
- Kohana (small flower)
- Kyoko (mirror)
M
- Mai (dance)
- Makoto (true)
- Mana (affection)
- Masa (just or true)
- Mei (sprout)
- Mi (beautiful)
- Mieko (blessing child)
- Mika (new moon)
- Miki (flower stem)
- Mio (beautiful)
N
- Nakano (warrior)
- Nami (wave)
- Nana (seven)
- Nao (honest)
- Nishi (west)
- Nozomi (hope)
- Nyoko (treasure)
R
- Riki (strength)
- Rin (dignified)
- Rini (little bunny)
S
- Sai (intelligent)
- Sakura (cherry blossom)
- Sango (coral)
- Sara (vivid blossom)
- Sayuri (lily)
- Setsuko (temperate child)
- Shion (aster)
- Shiori (guide)
- Shizuka (quiet)
- Sora (sky)
- Suki (beloved)
- Suzu (bell)
T
- Takara (treasure)
- Tora (tiger)
- Tori (bird)
U
- Utano (field of songs)
W
- Wakana (harmony)
Y
- Yoko (sunlight)
- Yua (binding love)
- Yuka (gentle flower)
- Yukari (destiny)
- Yuuna (gentle)
Male Japanese Cat Names
Your mischievous but honorable male cat deserves a mighty name to prove his heroics to the foes he meets on his adventures. Wise, courageous, and prince-like, your Japanese Tomcat will shine with one of these names.
A
- Akihiro (shining prince)
- Akio (hero)
B
- Benjiro (peaceful)
D
- Dai (large)
- Dosei (Saturn)
E
- Eichi (wisdom)
- Eiji (eternity order)
F
- Fuji (unique)
H
- Haru (spring)
- Hayate (smooth)
- Hibiki (echo)
- Hikaru (light)
- Hiroshi (generous)
- Homare (honor)
- Hotaru (firefly)
I
- Isamu (courage)
- Isao (honor)
K
- Kaede (maple)
- Kage (shadow)
- Kai (ocean)
- Kaito (supportive)
- Kaoru (fragrance)
- Karasu (raven)
- Katashi (firm)
- Katoro (small boy)
- Katsu (victory)
- Kazan (volcano)
- Kimi (noble)
- Koji (little one)
- Koro (roly-poly)
- Koto (Japanese harp)
M
- Mamoru (earth)
- Maru (round)
- Masanori (model of justice)
- Masaru (victory)
- Minoru (truth)
- Mitsuo (shining hero)
- Mokusei (Jupiter)
- Mugen (infinity)
- Myojo (Venus)
N
- Naoko (honest)
- Nen (deep hope)
- Noboru (rise)
- Nobu (faith)
- Nori (to rule)
O
- Osamu (disciplined)
R
- Ren (love)
- Reo (wise gentleman)
- Riku (wise sky)
- Ryo (refreshing)
- Ryuji (dragon man)
- Ryuu (dragon)
S
- Sanji (praise)
- Satoru (daybreak)
- Seiji (lawful)
- Senshi (warrior)
- Shinju (pearl)
- Shino (bamboo stalk)
T
- Tadeo (loyal)
- Taishiro (ambitious)
- Tatsuki (honor)
- Tetsu (iron)
- Tomi (prosperous)
- Toshiko (valued child)
- Tousen (otherworldly)
- Tsukikage (moonbeam)
U
- Usaku (moonlit)
- Usui (mortar well)
W
- Washi (eagle)
Y
- Yamaha (mountain leaf)
- Yamato (harmony)
- Yami (dark)
- Yori (trust)
- Yoshi (righteous)
- Yukio (hero)
Gender-Neutral Japanese Cat Names
Sometimes, it’s not easy to choose which stereotype for males and females fits best for your cat. Instead of limiting yourself to what’s expected of your new friend, check out these gender-neutral names that will make any feline the talk of the town.
A
- Akachan (baby)
- Aoi (hollyhock flower)
- Asa (morning)
C
- Chibi (tiny)
- Chiisai (small)
- Chisai tori (little bird)
- Chisana (pocket-sized)
- Chotto (small)
D
- Daku (dark)
- Doi (mountain)
- Domo (thank you)
E
- Enkai (deep sea)
- Etsu (delight)
F
- Fuku (lucky)
- Fuwafuwa (fluffy)
H
- Hachi (eight)
- Hai (ashes)
- Hakahu (white crane)
- Hare (sunny)
- Hashi (chopsticks)
- Hinata (sunflower)
I
- Iguru (igloo)
- Iori (retreat)
J
- Jun (obedient)
K
- Kaiko (silkworm)
- Kamu (chewy)
- Kana (powerful)
- Karikari (crunchy)
- Kasai (fire)
- Kegawa (fur)
- Kei (square jewel)
- Kitsune (white fox)
- Koneko (kitten)
- Kozue (tree branches)
- Kuma (bear)
M
- Mausu (mouse)
- Mayonaka (midnight)
- Moeru (blaze)
- Mokutan (charcoal)
- Momo (Peach)
- Mori (forest)
N
- Natsu (summer)
- Niko (two lakes)
- Nori (belief)
- Nyan (meow)
O
- Oki (blue water)
R
- Reo (Leo)
S
- Sabita (rusty)
- Satu (sugar)
- Seiko (force)
- Sekitan (coal)
- Sen (child of wood)
- Shai (shy)
- Shiki (seasons)
- Shima (stripes)
- Shinrin (woodland)
- Shirasagi (white egret)
- Sumōkī (smoky)
- Susu (soot)
T
- Taki (waterfall)
- Tanuki (badger)
- Tenshi (angel)
- Tomoe (blessing)
- Tsubasa (wings)
- Tsuki (moon)
- Tsurana (icicle)
U
- Ume (plum blossom)
- Umi (sea)
W
- Watage (fluff)
Y
- Yasha (night devil)
- Yasu (calm)
- Yosei (fairy)
- Yurei (spirit or ghost)
Z
- Zen (peace)
Weather-Inspired Japanese Cat Names
The weather on the day your new cat arrives home, or the color of their fur can inspire many interesting names. When “Stormy” or “Mist” doesn’t quite fit, the Japanese translations can make even the most overused name sound new and unique.
A
- Amaya (night rain)
K
- Kasumi (mist)
- Kumo (cloud)
M
- Misuto (mist)
- Miyuki (beautiful snow)
N
- Nari (thunder)
R
- Reiki (cold)
S
- Shimo (frost)
T
- Tora (thunder)
Y
- Yuki (snow)
- Yukigafuru (snowy)
Food-Inspired Japanese Cat Names
It might seem strange to name your cat after a food item, but sometimes, it just fits. Our cat’s coloring can remind us of our favorite snacks, or perhaps your new arrival is as sweet as sugar.
A
- Amondo (almond)
- Anzu (apricot)
- Azuki (sweet red beans)
C
- Cheda (cheddar cheese)
- Choco (chocolate)
I
- Ichigo (strawberry)
K
- Kabocha (pumpkin)
- Koko (cocoa)
- Komugi (wheat)
- Kosho (pepper)
- Kuromai (black rice)
- Kurumi (walnut)
- Kyoho (dark grapes)
- Kyou (apricot)
M
- Mashumaro (marshmallow)
- Mikan (mandarin orange)
- Miruku (milk)
- Miso
- Mitsu (honey)
- Mochi (rice cake)
N
- Natsumegu (nutmeg)
R
- Raisupati (rice patty)
- Ringo (apple)
S
- Sake
- Sashimi
- Shuga (sugar)
- Soba
- Suitopi (sweet pea)
- Sushi
T
- Tafi (toffee)
- Tofu
U
- Udon (thick wheat noodle)
Z
- Zakuru (pomegranate)
Colorful Japanese Cat Names
Naming your orange feline “Ginger” is all well and good, but why settle with cliché when you can spice up your household with new names? These Japanese words for colors all make good names, especially for cats with interesting patterning.
A
- Aka (red)
- Ao (blue)
B
- Beju (beige)
- Buchi (tabby)
C
- Chairo (brown)
D
- Do (copper)
G
- Giniro (silver)
H
- Haiiro (gray)
K
- Kasshoku (brown)
- Kin (golden)
- Kiniro (gold)
- Kohaku (amber)
- Kuro (black)
M
- Makkuro (inky)
- Midori (green)
- Mike (tortoiseshell)
O
- Orenji (orange)
P
- Pinku (pink)
R
- Rozu (rose)
S
- Shinku (crimson)
- Shiro (white)
- Shoga (ginger)
- Sumi (black ink)
Z
- Zoge (ivory)
Anime-Inspired Japanese Cat Names
We can’t have a list of Japanese names without venturing into the realm of anime. The following names are all cats from a variety of Japanese anime shows. Including old classics or new favorites, these names are the purr-fect way to appreciate your most loved characters.
A
- Artemis (Sailor Moon)
B
- Buyo (Inuyasha)
C
- Chi (Chi’s Sweet Home)
D
- Diana (Sailor Moon)
E
- Eikichi (Yu Yu Hakusho)
J
- Jibanyan (YouKai Watch)
- Jiji (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
K
- Kamineko (Azumanga Daioh)
- Kirara (Inuyasha)
- Korin (Dragon Ball Z)
- Kuro (Blue Exorcist)
- Kuroneko-sama (Trigun)
- Kyo (Fruit’s Basket)
L
- Luna (Sailor Moon)
M
- Mao (Darker than Black)
- Meowth (Pokemon)
N
- Naruto
- Neko-sensei (Princess Tutu)
P
- Potya (Yuri!!! On Ice)
T
- Tibbs (Mary and the Witch’s Flower)
Final Thoughts
Names for your cat don’t have to be dreary and mundane. If you’re worried that you won’t find a name in your native language or want to acknowledge your kitten’s ancestry, try these Japanese names. Although they might translate to more familiar words, the fresh take will give your cat a uniqueness all their own.
Featured Image Credit: Mike Tsios, Shutterstock
