Want to give your cat a Japanese name? Do you know what the most common cat names are in Japan? In this article, we will look at a complete and categorized list of Japanese names for cats, felines, pets, or other animals like dogs and rabbits.
The Japanese love cats, they are much more popular than dogs. Besides neko [猫], cats in Japan can also be called nyanko [ニャン子] or kyatto [キャット] from the English Cat. Consider these as name options for your pet.
Cats in Japan are adored, there are cat ornaments that bring luck called maneki neko. Some islands even have more cats than humans, there are several cat islands scattered throughout Japan.
Most Popular Cat Names in Japan
Just like in Brazil and other countries, Japan has its stereotypical, popular, and traditional cat names. Below are the most popular and commonly used cat names in Japan, followed by their meanings in Portuguese.
As animal names are written in hiragana or katakana, we will not include the ideograms of the words that are used as cat names but have a specific meaning in the language. I believe that just the meaning is enough.
| Cat Name | Meaning |
| Momo | Peach |
| Kuro | Black |
| Hana | Flower |
| Koko | Low |
| Shiro | White |
| Sora | Sky |
| Fuku | Lucky |
| Mei | Pretty |
| Kai | Ocean or shell |
| Chibi | Small |
| Kuroneko | Black Cat |
Japanese Names for Male Cats
Below we will provide a list of Japanese names for male cats. The names are popular in Japan, have their meanings, and can end up being a unisex name. I hope you like the suggestions below:
| Cat Name | Meaning |
| Akemi | beautiful dawn |
| Aki | bright / autumn |
| Akihiro | great brightness |
| Akio | bright man |
| Akio | glorious man |
| Akira | clear / bright |
| Arata | new, fresh |
| Atsushi | diligent director |
| Ayumu | dream walking, vision |
| Dai | great, big |
| Daiki | great nobility |
| Daisuke | great help |
| Eiji | eternal order |
| Fumio | literature, academic hero |
| Haru | spring |
| Haruki | bright sun |
| Haruto | flying sun |
| Hayate | gentle |
| Hibiki | sound, echo |
| Hideki | excellent wooden trees |
| Hideo | excellent man |
| Hikaru | light, brightness |
| Hikaru | radiance |
| Hinata | sunflower / facing the sun |
| Hiraku | open, expand |
| Hiro | generous |
| Hiroaki | wide and spacious light |
| Hiroki | vast wooden trees |
| Hiroshi | generous |
| Hiroyuki | great journey |
| Hitoshi | even-tempered |
| Hitoshi | motivated person |
| Hotaka | high peak |
| Ichiro | first son |
| Isamu | courage |
| Isamu | brave, courageous |
| Itsuki | wooden trees |
| Jiro | second son |
| Junichi | obedient first son |
| Kaede | maple |
| Kaito | support |
| Kaito | ocean flight |
| Kaoru | fragrance |
| Katashi | company |
| Katsu | victory |
| Katsuro | victorious son |
| Kazuto | harmonious person |
| Kenichi | strong and healthy first son |
| Kenji | strong and healthy second son |
| Kenshin | true modest |
| Kenta | great strong, healthy |
| Kichiro | lucky son |
| Kiyoshi | purity |
| Kouki | light or hope |
| Kouta | great peace |
| Kunio | man of the field |
| Kyo | cooperation |
| Madoka | circle, round |
| Makoto | sincere |
| Masa | just / true |
| Masaaki | pleasant brightness |
| Masaki | great wooden tree |
| Masaru | victory |
| Masashi | just aspiration |
| Masato | just person |
| Masayoshi | just, honorable |
| Masayuki | just blessing |
| Masumi | true clarity |
| Michi | path |
| Michio | man on a journey |
| Michio | man on a trip |
| Minoru | truth |
| Mitsuo | brilliant hero |
| Mitsuru | satisfy, complete |
| Nao | honest |
| Naoki | honest wooden tree |
| Ninja | ninjutsu master |
| Noboru | to rise, ascend |
| Nobu | faith |
| Nori | to govern |
| Norio | man of the law |
| Norio | cool man |
| Osamu | disciplined, studious |
| Raiden | thunder and lightning |
| Ren | lotus / love |
| Riku | wise sky |
| Riku | land |
| Rikuto | person of the land |
| Rokuro | sixth son |
| Ryo | refreshing, cool |
| Ryoichi | good first son |
| Ryota | great refreshment |
| Ryu | dragon |
| Samurai | Japanese warrior |
| Satoru | aurora |
| Satoshi | wise, quick learner |
| Shinji | true second son |
| Shinobu | resilience |
| Shiro | fourth son |
| Sho | to fly |
| Shouta | great flight |
| Sora | sky |
| Susumo | to advance, proceed |
| Tadao | faithful, loyal man |
| Tadashi | faithful, loyal |
| Taichi | great first son |
| Taiki | great brightness, shine |
| Takahiro | of great value, nobility |
| Takashi | prosperous, noble |
| Takayuki | noble journey |
| Takeo | warrior hero |
| Takumi | artisan |
| Tamotsu | protector, guard |
| Taro | great son |
| Tomi | prosperous |
| Toshi | wise |
| Toshiaki | advantageous light |
| Toshio | brilliant leader, hero |
| Tsuyoshi | strong |
| Yamato | great harmony |
| Yasu | peace |
| Yasushi | peaceful |
| Yasushi | peace |
| Yori | to trust |
| Yoshi | lucky / just |
| Yoshio | cheerful life |
| Yoshiro | just son |
| Yoshito | ceremonial and correct person |
| Youta | great sunlight |
| Yuichi | heroic first son |
| Yuji | heroic second son |
| Yuki | happiness / snow |
| Yukio | blessed hero |
| Yuzuki | gentle moon |
Japanese Names for Female Cats
Below we will provide a list of Japanese names for female cats. Some of the names for female cats below may end up being unisex names. I hope you like the suggestions below:
| Cat Name | Meaning |
| Aia | ruler |
| Arisu | noble |
| Ayame | iris |
| Chieko | child of wisdom |
| Emi | beautiful blessing |
| Haru | spring |
| Hime | princess |
| Hina | sun |
| Hoshi | star |
| Ichika | present |
| Izumi | spring |
| Jin | contest |
| Junko | pure |
| Kayda | little dragon |
| Kichi | fortunate |
| Kimiko | empress, child |
| Kyoko | respectful child |
| Mai | dance |
| Maiko | child of dance |
| Midori | green |
| Miku | beautiful sky |
| Mitsu | light |
| Moriko | child of the forest |
| Nakano | warrior |
| Nanami | seven seas |
| Riko | child of truth |
| Rin | meaning |
| Sakura | cherry blossom |
| Satoko | wise child |
| Setsuko | melody child |
| Shinju | pearl |
| Suzu | bell |
| Takara | treasure |
| Tomoko | intellect |
| Tomomi | pretty friend |
| Yasuko | child of peace |
| Yoko | sunlight |
| Yua | mandatory love |
| Yuka | gentle flower |
| Akemi | bright and beautiful |
| Akiko | bright child |
| Akira | clear / bright |
| Aiko | child of love |
| Airi | jasmine love |
| Asami | morning beauty |
| Asuka | tomorrow’s perfume, fragrance |
| Ayano | my color |
| Ceiko | child of splendor |
| Chieko | child of intelligence, wisdom |
| Chika | to scatter flowers |
| Chiyo | thousand generations |
| Chiyoko | child of a thousand generations |
| Emiko | beautiful blessing child |
| Eri | blessed prize |
| Etsuko | child of joy |
| Fumiko | child of abundant beauty |
| Hana | flower |
| Hanako | flower child |
| Haruko | spring child |
| Haruna | spring vegetables |
| Hideko | child of excellence |
| Hikari | light, brightness |
| Hina | sun vegetables |
| Hisako | child of long life |
| Hiro | generous |
| Hiroko | generous child |
| Hiromi | generous beauty |
| Hitomi | pupil of the eye |
| Honoka | flower of harmony |
| Hoshiko | star child |
| Hotaru | firefly |
| Kamiko | superior child |
| Katsumi | victorious beauty |
| Kazumi | harmonious beauty |
| Kazuko | child of harmony |
| Keiko | blessed child / respectful child |
| Kiko | chronic child |
| Kimi | noble |
| Kiyomi | pure beauty |
| Kumiko | long-time beautiful child |
| Kyo | cooperation |
| Madoka | circle, round |
| Maki | true hope |
| Makoto | sincere |
| Mami | true beauty |
| Mana | love |
| Manami | beautiful love |
| Mao | cherry blossom dance |
| Masa | just / true |
| Masumi | true clarity |
| Mariko | true child of the village |
| Mayumi | truly gentle beauty |
| Mi | pretty |
| Michi | path |
| Michiko | beautiful wise child |
| Mieko | beautiful blessing child |
| Miho | protected and guaranteed beauty |
| Mika | beautiful fragrance |
| Miki | beautiful princess |
| Minako | beautiful child |
| Minori | truth |
| Mio | beautiful cherry blossom |
| Misaki | beautiful flower |
| Mitsuko | child of light |
| Mitsuru | satisfy, complete |
| Miwa | beautiful harmony, peace |
| Miyako | beautiful night child |
| Miyu | beautiful gentle |
| Miyuki | beautiful blessing |
| Momoka | peach blossom |
| Nana | seven |
| Nao | honest |
| Naoko | honest child |
| Naomi | honest beautiful |
| Natsuki | summer hope |
| Natsumi | beautiful summer |
| Nobuko | faithful and reliable child |
| Noriko | cool child |
| Ren | lotus / love |
| Rina | jasmine |
| Rio | village cherry blossom |
| Rika | true fragrance |
| Ryoko | refreshing child |
| Sachiko | cheerful, happy child |
| Saki | flower of hope |
| Satomi | beautiful and wise |
| Shiori | poem |
| Shigeko | growing child |
| Shika | deer |
| Shizuka | quiet summer |
| Shizuko | quiet child |
| Sora | sky |
| Sumiko | child of clarity |
| Suzume | sparrow |
| Takako | noble child |
| Tamiko | child of many beauties |
| Teruko | bright child |
| Tomiko | child of wealth, fortune |
| Toshiko | smart child |
| Umeko | plum child |
| Yasu | peace iness / snow |
| Yoko | child of sunlight |
| Yoshi | lucky / just |
| Yoshie | beautiful stream |
| Yoshiko | child of kindness |
| Yuina | to unite |
| Yukari | beautiful pear tree |
| Yumi | beautiful reason |
| Yumiko | beautiful child reason |
| Yui | to tie clothes |
| Yuki | happy |
| Yukiko | child of snow / child of happiness |
| Yuko | gentle child |
| Yuri | lily |
| Yuriko | lily child |
| Yuuna | gentle |
Cat Names Inspired by Animes
The cat names below are inspired by characters from popular animes or are literally cats from some popular anime. I hope you like the small list below. It might be easier to use your browser’s locator to find the anime.
Remember that we have an article on the site that talks exactly about animes with cats. Some anime names are in English, and some are not necessarily Japanese animes.
- Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Arthur from Code Geass
- Asami from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke
- Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Asuna from Sword Art Online
- Barsa from Kiki’s Delivery
- Bolin from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Carla from Fairy Tail
- Charmmy from Kitty’s pet cat
- Chi from Chi’s Sweet Home
- Dear Daniel from Kitty’s boyfriend
- Doraemon from Doraemon
- Fukuo from Kiki’s Delivery
- George from Kitty’s father
- Gohan from Dragon Ball -Z
- Goku from Dragon Ball -Z
- Gonza from Princess Mononoke
- Hideki from Angel Beats
- Hinata from Naruto
- Ichigo from Bleach
- Jigo from Princess Mononoke
- Jiji the Cat from Kiki’s Delivery
- Kamineko from Azumanga Daioh
- Kanade from Angel Beats
- Kanta from My Neighbor Totoro
- Kasakari-Otoko from My Neighbor Totoro
- Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Ket from Kiki’s Delivery
- Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery
- Kirito from Sword Art Online
- Kitty White from Hello Kitty’s full name
- Kohrulu from Princess Mononoke
- Kokiri from Kiki’s Delivery
- Kora from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Korin from Dragon Ball Z
- Kuro from Blue Exorcist
- Kuroneko–sama from Trigun
- Lady Eboshi from Princess Mononoke
- Luna & Artemis from Sailor Moon
- Madame from Kiki’s Delivery
- Maki from Kiki’s Delivery
- Mako from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Mao from Darker than Black;
- Mary from Kitty’s mother
- Mei from My Neighbor Totoro
- Meowth from Pokémon
- Milo from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Mimmy from Kitty’s twin sister
- Misa from Death Note
- Misato from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Molly from The Ancient Magus Bride
- Moro from Princess Mononoke
- Naruto from Naruto
- Neko-sensei from Princess Tutu
- Nyan from the game Nyan Cat
- Nyanko Big from Tada Never Falls In Love
- Nyanko-sensei from Natsume’s Book Of Friends
- Okino from Kiki’s Delivery
- Okkoto from Princess Mononoke
- Orihime from Bleach
- Osono from Kiki’s Delivery
- Potya from Yuri!!! on ICE
- Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Roba from My Neighbor Totoro
- Rukia from Bleach
- Ryuk from Death Note
- Sakamoto from Nichijoum
- San from Princess Mononoke
- Sasuke from Naruto
- Satsuki from My Neighbor Totoro
- Shinji from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Sokka from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Suguha from Sword Art Online
- Takamatsu from Angel Beats
- Tatsuo from My Neighbor Totoro
- Toki from Princess Mononoke
- Tombo from Kiki’s Delivery
- Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro
- Ursula from Kiki’s Delivery
- Vegeta from Dragon Ball -Z
- Yasuko from My Neighbor Totoro
- Yuzuru from Angel Beats
Names for Black, White, and Ginger Cats
Some Japanese names are suitable for animals of color. Below we will leave some names that can be added to cats of a certain color. I hope you like the names below:
| Cat Name | Meaning |
| Aka | red |
| Akahana | red flower |
| Akane | bright red |
| Akari | light |
| Aki | autumn |
| Akira | bright |
| Akumi | the dark |
| Amaya | night rain |
| An | dark |
| Anko | red bean paste |
| Anri | dark jasmine |
| Awai | pale |
| Azuki | sweet red bean |
| Cheda | cheddar cheese |
| Deiji | daisy |
| Do | copper |
| Fuyu | winter |
| Fuyuko | winter child |
| Gin | silver |
| Gorudo | gold |
| Hai | gray |
| Hatsuki | moon flower |
| Hotaru | firefly |
| Iguru | igloo |
| Kabocha | pumpkin |
| Kaede | maple |
| Kage | shadow |
| Kaguya | shining night |
| Kasai | fire |
| Kiri | mist |
| Kitsune | white fox |
| Kohaku | amber |
| Koraru | coral |
| Kori | ice |
| Kumo | cloud |
| Kuroguro | deep black |
| Kyou | apricot |
| KōKai | red sea |
| Makkuro | black step |
| Mashiro | pure white |
| Mayonaka | midnight |
| Mika | new moon |
| Mikan | orange fruit |
| Miruku | milk |
| Misuto | mist |
| Miyuki | beautiful snow |
| Moeru | flame |
| Mokutan | coal |
| Orenji | orange color |
| Reiki | cold or chilly |
| Sabita | rusty |
| Sekitan | coal |
| Shimo | frost |
| Shinku | crimson |
| Shoga | ginger |
| Sumi | black ink |
| Sunoboru | snowball |
| Susu | soot |
| Tenshi | angel |
| Tsuki | moon |
| Tsukiko | child of the night |
| Tsurana | sincelo |
| Yami | darkness |
| Yamiyo | dark night |
| Yasha | night devil |
| Yoru | night |
| Yuki | snow |
| Yukiko | child of snow |
| Yurei | ghost or spirit |
| Yuri | lily |
| Zoge | ivory |
Research Source was the site Catological
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