Want to put a Japanese name on your cat? Do you know the most common cat names in Japan? In this article, we are going to see a complete and categorized list of Japanese names for cats, felines, cats or other pets such as dogs and rabbits.
The Japanese love cats, they are much more popular than dogs. Besides neko [猫], cats in Japan can be called nyanko [ニャン子] or kyatto [キャット] from the English Cat. Consider them 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.
Table of Content
Most popular cat names in Japan
As in Brazil and other countries, Japan has its stereotypical, popular and traditional cat names. The following are the most popular and most used cat names in Japan, followed by the meaning in English.
As the names of animals are written in hiragana or katakana, we will not include the ideograms of the words that are used as cat names, but that have some specific meaning in the language. I believe that just the meaning will suffice.
| Cat's name | Meaning |
| Momo | Peach |
| Kuro | Black |
| Hana | Flower |
| Koko | Low |
| Shiro | White |
| Sora | Sky |
| Fuku | Lucky you |
| Mei | Bonita |
| Kai | ocean or shell |
| Chibi | little one |
| Kuroneko | Black cat |
Japanese names for male cats
Below we will leave a list of Japanese names for male cats. The names are popular in Japan, have their meanings, and may end up being a unisex name. I hope you like the suggestions below:
| Cat's name | Meaning |
| Akemi | beautiful sunrise |
| Aki | bright / autumn |
| Akihiro | great shine |
| Akio | brilliant man |
| Akio | glorious man |
| Akira | clear / clear |
| Arata | new fresh |
| Atsushi | diligent director |
| Ayumu | walk dream vision |
| Dai | great, big |
| Daiki | great nobility |
| Daisuke | great help |
| Eiji | order of eternity |
| Fumio | literature, academic hero |
| Haru | spring |
| Haruki | bright sun |
| Haruto | sun flying |
| Hayate | soft |
| Hibiki | sound, echo |
| Hideki | excellent wooden trees |
| Hideo | excellent man |
| Hikaru | light, shine |
| 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 | same-seasoned |
| Hitoshi | motivated person |
| Hotaka | tall grai |
| Ichiro | First son |
| Isamu | courage |
| Isamu | brave, brave |
| Itsuki | wooden trees |
| Jiro | second son |
| Junichi | obedient first child |
| Kaede | board |
| Kaito | Support |
| Kaito | ocean flight |
| Kaoru | fragrance |
| Katashi | company |
| Katsu | victory |
| Katsuro | victorious son |
| Kazuto | harmonious person |
| Kenichi | strong and healthy first child |
| Kenji | strong and healthy second child |
| Kenshin | true modest |
| Kenta | big strong healthy |
| Kichiro | lucky son |
| Kiyoshi | purity |
| Kouki | light or hope |
| Kouta | great peace |
| Kunio | country man |
| Kyo | cooperation |
| Madoka | circle, round |
| Makoto | honest |
| Masa | only / true |
| Masaaki | nice glow |
| Masaki | big wooden tree |
| Masaru | victory |
| Masashi | righteous aspiration |
| Masato | righteous person |
| Masayoshi | just, honorable |
| Masayuki | fair blessing |
| Masumi | true clarity |
| Michi | way |
| Michio | man on a journey |
| Michio | traveling man |
| Minoru | truth |
| Mitsuo | shining hero |
| Mitsuru | satisfy, complete |
| Nao | honest |
| Naoki | honest wooden tree |
| Ninja | ninjutsu master |
| Noboru | go up, go up |
| Nobu | fé |
| Nori | to rule |
| Norio | law's man |
| Norio | nice man |
| Osamu | disciplined, studious |
| Raiden | thunder and lightning |
| Rent | lotus / love |
| Riku | wise sky |
| Riku | Earth |
| Rikuto | earth person |
| Rokuro | sixth child |
| Ryo | refreshing, cool |
| Ryoichi | good first child |
| Ryota | great refreshment |
| Ryu | Dragon |
| Samurai | japanese warrior |
| Satoru | aurora |
| Satoshi | wise, fast learner |
| Shinji | true second son |
| Shinobu | resistance |
| Shiro | fourth child |
| Sho | to fly |
| Shouta | great flight |
| Sora | sky |
| Summary | to advance, proceed |
| Tadao | trustworthy, faithful man |
| Tadashi | loyal, loyal |
| Taichi | first big child |
| Taiki | great shine, shine |
| Takahiro | of great value, nobility |
| Takashi | prosperous, noble |
| Takayuki | noble journey |
| Takeo | warrior hero |
| Takumi | Craftsman |
| Tamotsu | protector, guard |
| tarot | big son |
| Tom | prosperous |
| Toshi | sensible |
| Toshiaki | advantageous light |
| Toshio | genius leader hero |
| Tsuyoshi | forte |
| Yamato | great harmony |
| Yasu | peace |
| Yasushi | Pacific |
| Yasushi | peace |
| Yori | trust in |
| Yoshi | lucky / fair |
| Yoshio | joyful life |
| Yoshiro | righteous son |
| Yoshito | ceremonial and upright person |
| Youta | great sunlight |
| Yuichi | heroic first child |
| Yuji | heroic second son |
| Yuki | happiness / snow |
| Yukio | blessed hero |
| Yuzuki | soft moon |
Japanese names for female cats
Below we will leave a list of Japanese names for female or female cats. Some cat names below may end up being a unisex name. Hope you like the suggestions below:
| Cat's name | Meaning |
| Aia | ruler |
| Arisu | noble |
| Ayame | iris |
| Chieko | son of wisdom |
| Emi | beautiful blessing |
| Haru | spring |
| Hime | Princess |
| Hina | sun |
| Hoshi | star |
| Ichika | gift |
| Izumi | source |
| Jin | contest |
| Junko | pure |
| Kayda | little dragon |
| Kichi | lucky |
| Kimiko | empress child |
| Kyoko | respectful child |
| Mai | dance |
| Maiko | dancing son |
| Midori | green |
| Miku | beautiful sky |
| Mitsu | Light |
| Moriko | forest child |
| Nakano | Warrior |
| Nanami | Seven seas |
| Riko | son of truth |
| Rin | dignified |
| Sakura | cherry blossom |
| Satoko | wise child |
| Setsuko | melody child |
| Shinju | Pearl |
| Suzu | sino |
| Takara | tesouro |
| Tomoko | intellect |
| Tomomi | friend beatiful |
| Yasuko | son of peace |
| Yoko | Sun light |
| Yua | mandatory love |
| yuka | soft flower |
| Akemi | bright beautiful |
| Akiko | bright child |
| Akira | clear / clear |
| Aiko | love child |
| Airi | love jasmine |
| Asami | morning beauty |
| Asuka | tomorrow perfume fragrance |
| Ayano | My color |
| Ceiko | son of splendor |
| Chieko | child of intelligence, wisdom |
| Chika | scatter flowers |
| Chiyo | thousand generations |
| Chiyoko | son of a thousand generations |
| Emiko | beautiful blessing child |
| Eri | blessed prize |
| Etsuko | son of joy |
| Fumiko | son of abundant beauty |
| Hana | flower |
| Hanako | flower child |
| Haruko | spring child |
| Haruna | spring vegetables |
| Hideko | son of excellence |
| Hikari | light, shine |
| Hina | sun vegetables |
| Hisako | long-lived son |
| Hiro | generous |
| Hiroko | generous child |
| Hiromi | generous beauty |
| Hitomi | eye pupil |
| Honoka | flower of harmony |
| Hoshiko | child star |
| Hotaru | firefly |
| Kamiko | superior son |
| Katsumi | victorious beauty |
| Kazumi | harmonious beauty |
| Kazuko | child of harmony |
| Keiko | blessed child / respectful child |
| Kiko | chronic child |
| Kimi | noble |
| Kiyomi | Pure beauty |
| Kumiko | longtime beautiful child |
| Kyo | cooperation |
| Madoka | circle, round |
| Maki | true hope |
| Makoto | honest |
| mom | true beauty |
| Mana | love |
| Manami | beautiful love |
| Mao | cherry blossom dance |
| Masa | only / true |
| Masumi | true clarity |
| Mariko | true son of the village |
| Mayumi | true gentle beauty |
| Mi | pretty |
| Michi | way |
| 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 | son of the light |
| Mitsuru | satisfy, complete |
| Miwa | beautiful hamony, peace |
| Miyako | beautiful child night |
| Miyu | beautiful gentle |
| Miyuki | beautiful blessing |
| Momoka | peach blossom |
| Nana | sete |
| Nao | honest |
| Naoko | honest child |
| Naomi | honest beautiful |
| Natsuki | summer hope |
| Natsumi | beautiful summer |
| Nobuko | faithful and trustworthy child |
| Noriko | cool kid |
| Rent | 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 | son of many beauties |
| Teruko | bright child |
| Tomiko | son of wealth, fortune |
| Toshiko | smart child |
| Umeko | plum child |
| Yasu | peace iness / snow |
| Yoko | child of sunlight |
| Yoshi | lucky / fair |
| Yoshie | beautiful creek |
| Yoshiko | son of kindness |
| Yuina | join |
| Yukari | beautiful pear tree |
| Yumi | beautiful reason |
| Yumiko | reason beautiful child |
| Yui | tie clothes |
| Yuki | happy |
| Yukiko | child of snow / child of happiness |
| Yuko | kind child |
| Yuri | lily |
| Yuriko | child lily |
| Yuuna | kind |
Anime inspired cat names
The cat names below are inspired by characters from popular anime or are literally cats from some popular anime. I hope you enjoy 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 anime with cats. The: The names of some anime 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
- Princess Mononoke's Ashitaka
- Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Asuna from Sword Art Online
- Kiki's Delivery Bar
- 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 by Kitty's Boyfriend
- Doraemon of Doraemon
- Fukuo from Kiki's Delivery
- George de Kitty's father
- Gohan from Dragon Ball-Z
- Goku from Dragon Ball-Z
- Princess Mononoke's Gonza
- Hideki from Angel Beats
- Hinata de Naruto
- Ichigo from Bleach
- Princess Mononoke Jig
- Jiji the Cat from Kiki's Delivery
- Kamineko by Azumanga Daioh
- Kanade by Angel Beats
- Kanta by My Friend Totoro
- Kasakari-Otoko from My Friend Totoro
- Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Kiki's Delivery Ket
- Kiki from Kiki's Delivery
- Kirito from Sword Art Online
- Kitty White by Hello Kitty's full name
- Princess Mononoke's Kohrulu
- Kokiri from Kiki's Delivery
- Kora from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Korin from Dragon Ball Z
- Kuro from Blue Exorcist
- Trigun's Kuroneko-sama
- Princess Mononoke's Lady Eboshi
- Luna & Artemis from Sailor Moon
- Madame de Kiki's Delivery
- Maki from Kiki's Delivery
- Mako from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Hand from Darker than Black;
- Mary from Kitty's Mother
- Mei from My friend Totoro
- pokemon meowth
- Milo from Avatar: The Legend of Korra
- Mimmy from Kitty's twin sister
- Death Note Misa
- Misato from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Molly from The Ancient Magus Bride
- Princess Mononoke's house
- naruto from naruto
- Neko-sensei from Princess Tutu
- Nyan from the game Nyan Cat
- Nyanko Big by Tada Never Falls In Love
- Nyanko-sensei from Natsume's Book Of Friends
- Okino from Kiki's Delivery
- Princess Mononoke's Okkoto
- Bleach Orihime
- Osono from Kiki's Delivery
- Yuri's Potya!!! on ICE
- King of Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Roba of My Friend Totoro
- Bleach Rukia
- Ryuk from Death Note
- Nichijoum's Sakamoto
- San by Princess Mononoke
- Sasuke from Naruto
- Satsuki from My Friend Totoro
- Shinji from Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Sokka from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Suguha from Sword Art Online
- Takamatsu by Angel Beats
- Tatsuo from My Friend Totoro
- Princess Mononoke Toki
- Kiki's Delivery Tombo
- Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro
- Ursula from Kiki's Delivery
- Vegeta from Dragon Ball-Z
- Yasuko from My Friend Totoro
- Yuzuru by 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's name | Meaning |
| Aka | red |
| Akahana | Red flower |
| Akane | bright red |
| Akari | Light |
| Aki | outono |
| Akira | brillant |
| Akumi | the dark |
| Amaya | night rain |
| An | dingy |
| Anko | red bean paste |
| Anri | dark jasmine |
| Awai | pale |
| Azuki | sweet red beans |
| Cheda | cheddar cheese |
| Deiji | margarida |
| Of | copper |
| Fuyu | Winter |
| Fuyuko | winter child |
| Gin | silver |
| fat | gold |
| Hai | Grey |
| Hatsuki | moon flower |
| Hotaru | firefly |
| Iguru | igloo |
| Kabocha | pumpkin |
| Kaede | board |
| Kage | shadow |
| Kaguya | night shining |
| Kasai | fogo |
| Kiri | mist |
| Kitsune | White fox |
| Kohaku | amber |
| Koraru | coral |
| Kori | ice |
| Kumo | a 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 cold |
| Sabit | rusty |
| Sekitan | coal |
| Shimo | frost |
| Shinku | crimson |
| Shoga | ginger |
| Sumi | Black ink |
| Sunoboru | snowball |
| Susu | soot |
| Tenshi | anjo |
| Tsuki | moon |
| Tsukiko | night child |
| Tsurana | icicle |
| Yami | darkness |
| Yamiyo | dark night |
| Yasha | devil of the night |
| Yoru | night |
| Yuki | snow |
| Yukiko | snow child |
| Yurei | ghost or spirit |
| Yuri | lily |
| Zoge | ivory |
Research Source was the website Catological