Japanese Cat Names for Pets

Momo, Kuro, Shiro—short Japanese words that already sound like a cat has claimed the house. A Japanese name for your pet can come from a color, a season, a soft food word, or a character you rewatch when you need comfort.

The Japanese love cats, and they often outshine dogs in everyday affection. Besides neko [猫], you will also hear nyanko [ニャン子] and kyatto [キャット], borrowed from English “cat.” Any of those can work as a nickname too.

Cats show up in lucky ornaments like the maneki-neko, and on islands where felines outnumber people—Japan’s famous cat islands. Naming a pet in Japanese is often less about grand kanji and more about a sound that fits the animal in front of you.

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Popular-Style Cat Names in Japan

Japan has classic “sound like a cat” names the way many countries do—short, easy to call across a room. The table below is a traditional and common-style selection you often see on name lists, with English meanings. Trends shift: short food- and nature-sound names (think Mugi, Sora, Momo) stay strong in real-world pet data, so treat any “top” list as a map, not a permanent podium.

Pet names are usually written in hiragana or katakana, so we skip kanji for these entries and keep the everyday meaning.

Cat Name	Meaning
Momo	Peach
Kuro	Black
Hana	Flower
Koko	cocoa / here
Shiro	White
Sora	Sky
Fuku	Lucky
Mei	Pretty
Kai	Ocean or shell
Chibi	Small
Kuroneko	Black Cat

Japanese Names for Male Cats

These lean masculine in Japanese naming habits, though plenty work as a unisex name for a bold or soft boy cat. Meanings are approximate—kanji choices change nuance.

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

Names that often lean feminine, with a few that stay flexible. Some travel well as unisex nicknames if your cat ignores the gender chart entirely.

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
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

If you want a name with screen time, borrow from characters—or actual cats—in popular anime. Use your browser search to jump to a title. We also keep a dedicated guide to anime with cats. A few entries come from English-language works that sit next to Japanese fandoms.

• 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
• 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
• Kohroku from Princess Mononoke
• Kokiri from Kiki’s Delivery
• Korra 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 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 Nichijou
• 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

Coat color is one of the easiest ways to pick a name. These options lean on Japanese color words, seasons, food, and light or dark moods that match black, white, ginger, and mixed coats.

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	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
Tsurara	icicle
Yami	darkness
Yamiyo	dark night
Yasha	night devil
Yoru	night
Yuki	snow
Yukiko	child of snow
Yurei	ghost or spirit
Yuri	lily
Zoge	ivory