Japanese Cat Names

What if your cat’s name could tell a story as rich and vibrant as the streets of Tokyo or as peaceful as the countryside of Kyoto?

Japanese cat names carry a deep sense of beauty, culture, and meaning, making them a perfect choice for your new companion.

From the adorable ‘Yuki’ (Snow) to the majestic ‘Tora’ (Tiger), each name is a window into the depth of Japanese language and tradition.

In this article, we dive into the fascinating world of Japanese cat names, exploring various categories like charming female names, strong male names, and even those inspired by nature and anime.

Keep reading to discover the perfect Japanese name that resonates with the spirit of your feline friend.

Female Japanese Cat Names

This category celebrates the elegance and beauty of female Japanese names. Each name offers a touch of Japanese femininity. Ideal for a graceful and charming cat princess:

• Akane (Deep Red)
• Amaya (Night Rain)
• Asami (Morning Beauty)
• Chiyo (Eternal)
• Emiko (Smiling Child)
• Fumiko (Child of History)
• Haru (Spring)
• Hina (Sunlight)
• Izumi (Spring, Fountain)
• Kaede (Maple)
• Kameko (Turtle Child)
• Kiko (Chrysanthemum Child)
• Kimiko (Noble Child)
• Maiko (Child of Dance)
• Mariko (True Village Child)
• Miho (Beautiful Feather)
• Miku (Beautiful Sky)
• Mio (Beautiful Cherry Blossom)
• Naomi (Honest and Beautiful)
• Narumi (Beautiful Sea)
• Natsuki (Summer Hope)
• Ren (Lotus)
• Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
• Saya (Swift Arrow)
• Sayuri (Little Lily)
• Shizuka (Quiet)
• Sumiko (Clear Thinking Child)
• Yoko (Sunlight Child)
• Yoshiko (Good Child)
• Yumi (Beautiful Bow)

Looking for a name for your feline lady? For more inspiration, head on to our guide on Female Cat Names.

Male Japanese Cat Names

Emphasizing strength and character, male Japanese cat names are perfect for bold and spirited tomcats. These names are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, symbolizing various attributes from bravery to wisdom:

• Akio (Bright Man)
• Daichi (Great Wisdom)
• Fumio (Scholarly Child)
• Haruto (Sun Flying)
• Hayato (Falcon Person)
• Hiro (Generous)
• Isamu (Courage)
• Jiro (Second Son)
• Kaito (Ocean Flying)
• Kenji (Strong, Healthy Second Son)
• Kenta (Healthy and Strong)
• Kyo (Cooperation)
• Makoto (Sincerity)
• Masaru (Victory)
• Minoru (Bear Fruit)
• Nobu (Trust)
• Riku (Land)
• Ryo (Excellent)
• Satoru (Enlightened)
• Shiro (Fourth Son)
• Shun (Speed)
• Sora (Sky)
• Tadashi (Correct)
• Taiki (Great Radiance)
• Takashi (Noble)
• Takeshi (Strong)
• Taro (First Son)
• Yasu (Calm)
• Yoshi (Good, Respectful)
• Yuji (Courageous Second Son)

For more naming options, check out our dedicated guide to Male Cat Names.

Unisex Japanese Cat Names

Versatile and diverse, unisex Japanese cat names suit any cat, regardless of their gender. These names often embody universal qualities like harmony and balance, making them a popular choice for cat owners:

• Akari (Brightness)
• Aoi (Blue)
• Asa (Morning)
• Hikari (Light)
• Hinata (Sunny Place)
• Jun (Pure)
• Kai (Ocean)
• Kaito (Sea, Ocean)
• Kei (Blessing)
• Kyo (Cooperation)
• Makoto (Sincerity)
• Masa (Just, True)
• Minori (Harvest)
• Nao (Honest)
• Rei (Lovely)
• Ren (Lotus)
• Riku (Land)
• Rin (Dignified)
• Sora (Sky)
• Taku (Expand)
• Tama (Jewel)
• Tomo (Friend)
• Toru (Clear)
• Yori (Reliable)
• Yoshi (Good)
• Yuki (Snow)
• Yumi (Bow)
• Yuri (Lily)
• Yuta (Great, Peaceful)
• Yuuki (Gentle Hope)

Cute Japanese Cat Names

Overflowing with charm, cute Japanese cat names are ideal for adorable and lovable felines. Often inspired by delightful aspects of Japanese culture, these names add a playful and endearing touch:

• Aiko (Love Child)
• Akemi (Bright Beautiful)
• Chibi (Small)
• Fumi (History)
• Hana (Flower)
• Haru (Spring)
• Hoshi (Star)
• Ichigo (Strawberry)
• Kaito (Sea, Ocean)
• Kiku (Chrysanthemum)
• Kira (Sparkle)
• Koko (Here)
• Maki (True Hope)
• Maru (Circle)
• Miki (Beautiful Tree)
• Mochi (Rice Cake)
• Nami (Wave)
• Neko (Cat)
• Pochi (Common pet name)
• Rina (Jasmine)
• Sachi (Happiness)
• Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
• Sora (Sky)
• Sumi (Clear, Refined)
• Tama (Jewel)
• Taro (Big Boy)
• Tsuki (Moon)
• Yoko (Sunshine Child)
• Yuki (Snow)
• Yumi (Bow, as in bow and arrow)

Badass Japanese Cat Names

For cats with a fierce and commanding presence, badass Japanese cat names are the way to go. These names draw inspiration from powerful and fearless elements of Japanese tradition and mythology:

• Arashi (Storm)
• Banzai (Long Life)
• Bushido (Samurai Code)
• Daiki (Great Glory)
• Fudo (Immovable)
• Goro (Fifth Son)
• Hanzo (Hidden)
• Hayabusa (Falcon)
• Inazuma (Lightning)
• Isamu (Courage)
• Jiro (Second Son)
• Kaito (Sea, Ocean)
• Katana (Japanese Sword)
• Kazan (Volcano)
• Kenji (Strong, Healthy)
• Kiba (Fang)
• Kojiro (Little Second)
• Raiden (Thunder and Lightning)
• Rei (Law, Order)
• Ryuu (Dragon)
• Saburo (Third Son)
• Samurai (Warrior)
• Shinobi (Ninja)
• Shogun (Military Leader)
• Sora (Sky)
• Takeshi (Warrior)
• Tatsu (Dragon)
• Toramaru (Tiger Circle)
• Yasha (Night Demon)
• Zephyr (West Wind)

Anime-Inspired Japanese Cat Names

Inspired by beloved anime characters, these names bring the excitement and adventure of Japanese animation into your home. They are perfect for cats with personalities that match those of iconic anime heroes and heroines:

• Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
• Akira (Akira)
• Alphonse (Fullmetal Alchemist)
• Asuka (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
• Chihiro (Spirited Away)
• Deku (My Hero Academia)
• Ed (Cowboy Bebop)
• Eren (Attack on Titan)
• Goku (Dragon Ball)
• Haku (Spirited Away)
• Haru (My Roommate is a Cat)
• Hinata (Naruto)
• Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
• Jiji (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
• Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
• Luffy (One Piece)
• Mikasa (Attack on Titan)
• Naruto (Naruto)
• Natsu (Fairy Tail)
• Pikachu (Pokémon)
• Rei (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
• Ryuk (Death Note)
• Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura)
• San (Princess Mononoke)
• Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
• Spike (Cowboy Bebop)
• Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)
• Usagi (Sailor Moon)
• Vegeta (Dragon Ball)
• Yuki (Fruits Basket)

Food-Inspired Japanese Cat Names

Delicious and delightful, food-inspired Japanese cat names are drawn from Japan’s rich culinary culture. These names are perfect for cats with appetizing personalities or for food-loving cat owners:

• Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste)
• Cha (Tea)
• Daifuku (Sweet Rice Cake)
• Dango (Sweet Dumpling)
• Edamame (Soybeans)
• Gari (Pickled Ginger)
• Goma (Sesame)
• Gyudon (Beef Bowl)
• Katsu (Breaded Cutlet)
• Kombu (Seaweed)
• Korokke (Croquette)
• Matcha (Green Tea)
• Miso (Soybean Paste)
• Mochi (Rice Cake)
• Nori (Seaweed)
• Ocha (Tea)
• Onigiri (Rice Ball)
• Ramen (Noodle Soup)
• Sake (Rice Wine or Salmon)
• Sashimi (Raw Fish)
• Senbei (Rice Cracker)
• Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
• Soba (Buckwheat Noodle)
• Sushi (Vinegared Rice with Fish)
• Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)
• Tempura (Battered and Fried Seafood or Vegetables)
• Tofu (Bean Curd)
• Udon (Thick Wheat Noodle)
• Yuzu (Citrus Fruit)

Nature-Inspired Japanese Cat Names

Inspired by Japanese seasons, landscapes, and flora, the names in this section reflect the beauty and serenity of the natural world. Ideal for cats with a calm and grounded demeanor:

• Ame (Rain)
• Asahi (Morning Sun)
• Ayame (Iris Flower)
• Fuji (Wisteria)
• Haru (Spring)
• Hikari (Light)
• Hotaru (Firefly)
• Kaede (Maple)
• Kaze (Wind)
• Kiku (Chrysanthemum)
• Kiri (Mist)
• Kumo (Cloud)
• Midori (Green)
• Mikan (Mandarin Orange)
• Mina (South)
• Mizu (Water)
• Momiji (Maple Leaf)
• Mori (Forest)
• Nami (Wave)
• Natsume (Jujube)
• Niji (Rainbow)
• Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
• Sango (Coral)
• Sora (Sky)
• Taiyo (Sun)
• Taki (Waterfall)
• Tsuki (Moon)
• Umi (Sea)
• Yama (Mountain)

Cat Names Based on Colors in Japanese

Celebrating the vibrant spectrum of colors, these names are derived from Japanese words for various hues. They’re fitting for cats with distinct and striking coat colors:

• Aka (Red)
• Ao (Blue)
• Aoi (Blue)
• Cha (Brown, as in tea color)
• Gin (Silver)
• Giniro (Silver)
• Haiiro (Gray)
• Kiiro (Yellow)
• Kiku (Chrysanthemum, often yellow)
• Kogecha (Dark Brown)
• Koiro (Caramel, light brown)
• Kuro (Black)
• Kuroi (Black)
• Midori (Green)
• Mikan (Orange, like the fruit)
• Momo (Peach, pinkish color)
• Murasaki (Purple)
• Orenji (Orange)
• Pinku (Pink)
• Sakura (Cherry Blossom, light pink)
• Sango (Coral, a shade of pink or orange)
• Shiro (White)
• Shiroi (White)
• Sorairo (Sky Blue)
• Sumi (Ink, usually black)
• Taiyo (Sun, bright yellow or orange)
• Tetsu (Iron, a grayish color)
• Usagi (Bunny, for a soft, light color)
• Yuki (Snow, white)
• Yurikago (Cradle, often a soft, pale color)

Japanese Names for Black Cats

Drawing from Japanese words that resonate with darkness and night, this category focuses on names that suit the mystique and allure of black cats:

• Ankoku (Darkness)
• Burakku (Black)
• Enma (King of Darkness)
• Gaito (Cape)
• Haiiro (Gray, for a black cat with a hint of gray)
• Hikage (Shadow)
• Jigoku (Hell, for a fiercely dark cat)
• Kagami (Mirror, reflecting darkness)
• Kage (Shadow)
• Kagetsu (Shadow Moon)
• Kaito (Dark Ocean)
• Kaminari (Thunder, for a cat with a strong presence)
• Kanzan (Dark Mountain)
• Karasu (Crow, associated with black color)
• Kokuhyou (Black Panther)
• Kokui (Black Clothing)
• Kuro (Black)
• Kurogane (Black Metal)
• Kuroi (Black)
• Kuronosu (Black Nest)
• Kuroryuu (Black Dragon)
• Mayonaka (Midnight)
• Meian (Light and Dark)
• Mikazuki (Crescent Moon, often appears black)
• Shikkoku (Jet Black)
• Sumi (Ink, typically black)
• Yami (Darkness)
• Yoru (Night)
• Yurei (Ghost, evoking a mysterious aura)

Japanese Names for White Cats

The names in this section are inspired by elements in Japanese culture and nature that are associated with the color white. Highlighting purity and elegance, these names are perfect for white kitties:

• Akari (Brightness)
• Byakuya (White Night)
• Fubuki (Snowstorm)
• Fuyu (Winter)
• Ginpachi (Silver Beech, a tree with white-like bark)
• Hakuba (White Horse)
• Hakucho (Swan)
• Hakugin (Silver)
• Hikari (Light)
• Hoshi (Star)
• Juro (Tenth Son, symbolizing purity)
• Kiri (Mist)
• Kohaku (Amber, often a pale, whitish color)
• Koori (Ice)
• Kumo (Cloud)
• Luna (Moon)
• Mafuyu (Midwinter)
• Miku (Beautiful Sky)
• Miruku (Milk)
• Shimo (Frost)
• Shira (White)
• Shiro (White)
• Shirogane (Silver)
• Shiroi (White)
• Shirouma (White Horse)
• Sora (Sky)
• Tenshi (Angel)
• Tsuki (Moon)
• Yuki (Snow)
• Yukiko (Snow Child)