Are you thinking of ideal Japanese cat names for your new furry friend? It has to be a beautiful name with a strong meaning that will make anyone say what a cute and original name! Let me tell you that you’ve come to the right place because not only will I give you the complete list of cat names. These names are unique because they take inspiration from the number one country in the world: Japan!
Are you familiar with the name Hello Kitty or Maneki Neko, the white cat with the raised paw that brings good luck? Or have you heard of the famous cat cafes or islands, Neko-Shima, in Japanese? I am sure you have. They’re all trendy, and not only in Japan, where they adore cats, but these felines are also the most popular pets in the “Land of the Rising Sun.” That’s why you will find many Japanese names for cats, from ultra-original names to very cute or even funny ones. Let’s go find out!
100 Female Japanese Cat Names
- Aia – Ruler
- Aiko – Child of love
- Airi – Love jasmine
- Akari – Light
- Akemi – Bright, beautiful
- Akiko – Bright child
- Akira – Bright/Clear
- Arisu – Noble
- Asami – Morning beauty
- Asuka – Fragrance
- Hana – Flower
- Hanako – Flower child
- Haru – Spring
- Hideko – Child of excellence
- Himari – Light and love
- Hina – Sun
- Hiroko – Generous child
- Hiromi – Generous beauty
- Hoshi – Star
- Ichika – Gift
- Izumi – Spring
- Jin – Tender
- Junko – Pure
- Kamiko – Superior child
- Katsumi – Victorious beauty
- Kayda – Little dragon
- Kazuko – Child of harmony
- Keiko – Respectful child
- Kichi – Fortunate
- Kimi – Noble
- Kimiko – Empress child
- Kumiko – Beautiful child
- Kyo – Cooperation
- Kyoko – Respectful child
- Mai – Dance
- Maiko – Child of dance
- Maki – True hope
- Manami – Loving beautiful
- Mao – Dance
- Masumi – True clarity
- Mayumi – True gentle beauty
- Michi – Pathway
- Michiko – Beautiful, wise child
- Midori – Green
- Miku – Beautiful sky
- Minako – Beautiful child
- Minori – Truth
- Mio – Beautiful cherry blossom
- Misaki – Beautiful blossom
- Mitsu – Light
- Mitsuko – Child of light
- Miyako – Beautiful night child
- Miyu – Beautiful, gentle
- Miyuki – Beautiful blessing
- Momoka – Peach tree flower
- Nakano – Female warrior
- Nana – Seven
- Nanami – Seven seas
- Nao – Honest
- Naomi – Honest, beautiful
- Natsumi – Beautiful summer
- Nobuko – Trustworthy child
- Noriko – Lawful child
- Ren – Lotus
- Rika – True fragrance
- Riko – Child of truth
- Rin – Dignified
- Rina – Jasmine
- Rio – Village of cherry blossom
- Ryoko – Refreshing child
- Sachiko – Joyful
- Saki – Blossom of hope
- Sakura – Cherry blossom
- Satoko – Wise child
- Setsuko – Melody’s child
- Shigeko – Growing child
- Shika – Deer
- Shinju – Pearl
- Shiori – Poem
- Sora – Sky
- Sumiko – Child of clarity
- Suzu – Bell
- Suzume – Sparrow
- Takara – Treasure
- Tamiko – Child of many beauties
- Teruko – Shining child
- Tomiko – Child of wealth, fortune
- Tomomi – Beautiful friend
- Toshiko – Clever child
- Umeko – Plum child
- Yasu – Peace
- Yoko – Child of sunlight
- Yoshi – Lucky
- Yoshiko – Child of goodness
- Yua – Binding love
- Yui – Bind clothing
- Yuka – Gentle flower
- Yuki – Happy
- Yuko – Gentle child
- Yumiko – Reason beautiful child
Female Anime Cat Names
- Asuka
- Bulma
- Casca
- Caulifla
- Chi-Chi
- Fujiko
- Hanekawa
- Izumi
- Kagome
- Kagura
- Kale
- Kari
- Kiko
- Lina
- Mikasa
- Mikoto
- Mimi
- Nezuko
- Ochako
- Pitou
- Revy
- Riza
- Sango
- Shiki
- Shinobu
- Tatsumaki
- Uraraka
- Usagi
- Winry
- Yuno
100 Male Japanese Cat Names
- Akemi – Dawn
- Aki – Autumn
- Akihiro – Great brightness
- Akihiko – Bright prince
- Akira – Bright
- Arata – New
- Atsushi – Industrious director
- Ayumu – Vision
- Benjiro – Who enjoys peace
- Dai – Great
- Daichi – Great brightness
- Daiki – Great Glory
- Daisuke – Great help
- Haru – Spring
- Haruki – Shining Sun
- Haruto – Sun flying
- Hibiki – Sound, echo
- Hideki – Timber trees
- Hiraku – Open
- Hiro – Generous
- Hiroaki – Spacious light
- Hiroki – Vast timber trees
- Hiroshi – Generous
- Hitoshi – Motivated person
- Ichiro First son
- Isamu – Courageous
- Itsuki – Trees
- Jiro – Second son
- Jun – Clean
- Junichi – Obedient first son
- Kaede – Maple
- Kaito – Ocean
- Kaoru – Fragrance
- Katashi – Firm
- Katoro – Small boy
- Katsu – Victory
- Katsuro – Victorious son
- Kenichi – Strong first son
- Kenji – Strong second son
- Kenshin – Modest, truthful
- Kenta – Healthy
- Kento – Happiness
- Kichiro – Lucky son
- Kimi – Noble
- Kiyoshi – Purity
- Kouki – Light or hope
- Kouta – Great peace
- Kunio – Countryman
- Kyo – Cooperation
- Madoka – Circle
- Makoto – Sincere
- Masa – True
- Masaaki – Pleasing brightness
- Masaki – Great timber tree
- Masanori – Model of justice
- Masaru – Victory
- Masashi – Righteous aspiration
- Michio – Man on a journey
- Minoru – Truth
- Mitsuo – Shining hero
- Nao – Honest
- Naoki – Honest timber tree
- Ninja – Ninjutsu master
- Noboru – Ascend
- Nobu – Faith
- Nori – To rule
- Norio – Man of law
- Raiden – Thunder and lightning
- Ren – Love
- Riku – Wise sky
- Riku – Land
- Ryo – Refreshing
- Ryoichi – Good first son
- Ryota – Great refreshment
- Ryu – Dragon
- Samurai – Japanese Warrior
- Satoru – Daybreak
- Satoshi – Wise
- Senshi – Warrior
- Shinji – True second son
- Shinobu – Endurance
- Shiro – Fourth son
- Tadaaki – Faithful light
- Tadashi – Loyal
- Taeko – Brave
- Taichi – Large first son
- Taiki – Shine
- Takahiro – Of great value
- Takashi – Noble
- Takayuki – Noble journey
- Takeo – Warrior Hero
- Taro – Big son
- Tatsuki – Honor
- Tomi – Prosperous
- Toshi – Wise
- Toshiro – Talented
- Yasushi – Peace
- Yori – Trust
- Yoshio – Joyful life
- Yoshiro – Righteous son
Male Anime Cat Names
- Aizawa
- Aru
- Gohan
- Goku
- Haku
- Haruki
- Hibari
- Hirako
- Itachi
- Jin
- Kaede
- Kakashi
- Killua
- Kirito
- Kuroro
- Momotaro
- Natsu
- Puar
- Rokudo
- Ryuk
- Sanji
- Sawada
- Shikamaru
- Shippō
- Tai
- Takashi
- Yagami
- Yugi
- Yuu
- Zaraki
Cat names inspired by Studio Ghibli movies
- Arriety
- Calcifer
- Chihiro
- Fio
- Haku
- Howl
- Kaonashi
- Kiki
- Mei
- Mononoke
- Ponyo
- Princess Kaguya
- Satsuki
- Sophie
- Sosuke
- Totoro
- Umi
- Yubaba
- Zeniba
Japanese Food-Inspired Cat Names
- Curry
- Donburi
- Edamame
- Gyoza
- Kaiseki
- Kashi
- Mentaiko
- Miso
- Natto
- Nikujaga
- Oden
- Okonomiyaki
- Onigiri
- Ramen
- Ryori
- Sashimi
- Shabu
- Soba
- Sukiyaki
- Sushi
- Takoyaki
- Tamago
- Tempura
- Tofu
- Tonkatsu
- Udon
- Unagi
- Wagashi
- Yakisoba
- Yakitori
Cat Names Inspired in Japanese Cities and Islands
- Chiba
- Fukui
- Hamamatsu
- Hiroshima
- Hokkaido
- Honshu
- Ishigaki
- Jima
- Kami
- Kobe
- Kofu
- Kozukumi
- Kyoto
- Kyushu
- Maebashi
- Mikimoto
- Mito
- Nagasaki
- Nagoya
- Nara
- Nipon
- Notojima
- Okinawa
- Osaka
- Oshima
- Rebun
- Rishiri
- Sado
- Sakai
- Sapporo
- Sendai
- Shikoku
- Takashima
- Teuri
- Tokyo
- Yagishiri
- Yakushima
Japanese cat names: What’s your favorite?
There you have it! A list with more than 100 Japanese cat names, divided into male and female names, food-inspired names, and Studio Ghibli movie characters. There’s no pretext not to find the perfect name for your feline friend.
Do you have a favorite Japanese cat name? Let us know in the comments below!