Japanese cat names are unique, fun ways to name your cat. Whether or not you are Japanese, these names are wonderful for your little friend!
The Japanese are crazy about cats. They have their famous cat islands (Neko Shima) which have huge free-roaming cat populations. Japan is also a dream cat destination because of its cat cafes (Neko kafe) where people can interact with friendly kitties.
Japan also has some rare cat breeds like the Japanese bobtail, the Japanese bobtail longhair, and the cute Kurilian longtail.
Here are some unique, cute, popular Japanese cat names for male and female cats and their meanings.
Cool Japanese Names For Cats
- Kanaye (zealous one)
- Toshiko (alert and valued child)
- Ichika (gift)
- Shiori (guide)
- Kisho (one who knows his own mind)
- Nen (deep hope)
- Teru or Teruma (true illumination)
- Tamako (precious stone)
- Kaori (fragrant beautiful girl)
- Setsuko (temperate child)
- Miami (smiling with truth)
Cute Japanese Cat Names and their meanings
- Chīsana (pocket-size)
- Chika (scattered flowers)
- Soba
- Kirei (pretty)
- Udon
- Shuga (sugar)
- Mei (sprout)
- Shoyu
- Kichōna (precious)
- Maru (round)
- Mochi
- Chiisai (small)
- Akachan (baby)
- Miso
- Suitopi (sweet pea flower)
- Dashi
- Matcha
- Sashimi
- Doki doki (excited)
- Kei (style)
- Unagi
- Mirin
- Chisai tori (little bird)
- Wasabe
- Fuji (unique)
- Oden
- Sukiyaki
- Chibi (small child)
- Sushi
- Aiko (little love)
- Koro (roly-poly)
Japanese Cat Names From Nature
- Sakura (cherry blossoms)
- Cho or Chou (butterfly or butterflies)
- Hotaru (firefly)
- Rina (jasmine)
- Tsuki (moon)
- Kawa (river)
- Rini (little bunny)
- Nami (wave)
- Aito (sea or ocean)
- Taki (waterfall)
- Yuri (lily)
- Sora (sky)
- Amaya (night rain)
- Haru (sunlight)
- Mori (forest)
- Kuuki (air)
- Shino (bamboo stalk)
- Hoshi (star)
- Daichi (from the earth)
- Ohisama or Taiyou (sun)
- Uchuu (the cosmos)
Popular Japanese Names For Cats And Their Meanings
These are some of the most common Japanese names for cats and their meanings.
- Maru (circle)
- Yuki (snow)
- Kai (ocean)
- Koko (cocoa)
- Mikan (mandarin orange)
- Mei (beautiful)
- Haru (spring)
- Chibi (tiny)
- Moka (mocha)
- Azuki (sweet red beans)
- Fuku (lucky)
- Sakura (cherry blossom)
- Tora (tiger)
- Miruku (milk)
- Mike (tortoiseshell)
- Hime (princess)
- Sora (sky)
- Chobi (small)
- Hana (flower)
- Momo (peach)
Cute Food-inspired Japanese cat names
Your favorite Japanese dish or ingredient could make one of the best unique cat names for your kitty.
- Sushi
- Unagi
- Oden
- Matcha
- Shoyu
- Mochi
- Sashimi
- Soba
- Miso
- Mirin
- Dashi
- Udon
- Sukiyaki
- Wasabe
Japanese Names For Cats Female
These Japanese cat names are great for adorable female kitties.
- Kazuko – child of harmony
- Tomomi – beautiful friend
- Yasuko – child of peace
- Sakura – cherry blossom
- Riko – child of truth
- Rina – jasmine
- Chiyoko – child of a thousand generations
- Hiroko – generous child
- Hanako – flower child
- Kimiko – empress child
- Hotaru – firefly
- Hiromi – generous beauty
- Ren – lotus / love
- Yasu – peace iness / snow
- Teruko – shining child
- Shizuka – quiet summer
- Minori – truth
- Miho – protected, guaranteed beauty
- Yoko – child of sunlight
- Michi – pathway
- Ryoko – refreshing child
- Yuri – lily
- Aiko (beloved one, little love)
- Shiori (bookmark; guide)
- Mi – beautiful
- Miki – beautiful princess
- Makoto – sincere
- Shigeko – growing child
- Miwa – beautiful hamony, peace
- Yoshie – beautiful stream
- Mai – dance
- Satomi – beautiful and wise
- Naoko – honest child
- Mio – beautiful cherry blossom
- Izumi – spring, fountain
- Hayami (rare and unusual beauty)
- Sumiko – child of clarity
- Kiko – chronical child
- Rin – dignified
- Kameko (tortoise-child, symbol for long-life)
- Yoshi – lucky / righteous
- Manami – loving beautiful
- Momoka – peach tree flower
- Yui – bind clothing
- Akiko – bright child
- Maki – true hope
- Nao – honest
- Asami – morning beauty
- Shika – deer
- Kiyomi – pure beauty
- Chika – scatter flowers
- Miku – beautiful sky
- Yukiko – child of snow / child of happiness
- Yuka – gentle flower
- Kaiya (forgiveness)
- Yuki – happy
- Shiori – poem
- Haruna – spring vegetables
- Takako – noble child
- Katsumi (victorious beauty)
- Fumiko – child of abundant beauty
- Kyoko – respectful child
- Ayano – my color
- Yua – binding love
- Miyako – beautiful night child
- Naomi – honest beautiful
- Etsuko – child of joy
- Rio – village cherry blossom
- Honoka – harmony flower
- Natsuki – summer hope
- Suzume – sparrow
- Mami – true beauty
- Emiko – beautiful blessing child
- Yoshiko – child of goodness
- Cho (butterfly)
- Chiyo – one thousand generations
- Hikari – light, radiance
- Michiko – beautiful wise child
- Mieko – beautiful blessing child
- Haruko – spring child
- Haru – spring
- Eri – blessed prize
- Akira – bright / clear
- Mitsuru – satisfy, full
- Umeko – plum child
- Misaki – beautiful blossom
- Hiro – generous
- Mitsuko – child of light
- Kazumi – harmonious beauty
- Noriko – lawful child
- Mana – love
- Asuka – tomorrow perfume, fragrance
- Nanami – seven seas
- Mariko – true village child
- Yumi – reason beautiful
- Toshiko – clever child
- Mayumi – true gentle beauty
- Maiko – child of dance
- Madoka – circle, round
- Kamiko – superior child
- Miyuki – beautiful blessing
- Sora – sky
- Yuina – bind together
- Takara – treasure
- Nyoko (gem; treasure)
- Yuko – gentle child
- Yukari – beautiful pear tree
- Hitomi – pupil of the eye
- Sayuri (little lily)
- Natsumi – beautiful summer
- Tomiko – child of wealth, fortune
- Emiko (smiling child)
- Yuuna – gentle
- Kyo – cooperation
- Masumi – true clarity
- Akira (bright and clear dawn)
- Shizuko – quiet child
- Yuriko – lily child
- Yumiko – reason beautiful child
- Hina – sun vegetables
- Hana – flower
- Nobuko – faithful, trustworthy child
- Tamiko – child of many beauties
- Saki – blossom of hope
- Kimi – noble
- Hoshi – star
- Minako – beautiful child
- Hoshiko – star child
- Satoko – wise child
- Kumiko – long–time beautiful child
- Nana – seven
- Keiko – blessed child / respectful child
- Mika – beautiful fragrance
- Suzu – bell
- Sachiko – joyful, happy child
- Moriko – child of the forest
- Aiko – child of love
- Mieko (beautiful blessing child)
- Ceiko – child of splendor
- Ayame – iris
- Suki (beloved)
- Akemi – bright beautiful
- Hideko – child of excellence
- Chieko – child of intelligence, wisdom
- Emi – beautiful blessing
- Masa – just / true
- Rika – true fragrance
- Hisako – child of long life
- Miyu – beautiful gentle
- Shinju – pearl
- Yasuko (peaceful child)
- Midori – green
- Katsumi – victorious beauty
- Airi – love jasmine
- Mizuki (beautiful moon)
- Mao – cherry blossom
Male Japanese Cat Names and their Meanings
These strong Japanese Cat Names For Male Kitties are perfect for masculine kitties. These Japanese cat names for males celebrate ancient Japanese warriors and wisdom.
- Haru – spring
- Hikaru – light, radiance
- Toshiko (alert and valued child)
- Ichiro – first son
- Rikuto – person of land
- Ryuji (dragon man)
- Daichi (great first son)
- Takeo – warrior hero
- Hiroki – vast timber trees
- Hiroki (abundant joy and strength)
- Yuji – heroic second son
- Hayate – smooth
- Kitaro (happy boy)
- Takayuki – noble journey
- Yuichi – heroic first son
- Masayoshi – righteous, honorable
- Masayuki – righteous blessing
- Junichi – obedient first son
- Shiro – fourth son
- Youta – great sunlight
- Naoko (straight; honest)
- Hiroyuki – great journey
- Taichi – large first son
- Kiyoshi – purity
- Kenji – strong, healthy second son
- Akira – bright / clear
- Masaru – victory
- Kenji (intelligent ruler)
- Akio – bright man
- Isamu – brave, courageous
- Kenta – large strong, healthy
- Yamato – great harmony
- Sho – to fly
- Eiji – eternity order
- Toshiaki – advantageous light
- Takumi – artisan
- Masa – just / true
- Yasu – peace
- Kyo – cooperation
- Jiro – second son
- Ryota – great refreshment
- Atsushi – industrious director
- Hiroshi – generous
- Hinata – sunflower / facing towards the sun
- Katashi – firm
- Satoshi – wise, fast learner
- Hiroyuki (widespread happiness)
- Daiki – great glory / great nobility
- Takahiro – of great value, nobility
- Daisuke – great help
- Shouta – big flying
- Yoshi – lucky / righteous
- Hotaka – tall grai
- Eichi (wisdom)
- Michio – man on a journey
- Dai – great, large
- Tamotsu – protector, keeper
- Akihiro – great brightness
- Shinobu – endurance
- Yoshiro – righteous son
- Toshio – leader, hero
- Rokuro – sixth son
- Takeo (warrior)
- Michi – pathway
- Masaaki – pleasing brightness
- Haruki – shining sun
- Noboru – ascend, rise
- Kenshin – modest truthful
- Hiraku – open, expand
- Kenichi – strong, healthy first son
- Taiki – great radiance, shine
- Taishiro (ambitious boy)
- Isao (honor; merit)
- Ayumu – walk dream, vision
- Kouta – great peace
- Norio – lawful man
- Toshi – wise
- Masaki – great timber tree
- Yukio – blessed hero
- Hideki – excellent timber trees
- Yuki – happiness / snow
- Riku – land
- Arata – new, fresh
- Itsuki – timber trees
- Susumo – to advance, proceed
- Aki – bright / autumn
- Masashi – righteous aspiration
- Arakan (worthy one; hero)
- Haruto – sun flying
- Hiro – generous
- Kunio – country man
- Yoshio – joyful life
- Nori – to rule
- Hibiki – sound, echo
- Katsu – victory
- Sin’ichi (faithful first-born son)
- Sora – sky
- Kaede – maple
- Nao – honest
- Ryoichi – good first son
- Mitsuo – shining hero
- Makoto – sincere
- Shinji – true second son
- Hitoshi – motivated person
- Kaoru – fragrance
- Takashi – prosperous, noble
- Ren – lotus / love
- Masato – righteous person
- Osamu – disciplined, studious
- Hideo – excellent man
- Naoki – honest timber tree
- Akihiko (shining prince)
- Yasushi – peaceful
- Tsuyoshi – strong
- Tadashi – loyal, faithful
- Ryo – refreshing, cool
- Mitsuru – satisfy, full
- Kaito – ocean flying
- Taro – large son
- Yoshito – ceremonial, correct person
- Hiroaki – wide, spacious light
- Madoka – circle, round
- Fumio – literature, scholarly hero
- Tadao – loyal, faithful man
- Kichiro – lucky son
- Masumi – true clarity
Japanese Anime-inspired Cat Names
These are some of the best anime names for cats that’ll make cool names for your cat!
- Carla – Fairy Tail
- Korin – Dragon Ball Z
- Meowth – Pokémon
- Kuroneko–Sama – Trigun
- Nyanko Big – Tada Never Falls In Love
- Luna & Artemis – Sailor Moon
- Molly – The Ancient Magus Bride
- Kuro – Blue Exorcist
- Mao – Darker than Black.
- Sakamoto – Nichijoum
- Kamineko – Azumanga Daioh
- Neko-sensei – Princess Tutu
- Arthur – Code Geass
- Potya – Yuri!!! on ICE
- Nyanko-sensei – Natsume’s Book Of Friends
- Chi – Chi’s Sweet Home
Japanese Names For Cats and Their Meanings From Miyazaki Films
The renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has sparked imagination worldwide with his iconic creations – cats & other wonderful creatures.
Japanese Cat Names From Spirited Away
- Oshira-sama
- Ushioni-sama
- Yubaba
- Yuuko Ogino
- Haku/Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi
- Kamaji
- Yuna
- Aogaeru
- Chihiro Ogino/Sen
- Ootori-sama
- Boh
- Makkuro-Kurosuke
- Chichiyaku
- Aniyaku
- Onama-sama
- Yubaba
- Kasuga-sama
- Lin
- Kashira
- Akio Ogino
- Shikigami
- Kaonashi
- Zeniba
Cute Japanese Cat Names From Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Ursula
- Kokiri
- Osono
- Ket
- Madame
- Fukuo
- Tombo
- Maki
- Barsa
- Jiji the Cat
- Kiki
- Okino
Cool Japanese Names For White Cats and Their Meanings
- Raisupati (rice patty)
- Ume no hana (plum blossom)
- Shiroi or shiroi neko (white or white cat)
- Kumo (cloud)
- Kaiko (silkworm)
- Tofu (block of condensed soy milk)
- Yuki (snow)
- Yukigafuru (snowy or full snow)
- Shinju (pearl)
- Wata no kyū (cottonball)
- Hakahu (white crane)
- Shirasagi (white egret)
- Mashumaro (marshmallow)
Cool Japanese names for Black Cats and Their Meanings
- Hai (ashes)
- Kuro neko (black cat)
- Karasu (raven)
- Kazan (volcano)
- Kuromai (black rice)
- Kyoho (dark grapes)
- Daku (also dark)
- Sumōkī (smoky)
- Kage (shadow)
- Yami (dark)
- Makkuro (inky)
- Mayonaka (midnight)
Good Color-inspired Japanese Names For Cats
- Giniro (silver)
- Kuro (black)
- Orenjiiro (orange)
- Kiniro (gold)
- Haiiro (gray)
- Akaganeiro (copper)
- Shiro (white)
- Chairo (brown)
- Ao (blue)
- Akane (brilliant red)
- Aka (red)
- Kiiro (yellow)