150+ Cute and Adorable Japanese Cat Names with Meanings

Here is a list of 150+ best Japanese cat names that you have to check out before naming your cat! Japanese have an age-old connection with cats. In Japanese folklore, cats are portrayed as a symbol of good fortune and have protective powers. Some think the belief arose as domestic cats were used to protect …

Clarence Kate

September 7, 2023

Japanese have an age-old connection with cats. In Japanese folklore, cats are portrayed as a symbol of good fortune and have protective powers. Some think the belief arose as domestic cats were used to protect sacred Buddhist scriptures from mice. It is also believed that long ago cats used to be a lucky charm in the silk industry as they helped get rid of crops eating pests and silkworms.

Whatever the cause maybe, to this day, cats continue to be a part of Japanese culture. So, what better way to show your cat some love with a Japanese cat name?

When it comes to naming a cat, the Japanese are pretty traditional. Some prefer conventional names while others go for something extra. Since pets are like real friends for humans, most owners prefer creativity to make it sound better.

However, it is easier said than done. It takes a lot of time and brainstorming to come up with a good name. That is why we have come up with a list of great Japanese cat name ideas along with their meanings.

How to choose Japanese Cat Names

If you are looking for a Japanese cat name, there are nearly endless options. It doesn’t matter whether you are more drawn to the meaning or simply the way it sounds for a Japanese cat name.

But Consider your cat’s gender, color, markings, and unique personality when choosing a Japanese name for it. Most importantly, choose one that sounds good to you and one that is not too hard to pronounce.

Here is a list of 175 Japanese cat names to inspire you. Whether or not you find the perfect name on this list, these suggestions are sure to get you started on the path to finding the perfect Japanese cat name.

Japanese Male Cat Names

Some Japanese male cat names pay tribute to their image in Japaneses folk tale as protectors. Here is a list of some great Japanese male cat names.

Arata
- Meaning: new, fresh
Ayumu
- Meaning: walk dream, vision
Bishamon
- Meaning: Buddist god of war and fortune
Daiki
- Meaning: great glory / great nobility
Daisuke
- Meaning: Great helper
Endo
- Meaning: Roadside
Fujin
- Meaning: Shinto wind god
Goro
- Meaning: Fifth son
Hisa
- Meaning: Long life
Hitoshi
- Meaning: motivated
Ichiro
- Meaning first son
Isamu
- Meaning: Courage.
Isao
- Meaning: honor; merit)
Ishii
- Meaning: Stone well
Itachi
- Meaning: Weasel
Itsuki
- Meaning: timber trees
Katashi
- Meaning: firm
Kenichi
- Meaning: Strong, healthy first son
Kenshin
- Meaning: modest truthful
Kouta
- Meaning: Peace
Madoka
- Meaning: circle, round
Masaaki
- Meaning: pleasing brightness
Masaru
- Meaning: Victory
Masato
- Meaning: righteous person
Matsui
- Meaning: Pine
Michi
- Meaning: pathway
Michio
- Meaning: Man on a journey
Mitsuru
- Meaning: satisfy, full
Myojo
- Meaning: Venus
Naoko
- Meaning: straight; honest)
Norio
- Meaning: Man of law/ Decipline
Ren
- Meaning: Love.
Rikuto
- Meaning: Down to earth
Sanji
- Meaning: Praise
Satoru
- Meaning: Daybreak.
Susumo
- Meaning: Advance
Suzuki
- Meaning: bell tree
Taichi
- Meaning: large first son
Takashi
- Meaning: prosperous, noble
Takeo
- Meaning: Warrior Hero.
Tousen
- Meaning: Otherworldly
Tsukikage
- Meaning: Moonbeam
Usui
- Meaning: Mortar well
Yamato
- Meaning: great harmony
Yori
- Meaning: Trust.
Yuuto
- Meaning: Gentle person

Japanese Female Cat Names

Girly, tender with a soothing sound, Japanese are careful naming girls. Here are a few sweet Japanese cat name ideas for your beautiful female cat.

Ai
- Meaning: Love
Aimi
- Meaning: Beloved
Airi
- Meaning: Jasmine flower
Akemi
- Meaning: Beautiful Sunrise
Akiko
- Meaning: bright child
Akina
- Meaning: Spring flower
Amaya
- Meaning: Night rain
Ameonna
- Meaning: A female spirit that makes rain
Arisu
- Meaning: Noble.
Asami
- Meaning: morning beauty
Aya
- Meaning: Colorful
Ayaka
- Meaning: colorful flower
Ayano
- Meaning: my color
Chie
- Meaning: Wisdom
Chieko
- Meaning: Child of wisdom
Chorei
- Meaning: Transparent spirituality
Eiki
- Meaning: Glory
Emi
- Meaning: Blessed with beauty
Eri
- Meaning: Blessed gift
Eshima
- Meaning: True intention
Fumiko
- Meaning: child of abundant beauty female
Gen
- Meaning: Spring
Ginkgo
- Meaning: A large shade tree
Hana
- Meaning: flower
Haru
- Meaning: Spring.
Haruko
- Meaning: spring child
Hekima
- Meaning: Wisdom
Hikari
- Meaning: light, radiance
Hikaru
- Meaning: Radiant
Hinata
- Meaning: Facing the sun
Hiromi
- Meaning: Abundant beauty
Hitomi
- Meaning: pupil of the eye
Hoshiko
- Meaning: Star
Inari
- Meaning: Success
Jin
- Meaning: Tenderness
Junko
- Meaning: Pure child
Kabuki
- Meaning: Japanese dance/drama
Kaida
- Meaning: Little dragon
Kaiyo
- Meaning: Forgiveness
Kameko
- Meaning: Longevity
Kazuko
- Meaning: child of harmony
Keiko
- Meaning: blessed child / respectful child
Kiko
- Meaning: Hope
Kimiko
- Meaning: Empress child.
Kira
- Meaning: Glitter
Kiyoshi
- Meaning: Quiet child
Kokoa
- Meaning: Heart and love
Kosuke
- Meaning: Rising sun
Koto
- Meaning: Beautiful harp
Kumiko
- Meaning: long
Kura
- Meaning: House of treasure
Kyo
- Meaning: cooperation
Kyoko
- Meaning: Respectful child.
Kyrinnia
- Meaning: Shining companion
Mai
- Meaning: Dance, Brightness
Maiko
- Meaning: child of dance
Mao
- Meaning: dance cherry blossom
Mayumi
- Meaning: true gentle beauty
Megumi
- Meaning: Blessing
Mi
- Meaning: Beauty
Midori
- Meaning: green
Mieko
- Meaning: beautiful blessing child
Miki
- Meaning: beautiful princess
Minori
- Meaning: truth
Miwa
- Meaning: beautiful hamony, peace
Miyabi
- Meaning: Elegance
Miyu
- Meaning: beautiful gentle
Momo
- Meaning: Peach
Momoka
- Meaning: peachtree flower
Moriko
- Meaning: Child of the forest.
Nami
- Meaning: Wave
Natsu
- Meaning: Born in the summer
Nori
- Meaning: Precept
Noriko
- Meaning: Child of law
Oki
- Meaning: The middle of the ocean
Rei
- Meaning: Spirit
Reiko
- Meaning: Gratitude
Reiko
- Meaning: Thankful child
Riko
- Meaning: Child of truth.
Rio
- Meaning: village cherry blossom
Ryuji
- Meaning: Dragon child
Saki
- Meaning: Bloom
Satomi
- Meaning: beautiful and wise
Satoshi
- Meaning: Clever and agile
Shika
- Meaning: deer
Shinju
- Meaning: pearl
Shion
- Meaning: Aster
Sumire
- Meaning: Violet
Sunako
- Meaning: Dark side
Suzu
- Meaning: bell
Taki
- Meaning: Waterfall
Tomohisa
- Meaning: Everlasting friendship
Tomoko
- Meaning: Intellect.
Tomomi
- Meaning: Friend
Tomomi
- Meaning: beautiful friend
Toshiko
- Meaning: clever child
Yasuko
- Meaning: Child of peace.
Yoko
- Meaning: Positive
Yori
- Meaning: Public servant
Yoshie
- Meaning: Beautiful river
Yua
- Meaning: binding love
Yui
- Meaning: bind clothing
Yuka
- Meaning: Gentle flower.
Yukari
- Meaning: Destiny
Yumi
- Meaning: reason beautiful
Zen
- Meaning: Peace

Popular and Famous Japanese Cat Names

As with every country there are a few popular cat names in Japan as well. We decided to throw in some famous Japanese cat name into the mix too for good measures.

Aiko
- Meaning: bright child
Akemi
- Meaning: beautiful
Aria
- Meaning: HarMEOWny member)
Artemis
- Meaning: Sailor Moon anime feline
Azuki
- Meaning: sweet red beans
Chibi
- Meaning: tiny
Chiro
- Meaning: bare
Chobi
- Meaning: small
Daifuku
- Meaning: rice cake filled with bean jam
Diana
- Meaning: Sailor Moon anime feline
Doraemon
- Meaning: popular Japanese robotic cat
Emi
- Meaning: beautiful blessing
Fuku
- Meaning: lucky
Fusasa
- Meaning: Fiona (HarMEOWny leader)
Gupitaro
- Meaning: A popular cat on Instagram
Hakusama
- Meaning: A popular cat on Twitter
Hana
- Meaning: Flower
Haruka or Paruru
- Meaning: Petunia (NKB48 member)
Hime
- Meaning: princess
Jun
- Meaning: Another popular cat on Twitter
Junko
- Meaning: pure
Jurina
- Meaning: Julia (NKB48 member)
Kai
- Meaning: ocean
Keiko
- Meaning: adored
Kinako
- Meaning: roasted soybean flour
Kinako
- Meaning: yellow flour
Kirara
- Meaning: Inuyasha Japanese anime
Kirika
- Meaning: Twitter cat
Kohaku
- Meaning: amber
Koko
- Meaning: short for cocoa
Koko
- Meaning: cocoa
Kotetsu
- Meaning: small iron
Kotetsu
- Meaning: small iron
Kuro
- Meaning: black
Kurumi
- Meaning: walnut
Luna (Sailor Moon anime feline)
- Meaning: Moon
Mako or Kojimako
- Meaning: Elena (NKB48 member)
Map U Chin
- Meaning: Twitter cat
Maron
- Meaning: chestnut
Maron
- Meaning: chestnut
Maru
- Meaning: circle
Maru
- Meaning: feline YouTube sensation
Maruruna
- Meaning: Instagram cat
Mei
- Meaning: brightness/ beautiful
Mikan
- Meaning: mandarin orange
Mike
- Meaning: tortoiseshell
Miki
- Meaning: the beautiful princess
Minto
- Meaning: mint
Miruku
- Meaning: milk
Moka
- Meaning: mocha
Momo
- Meaning: peach
Mugi
- Meaning: barley
Mugumogu
- Meaning: Maru’s YouTube name
Nana
- Meaning: seven, pear
Naomiuno
- Meaning: Instagram cat
Rai
- Meaning: Instagram cat
Raina
- Meaning: HarMEOWny member)
Rena or Renacchi
- Meaning: Ariana (NKB48 member)
Reo
- Meaning: lion
Rin
- Meaning: bell or cold
Rina or Riccan
- Meaning: Rebecca (NKB48 member)
Satomi
- Meaning: intelligent
Shiro
- Meaning: white
Shironeko, aka “basket cat”
- Meaning: another feline YouTube sensation
Solana
- Meaning: HarMEOWny member)
Sora
- Meaning: sky
Soramoon
- Meaning: Twitter cat
Takara
- Meaning: treasure
Tama
- Meaning: ball
Ten
- Meaning: dot or heavens
Tora
- Meaning: tiger
Toshi
- Meaning: wise
Yoshi
- Meaning: righteous
Yoshiko
- Meaning: child of goodness
Yuria
- Meaning: Isabella (NKB48 member)

Japanese Cat Names for Black Cats

The black cat, or ‘Kuro Neko,’ is considered unlucky in many western cultures, but it is one of the most popular breeds in Japan. This is because Ancient Japanese thought black cats would ward off bad luck more effectively than any other color.

Akumi
- Meaning: The dark.
Amaya
- Meaning: Night rain.
An
- Meaning: Dark.
Anri
- Meaning: Dark jasmine.
Hai
- Meaning: Ash.
Hatsuki
- Meaning: Moon flower.
Hotaru
- Meaning: Firefly.
Kage
- Meaning: Shadow.
Kaguya
- Meaning: Shining night.
Kuroguro
- Meaning: Deep black
Makkuro
- Meaning: Pitch black
Mayonaka
- Meaning: Midnight.
Mika
- Meaning: New Moon.
Mokutan
- Meaning: Charcoal.
Sumi
- Meaning: Black ink.
Sekitan
- Meaning: Coal.
Susu
- Meaning: Soot.
Tsuki
- Meaning: Moon.
Tsukiko
- Meaning: Moonchild.
Yami
- Meaning: Darkness.
Yamiyo
- Meaning: Dark night.
Yasha
- Meaning: Night devil.
Yoru
- Meaning: Night.

Also read: 500+ Best great Name Ideas for Your New Black Kitten

Anime Inspired Cat Names

Animes are filled with cat characters. If you are an anime Fan, here is list of a few popular anime cat names.

Arthur
- From: Code Geass
Carla
- From: Fairy Tail
Chi
- From: Chi’s Sweet Home
Kamineko
- From: Azumanga Daioh
Korin
- From: Dragon Ball Z
Kuro
- From: Blue Exorcist
Kuroneko–sama
- From: Trigun
Luna & Artemis
- From: Sailor Moon
Mao
- From: Darker than Black.
Meowth
- From: Pokémon
Molly
- From: The Ancient Magus Bride
Neko-sensei
- From: Princess Tutu
Nyanko Big
- From Tada Never Falls In Love
Nyanko-sensei
- From: Natsume’s Book Of Friends
Petya
- From: Yuri!!! on ICE
Sakamoto
- From: Nichijoum
Artemis, Diana, and Luna
- From: Sailor Moon
Buyo and Kirara
- From: Inuyasha
Carla and Happy
- From: Fairy Tail
Doraemon
- From: Doraemon
Chococat and Hello Kitty
- From: The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends
Jibanyan
- From: YouKai Watch
Jiji
- From: Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kuroneko
- From: Trigun
Kyo
- From: Fruit’s Basket
Madara
- From: Natsume’s Book Of Friends
Mao
- From: Darker than Black
Poyo
- From: Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki
Sakamoto
- From: Nichijou
Tibbs
- From: Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Takkun
- From: FLCL
Tama
- From: Sazae-San

Japanese Cat Names inspired by Food

Are there any particular Japanese foods or ingredients that you particularly like that might make good cat names for you? Here are some options:

Sushi
Udon
Tofu
Tempura
Yakitori
Sashimi
7Ramen
Donburi
Natto
Oden
Tamagoyaki
Soba
Tonkatsu
Kashipan
Sukiyaki
Miso
Okonomiyaki
Mentaiko
Nikujaga
Unagi no Kabayaki
Shabu Shabu
Onigiri
Gyoza
Takoyaki
Kaiseki Ryori
Edamame
Yakisoba
Chawanmushi
Wagashi

Japanese Cat Names for Tabby Cats

Tabby is a special coat pattern in cats. Here are a few Japanese Tabby Cat names that you may like. We have a dedicated article on Tabby cat names so make sure to check it out.