Japanese cat names have become popular choices all over the world. In the western world, a Japanese name is often considered an elegant and unique choice for a cat name. For many of us, Japan holds a mystical sense of allure and interest. And the Japanese love and admire their cats so much that February 22nd is the official Day of Cats (Neko No Hi) in Japan! The two most recognized Japanese cat breeds are the Japanese Bobtail and the Kurilian Bobtail (see photos below).
If you are looking for exotic or unique cat names, then Japanese cat names are a good choice for your new kitten.
It is not always easy to find good Japanese names for cats, so we have compiled a long list of some of the most popular Japanese kitten names and meanings. In this list you will find a lot of cute Japanese cat names (cuteness is a big deal in Japan) as well as some really cool and unique meanings, and most of these cute Japanese names could also be used as a pet name for a person (kawaii names [kawaii means cute] or cute Japanese nicknames are increasingly popular around the world) or Japanese pet names for any pet.
The list is divided into Japanese female cat names and Japanese male cat names. We hope you find the perfect name for your little neko (cat)!
Female Japanese Cat Names
A
- Aiko – Child of love
- Aimi– Beauty
- Akina – Autumn green
- Female cat names
- Akira – Bright
- Amaya – Night rain
- Asa – Born at dawn
- Asami – Morning beauty
C
- Chie – Wisdom
- Chika – Scattered flowers
- Cho – Butterfly
E
- Eiko – Eternal child
- Cute cat names
- Emi – Beautiful blessing
- Eri – Blessed gift
G
- Geisha – A professional entertainer
- Ginkgo – A large shade tree
H
- Haiku – A form of Japanese poetry
- Hana – Flower (one of the most popular names in Japan)
- Haru – Spring
- Haruko – Child of the spring season
- Haruki – A spring time tree
- Hideko – Splendid child
- French cat names
- Hikari – Radiance
- Hiromi – Abundant beauty
K
- Kabuki – Japanese dance/drama
- Kameko – Longevity
- Keiko – Blessed child
- Kimi – Unequalled
- Kioko – Happy child
- Kiyoshi – Quiet child
- Kohana – Small flower
- Koko – A common and popular short form of many names
- Kei – Lucky, fortunate
- Kyoko – Child of the city
M
- Mai – Brightness
- Maiya – Rice valley
- Midori – Green
- Mi – Beauty
- Michi – Pathway
- Miki – Elegant child
- Momo – Peach (one of the most popular Japanese cat names)
N
- Nami – Wave
- Nariko – Thunder
- Naoko – Highly regarded child
- Natsu – Born in the summer
- Nori – Precept
- Noriko – Child of law
O
- Oki – The middle of the ocean
- Egyptian cat names
R
- Rei – Spirit
- Reiko – Courteous child
- Ryoko – Bright child
S
- Saki – Blossom
- Sakura – Cherry blossom (one of the most popular Japanese names for cats)
- Sora – Sky
- Suki – Beloved
T
- Tamako – Jewel
- Tamika – People
- Aristocats names
U
- Umeko – Plum blossom child (In our opinion, one of the best Japanese cat names)
Y
- Yoko – Child
- Yori – Public servant
- Yoshie – Beautiful river
- Yuki – Snow
Please share these female Japanese cat names with other cat lovers. Spread the fuzzy friskiness with cat-like reflexes! Every little bit helps!
Male Japanese Cat Names
A
- Aiko – Beloved
- Akihiko – Bright prince
- Akihiro – Great glory
- Akira – Bright
- Ayame – Iris
B
- Bento – Boxed/Packed lunch
- Male cat names
D
- Dai – Great
- Daiki – Great glory
- Daisuke – Great helper
- Domo – Thank you
- Doraemon – Stray male (the classic character and most famous of all manga and anime cat names – see last picture in this article below)
F
- Fuku – Lucky (very popular)
H
- Haiku – A type of Japanese poetry
- Haruki – Shining brightly
- Hideki – Wonderful opportunity
- Hideo – Terrific man
- Hiro – Generous
- Hiroki – Abundant joy
- Hiroshi – Generous/prosperous
- Hisashi – Long-lived
- Hisoka – Reserved
- Honcho – Leader
- Hoshi – Star
I
- Ichiro – First son
- Isamu – Courage
- Isao – Honor
J
- Jiro – Second son
- Jun – Obedient
- Judo – Martial art form
- Juro – Tenth son
K
- Kabuki – Japanese dance-drama
- Kameko – Longevity
- Katsumi – Self-controlled
- Katsuo – Victorious child
- Katsuro – Victorious son
- Keiji – Lead cautiously
- Ken – Healthy and strong
- Kenji – Healthy son
- Kin – Gold
- Kioko – Happy child
- Kioshi – Pure
- Kobe – A city in Japan
- Koji – Shining second son
- Koto – Japanese harp
- Kuro – Ninth son (most popular male Japanese cat name)
M
- Maeko – Honest child
- Makoto – Sincere
- Maru – Round
- Masaaki – Brightness
- Masaki – Flourishing tree
- Masi – Nickname of Masayori
- Masuru – Victory
- Italian cat names
- Matsui – Pine
- Michiko – Righteous way
- Michio – Man on the correct path
- Minoru – Truth
- Mitsuo – Shining man
N
- Nao – Docile
- Naoki – Honest/straight
- Ninja – Mercenary agents
- Nintendo – Leave luck to heaven
- Nobu – Faith
- Norio – Man of law
O
- Oki – Middle of the ocean
- Russian cat names
R
- Reo – (one of the most popular Japanese boy cat names)
- Ryu – Dragon
S
- Sake – An alcoholic drink made from rice
- Samurai – Military nobility
- Shin – Belief
- Shiro – Fourth son (one of the most common names)
- Sho – To fly
- Sora – Sky (one of the most common)
- Sumo – Japanese wrestling
- Sushi – A bite-sized Japanese food
- Suzuki – Bell tree
T
- Taiki – Great/large
- Taka – Honorable
- Grey cat names
- Toshi – Mirror Image
Y
- Yamaha – Mountain Leaf
- Yoshi – Respectful
- Yukio – Gets what he wants
Please share these Japanese male cat names with other cat lovers. Spread the fuzzy friskiness with cat-like reflexes! Every little bit helps!
Did you find the right Japanese pet names for cats? We sure hope so! Want more than just cat names Japanese? Did you know that the Japanese have long revered Calico cats? Check out these Calico cat names.
- Japanese black cat names: Black cat names
- Japanese white cat names: White cat names