Japanese names have an exotic beauty to them that makes them great for cats, whether yours is a Japanese breed or not. Here are 101 of the best Japanese cat names for you to pick from.
Male Names
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Daisuke- Means a great help.
- Eiji (えいじ / 英) – Means eternal order.
- Hideo (ひでお / 英男) – Means excellent person.
- Fumio (ふみお / 文男) – Heroic literary character.
- Daiki (だいき / 大輝) – This noble name means royalty.
- Ayumu (あゆむ / 歩む) – Means a dream or a vision.
- Daisuke ((だいすけ / 大輔) – Means a great help.
- Ichiro (いちろう / 一郎) – Means firstborn son.
- Jiro (じろう / 次郎) – This strong name means the second son.
- Kyo (きょう / 京) – This common Japanese name means cooperation.
- Masaru (まさる / 勝) – Means a righteous being.
- Michi (みち / 道) – Means the pathway to something.
- Noboru (のぼる / 昇) – This honorable name means to rise to something greater.
- Ren (れん / 蓮) – Means love or lotus flower.
- Ryo (りょう / 涼) – This common names means refreshing or cool.
- Satoshi (さとし / 智) – Refers to a wise creature.
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Takeo- Means a strong warrior.
- Sora (そら / 空) – This fun name means the sky.
- Tadashi (ただし / 忠) – Means loyal and true.
- Ryota (りょうた / 涼太) – Means refreshing.
- Takeo (たけお / 武男) – Means a strong warrior.
- Yukio (ゆきお / 幸男) – Is a hero that is blessed.
- Yoshio (よしお / 義男) – Fairly common name that means joyful life.
- Youta (ようた / 陽太) – Means sunshine.
- Tadeo (タデオ) – Means faithful and loyal.
- Riku (りく / 陸) – Is a strong name that means of the earth or the land.
- Osamu (おさむ / 修) – Means disciplined or obedient, which isn’t a name you want to use for just any cat.
- Naoki (なおき / 直樹) – Means strong like a tree but honest as well.
- Mitsuru (みつる / 光る) – Means full or satisfying.
- Masa (まさ / 正) – Simply means to be true.
- Takumi (たき / 滝) – Is a word meaning artist or artisan.
- Taki (しのぶ / 忍) – Means shining with radiance and glory.
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Shou- Is for a treasured cat, as it means prize.
- Shinobu (しのぶ / 忍) – Is a name given to someone who endures or stands fast.
- Masashi (まさし / 正志) – This name means aspiring to righteousness and goodness.
- Kouta (こうた / 幸太) – Should be reserved for quiet cats, ands it means peace.
- Kyoshi (きょし / 教師) – A name that means purity and may work well for white cats.
- Kenta (けんた / 健太) – Can be used for tough, strong cats, as it means healthily strong.
- Kaoru (かおる / 薫) – The name means sweet smelling fragrance.
- Kenshin (けんしん / 健心) – Means both modest and truthful.
- Norio (のりお / 紀男) – Means a creature that is lawful, being obedient to the law of the land.
- Masaaki (まさあき / 正明) – Means a creature or thing that is pleasing in its brightness.
- Hotaka (ほたか / 穂高) – Is a fine name that means tall like the grain.
- Hinata (ひなた / 日向) – Is a great name for cats with lightly-colored faces, as it is means looking toward the sun.
- Dai (だい / 大) – Is a suitable name for larger cats, as it means large or great.
- Arata (あらた / 新) – Is great for cats that are a breath of fresh air and a great source of joy, as it means new and refreshing.
- Shou (しょう / 昇) – Is for a treasured cat, as it means prize.
- Yuu (ゆう / 悠) – Is a fine name meaning brave and gentle.
- Yuudai (ゆうだい / 悠大) – Is a name meaning great hero.
- Haruka (はるか /春花) – Is good for cats that are always daydreaming, as it means distant.
- Isamu (いさむ / 勇) – Means brave and bold.
- Shin (しん / 真) – Means true or genuine.
- Naomi (なおみ / 直美) – Is a name that means one’s true self.
Female Names
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Mao- A blossom, particularly a cherry blossom.
- Emi (えみ / 恵美) – Means a beautiful blessing.
- Fumiko (ふみこ / 文子) – A very beautiful child.
- Chika (ちか / 千夏) – Means flowers that have been scattered.
- Asuka (あすか / 明日香) – Means fragrance or beautiful perfume.
- Hisako (ひさこ / 久子) – Means a child that is a blessing for a long life.
- Hiroko (ひろこ / 広子) – A child that is generous, and a variation of that is Hiro.
- Izumi (いずみ / 泉) – Is a common name that means fountain or spring.
- Kimi (きみ / キミ) – Means a noble creature, as many cats are.
- Kyoko (きょうこ / 京子) – Means a creature that is respectful, as few cats are.
- Mai (まい / 舞) – Describes a dance.
- Mao (まお / 真央) – A blossom, particularly a cherry blossom.
- Minori (みのり / 実り) – Means a truthful creature.
- Morikio (もりきお / 森紀男) – Is great for cats that love to be outdoors, as it means a child of the forest.
- Miyu (みゆ / 美優) – Means gentle and beautiful.
- Hoshi (ほし / 星) – This commonly used name means star.
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Kae- This name means blessing.
- Ceiko (清子) – Means a creature that is splendid.
- Airi (あいり / 愛莉) – Is the name of the love jasmine flower.
- Chiyoko (ちよこ / 千代子) – Is a child of long line of family.
- Kimiko (きみこ / 君子) – Refers to a noble child, such as an empress’ daughter.
- Mana (まな / 真菜) – Simply means love.
- Miki (みき / 美希) – Is a lovely princess.
- Noriko (のりこ / 範子) – This name means a lawful or obedient creature.
- Rin (りん / 凛) – Is a name meaning dignified.
- Suzume (すずめ / 雀) – Is good for sleek, fast cats, because it means sparrow.
- Yasu (やす / 安) – Is good for white cats, as it means snow.
- Yua (ゆあ / 優愛) – Is a beautiful name that means strong, lasting love.
- Tomiko (とみこ / 富子) – Means a child of wealth.
- Umeko (うめこ / 梅子) – Means a wonderful child.
- Kae (かえ / 佳恵) – This name means blessing.
- Katana (かたな / 刀) – This dangerous name means sword.
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Yuki- This lovely name means happiness.
- Miyaba (みやば / 宮場) – Is a name meaning elegance.
- Tomomi (ともみ / 智美) – This beautiful names means friend.
- Maemi (まえみ / 真恵美)– Means a sincere smile.
- Shina (しな / 志菜) – Is a name that means virtuous.
- Noa (のあ / 乃亜) – This simple name means both love and hope.
- Akemi (あけみ / 明美) – This sweet name means a beautiful sunrise.
- Kaida (カイダ / 海田) – For a more dangerous name, try this one, which means little dragon.
- Kyrinnia (輝友) – This unique name means shining friend.
- Yuka (ゆか / 優花) – It means a delicate flower.
- Chie (ちえ / 知恵) – Perfect for the wise-looking cat, as it means wisdom.
- Tamiko (たみこ / 知美子) – Means a beautiful creature.
- Yoshie (よしえ / 吉恵) – Means a lovely stream.
- Yuki (ゆき / 雪) – This lovely name means happiness.
- Momoka (ももか / 桃花) – You could name your cat after the peach tree flowers.
- Mio (みお / 美桜) – Or you could go with the beautiful cherry blossoms instead.
- Mami (まみ / 真実) – This name means sincere loveliness.
- Keiko (恵子 / けいこ) – This is a common name meaning blessed or respected.
- Honaka (ほのか / 穂乃果) – Is the name of a Japanese flower.
- Hikari (光 / ひかり) – This name means radiance or light.
- Emiko (恵美子 / えみこ) – This name means blessed creature.
- Ayame (あやめ / 菖蒲) – Is the name of the iris in Japanese.
Japanese Names for Black Cats
- Kuro (くろ / 黒) – Meaning “black,” a simple and classic name.
- Yami (やみ / 闇) – Meaning “darkness,” perfect for a mysterious black cat.
- Sumi (すみ / 墨) – Meaning “ink,” inspired by the deep black color of ink.
- Kage (かげ / 影) – Meaning “shadow,” ideal for a stealthy black cat.
- Tsuki (つき / 月) – Meaning “moon,” a name reflecting the night.
- Kuroi (くろい / 黒い) – Meaning “black one,” emphasizing the cat’s color.
- Hoshi (ほし / 星) – Meaning “star,” for a cat that shines in the night.
- Raven (レイヴン) – Inspired by the black bird, with the Japanese pronunciation “Reivun.”
- Mikazuki (みかづき / 三日月) – Meaning “crescent moon,” for a nocturnal and graceful vibe.
- Anko (あんこ) – Meaning “sweet red bean paste,” often black in appearance, a cute and unique name.
Japanese Names for Orange Cats
- Mikan (みかん) – Meaning “mandarin orange,” a cute name reflecting the cat’s color.
- Taiyō (たいよう / 太陽) – Meaning “sun,” for a warm and radiant orange hue.
- Akari (あかり / 明り) – Meaning “light” or “brightness,” for a vibrant personality.
- Hinode (ひので / 日の出) – Meaning “sunrise,” symbolizing the soft orange glow of dawn.
- Kabocha (かぼちゃ) – Meaning “pumpkin,” perfect for a playful and orange-colored cat.
- Chōji (ちょうじ / 丁子) – Meaning “clove,” inspired by the spice’s warm orange-brown tone.
- Yuzu (ゆず) – Meaning “yuzu citrus,” a cheerful and fruity name for an orange cat.
- Momiji (もみじ / 紅葉) – Meaning “maple leaf,” reflecting the vibrant orange-red colors of autumn.
- Tōgarashi (とうがらし / 唐辛子) – Meaning “chili pepper,” for a spicy or energetic orange cat.
- Aka (あか / 赤) – Meaning “red,” often used to describe warm, reddish-orange tones.
Cool Japanese Names for Cats
- Ryu (りゅう / 竜) – Meaning “dragon,” a strong and mystical name.
- Hoshi (ほし / 星) – Meaning “star,” for a cat with a sparkling or celestial personality.
- Kaze (かぜ / 風) – Meaning “wind,” for a swift and graceful cat.
- Tora (とら / 虎) – Meaning “tiger,” perfect for a bold or striped feline.
- Kitsune (きつね / 狐) – Meaning “fox,” symbolizing cunning and charm.
- Shiro (しろ / 白) – Meaning “white,” but it’s also a classic, minimalist name suitable for any color.
- Sora (そら / 空) – Meaning “sky,” for a cat with a calm or free-spirited nature.
- Yoru (よる / 夜) – Meaning “night,” ideal for a sleek or mysterious cat.
- Zen (ぜん / 禅) – Reflecting tranquility and mindfulness, for a serene and chill cat.
- Kuroi (くろい / 黒い) – Meaning “black one,” a stylish name for a dark-furred cat.
Hopefully, one of these piques your interest and is just what you are looking for to name your cat.