Cats are beloved in Japan, as they have been for thousands of years. From old mythological tales of feline yokai like the smart shape-shifting bakeneko to the Hello Kitties and lucky maneki-nekos of today, cats of all kinds are part of Japanese culture. It’s no surprise, then, that Japanese cat names (or names inspired by Japanese cultural exports) are popular among pet parents the world over! So, if you’re looking for a Japanese cat name, you’ll love our roundup.

Maybe you’re brushing up on the Japanese language, are an aficionado of Japanese culture, or have Japanese heritage yourself. Whatever the reason, we can help you find the perfect Japanese name for your cat. Whether you’re looking for a traditional name, a food-inspired Japanese cat name, an anime Japanese cat name or just a cute Japanese cat name, we’ve got more than 100 awesome options to try on for size!

Check them all out below and see which ones fits your furry family member the best. Trust us, no matter if you have a Maine Coone, a Ragdoll or a Calico, you’ll have no trouble finding something to call your cat.

Advice When Choosing a Japanese Cat Name

While some of these Japanese pet names will have fairly consistent definitions (especially names taken from nouns or adjectives), that’s not necessarily the case with traditional “people” names. In Japanese, a name can have vastly different meanings depending on how it’s spelled, even if those different spellings are pronounced exactly the same. The Japanese language has three different alphabets, but most traditional Japanese names are spelled with kanji, which are Chinese characters adapted for the Japanese language. Each character has a distinct meaning, and two different characters can sound alike when meaning different things—hence why many Japanese names don’t have just one single distinct meaning.

We’ll still include one or two of the most common interpretations of each name’s meaning next to it, so you can find a name that resonates with you and your cat. However, if you’re a pet owner and intend on ever spelling out your Japanese cat name with kanji, then you should do a little extra research to find out which kanji spelling of the name fits the definition you have in mind.

Common Cat Names in Japan

These are among the biggest common cat names in Japan, based on online feedback from Japanese cat owners and polls of pet parents in Japan. See if you have any favorites:

• Mike: Pronounced mee-keh, meaning “calico.”

• Koko: From the English “Koko” or “Coco.”

• Maron: From the French word for chestnut.

Popular Japanese Cat Names

These are some of the all-time most popular Japanese cat names, both in Japan and around the world. They’re cute, fun and unique—just like your purrfect pet!

• Mochi: Japanese rice cake

• Kinako: Roasted/toasted soy bean flour

• Mikan: Orange (the fruit).

Cute Japanese Cat Names

If you want your cat’s name to invoke cries of “kawaii!” every time they’re introduced, then these names are sure to please! Check out all of these cute Japanese cat names below for your adorable pet.

• Mei: Bud, sprout, brightness

• Maneki: Inviting, beckoning—the lucky waving cat figurines you often see in Japanese restaurants or stores are called maniko-neko (beckoning cats).

Colorful Japanese Cat Names

If you have a black cat or one that has a particularly colorful coat (or a colorful personality), then one of those color-inspired names might be just the ticket.

• Kiniro: Gold/silver color

Cat Names Inspired by Popular Japanese Food

Sushi, ramen, ramune, okonomiyaki: the culinary landscape of the world would look a lot more stark without all the phenomenal foods Japan has brought to the world. Since food-themed pet names are always a slam dunk, we wanted a few of our cat names to pay homage to Japanese cuisine!

• Dango: Round skewered rice dumplings

• Soba: A type of noodle made from buckwheat flour.

• Tempura: Battered and deep-fried chicken, vegetables, or seafood, derived from a recipe brought over by Portuguese missionaries.

• Onigiri: Rice balls (typically stuffed with savory fillings).

• Oden: A warm, simmering fish cake soup with a dashi broth, served in winter.

• Konpeito: Tiny, colorful, star-shaped sugar candies.

• Miso: Fermented soybean paste.

• Taiyaki: A fish-shaped treat made from pancake or waffle batter, stuffed with red bean paste or vanilla custard.

• Donburi: A savory rice bowl dish topped with meat or seafood.

• Matcha: Powdered green tea.

• Sushi: Vinegared rice rolled up or topped with raw fish.

• Takoyaki: Fried savory dough balls with pieces of octopus and served with tasty toppings.

Japanese Cat Names from Actual Anime Cats

Anime and manga are easily two of Japan’s biggest cultural exports, and it would be impossible to pay homage to all of our favorite anime here. Instead, we narrowed our focus a little bit to some of the biggest feline characters within the anime sphere, and we wouldn’t be surprised if a few of your favorites made it on this list!

• Jiji (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

• Shamisen (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)

Japanese Cat Names Inspired by Famous Locales

From bustling mega-cities to serene countryside towns tucked away in the mountains, Japan is an incredibly diverse country to explore. We’ve included a few Japanese cat names inspired by some of the country’s most iconic locales, but if you’ve visited or lived in Japan, you might also consider naming your cat after a particular place that’s special to you!

Powerful Japanese Cat Names

Some cats are a bit more rowdy and rough-and-tumble than others (as many orange cat parents can attest). If that description sums your cat up, or if your cat simply has an intense aura to them, then you might consider one of the powerful, distinguished, and regal names. Many Japanese cat names are technically unisex; however, we’ve denoted the gender that each name is most commonly associated with so you can better fit them to your cat.

• Hideko: Excellent/outstanding child (female)

• Takeo: Warrior, military man (male)

• Shun: Fast, talented (unisex)

• Mayu: Genuine excellence/superiority (female)

• Chihiro: Thousand fathoms (unisex)

• Masato: Righteous/elegant person (male)

• Isamu: Courage, bravery (male)

• Satomi: Intelligent and beautiful (female)

• Minori: Prosperity, abundant harvest (female)

• Katsumi: Victorious beauty (unisex)

• Takara: Treasure, jewel (unisex)

• Daisuke: Great helper (male)

Beautiful and Poetic Japanese Cat Names

Thanks to the inherent meaning that each kanji holds, traditional Japanese names are rich in meaning, and some have a particularly poetic quality to them. Not only do these Japanese pet names sound beautiful, but the definition behind them adds an even richer undertone to each one. Just remember, as we noted before, that Japanese names can have multiple other meanings depending on what kanji are used to spell them!

• Akihiro: Great brightness (male)

• Shingo: The real me (male)

• Momiji: Maple leaves, autumn leaves (unisex, predominantly female)

• Hiromi: Great beauty (unisex)

• Saori: Sand weaving (female)

• Yasuko: Peaceful child (female)

• Chizuko: Thousand crane children (female)

• Kaoru: Fragrance, fragrant (unisex)

• Ayano: My color/design (female)

• Yamato: Great harmony (male)

• Mitsuhiko: Light, radiant prince (male)

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Cats section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.