300+ Japanese Cat Names For Your Cuddly Cat

By Emily Harris – March 13, 2025

Japan’s love for cats runs deep and takes many forms.

From the iconic Hello Kitty, which generated nearly five billion dollars globally in 2016, to the Maneki Neko statues displayed in businesses across the country, feline influences are everywhere.

These cat statues with raised paws are believed to attract prosperity and good fortune.

The cat culture extends beyond merchandise and symbols.

Japan hosts approximately 150 cat cafes where visitors can enjoy beverages while interacting with cats. This unique concept allows cat enthusiasts to spend quality time with feline companions even if they cannot own pets themselves.

Japanese-Inspired Cat Names

At DogFix, we’ve gathered some unique cat names influenced by Japanese culture.

Looking for something special for your feline friend? Consider “Dear Daniel” as a tribute to Hello Kitty’s boyfriend, or choose “Hashiko,” which beautifully translates to “star child.”

Japanese pop culture offers rich inspiration for naming your cat. These names blend cultural significance with distinctive sounds that cats respond well to.

The collection includes both traditional and modern options to suit different personalities and preferences.

Japanese Name Choices

Female Names for Your Cat

Japanese names for female cats often contain beautiful meanings that reflect nature, character traits, or positive qualities. These names can be perfect for your feline friend.

Here are some popular options to consider, along with their meanings:

Nature-inspired names:

  • Sakura – cherry blossom
  • Hana – flower
  • Yuri – lily
  • Haru – spring
  • Sora – sky
  • Hoshi – star
  • Izumi – spring or fountain
  • Hotaru – firefly

Beautiful qualities:

  • Mika – beautiful fragrance
  • Hikari – light, radiance
  • Emi – beautiful blessing
  • Aiko – child of love
  • Shinju – pearl
  • Takara – treasure

Character traits:

  • Nao – honest
  • Makoto – sincere
  • Yasu – peace
  • Shizuka – quiet summer
  • Rin – dignified
  • Nobuko – faithful, trustworthy child

Many Japanese cat names have the ending “-ko” which means “child,” making them endearing choices for your pet. For example, Hanako (flower child), Michiko (beautiful wise child), and Miyako (beautiful night child).

If you want a name with special meaning, consider:

  1. Chiyo – one thousand generations
  2. Mana – love
  3. Yua – binding love
  4. Kiyomi – pure beauty
  5. Masumi – true clarity

Some shorter options that are easy to call out include Mai (dance), Ren (lotus/love), Kyo (cooperation), and Mi (beautiful).

For cats with distinct personalities, you might choose Katsumi (victorious beauty), Moriko (child of the forest), or Satomi (beautiful and wise).

Male Japanese Cat Names

Japanese culture offers a rich variety of meaningful names perfect for male cats. These names often have beautiful meanings tied to nature, strength, and character traits.

Here’s a collection of popular male Japanese cat names and their meanings:

Nature-Inspired Names

  • Haru – means “spring”
  • Kaede – means “maple”
  • Sora – means “sky”
  • Hinata – means “sunflower” or “facing towards the sun”
  • Riku – means “land”

Names Meaning Strength

  • Isamu – means “brave, courageous”
  • Tsuyoshi – means “strong”
  • Katashi – means “firm”
  • Katsu – means “victory”
  • Masaru – means “victory”

Character Trait Names

Name Meaning
Akira bright/clear
Makoto sincere
Nao honest
Tadashi loyal, faithful
Takumi artisan
Yasu peace

Many Japanese cat names have connections to elements like light and brightness.

Names such as Akio (bright man), Hikaru (light, radiance), and Haruki (shining sun) all reflect illumination qualities.

Water-themed names work well for cats with blue eyes or those who enjoy playing with water. Kaito (ocean flying) makes an excellent choice for these felines.

Traditional family position names are also popular:

  1. Ichiro – first son
  2. Jiro – second son
  3. Shiro – fourth son
  4. Rokuro – sixth son
  5. Taro – large son

For cats with noble personalities, consider names like Takashi (prosperous, noble) or Yamato (great harmony). Intelligent cats might suit Satoshi (wise, fast learner) or Toshi (wise).

Short, two-syllable names like Hiro (generous), Kyo (cooperation), and Ryo (refreshing, cool) are particularly good for cats since they’re easy to call out and for your pet to recognize.

Hello Kitty Inspired Cat Names

Hello Kitty has been a beloved character for decades. If you’re a fan, consider naming your cat after Hello Kitty characters.

Here are some adorable Hello Kitty-inspired cat names:

  • Kitty White – Perfect for white cats, this is Hello Kitty’s full name
  • George – A simple, classic name inspired by Kitty’s father
  • Mary – A sweet name for a gentle female cat, named after Kitty’s mother
  • Mimmy – Ideal for a playful kitten, named after Kitty’s twin sister
  • Daniel – A charming choice for male cats, inspired by Kitty’s boyfriend
  • Charmmy – A cute, unique name based on Hello Kitty’s own pet cat

Anime Inspired Cat Names

Anime often features memorable feline characters that make perfect inspiration for cat names.

Popular options include Luna and Artemis from Sailor Moon, who serve as wise guides to the main characters. Fans of Pokémon might choose Meowth, while those who enjoy Dragon Ball Z might pick Korin.

Other distinctive choices include:

  • Chi from Chi’s Sweet Home
  • Kuro from Blue Exorcist
  • Sakamoto from Nichijou
  • Carla from Fairy Tail
  • Potya from Yuri!!! on ICE

For cats with teaching qualities, consider Neko-sensei from Princess Tutu or Nyanko-sensei from Natsume’s Book of Friends. Mischievous cats might suit names like Kamineko from Azumanga Daioh or Arthur from Code Geass.

Cat Names from Miyazaki Movies

Spirit Journey Cat Names

Looking for a magical name for your cat? Characters from this fantasy film offer plenty of inspiration:

  • Chihiro/Sen – The brave young heroine
  • Haku – The mysterious dragon boy
  • Kaonashi – The silent masked spirit
  • Kamaji – The multi-armed boiler room worker
  • Zeniba – The kind-hearted witch

These names work well for cats with mysterious personalities or those who seem to have magical qualities.

Witch’s Cat Inspired Names

This film features the most famous cat in Miyazaki’s work:

Name Character Description
Jiji The black talking cat companion
Kiki The young witch in training
Osono The kind bakery owner
Tombo The aviation-loving boy

Jiji makes an especially perfect name for a black cat with attitude!

Forest Spirit Cat Names

From the epic environmental fable, these names suit fierce, independent cats:

  • Ashitaka – The cursed hero
  • San – The wolf-raised human
  • Eboshi – The strong-willed leader
  • Moro – The wise wolf god

Forest Neighbor Cat Names

For gentle, playful cats, consider these options:

  • Satsuki – The older sister
  • Mei – The curious younger sister
  • Totoro – The forest spirit
  • Catbus – The magical transport creature

Find a Great Name for Your Cat on DogFix

Looking for the perfect name for your new feline friend? DogFix offers many helpful lists to inspire you.

You can browse through:

  • Funny names – over 200 options to make you smile
  • Cool names – for stylish kitties
  • Unique names – stand out from the crowd

DogFix also provides specialized name collections based on your cat’s appearance:

Cat Type Number of Names
Gray/Silver 115+
Calico 119+
Orange 100+
White 115+
Black & White 102+

For specific breeds like Siamese cats, you’ll find 250+ suggestions.

If you love Egyptian themes, explore 300+ names with ancient flair.