Top 159 Shiba Inu Names

By Emily Harris – March 13, 2025

Finding the right name for a Shiba Inu puppy can be an exciting challenge. These ancient Japanese dogs are known for their independent nature and bright, alert expressions.

Shiba Inus have a special place in many homes, and their names often reflect their Japanese heritage.

Looking at data from staging.dogfix.com, we can see clear trends in what owners are naming their Shiba Inus today. These popular choices might help you find inspiration for your own puppy.

The names below come from real Shiba Inu owners across the country and represent the most common choices for this distinctive breed.

Top 159 Shiba Inu Names

Looking for the perfect name for your Shiba Inu? Here’s a comprehensive list of 159 popular and unique names that match this spirited breed’s personality:

Popular Female Names:

Luna, Bella, Nala
Daisy, Lily, Zoe
Ruby, Stella, Coco
Roxy, Lola, Ellie

Popular Male Names:

Max, Milo, Leo
Loki, Simba, Apollo
Rocky, Archie, Oliver
Thor, Duke, Charlie

Japanese-Inspired Names:

Yoshi, Mochi, Kai
Sora, Miso, Haku
Kenzo, Yuna, Ren
Sushi, Bento, Hanzo

Playful Names:

Cookie, Pepper, Lucky
Teddy, Bear, Chewy
Peanut, Moose, Buddy
Boba, Scout, Bowser

Regal Names:

King, Prince, Princess
Leia, Freya, Grace
Atlas, Nova, Ghost

Some names appear twice in popularity lists because they work well for either gender, like Riley, Bailey, and Charlie.

When choosing, consider names that are easy to call out and match your Shiba’s unique personality and appearance.

Shiba Inu Name Trends

When naming Shiba Inu dogs, Japanese names remain the most popular choice among owners. This trend makes sense given the breed’s Japanese heritage.

Many owners also draw inspiration from pop culture references when selecting names for their Shiba companions.

Japanese-inspired names honor the breed’s cultural origins. These names often reflect traditional Japanese values or words with meaningful connections to the breed’s homeland.

Pop culture references, especially those from Japanese anime and manga, have also significantly influenced Shiba Inu naming practices.

Top 88 Japanese Shiba Inu Names

Choosing a Japanese name for your Shiba Inu honors the breed’s heritage. These names are both meaningful and beautiful.

Here’s a list of popular Japanese names perfect for your Shiba:

Popular Names	More Options	Cultural Names
Akira	Hachi	Samurai
Yuki	Kuro	Ninja
Haru	Shiro	Ronin
Kobe	Miko	Bonsai
Suki	Ryu	Sumo

Some shorter names include: Aki, Mei, Zen, Gin, Tao, Kyo, and Jiro.

For female Shibas, consider Aiko, Mika, Yumi, Nami, or Sakura.

Male options include: Kenji, Toshi, Hiro, Ichiro, and Takeo.

Names with nature meanings work well too: Kumo (cloud), Kita (north), and Yuki (snow).

Many owners choose names reflecting their dog’s personality like Genki (energetic) or Chibi (small).

Top 20 Pop Culture-Inspired Shiba Inu Names

Shiba Inu owners often choose names from movies, TV shows, anime, and video games. These fun names reveal both the dog’s personality and the owner’s interests.

Popular Culture Names for Your Shiba:

Arya (Game of Thrones)
Bolt (Disney movie)
Goku (Dragon Ball)
Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Nala (The Lion King)
Simba (The Lion King)
Yoshi (Super Mario)

Other great options include Archer, Gizmo, Haku, Kaito, Kato, Korra, Meeko, Rocky, Ryu, Saki, Sora, Taz, and Yogi.

Top 10 Drink-Inspired Shiba Inu Names

Looking for a unique name for your Shiba Inu? Drink-inspired names can be both fun and fitting for these spirited dogs. Here are ten great options:

Bourbon – A strong name for a bold Shiba with amber-colored fur
Chai – Perfect for a warm, spicy personality
Cocoa – Ideal for a brown or red Shiba with a sweet temperament
Guinness – Great for a black and tan Shiba with a robust character
Jager – For the Shiba that’s always ready for adventure
Java – Suits an energetic pup that keeps you on your toes
Kahlua – A smooth name for a dog with a rich personality
Mocha – Fits a Shiba with brown markings and a perky attitude
Porter – Good for a sturdy, dignified Shiba
Whiskey – Classic choice for a dog with a fiery spirit

These names work well for both male and female Shibas. According to staging.dogfix.com, food and drink names are becoming more popular for pets.

Top 5 Japanese Drink-Inspired Names for Shiba Inus

Looking for a unique name for your Shiba Inu? Japanese drinks offer perfect inspiration. Here are five options that blend cute and cultural:

Asahi – Named after the popular Japanese beer, this bright name means “morning sun” and works well for golden-colored Shibas.
Boba – A playful choice inspired by the sweet bubble tea that’s become popular worldwide.
Matcha – Perfect for a green-eyed Shiba or one with unusual coloring, named after the powdered green tea.
Sake – A traditional name with cultural significance, derived from Japan’s famous rice wine.
Soju – A unique option inspired by the mild, clear spirit that’s becoming increasingly popular.

Top 20 Food-Inspired Shiba Inu Names

Food names make excellent choices for your Shiba Inu. Here’s a list of 20 delicious options that match their spunky personalities:

Bacon – Perfect for a tan-colored Shiba with streaky markings
Bagel – Ideal for a round, fluffy pup
Bean – A cute name for a small Shiba
Berry – Sweet and simple for a female Shiba
Biscuit – Great for a golden-colored dog
Carrot – Fun for a red-orange Shiba
Churro – Suits a tan or cinnamon-colored pup
Cinnamon – Perfect for a reddish-brown Shiba
Cookie – A classic sweet name that works for any Shiba
Ginger – Ideal for a spicy personality
Honey – Sweet name for a gentle Shiba
Kiwi – Quirky and cute for a small dog
Mango – Tropical name for a bright personality
Nacho – Fun choice for a playful pup
Noodle – Great for a lanky or flexible Shiba
Oreo – Perfect for a black and white Shiba
Pepper – Good for a black Shiba with some attitude
Potato – Adorable for a round, cream-colored dog
Pumpkin – Ideal for an orange-red Shiba
Snickers – Fun name for a multicolored or playful pup

Top 20 Japanese Food-Inspired Shiba Inu Names

Looking for a unique name for your Shiba Inu? Food-inspired names from Japanese cuisine offer playful and meaningful options. Here are 20 delicious choices:

Mochi – Perfect for a squishy, sweet pup
Yuzu – Ideal for a bright, energetic dog
Bento – For the organized, compartmentalized personality
Miso – A salty, rich option for a complex character
Sushi – Classic and sophisticated
Wasabi – For a dog with a spicy personality
Taro – Earthy and sweet
Ramen – Warm and comforting
Bao – Soft and fluffy
Katsu – Crispy on the outside, tender inside
Kobe – For a premium, elegant pup
Inari – Sweet and savory
Panko – Light and crispy
Tofu – Mild-mannered and versatile
Momo – Sweet as a peach
Nori – For the dog who wraps everything together
Soba – Long and lean
Toro – Rich and luxurious
Lychee – Sweet and distinctive
Benihana – For the showstopper dog

Top 20 Animal-Inspired Shiba Inu Names

Looking for the perfect animal-inspired name for your Shiba Inu? Here are some great options that highlight your dog’s wild spirit and unique personality:

Badger – A playful name for a digging Shiba
Bear – Perfect for a fluffy, strong pup
Foxy – Highlights the fox-like appearance Shibas are known for
Goose – A quirky choice for a vocal dog
Grizzly – Great for a bigger or more dominant Shiba
Kitty – Fun for a Shiba with cat-like behaviors
Koda – Means “friend” in Native American languages
Kuma – Means “bear” in Japanese, honoring the breed’s heritage
Moose – Cute for a larger or stubborn Shiba
Wolfie – For a Shiba with a wild, independent streak
Panda – Ideal for a black and white Shiba
Tiger – For a brave, bold personality
Falcon – Suggests speed and alertness
Hawk – For a watchful, vigilant pup
Otter – Perfect for a playful, water-loving Shiba
Cub – Sweet for a small or young dog
Raven – Great for a black Shiba
Lynx – For a dog with sharp senses
Cricket – Fun for an energetic, bouncy pup
Penguin – Cute for a Shiba who waddles when walking

Top 10 Japanese Animal-Inspired Names for Shiba Inus

Looking for the perfect Japanese animal name for your Shiba Inu? These names honor both your dog’s heritage and the natural world. Here are ten excellent options:

Inu – Literally means “dog” in Japanese
Kitsune – Means “fox,” fitting for Shibas with their fox-like appearance
Kuma – Means “bear,” good for a sturdy, strong pup
Neko – Means “cat,” ideal for a nimble, independent Shiba
Panda – For a black and white Shiba with a sweet face
Phoenix – A mythical bird representing rebirth and strength
Suzume – Means “sparrow,” perfect for a small, quick dog
Tori – Means “bird,” suitable for an energetic, free-spirited pup
Usagi – Means “rabbit,” great for a Shiba who loves to hop and play
Yagi – Means “goat,” fitting for a stubborn but charming dog

More Dog Name Options

At DogFix, we’re passionate about dog names and regularly analyze our data to find popular trends and unique choices.

We’ve created several name collections that get updated yearly with fresh information.

Browse these helpful lists when choosing a name for your furry friend:

Top 100 Male and Female Dog Names
101 Cute Dog Names
Truly Unique Dog Names

Looking for culturally inspired names? Check out our collections:

Irish
Japanese
Hawaiian
Spanish

We also offer specialized categories:

Names for black dogs
Perfect names for white dogs
Top 50 hunting dog names
Creative and distinctive options

These carefully curated lists provide plenty of inspiration for naming your new companion, whether you prefer traditional, trendy, or one-of-a-kind names.