Japanese Cat Names

Are you a fan of manga, or Japanese culture in general? Look no further than our list of Japanese cat names that will have your kitty channeling their inner samurai or geisha. From cute and quirky to traditional and meaningful, these names are sure to impress.

Quickly see the meaning of each name by tapping the arrow , and then tap the heart to add a name to your saved list.

• Ahmya

  Resembles "Amai", meaning sweet in Japanese.
• Ai

  Means "love" in Japanese and often used in female names.
• Aika

  Means "love song" in Japanese, often used for girls.
• Aimi

  Derived from Japanese, signifies "love beauty".
• Aiya

  Aiya is a casual exclamation in Japanese, similar to "oh no".
• Akane

  Means "deep red" in Japanese, often used for girls' names.
• Aki

  Common in Japan, meaning "autumn" or "bright" in Japanese language.
• Akihiro

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "bright, large, and expansive."
• Akina

  Associated with a Japanese origin, meaning "autumn greens" or "bright spring".
• Akio

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "bright man".
• Amabie

  A mythical mermaid-like creature believed to ward off diseases in Japan.
• Amaterasu

  The Shinto sun goddess and major deity in Japanese mythology.
• Amaya

  Means "night rain" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
• Ameonna

  Ameonna refers to a mythical Japanese female spirit causing endless rain.
• Aneko

  Means "older sister" in Ainu, an indigenous Japanese language.
• Anzu

  Associated with a mythical bird in Japanese folklore.
• Arata

  Common male name in Japan, meaning "new" or "fresh".
• Asahi

  Means "morning sun" in Japanese and is a popular beer brand.
• Asami

  A common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "morning beauty".
• Asayo

  A traditional Japanese name often given to girls.
• Atsushi

  A common male name originating from Japan.
• Aya

  Common female name in Japan, meaning "colorful" or "beautiful silk".
• Ayame

  Means "iris" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
• Ayumu

  A common Japanese name meaning "walk dream" or "visionary".
• Azume

  Associated with Japanese language, possibly meaning "east" or "safe space".
• Bankei

  Associated with a famous Zen Buddhist monk from the 17th century.
• Banzan

  Banzan is a famous Zen Buddhist monk in Japan.
• Bashira

  Not connected to Japanese culture or language.
• Bassui

  A renowned Zen Buddhist monk from the 14th century Japan.
• Benten

  A goddess of love, music, and wisdom in Shinto religion.
• Bento

  A boxed meal often containing rice, fish, and vegetables in Japan.
• Bishamon

  Associated with wealth, fortune, and war in Japanese Buddhism.
• Botan

  Means "peony" in Japanese and is a popular female name.
• Bunko

  A popular dice gambling game in Japan.
• Byakuya

  Means "white night" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Chia

  Not directly linked to Japanese culture or language.
• Chibi

  Refers to small or cute things in Japanese slang.
• Chie

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning wisdom or intellect.
• Chihiro

  A common Japanese name often associated with strength and beauty.
• Chika

  Common female name in Japan, often meaning "near and dear".
• Chimon

  Associated with winter in Japanese, often used in names.
• Chinshu

  Associated with Japanese literature, often used in poetry and prose.
• Chiyo

  A common female name in Japan, often associated with longevity.
• Chizu

  Means "map" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
• Cho

  Associated with butterfly in Japanese language, often used in names.
• Chorei

  Associated with traditional Japanese music, specifically ancient court music.
• Chotan

  Refers to a small, short or little in Japanese language.
• Dai

  Associated with Japanese language, often meaning "great" or "large".
• Dai-in

  Associated with Zen Buddhism, often used for temple names.
• Daichi

  Means "great land" in Japanese, often used for boys' names.
• Daijiro

  A common male name in Japan, often associated with strength and wisdom.
• Daiki

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "great nobility".
• Daisuke

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "great help".
• Daku

  Means "bandit" or "robber" in Japanese language.
• Domo

  Means "thank you" in Japanese and often used in formal settings.
• Doryo

  A term in Japanese, often referring to a Buddhist temple's abbot.
• Dosei

  Means "Saturn" in Japanese and is used in astronomy.
• Ebisu

  Associated with Japanese mythology, symbolizing wealth and fishermen's patron.
• Edo

  Former name for Tokyo during the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan.
• Eiji

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "great second son".
• Eiko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "long-lived child".
• Emi

  A common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "blessed with beauty".
• Emiko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "blessed, beautiful child".
• Ena

  Associated with Japanese language, meaning "gift from God".
• Endo

  Common surname in Japan, also means "inside" or "within" in Japanese.
• Enkai

  Associated with a Shinto god of agriculture and sake brewing.
• Eri

  Common female name in Japan, often meaning "blessed with reason".
• Eryu

  Associated with a Japanese dragon symbolizing wisdom and power.
• Eshima

  Associated with a famous bridge in Japan.
• Etsuko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "joyful child".
• Fuji

  A revered mountain in Japan, also a common surname and brand.
• Fujin

  Represents the Shinto god of wind in Japanese mythology.
• Fuku

  Associated with luck in Japanese language and culture.
• Fumihiro

  A common male name in Japan, often associated with historical figures.
• Fumiko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of abundant beauty".
• Fumio

  A common male name in Japan, often associated with historical figures.
• Fuyuko

  A female Japanese name meaning "winter child" in English.
• Gen

  Gen is a common male name in Japan.
• Genkei

  Refers to original form or prototype in Japanese language.
• Giichi

  A traditional Japanese male name, often associated with strength and determination.
• Gina

  No direct connection between Gina and Japanese culture or language.
• Goku

  Derived from "Gojū", meaning "aware of emptiness" in Japanese Buddhism.
• Goro

  A common male name in Japan, often linked to fifth-born sons.
• Gyo shin

  Refers to a Japanese martial arts philosophy meaning "seeking the truth".
• Haiku

  A traditional form of Japanese poetry with three lines.
• Hajime

  Means "beginning" in Japanese and often used as a male first name.
• Hana

  Means "flower" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Hannya

  Represents a jealous female demon in Noh and Kyogen Japanese theater.
• Haru

  Means "spring" in Japanese, often used for names.
• Haruto

  A common male name in Japan, often symbolizing spring or clear skies.
• Haya

  Means "fast" in Japanese and is also a common female name.
• Hayami

  A common surname in Japan, often meaning "fast wave".
• Hekima

  Hekima doesn't have a connection to Japanese culture or language.
• Hideki

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "excellent timber".
• Hikari

  Means "light" in Japanese, often used in anime and songs.
• Hiko

  Means "day child" in Japanese, often used for boys.
• Himari

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "sunflower".
• Hina

  Associated with a goddess in Japanese mythology and traditional doll festivals.
• Hiro

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "generous" or "tolerant".
• Hiroaki

  A common male name in Japan, often symbolizing "abundant brightness."
• Hiroki

  A common male name originating from Japan.
• Hiromi

  A common given name in Japan, often for females.
• Hiroshi

  A common male first name originating from Japan.
• Hiroto

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "big, great and flying."
• Hisa

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "long-lasting".
• Hisoka

  Derived from Japanese, signifies "secret" or "reserved".
• Hitoshi

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "benevolent, virtuous."
• Homura

  Means "flame" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Honcho

  Derived from Japanese, meaning leader or boss of a group or organization.
• Hoshi

  Means "star" in Japanese, often used in names and titles.
• Hotaru

  Means "firefly" in Japanese, often used in literature and names.
• Ichika

  Common Japanese name, often meaning "one thousand flowers" or "first summer".
• Ima

  Means "now" in Japanese language, reflecting immediacy or present time.
• Ino

  Associated with a popular character in anime series "Naruto".
• Inoue

  Common Japanese surname, often associated with historical samurai clans.
• Isamu

  A common male name in Japan, meaning courage or bravery.
• Ishii

  A common surname in Japan, often linked to stone or rock.
• Issey

  A common first name in Japan, often associated with artistic professions.
• Itachi

  Means "weasel" in Japanese, often associated with folklore and superstition.
• Ito

  Common surname in Japan, also refers to a city in Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Iva

  Not connected to Japanese culture or language.
• Iwa

  Means "rock" in Japanese, often used in place names.
• Iwai

  Associated with celebration, often used as a surname in Japan.
• Izanagi

  A deity from Japanese mythology who fathered many islands and deities.
• Izanami

  A goddess from Japanese mythology who creates islands, deities, and people.
• Japana

  Derived from Japan, represents its culture and language.
• Jikai

  Means "ocean of compassion" in Japanese, often used in Buddhism.
• Jin

  Associated with Japanese language, often meaning "benevolence" or "gold".
• Jiro

  A common male name in Japan, often linked to sushi chefs.
• Joben

  Derived from Japanese, meaning "enjoy life" or "pure heart".
• Judo

  A martial art from Japan, meaning "gentle way" in Japanese.
• Junichi

  A common male name in Japan, often associated with purity and genuineness.
• Junko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "pure child".
• Juro

  Associated with Japanese language, often used as a male first name.
• Kabuki

  A traditional form of Japanese theater with elaborate costumes and makeup.
• Kage

  Means "shadow" in Japanese, often used in ninja-themed media.
• Kaito

  Common male name in Japan, often associated with music and anime characters.
• Kaiyo

  Means "ocean" in Japanese, often used for boys' names.
• Kakashi

  Means "scarecrow" in Japanese and is a popular anime character.
• Kaname

  Means "pivotal point" in Japanese, often used in anime characters.
• Kane

  Refers to "money" in Japanese and a common male name.
• Kangiten

  Associated with Japanese Buddhism, symbolizing bliss and harmony.
• Kannon

  Represents Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion in Japanese culture.
• Kaori

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "fragrance".
• Kasumi

  Means "mist" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Katsu

  A popular dish in Japan, often served as breaded, fried pork cutlet.
• Kazan

  Associated with a volcanic crater and a traditional Japanese kettle.
• Keiko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "blessed child".
• Kenichi

  Common male name in Japan, meaning "healthy, strong one".
• Kenshin

  A character in Japanese manga and anime, symbolizing a wandering samurai.
• Kenta

  A common male first name in Japan, meaning "healthy and strong".
• Kenzo

  A popular Japanese brand and a common male first name.
• Kichi

  Means "fortunate" in Japanese, often used in names.
• Kichiro

  A traditional Japanese male name meaning "lucky son."
• Kiko

  Associated with a popular Japanese fashion brand and means "hope" in Japanese.
• Kimi

  Common given name in Japan, meaning noble or without equal.
• Kita

  Means "north" in Japanese, often used in place names.
• Kitsune

  Refers to foxes, often depicted as intelligent beings with magical abilities.
• Kiyoshi

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "pure" or "quiet".
• Kobe

  A city in Japan and a type of high-quality beef.
• Kohana

  Means "little flower" in Japanese, often used as a girl's name.
• Koji

  Associated with a fungus used in sake, soy sauce, and miso production.
• Koko

  Associated with a gorilla communicating via sign language in Japan.
• Kotaro

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "small first son".
• Koto

  A traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument.
• Kouta

  Common male name in Japan, often written with characters meaning "peace" or "harmony".
• Kuebiko

  A Shinto deity of knowledge and agriculture, often depicted as a scarecrow.
• Kumi

  Means "long time" in Japanese and also a common female name.
• Kunio

  Associated with popular video games and a common male name in Japan.
• Kura

  Associated with traditional Japanese storehouses and a sushi restaurant chain.
• Kuro

  Means "black" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Kyoko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "mirror."
• Leiko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "arrogant child".
• Mai

  Common female name in Japan, also means "dance" in Japanese.
• Maiya

  Commonly used in Japan, often meaning "rice valley".
• Mamoru

  Means "protect" in Japanese, often used for boys' names.
• Mana

  Associated with supernatural power in Japanese culture and language.
• Manzo

  Associated with a Japanese surname and means "ten thousand three".
• Masaru

  A common male name in Japan meaning "victory" or "win".
• Matsui

  Common surname in Japan, also means "pine tree" in Japanese.
• Megumi

  A common feminine name in Japan, meaning "blessing" or "grace".
• Michio

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "man with strength of three".
• Midori

  Means "green" in Japanese and often used as a female first name.
• Miki

  Common unisex name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful" or "tree".
• Minako

  A common female name in Japan, often linked to beautiful child.
• Mio

  Common female name in Japan, also means "beautiful cherry blossom".
• Mitsuo

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "shining man".
• Mokusei

  Means "wooden star" in Japanese, often linked to Buddhism.
• Momo

  Refers to a popular Japanese ghost story and means peach in Japanese.
• Mugen

  Mugen translates to "infinity" in Japanese language.
• Myojo

  A popular brand for instant noodles and a Japanese language school.
• Nami

  Means "wave" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Nana

  Means "seven" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Naoki

  A common male first name in Japan.
• Nara

  A city in Japan known for its historic temples and deer park.
• Nari

  Associated with Japanese language, meaning "thunder" or a common female name.
• Naruto

  Derived from narutomaki, a type of fish cake in Japanese cuisine.
• Natsuo

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "summer life".
• Nintendo

  Translates from Japanese as "leave luck to heaven".
• Nishi

  Means "west" in Japanese and often used in personal names.
• Nobu

  Associated with a high-end Japanese restaurant chain and common male name.
• Noriko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "lawful child".
• Nozomi

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "hope" or "wish".
• Ohara

  Common surname in Japan, also a famous Kyoto temple.
• Oki

  Refers to a region in Japan and means "offshore" in Japanese.
• Orino

  Associated with a phrase meaning "my field" in Japanese.
• Osamu

  A common male first name in Japan, often associated with intelligence.
• Raiden

  Raiden is a god of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology.
• Rei

  Means "spirit" or "bell" in Japanese, often used in anime.
• Reiko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful; lovely child".
• Reo

  Associated with a popular male name and a car brand in Japan.
• Riku

  Means "land" in Japanese, often used in anime and games.
• Rikuto

  A common male name in Japan, often written in kanji.
• Ringo

  Means "apple" in Japanese and is a popular cultural symbol.
• Rini

  Associated with Sailor Moon character and means "little bunny" in Japanese.
• Risa

  Means "laughter" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Rokuro

  Means "sixth son" in Japanese and often used in traditional folklore.
• Ruri

  Means "lapis lazuli" in Japanese, often used for girls' names.
• Ryoko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "good woman".
• Ryota

  Common male name in Japan, often meaning "refreshing, robust" in Japanese.
• Ryouichi

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "good, first son".
• Ryuji

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "dragon rule".
• Ryuk

  A character from Japanese manga series "Death Note".
• Ryuunosuke

  A common male name in Japan, often linked to dragons and noble origins.
• Sachi

  A common Japanese female name meaning "happiness" or "blessing".
• Sachiko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "happy child".
• Sai

  Associated with a traditional Okinawan weapon and common Japanese name.
• Sake

  A traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.
• Sakura

  Cherry blossoms, symbolizing transient beauty, are called this in Japan.
• Sango

  Refers to the third language in the Inuyasha anime series.
• Sanji

  Means "three o'clock" in Japanese, often used in anime.
• Sanjiro

  A traditional Japanese male name often linked to samurai culture.
• Sara

  Commonly used in Japan, meaning "plate" or "dish" in Japanese.
• Sasa

  Refers to bamboo leaves in Japanese, symbolizing flexibility and resilience.
• Sato

  Common surname in Japan, often meaning "help" or "wisteria".
• Satome

  Common Japanese surname, often linked to places or geographical features.
• Satoshi

  A common male name in Japan, often associated with wisdom.
• Seiji

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "lawful" or "manages affairs rightly".
• Sen

  Refers to a thousand in Japanese, also a common surname.
• Shimizu

  A common Japanese surname, often linked to clear, pure water.
• Shinju

  Refers to "pearl" in Japanese and is also a female given name.
• Shion

  Means "aster" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
• Shiori

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "guide" or "weave".
• Shiro

  Means "white" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Sho

  Associated with Japanese language, often used in boys' names.
• Suijin

  Refers to the Shinto god of water in Japanese mythology.
• Suki

  Means "like" in Japanese and often used as a female name.
• Sunako

  A character in Japanese manga series "The Wallflower".
• Sushi

  Traditional Japanese dish made from vinegared rice and raw seafood.
• Susumo

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "progress" or "advance".
• Suzu

  Means "bell" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Suzume

  Means "sparrow" in Japanese and is a common female name.
• Tajimamori

  Associated with ancient Japanese mythology, known as the first fruit gatherer.
• Takara

  Means "treasure" in Japanese, often used in names and brands.
• Takashi

  A common male first name in Japan, often meaning "noble" or "prosperous".
• Takeo

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "strong like a warrior."
• Taki

  Associated with a common Japanese surname and means "waterfall" in Japanese.
• Takumi

  A common male name in Japan, meaning skilled or artisan.
• Tamayo

  Associated with a renowned Japanese artist and a common surname.
• Taro

  Common first name in Japan and a type of root vegetable.
• Taru

  Common suffix in Japanese, often used in male names.
• Tatsu

  Means "dragon" in Japanese, often used in names and folklore.
• Tatsuo

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "dragon man".
• Tenjin

  Associated with scholarship, Tenjin is a Shinto deity of education.
• Tennin

  Refers to celestial beings or heavenly spirits in Japanese Buddhism.
• Tetsu

  Means "iron" in Japanese and is a common male name.
• Tora

  Means "tiger" in Japanese and symbolizes courage and strength.
• Tori

  Refers to traditional Japanese gate at Shinto shrines.
• Toshiro

  A common male name in Japan, often linked to samurai heritage.
• Touma

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "winter horse."
• Tousen

  Means "fighting warship" in Japanese, often used in anime/manga.
• Tsuki

  Means "moon" in Japanese and is often used in names.
• Tsukikage

  Means "moon shadow" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Tsukiya

  Means "moon shop" in Japanese, often used for dining establishments.
• Ukemochi

  Goddess of food in Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion.
• Umeko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "plum child".
• Umi

  Means "ocean" in Japanese, reflecting their maritime culture.
• Umiko

  Means "child of the sea" in Japanese, reflecting cultural ocean ties.
• Unkan

  Associated with a term for a manager or supervisor in Japanese.
• Usaku

  Associated with Japanese language, possibly a personal or place name.
• Usui

  A common surname in Japan, often linked to martial arts.
• Utano

  A common Japanese name, often associated with songs or melodies.
• Wakana

  A common female name in Japan, often linked to harmonious music.
• Wakumi

  Associated with Japanese language, often used as a female given name.
• Washi

  Traditional Japanese paper known for its strength and flexibility.
• Wataru

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "cross over" or "navigate".
• Yamaha

  Founded in Japan, represents a globally recognized brand of musical instruments.
• Yamato

  An ancient term for Japan, also a famous battleship.
• Yami

  Means "darkness" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Yasu

  Commonly used in Japan, meaning "peaceful" or "calm" in Japanese.
• Yasuko

  A common female name in Japan, meaning "child of peace".
• Yoko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of sunlight".
• Yori

  Common Japanese name, often used in anime and manga.
• Yoru

  Means "night" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
• Yōsei

  Refers to fairies or spirits in Japanese folklore and mythology.
• Yoshi

  A common Japanese name, often meaning "good luck" or "respectful."
• Youta

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "great sunlight".
• Yuji

  Common male name in Japan, meaning "righteous second son".
• Yuka

  Common female name in Japan, also means "gentle flower" in Japanese.
• Yukari

  A common female name in Japan, often linked to purple color symbolism.
• Yukio

  A common male name in Japan, meaning "snow boy" in Japanese.
• Yuma

  A common male name in Japan, often meaning "truthful" or "gentle".
• Yumi

  A common female name in Japan, also means "bow" in Japanese.
• Yuri

  Refers to genre of Japanese media focusing on female homosexual relationships.
• Yuriko

  A common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of superiority."
• Yuuna

  Common female name in Japan, often associated with grace and tenderness.
• Yuuto

  A common male name in Japan, often written in kanji.
• Zakuro

  Means pomegranate in Japanese and often used in girls' names.
• Zen

  A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition.
• Zinan

  Associated with Japanese language, not directly linked to specific cultural aspects.

Japanese Cat Names currently rank in 3rd place out of all MeowNames.com categories.

As of May 2024, japanese cat names are rising in popularity with new cat owners. According to our stats, they are more fashionable than they were at the same time last year.

We've seen quite a bit of variation for this category, which might suggest that its popularity is influenced by seasonal or cultural events.