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.
• Akina

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

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

  A traditional Japanese name often given to girls.
• Aya

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

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

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

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

  Not connected to Japanese culture or language.
• Benten

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

  A popular dice gambling game in Japan.
• 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".
• 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.
• Dai

  Associated with Japanese language, often meaning "great" or "large".
• 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.
• Eri

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

  Associated with a famous bridge in Japan.
• Etsuko

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

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

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

  Gen is a common male name in Japan.
• Gina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Not connected to Japanese culture or language.
• Iwa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  A traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument.
• Kumi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Refers to traditional Japanese gate at Shinto shrines.
• Tsuki

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

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

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

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

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

  A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition.

Japanese Cat Names currently rank in 10th place out of all MeowNames.com categories.

As of December 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.