Japanese Pet Names – Amazing Pet Names Inspired By Japan

Check out these amazing ideas for Japanese pet names! We look at names inspired by Japan, it’s culture, wildlife and famous faces. And we give you some brilliant tips for making a shortlist and picking your perfect pet name from it.

Why Choose a Japanese Name?

Even if your new pet isn’t a Japanese breed, there are so many great reasons to choose a Japanese pet name! For starters, the Japanese love their pets – so much so that many Japanese adults are even choosing having pets over having kids! Just a few quick tips to help make picking your pet’s new name easy and fun:

• Pick a shorter name or a name you can easily shorten to a nickname.
• Be sure you will still feel comfortable using the name as your pet grows up.
• Pick a name you will feel comfortable saying out loud in public, just in case!
• Give yourself plenty of time and try out a few names before picking “the one.”

Best Japanese Pet Names

As much as the Japanese people love their pets, they may love sharing them with the world even more. From films to Facebook, you can find some of the best Japanese pet names by meeting the famous faces of the modern Japanese pet!

• Hachiko
• Mari
• Shiba
• S-kun
• H-chan
• Francis
• Maru
• Pochi
• Keiko
• Yoshima (“lucky”)

Female Japanese Pet Names

This list of female Japanese pet names draws inspiration from famous Japanese actresses and warriors.

• Ran
• Kibou
• Tomoe Gozen (Japan’s most famous female samurai)
• Aya
• Rinko
• Yui
• Yuriko
• Tae
• Maki
• Nobuko
• Meisa
• Kaoru
• Kyoko
• Keiko
• Yukie
• Kinuoy
• Setsuko
• Yamaguchi
• Machiko
• Sachiko
• Mei
• Riho
• Yaruka
• Tao
• Mirei
• Satomi
• Haru
• Asuna
• Kaha
• Inoue

Male Japanese Pet Names

These male Japanese pet names are inspired from famous figures both current and historical. They come from military heroes, leaders, popular culture icons, literati and athletes.

• Kotaro
• Taro
• Kusunoko Masashige
• Mako
• Hirokuki
• Akira
• Masi
• Takashi
• Tanaka
• Tenshin
• Hirohito
• Akihito
• Yukio
• Yuzuru
• Hideki
• Karoo
• Shinsuki
• Shinji
• Ichiro
• Keisuke
• Masashi
• Kento
• Jiroemon
• Momofuku
• Kota
• Morihei
• Lil Moco
• Jushin Thunder
• Jiro Ono
• Basho

Cool Japanese Pet Names

There is no doubt that just choosing a Japanese name for your new pet is super-cool. If you can match your pet’s new name with a particular trait or quality – well, that is even cooler. Here’s hoping these cool Japanese pet names give you the perfect inspiration!

• Suehirogari (“open like a fan”)
• Hachi (lucky number “8”)
• Nana (lucky number “7”)
• Amaterasu (“goddess of the sun”)
• Jizo (“god protector of children”)
• Niji (“rainbow”)
• Chuusei (“loyalty”)
• Mamoiri tai (“constant protector”)
• Yuri (“lily”)
• Daisuke (“helper”)
• Toshio (“hero”)
• Susanoo (“god of mischief”)
• Uzume (“goddess of mirth”)
• Yori (“trust”)
• Yasu (“peace”)
• Toshi (“wise”)
• Kannon (“goddess of mercy”)
• Inari (“rice goddess”)
• Nio (“protector”)
• Omikuji (“fortune”)
• Ema (“wish board”)
• Akabeko (cow Buddha)
• Omamori (“blessing”)
• Shisa (lion-dog guardian)
• Hisa (“long awaited”)
• Ume (“plum”)
• Sentaro (“steel boy”)
• Shiori (“guide”)
• Sato (“sweet”)
• Takara (“treasure”)

Cute Japanese Pet Names

The cuteness of our animals is undeniable – big or small, slim or stout, we love them all! These cute Japanese pet names draw from nature, culture, food, colors and qualities to help you find the best name match for your adorable new pal.

• Ringo (“apple”)
• Mikan (“orange”)
• Koro Koro (“cute cute”)
• Maron (“chestnut”)
• Kurumi (“walnut”)
• Momo (“peach”)
• Hana (“flower”)
• Mochi (“sweet sticky rice”)
• WanWan (“dog”)
• Ichigo (“strawberry”)
• Tenshi (“angel”)
• Yume (“dream”)
• Okashi (“sweets”)
• Chibi (“small cute”)
• Sushi
• Bento
• Anzu (“apricot”)
• Kimono
• Kirei (“lovely”)
• Kimi (“noble”)
• Aki (“sparkle”)
• Kaida (“little dragon”)
• Airi (“affection”)
• Hoshi (“star”)
• Ami (“friend”)
• Kuma (“bear”)
• Maiko (“dancing child”)
• Nyoko (“treasure”)
• Sanyu (“happiness”)
• Shinju (“pearl”)

Funny Japanese Pet Names

These funny Japanese pet names pull from popular culture, cartoons and animals to describe different comical pet traits!

• Petto (“pet”)
• Nomi (“flea”)
• Abu (“horsefly”)
• Kawasaki (for a very fast pet!)
• Woowo
• Adzuki (“red bean”)
• Origami
• Sunao no (“obedient”)
• Usagi (“rabbit”)
• Soba
• Udon
• Sake
• Ramen
• Maju
• Tanuki (“raccoon dog”)
• Pokemon (“pocket monster”)
• Goku
• Black Jack
• Koi
• Choho (“butterfly”)
• Kaeru (“frog”)
• Kame (“turtle”)
• Totoro
• Sazae-san
• Kumaemon
• Crayon Shin-chan
• Hana Kappa
• Doraemon
• Pikachu
• Anpanman

Unique Japanese Pet Names

From sweet to sassy, old soul to young spirit, petite to powerful, these unique Japanese pet names can give you food for thought. Find the perfect name for your new furry, feathered, or scaled love here.

• Runa (“luna”)
• Sora (“sky”)
• Sakura (“flowering cherry tree”)
• Crea (“create”)
• Yuki (“snow”)
• Shiro (“white”; means blessings, sacred)
• Ame (“rain”)
• Ocha (Japanese traditional tea)
• Mizu (“water”)
• Midori (“green”; means growth, energy, youth)
• Ao (“blue”; means calmness, stability, femininity)
• Akemi (“bright and beautiful”)
• Mana (“love”)
• Hotaru (“firefly”)
• Rina (“jasmine”)
• Shika (“deer”)
• Ayame (“iris”)
• Suzu (“bell”)
• Satoko (“wise child”)
• Suzume (“sparrow”)
• Tatsu (“dragon”)
• Komainu (“lion-dog guard”)
• Rilakkuma (“bear in a relaxed mood”)
• Byakko (Japanese white tiger)
• Hinode (“sunrise”)
• Kodama (“spirit that lives in a tree”)
• Yosei (“fairy”)
• Yuki-Onna (“snow woman”)
• Hachiman (“god of warriors”)
• Benten (“goddess of good luck”)

Tough Japanese Pet Names

These tough Japanese pet names evoke the many different qualities of toughness in Japanese culture – bravery and courage, warrior skill and valor, strength and athleticism, fierceness and protectiveness.

• Taka (“peregrine”)
• Tani (“stand of glory”)
• Fuji (after Mt. Fuji)
• Tora (“tiger”)
• Honou(“flame”)
• Yuuki (“courage”)
• Riki (“strength”)
• Aka (“red”; means power, heat, vitality)
• Kuro (“black”; means powerful or foreboding)
• Akune (“fiery red”)
• Ryi (“dragon”)
• Katana (a type of sword)
• Samurai
• Kabuto (a type of armor)
• Sumo
• Sumi (“black ink”)
• Kokoro (“heart”)
• Wasabi
• Shojo
• Uesugi Kenshin (son of powerful warlord)
• Miyamoto Musashi (famous duelist and swordsmith school founder)
• Bushi (“warrior”)
• Kaigen (“dagger”)
• Naginata (“spear”)
• Sanada Yukimura (one of the greatest warriors)
• Yasuke (African slave turned Japanese samurai)
• Takeda Shingen (the “Tiger of Kai”)
• Oda Nobunaga (deeply respected samurai)
• Shogun
• Ninja

Fun Facts About Japanese Pet Names

Pet pups in Japan often lead a truly pampered life. From pet cafes where owners and their animals can dine together (at the same table but with two different menus!) to whole years dedicated to popular pet animals!

It can be very good to be a pet in Japan. Today, a staggering 21.3 million Japanese dogs and cats are sharing comfy couches with their people – approximately 4.8 million more pets than human children!

Which of These Names Is Your Favorite?

Congratulations on welcoming home your new pet! As you continue pondering Japanese pet names, you might just take another scan through these lists and pick out 5-10 favorite possible names. Then take a day or two to use each name casually here or there while playing with her. See if one name gets more of a reaction. That name may just be your pet’s new Japanese name!

When you do finally pick out a name you both love, please drop back by and post a comment to share the Japanese pet name you chose!

References and Resources

• Arita, E. (2010). Japan’s Love Affair with Cats and Dogs. The Japan Times.
• Wilson, S. (2017). W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most famous pet dogs in Japan. Sora News 24.
• Scott, G. (2018). Lucky and unlucky numbers in Japan. LinguaLift.
• Mathers, C. (2018). What Is the Meaning of Color in Japanese Culture? Classroom.
• Kanert, M. (2019). Japan’s 12 Most Famous Samurai. All About Japan.
• Abarquez, C. (2018). The Most Beautiful and Popular Japanese Actresses. Reel Rundown.
• Jordan, A. (2014). Pets Outnumber Children in Japan. Tokyo Weekender.