Well, Hello Kitty! 120+ Japanese Cat Names for Your New Feline Friend

Popular Japanese cat names with meanings are rather easy to come by. If you could relive your existence as a cat, the 'Land of the Rising Sun' is the place to be! Japan has numerous neko-shima (cat islands) with large cat colonies. According to All About Japan, many of these cats were raised by resident fishermen or brought in to help control rodent populations around silkworm operations. Humans in these areas are ardent caretakers of the free-roaming felines.

The country also honors its felines with abundant neko kafe (cat cafes). The first reported cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998, but Mental Floss states they "really took off when they made their way to Japan." In Nippon (the Japanese name for the country), many rental residents have pet restrictions, so cat cafes allow them to socialize and even work among friendly kitties.

Two of the most popular Japanese cat breeds are the Kurilian bobtail, which hails from neighboring Russia, and the Japanese bobtail. Both have—you guessed it!—adorable bobbed-tails, which make their fuzzy bums look almost like rabbits.

Honor their heritage by giving your new fluffball an appropriate Japanese cat name. Below are aidea (ideas).

Popular Japanese Cat Names

What's trendy? What's fun? Here are some top namae (names) that might be purrfect for your kitten or cat.

• Adzuki (red bean)
  
• Fuku (lucky)
• Fuwafuwa (fluffy)
• Haruki (spring child)
• Kenzo (wise one)
• Momo (peach)
• Nyan (meow)
  
• Sota (big or thick)
  
• Tadeo (loyal)
• Taro (eldest son or boy)
• Yoshi (good or good luck)
• Yuki (good fortune)
• Yuuma (leisurely)
  

Japanese Names for White Cats

Here are some creative ways to reference your yukidama (snowball) kitty inspired by everything from nature to food!

• Hakahu (white crane)
• Kaiko (silkworm)
• Kumo (cloud)
  
• Mashumaro (marshmallow)
  
• Raisupati (rice patty)
• Shinju (pearl)
• Shirasagi (white egret)
  
• Shiroi or shiroi neko (white or white cat)
• Tofu (block of condensed soy milk)
• Ume no hana (plum blossom)
• Wata no kyū (cottonball)
• Yuki (snow)
• Yukigafuru (snowy or full snow)

Japanese Black Cat Names

Let your mind wander to come up with a unique black cat name. For example, if you respect ninjutsu (the art of the ninja) and your kitty is suterusu (stealthy), you're onto something!

• Daku (also dark)
  
• Hai (ashes)
  
• Kage (shadow)
  
• Karasu (raven)
• Kazan (volcano)
• Kuromai (black rice)
• Kuro neko (black cat)
  
• Kyoho (dark grapes)
• Makkuro (inky)
• Mayonaka (midnight)
  
• Sumōkī (smoky)
• Yami (dark)

Cutest Japanese Cat Names

The Japanese have a special term for something adorable, tiny, or lovable: kawaii. Merriam-Webster defines it as "the cute aesthetic—with its bold, nearly cartoon-like lines and rounded forms—informs a large segment of Japanese popular culture." You're probably most familiar with kawaii if you've seen characters such as Hello Kitty or Pusheen. Does your amai mafin (sweet muffin) fit this category? If so, one of these names might be a great fit!

• Aiko (little love)
• Akachan (baby)
• Chibi (small child)
• Chiisai (small)
• Chika (scattered flowers)
• Chisai tori (little bird)
• Chīsana (pocket-size)
• Doki doki (excited)
• Fuji (unique)
• Kei (style)
• Kichōna (precious)
• Kirei (pretty)
• Koro (roly-poly)
  
• Maru (round)
• Mei (sprout)
  
• Shuga (sugar)
  
• Suitopi (sweet pea flower)
  

Female Japanese Cat Names

Your girl cat can be both fierce and beautiful! Call out a few of these monikers to see what makes her trill, "Yes? Me?"

• Akari (light)
• Bashira (joyful)
• Chiyo (thousand generations or world)
• Danuja (a ruler)
• Eiji (cheerful)
• Haia (nimble)
• Hana (flower)
• Himari (light and love)
• Kiyo (pure)
• Makoto (true)
• Mio (beautiful)
• Nakano (warrior)
• Riki (strength)
• Sara (vivid blossom)
  
• Yamato (great harmony)
• Yua (binding love and affection)
  

Male Japanese Cat Names

Giving your special boy cat a Japanese name—or even a nickname!—that describes his spirit and personality is a terrific choice.

• Akio (hero)
• Benjiro (enjoys peace)
• Hiroshi (generous)
• Hitoshi (even-tempered)
• Ichiro (first son)
• Katoro (small boy)
• Kento (happiness)
• Kimi (noble)
• Masanori (model of justice)
• Ryuu (dragon)
• Senshi (warrior)
• Shohei (respect)
• Tadaaki (faithful light)
• Taeko (brave)
• Tatsuki (honor)
  
• Toshiro (talented)
  

Cat Names Inspired by Famous Japanese Celebrities

Adorn your kitty with some extra pizzazz with a name from one of these social and mass media tarento (talents).

• Haruna (former pop idol, current Instagram influencer)
• Masami (TV, movie, and voice actress)
• Mokomichi (model, actor, and author)
• Naomi (comedian, celebrity impersonator, and actress)
  
• Nozomi (singer and model)
• Rola (the face of gyaru fashion)
  
• Takashi (filmmaker)
  
• Toma (TV and film actor)
  

Nature-Inspired Japanese Cat Names

An important aspect of Japanese culture is to "appreciate the presence of life in all aspects of nature," according to The University of Tokyo. Bond with your kitty and her beautiful surroundings with one of these Japanese cat names.

• Aito (sea or ocean)
• Amaya (night rain)
• Cho or Chou (butterfly or butterflies)
• Daichi (from the earth)
• Haru (sunlight)
• Hoshi (star)
• Hotaru (firefly)
  
• Kawa (river)
• Kuuki (air)
• Nami (wave)
• Ohisama or Taiyou (sun)
  
• Rina (jasmine)
• Mori (forest)
• Rini (little bunny)
• Sakura (cherry blossoms)
  
• Shino (bamboo stalk)
• Sora (sky)
• Taki (waterfall)
  
• Tsuki (moon)
• Uchuu (the cosmos)
• Yuri (lily)
  

Unusual Japanese Cat Names

You know your kitty is unique. These options give you a chance to express her individuality.

• Ichika (gift)
• Kanaye (zealous one)
  
• Kaori (fragrant beautiful girl)
  
• Kisho (one who knows his own mind)
• Miami (smiling with truth)
• Nen (deep hope)
• Setsuko (temperate child)
• Shiori (guide)
• Tamako (precious stone)
• Teru or Teruma (true illumination)
• Toshiko (alert and valued child)