100 Adorable Japanese Cat Names You’ll LOVE
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History suggest that cats have played an important role in Japanese culture and society, hence the number of shrines and temples dedicated to cats in the country.
First introduced to Japan around 500 A.D., cats instantly proved their worth as guardians of Buddhist temple manuscripts.
Since cats are considered good luck in the Japanese culture, it makes sense for cat lovers to choose a Japanese name. Read below for featured traditional Japanese names and their meanings.
Japanese Cat Names
| NAME | MEANING |
| AI | “Love” (female) |
| AIKIDO | Japanese martial arts |
| AKEMI | “Bright / Beautiful” (female) |
| AKI | Aki Hoshino, model |
| AKIHIRO | “Great brightness” (male) |
| AYAME | “Iris” |
| AYUMU | “Vision” (male) |
| BONSAI | Japanese art form using miniature tress grown in containers |
| CHIE | “Wisdom / Intelligent” (female) |
| CHO | “Butterfly” (female) |
| CHOPSTICKS | Popular eating utensil |
| DAI | “Large” (male) |
| DAIKI | “Great nobility” (male) |
| EMI | “Beautiful blessing” (female) |
| FUJI | Mount Fuji, highest mountain in Japan |
| GEISHA | Female Japanese entertainer (classical music and dance) |
| GODZILLA | 1954 sci-fi film |
| HARU | “Spring” (season) (female) |
| HARUKI | “Shining sun” (male) |
| HAYATE | “Smooth” (male) |
| HIBIKI | “Sound / Echo” (male) |
| HIKARI | “Light / Radiance” (female) |
| HIROMI | “Generous beauty” (female) |
| ISUZU | Japanese made car |
| IZUMI | “Spring” (female) |
| JIMMU | Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan |
| JITO | Empress Jito, (was the third empress regnant of Japan) |
| JUDO | Japanese martial arts |
| JUJUTSU | Japanese martial arts |
| JUNKO | “Pure” (female) |
| KAORI | “Perfume” (female) |
| KATSU | “Victory” (male) |
| KAZUMI | “Harmonious beauty” (female) |
| KENDO | Japanese sword-fighting |
| KENJI | “Strong” (male) |
| KENTA | “Large / Strong / Healthy” (male) |
| KIMI | “Noble” (female) |
| KIYOSHI | “Purity” (male) |
| KOKORO | “Soul / Heart” (female) |
| KOUKI | “Light / Hope” (male) |
| LEXUS | Japanese made car |
| MAI | “Dance”(female) |
| MASA | “True” (male) |
| MASAAKI | “Pleasing brightness” (male) |
| MASAKO | Crown Princess Masako (wife of heir to Japanese throne) |
| MATSURI | Meaning “festival or holiday” |
| MAYU | “True gentle” (female) |
| MI | “Beautiful” (female) |
| MICHIKO | Empress Michiko (consort to Emperor Akihito) |
| MIKI | Miki Ando, 2x world champion figure skater |
| MINORU | “Truth” (male) |
| MIO | “Beautiful cherry blossom” (female) |
| MITSUO | “Shining hero” (male) |
| MOCHI | Rice cake |
| NANAMI | “Seven seas” (female) |
| NAO | “Honest”(female) |
| NATSUMI | “Beautiful summer” (female) |
| NIKKEI | Japanese Stock Exchange |
| NINJA | Marital arts expert |
| NIPPON | Native name for Japan |
| NORI | “To rule” (male) |
| OSAKA | Third largest city in Japan |
| OSAMU | “Disciplined / Studious” (male) |
| REI | “Lovely” (female) |
| REN | “Love” (male) |
| RIKO | “Child of truth” (female) |
| RIN | “Dignified” (female) |
| RINA | “Jasmine” (female) |
| RYO | “Refreshing / Cool” (male) |
| SAKAI | City in Japan |
| SAKE | Popular alcoholic beverage (pronounced saki) |
| SAKI | “Blossom of Hope” (female) |
| SAMURAI | Japanese warrior |
| SATOSHI | “Wise” (male) |
| SETSUKO | “Melody child” (female) |
| SHIZUKA | Shizuka Arakawa, first Japanese skater to win Olympic gold |
| SHOGUN | Military leader |
| SHUJI | “Disciplined” (male) |
| SONY | Japanese conglomerate company |
| SUMO | National sport |
| SUSHI | Popular cuisine |
| SUZU | “Bell” (female) |
| SUZUKA | Suzuka Morita, model and actress |
| SUZUKI | Japanese made motorbike |
| TADAO | “Loyal” (male) |
| TADASHI | “Faithful / Loyal” (male) |
| TAIKI | “Shine” (male) |
| TAKAHIRO | “Great value” (male) |
| TAKARA | “Treasure” (female) |
| TAKASHI | “Noble” (male) |
| TAKESHI | “Fierce warrior” (male) |
| TAKI | Rentaro Taki, composer |
| TAMIKO | “Child of many beauties” (female) |
| TOKYO | Capital of Japan |
| TOMIO | “Wealth” (male) |
| TOMOKO | “Intellect” (female) |
| TOMOMI | “Beautiful friend” (female) |
| TOSHI | Princess Toshi, daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito |
| YAMATO | “Great harmony” (male) |
| YASHIMA | Yashima Norito, actor |
| YASU | “Peace” (male) |
| YASUKO | “Child of peace” (female) |
| YASUSHI | “Peaceful” (male) |
| YOKO | Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon |
| YOKOHAMA | Second largest city in Japan |
| YORI | “Trust” (male) |
| YOSHIE | Yoshie Hayasaka, singer and actress |
| YOSHIO | “Joyful life”(male) |
| YUA | “Binding love” (female) |
| YUKA | “Gentle flower” (female) |
| YUKI | Yuki Sato, actor |
| YUMI | Yumi Asou, actress |
| YURIKO | “Lily child” (female) |
| YUUMA | “Gentle” (male) |
| YUZUKI | “Gentle moon” (male) |
Conclusion
Japanese cat names are an excellent choice for your cat or new kitten, especially if you are searching for a unique meaning. Whether you or your cat have Japanese heritage, a Japanese name will be a perfect fit.
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