Japanese Cat Name Generator

Real Japanese words and names for cats

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Generate Japanese cat names from real words and given names: coat words with their meaning like Kuro (black) and Tora (tiger, a tabby), food names like Mugi (barley) and Kinako, nature and sky words like Sakura and Sora, plus given names, lucky names and a few labeled anime cats.

About Japanese cat names

Apart from a few anime cats, every entry here is a real Japanese word or given name, and most words carry a short English meaning in parentheses. Japanese owners often name a cat after its looks or after something on the table, so food is the largest group, with coat words beside it. Kuro is black, Shiro white, Tora a tiger-striped tabby and Buchi a patched cat, while Mike, the word for a calico, is said mee-keh. From the kitchen come Mugi (barley), Kinako (roasted soy flour), Azuki (red bean), Daifuku and Mikan.

Around them are season and nature words such as Sakura, Haru and Kaede, sky words such as Sora, Hoshi and Tsuki, and character words such as Chibi (tiny), Genki (lively) and Amaenbo (cuddle seeker). Luck and folklore give Maneki, Fuku and Nekomata, and a small group of anime cats is labeled with its series, from Jiji to Nyanko-sensei. Tama, the classic cat name, was also the name of the calico station master of Kishi Station in Wakayama.

Names are written in Hepburn romanization without long-vowel marks, the way pet names usually appear in English: Taro, Kotaro, Yuzu. Given names such as Kenji, Nana and Koharu have no meaning attached, because a Japanese given name means different things depending on the characters used to write it.

How to choose Japanese cat names

  • Pronounce every vowel, and keep each one short. A final e is sounded, so Mike is mee-keh, Ume is oo-meh and Kage is kah-geh.
  • Pick the coat word that matches your cat: Kuro for black, Shiro for white, Chatora for an orange tabby, Kijitora for a brown tabby, Sabi for a tortoiseshell and Hachiware for a bicolor face.
  • Two and three syllable names are the easiest to call. For a long one, keep the first two beats and add chan, the affectionate ending: Hinatabokko becomes Hina-chan and Katsuobushi becomes Katsu-chan.
  • Food names work well in pairs for two cats: Azuki and Kinako, Goma and Shio, Matcha and Hojicha, Wasabi and Gari.
  • If the meaning matters to you, look the word up in a Japanese dictionary before you settle on it. Some sounds have more than one meaning: Ame is rain or candy, and Hana is flower or nose.

Frequently asked questions

What are common cat names in Japan?

Tama is the traditional one, and short food and nature words are familiar choices, such as Mugi (barley), Momo (peach), Kinako (roasted soy flour), Sora (sky), Rin and Maru (round). Coat names are just as usual: Kuro for a black cat, Shiro for a white one, Tora for a tabby and Mike for a calico.

What does neko mean, and which names use it?

Neko is the Japanese word for cat, and Koneko is a kitten. The list includes Kuroneko (black cat), Shironeko (white cat), Mikeneko (calico cat) and Toraneko (tabby cat), along with Nekomata and Bakeneko, the cat spirits of folklore, and Nekojarashi, the grass used as a cat teaser.

Which anime cats are in the list?

Eighteen entries are cats from anime and manga, each labeled with its series: Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service), Luna, Artemis and Diana (Sailor Moon), Chi (Chi's Sweet Home), Baron and Muta (The Cat Returns), Kirara (Inuyasha) and Nyanko-sensei (Natsume's Book of Friends) among them. Every other entry is an ordinary word or given name.

What are lucky Japanese names for a cat?

Maneki comes from maneki-neko, the beckoning cat figure that shops keep for good fortune, and Koban is the gold coin it holds. Fuku (good fortune), Daikichi (great luck), Kotobuki and Omamori (lucky charm) are in the same spirit, and Gotokuji is a Tokyo temple known for its beckoning cats.

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All 500 Japanese cat names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 22 names

  • Abarenbo (rowdy one)
  • Ai
  • Aibo (partner)
  • Aiko
  • Akari (lamplight)
  • Aki (autumn)
  • Akira
  • Akubi (yawn)
  • Amaenbo (cuddle seeker)
  • Amanogawa (Milky Way)
  • Amazake (sweet rice drink)
  • Ame (rain, or candy)
  • Aniki (big brother)
  • Anko (sweet bean paste)
  • Anmitsu (jelly and bean dessert)
  • Anpan (bean bun)
  • Anzu (apricot)
  • Aoi
  • Aoshima (a cat island)
  • Arigato (thank you)
  • Artemis (Sailor Moon)
  • Azuki (red bean)

B: 15 names

  • Bakeneko (shape-shifting cat)
  • Baku (dream eater)
  • Bancho (schoolyard boss)
  • Baron (The Cat Returns)
  • Benkei
  • Benten (goddess of music and luck)
  • Bento (boxed lunch)
  • Bijin (a beauty)
  • Bikkuri (surprise)
  • Biwa (loquat)
  • Bonsai
  • Botan (peony)
  • Botchan (young master)
  • Buchi (patches)
  • Budo (grape)

C: 12 names

  • Carla (Fairy Tail)
  • Chairo (brown)
  • Chatora (orange tabby)
  • Chi (Chi's Sweet Home)
  • Chibi (tiny)
  • Chihiro
  • Chiisai (small)
  • Chikuwa (fish cake)
  • Chiyo
  • Chobi (a little bit)
  • Chochin (paper lantern)
  • Chocho (butterfly)

D: 16 names

  • Daidai (bitter orange)
  • Daifuku (stuffed rice cake)
  • Daiki
  • Daikichi (great luck)
  • Daikoku (god of wealth)
  • Daikon (radish)
  • Daisuke
  • Daisuki (love you lots)
  • Dango (rice dumplings)
  • Danna (master of the house)
  • Daruma (wishing doll)
  • Dashi (soup stock)
  • Dekai (huge)
  • Diana (Sailor Moon)
  • Dokidoki (heart pounding)
  • Dorayaki (pancake sandwich)

E: 8 names

  • Ebi (shrimp)
  • Ebisu (god of good fortune)
  • Edamame (green soybeans)
  • Egao (smile)
  • Ema (wishing plaque)
  • Emi
  • Engawa (veranda)
  • Enoki (mushroom)

F: 8 names

  • Fuji (wisteria)
  • Fuku (good fortune)
  • Fukuro (owl)
  • Futago (twins)
  • Futon
  • Fuwa (soft and airy)
  • Fuwafuwa (light and fluffy)
  • Fuyu (winter)

G: 14 names

  • Ganko (stubborn)
  • Gari (pickled ginger)
  • Genki (lively)
  • Genta
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Gin (silver)
  • Ginnan (ginkgo nut)
  • Gohan (rice, a meal)
  • Goma (sesame)
  • Gomashio (salt-and-pepper)
  • Gonta
  • Goro
  • Gorogoro (purring)
  • Gotokuji (the lucky cat temple)

H: 37 names

  • Hachi (eight)
  • Hachimitsu (honey)
  • Hachiware (split-face bicolor)
  • Haiiro (gray)
  • Haiku
  • Hako (box)
  • Hana (flower)
  • Hanabi (fireworks)
  • Hanako
  • Hanpen (fluffy fish cake)
  • Hanzo
  • Happa (leaf)
  • Happy (Fairy Tail)
  • Hare (clear weather)
  • Haru (spring)
  • Haruto
  • Hasu (lotus)
  • Hatsuyume (first dream of the year)
  • Hayai (fast)
  • Hayato
  • Hidamari (patch of sun)
  • Hige (whiskers)
  • Hikari (light)
  • Hikaru
  • Himawari (sunflower)
  • Hime (princess)
  • Himo (string)
  • Hinata (sunny spot)
  • Hinatabokko (basking in the sun)
  • Hiro
  • Hirune (nap)
  • Hiyoko (chick)
  • Hiyori (fine weather)
  • Hojicha (roasted green tea)
  • Hoshi (star)
  • Hotaru (firefly)
  • Hotei (the laughing god)

I: 11 names

  • Ichigo (strawberry)
  • Ichiro
  • Ika (squid)
  • Ikebana (flower arranging)
  • Ikigai (reason for being)
  • Ikura (salmon roe)
  • Inari (rice god served by foxes)
  • Inemuri (dozing off)
  • Issun (one inch, the tiny hero)
  • Itazura (mischief)
  • Izumi (spring of water)

J: 3 names

  • Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)
  • Jiro
  • Jun

K: 91 names

  • Kabocha (pumpkin)
  • Kabosu (green citrus)
  • Kaede (maple)
  • Kage (shadow)
  • Kagi (hook, a kinked tail)
  • Kaguya (the moon princess)
  • Kaito
  • Kaki (persimmon)
  • Kamaboko (fish cake)
  • Kame (turtle)
  • Kamineko (Azumanga Daioh)
  • Kappa (river imp)
  • Karaage (fried chicken)
  • Karasu (crow)
  • Karinto (brown sugar snack)
  • Kasa (umbrella)
  • Kashikoi (clever)
  • Kasumi (haze)
  • Katsu (cutlet)
  • Katsuo (bonito)
  • Katsuobushi (dried bonito)
  • Kawa (river)
  • Kawaii (cute)
  • Kazahana (snow flurries)
  • Kaze (wind)
  • Kazuma
  • Keiko
  • Kendama (cup and ball toy)
  • Kenji
  • Kenta

K, continued

  • Kezukuroi (grooming)
  • Kiji (pheasant, a brown tabby)
  • Kijitora (brown tabby)
  • Kiku (chrysanthemum)
  • Kimagure (whimsical)
  • Kimono
  • Kin (gold)
  • Kinako (roasted soy flour)
  • Kingyo (goldfish)
  • Kinoko (mushroom)
  • Kintaro (the Golden Boy)
  • Kintsugi (gold-mended pottery)
  • Kirakira (sparkling)
  • Kirara (Inuyasha)
  • Kirei (pretty)
  • Kiri (mist)
  • Kirin (mythical beast)
  • Kitsune (fox)
  • Koban (gold coin)
  • Kodama (tree spirit)
  • Kogecha (dark brown)
  • Koguma (bear cub)
  • Kohaku (amber)
  • Koharu
  • Koi (carp)
  • Koishi (pebble)
  • Kojiro
  • Kokeshi (wooden doll)
  • Kokoro (heart)
  • Koma (spinning top)

K, continued

  • Komainu (shrine guardian)
  • Komorebi (sunlight through leaves)
  • Komugi (wheat)
  • Konbu (kelp)
  • Koneko (kitten)
  • Korin (Dragon Ball)
  • Korokke (croquette)
  • Korokoro (rolling about)
  • Kosho (pepper)
  • Kosuke
  • Kotaro
  • Kotatsu (heated table)
  • Kotetsu
  • Koto (zither)
  • Kotobuki (long life and joy)
  • Kotora (little tiger)
  • Kotori (little bird)
  • Kowagari (scaredy-cat)
  • Koyuki (light snow)
  • Kuishinbo (food lover)
  • Kuma (bear)
  • Kumo (cloud)
  • Kuri (chestnut)
  • Kuro (black)
  • Kurogoma (black sesame)
  • Kuromame (black soybean)
  • Kuroneko (black cat)
  • Kurozato (brown sugar)
  • Kurumi (walnut)
  • Kutsushita (socks)
  • Kyo (Fruits Basket)

L: 1 name

  • Luna (Sailor Moon)

M: 44 names

  • Madara (dappled)
  • Maguro (tuna)
  • Mai
  • Majime (earnest)
  • Makoto
  • Mame (bean)
  • Maneki (beckoning)
  • Manju (steamed bun)
  • Manmaru (perfectly round)
  • Maru (round)
  • Mashiro (pure white)
  • Matatabi (silver vine)
  • Matcha (powdered green tea)
  • Matsu (pine)
  • Matsuri (festival)
  • Medaka (rice fish)
  • Mei
  • Midori (green)
  • Mii (a kitten's mew)
  • Mika
  • Mikan (mandarin orange)
  • Mikazuki (crescent moon)

M, continued

  • Mike (calico, say mee-keh)
  • Mikeneko (calico cat)
  • Miko (shrine maiden)
  • Mio
  • Misaki
  • Miso
  • Mitarashi (sweet soy glaze)
  • Mitsu (honey, nectar)
  • Miu
  • Mochi (rice cake)
  • Mofu (fluffy)
  • Mofumofu (very fluffy)
  • Momiji (autumn leaves)
  • Momo (peach)
  • Momoko
  • Momotaro (the Peach Boy)
  • Monaka (wafer sweet)
  • Mori (forest)
  • Mugi (barley)
  • Mugicha (barley tea)
  • Musashi
  • Muta (The Cat Returns)

N: 35 names

  • Nabe (hot pot)
  • Nagareboshi (shooting star)
  • Nakayoshi (good friends)
  • Nakimushi (crybaby)
  • Nami (wave)
  • Nana
  • Nashi (pear)
  • Natsu (summer)
  • Natsuki
  • Natto (fermented soybeans)
  • Nebosuke (sleepyhead)
  • Neko (cat)
  • Nekobasu (the Catbus, My Neighbor Totoro)
  • Nekojarashi (cat teaser grass)
  • Nekojita (cat tongue)
  • Nekomata (fork-tailed cat spirit)
  • Nekoyanagi (pussy willow)
  • Nekoze (cat's back, a slouch)
  • Nemu (sleepy)
  • Nezumi (mouse)
  • Niboshi (dried sardines)
  • Niji (rainbow)
  • Nikoniko (smiling)
  • Nikukyu (paw pads)
  • Ninja
  • Ninjin (carrot)
  • Nitama (second Tama)
  • Nobi (a good stretch)
  • Nonbiri (easygoing)
  • Nonki (carefree)
  • Nora (stray)
  • Nori (seaweed)
  • Nyan (meow)
  • Nyanko (kitty)
  • Nyanko-sensei (Natsume's Book of Friends)

O: 23 names

  • Oban (large gold coin)
  • Obi (kimono sash)
  • Ocha (tea)
  • Oden (winter stew)
  • Ohagi (bean-coated rice cake)
  • Ohayo (good morning)
  • Oimo (sweet potato)
  • Oji (prince)
  • Okaeri (welcome home)
  • Okaka (bonito flakes)
  • Okashi (sweets)
  • Okayu (rice porridge)
  • Okii (big)
  • Okome (rice)
  • Okorinbo (little grump)
  • Omamori (lucky charm)
  • Omikuji (fortune slip)
  • Onigiri (rice ball)
  • Origami (folded paper)
  • Oshare (stylish)
  • Otenba (tomboy)
  • Oyabun (boss)
  • Oyasumi (good night)

P: 7 names

  • Pikapika (shiny)
  • Pocha (chubby)
  • Ponzu (citrus sauce)
  • Poyo (Poyopoyo)
  • Punipuni (squishy)
  • Purin (custard pudding)
  • Pyon (hop)

R: 14 names

  • Ramen
  • Ran (orchid)
  • Ren
  • Rentaro
  • Riko
  • Riku
  • Rin
  • Rina
  • Ringo (apple)
  • Risu (squirrel)
  • Ronin (masterless samurai)
  • Ryo
  • Ryoma
  • Ryu (dragon)

S: 53 names

  • Saba (mackerel, a gray tabby)
  • Sabatora (silver tabby)
  • Sabi (rust, a tortoiseshell)
  • Saburo
  • Sakamoto (Nichijou)
  • Saki
  • Sakura (cherry blossom)
  • Sakurako
  • Samurai
  • Sansho (Japanese pepper)
  • Sarasara (silky)
  • Sasuke
  • Satsuki
  • Sayuri
  • Senbazuru (a thousand cranes)
  • Senbei (rice cracker)
  • Senpai (senior)
  • Sensei (teacher)
  • Sensu (folding fan)
  • Shiawase (happiness)
  • Shichimi (seven-spice)
  • Shiitake
  • Shima (stripes)
  • Shimo (frost)
  • Shintaro
  • Shio (salt)

S, continued

  • Shippo (tail)
  • Shirasu (whitebait)
  • Shiratama (white rice dumpling)
  • Shirayuki (white snow)
  • Shiro (white)
  • Shirogoma (white sesame)
  • Shironeko (white cat)
  • Shishi (guardian lion)
  • Shizuka (quiet)
  • Shizuku (droplet)
  • Sho
  • Shogun
  • Shoyu (soy sauce)
  • Shun
  • Soba (buckwheat noodles)
  • Sora (sky)
  • Sota
  • Subaru (the Pleiades)
  • Sudachi (green citrus)
  • Suika (watermelon)
  • Sukiyaki
  • Sumi (ink, charcoal)
  • Sumo
  • Sushi
  • Suzu (bell)
  • Suzume (sparrow)
  • Suzuran (lily of the valley)

T: 49 names

  • Tabi (split-toe socks)
  • Tadaima (I'm home)
  • Tai (sea bream)
  • Taiko (drum)
  • Taisho (boss, general)
  • Taiyaki (fish-shaped cake)
  • Taiyo (sun)
  • Takara (treasure)
  • Take (bamboo)
  • Takenoko (bamboo shoot)
  • Takeshi
  • Taki (waterfall)
  • Tako (octopus)
  • Takoyaki (octopus balls)
  • Takuan (pickled radish)
  • Tama (ball, jewel)
  • Tamago (egg)
  • Tamagoyaki (rolled omelet)
  • Tamaki
  • Tamako
  • Tanabata (star festival)
  • Tanpopo (dandelion)
  • Tanuki (raccoon dog)
  • Taro

T, continued

  • Tashiro (from a cat island)
  • Tatami
  • Temari (handball toy)
  • Tempura
  • Tengu (mountain goblin)
  • Tereya (shy one)
  • Teriyaki
  • Tofu
  • Tomodachi (friend)
  • Tomoko
  • Tonbo (dragonfly)
  • Tono (lord)
  • Tora (tiger, a tabby)
  • Toraneko (tabby cat)
  • Torii (shrine gate)
  • Toro (fatty tuna)
  • Tsubaki (camellia)
  • Tsuki (moon)
  • Tsukimi (moon viewing)
  • Tsukune (chicken meatball)
  • Tsundere (cold, then sweet)
  • Tsuru (crane)
  • Tsuyatsuya (glossy)
  • Tsuyoi (strong)
  • Tsuyu (dew)

U: 8 names

  • Uchiwa (round fan)
  • Udon
  • Ume (Japanese plum)
  • Umeboshi (pickled plum)
  • Umi (sea)
  • Unagi (eel)
  • Uni (sea urchin)
  • Usagi (rabbit)

W: 7 names

  • Wabi (quiet simplicity)
  • Wagamama (willful)
  • Wakame (seaweed)
  • Wakuwaku (excited)
  • Wanpaku (mischievous)
  • Wasabi
  • Wata (cotton)

Y: 19 names

  • Yakiimo (roasted sweet potato)
  • Yama (mountain)
  • Yamabuki (golden yellow)
  • Yancha (naughty)
  • Yasashii (gentle)
  • Yokan (bean jelly)
  • Yokozuna (sumo grand champion)
  • Yomogi (mugwort)
  • Yoru (night)
  • Yoruichi (Bleach)
  • Yui
  • Yukata (summer kimono)
  • Yuki (snow)
  • Yukiko
  • Yume (dream)
  • Yumi
  • Yuna
  • Yuri (lily)
  • Yuzu (citrus)

Z: 3 names

  • Zabuton (floor cushion)
  • Zen
  • Zenzai (sweet bean soup)