Looking for a name with grace, meaning, and a little mystique? These Japanese cat names are full of culture, charm, and character, just like your cat.
Japanese names often reflect nature, emotion, and beauty, making them a rich source of inspiration for cat naming. Many are short, lyrical, and packed with meaning; ideal for cats who deserve something a little more poetic than “Fluffy.”
In this A–Z list, you’ll find traditional favorites, cute food names, elegant nature picks, and even some mythological nods. Whether your cat is a zen master or a sushi-stealing goblin, there’s a name here that fits.
We also recommend you check out The Most Aesthetic Cat Names From A-Z for even more names that you haven’t thought of yet.
Aiko
Aiko means “beloved child” — sweet, soft, and perfect for an affectionate little shadow.
Adorable A Names
- Ame: Means “rain” — best for quiet, soft-coated cats
- Anzu: Means “apricot” — cute, round, and fruity
- Asahi: Means “morning sun” — for bright and energetic cats
- Aoi: Can mean “blue” or “hollyhock” — beautiful and minimal
Bento
Bento is a fun, food-inspired name — perfect for a cute, compartmentalized bundle of personality.
B Names with Flavor
- Botan: Means “peony” — bold and blooming
- Bonbon: A Japanese loanword for candy — works for sugar-sweet personalities
- Bara: Means “rose” — dramatic and elegant
- Basu: A stylized take on “bus” — fitting for chonky cats who park anywhere
Chibi
Chibi means “tiny” or “small” — an adorable choice for kittens or petite cats.
Charming C Names
- Chika: Means “scattered flowers” — ideal for graceful wanderers
- Choco: Short for “chocolate” — sweet and rich
- Chihiro: A name from Spirited Away — for a curious, brave soul
- Chisai: Literally means “small” — great for toy-sized gremlins
Dango
Dango is a Japanese rice dumpling — soft, round, and perfect for floofy loaf-mode cats.
Delightful D Names
- Daiki: Means “great glory” — best for proud, puffy cats
- Daiya: Means “great and enduring” — a name with quiet strength
- Doki: Onomatopoeia for a heartbeat — for the cat who makes yours race
- Dorayaki: A beloved sweet — great for golden or brown-toned cats
Eri
Eri means “blessing” or “gift” — a calm and lovely pick for peaceful cats.
Elegant E Names
- Enko: A fox spirit in folklore — mischievous and beautiful
- Ena: Can mean “gift from God” — gentle and serene
- Eiko: Means “glory” — works for graceful queens
- Emi: Means “beautiful smile” — perfect for friendly, bright-eyed kitties
Fuji
Fuji is an iconic name referencing both Mt. Fuji and the Fuji apple — strong, sweet, and distinctly Japanese.
Fantastic F Names
- Fuyu: Means “winter” — a crisp name for white or calm cats
- Fubuki: Means “snowstorm” — for chaotic white floofs
- Fumi: Can mean “history” or “writing” — great for calm, thoughtful types
- Fuwa: A cute sound word meaning “fluffy” — ideal for plush lap cats
Goma
Goma means “sesame” — short, cute, and a great name for a speckled cat.
Great G Names
- Gin: Means “silver” — ideal for grey or silvery-coated cats
- Giri: Can mean “duty” or “honor” — for serious, loyal cats
- Gure: Short for “grey” — simple and spot-on
- Gakki: Inspired by actress Yui Aragaki — works for playful, charming kitties
Hoshi
Hoshi means “star” — a gentle and glowing name for cats who light up the room.
Heavenly H Names
- Hana: Means “flower” — a top pick for beauty and grace
- Haru: Means “spring” — for energetic, soft-hearted cats
- Hikaru: Means “light” or “radiance” — fitting for golden or white cats
- Hotaru: Means “firefly” — for cats who appear suddenly, glow briefly, and disappear
Ichigo
Ichigo means “strawberry” — sweet, spunky, and just a little fruity.
Irresistible I Names
- Inari: A rice deity associated with foxes — a magical pick
- Isamu: Means “courage” — great for brave cats
- Iroha: Refers to the Japanese syllabary — a subtle, poetic choice
- Itsuki: Can mean “tree” — grounded and peaceful
Jiji
Jiji is the name of the black cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service — sarcastic, clever, and iconic.
Joyful J Names
- Jun: Can mean “pure” or “obedient” — ironically cute for mischievous cats
- Jouji: Japanese version of “George” — fun for fancy or goofy cats
- Juna: Smooth and short, with a peaceful sound
- Jirou: Means “second son” — fitting if he’s cat number two
Kiko
Kiko can mean “chronicle” or “hope” — light, lyrical, and perfect for a curious cat with quiet depth.
Kawaii and Classic K Names
- Kuma: Means “bear” — hilariously great for chunky cats
- Katsu: A crispy fried cutlet — ideal for golden-brown floofs
- Kimi: Can mean “noble” or “you” — elegant and sweet
- Kohaku: Means “amber” — a glowing name for warm-toned cats
Lumi
Lumi is a soft-sounding name borrowed from Japanese pop culture — cute and modern with cool-girl energy.
Luminous L Names
- Luna (Japanese context): Common in anime and magical girl series
- Lapis: For cats with gem-like eyes
- Lily: Often used in Japanese romaji naming for its soft, floral sound
- Lico: A stylized, unique-sounding choice with anime flair
Momo
Momo means “peach” — juicy, sweet, and perfect for a round little queen.
Magical M Names
- Mika: Means “beautiful fragrance” or “new moon” — sleek and elegant
- Midori: Means “green” — great for green-eyed cats
- Misaki: Means “beautiful blossom” or “cape bloom” — graceful and layered
- Maneki: As in maneki neko, the lucky cat statue — iconic and fun
Neko
Neko simply means “cat” — minimalist and undeniably cute.
Noteworthy N Names
- Nami: Means “wave” — perfect for calm, flowing movements
- Natsu: Means “summer” — fitting for warm and sunny cats
- Nori: Seaweed — sleek, dark, and tasty
- Nene: Soft and gentle, like a whisper of a name
Orin
Orin can mean “little bell” — dainty and melodic, great for cats with a delicate jingle collar.
Outstanding O Names
- Okami: Means “wolf” — powerful and mysterious
- Ocha: Means “tea” — warm, calming, and beloved
- Onigiri: A rice ball snack — perfect for cats with a triangle head or chaotic snacking habits
- Oto: Means “sound” — fitting for a vocal cat with a tiny voice
Pochi
Pochi is a classic Japanese pet name, sort of like “Spot” — ironically adorable for a spoiled, posh cat.
Playful P Names
- Ponzu: A citrusy soy sauce — tangy and perfect for spicy personalities
- Purin: Japanese pudding — soft and bouncy
- Peko: A cutesy sound name from anime and snack mascots
- Poppu: Derived from “pop” — fun, bubbly, and catchy
Rin
Rin is a modern favorite — can mean “dignified” or “cold” depending on the kanji — very on brand for cats.
Refined R Names
- Riko: Means “jasmine child” or “truth child” — sweet and smart
- Ruri: Refers to lapis lazuli — vivid and rare
- Rinako: A longer version of Rin with a softer sound
- Ramen: A name for the comfort-loving, slurp-demanding feline
Sora
Sora means “sky” — wide, calm, and filled with wonder. A perfect name for dreamy window watchers.
Soft and Sweet S Names
- Suki: Means “beloved” — affectionate and classic
- Sango: Means “coral” — a beautiful sea-inspired pick
- Shiori: Means “poem” or “bookmark” — delicate and thoughtful
- Sumire: Means “violet flower” — pretty and poetic
Tora
Tora means “tiger” — fierce and fantastic for striped cats or those who act like apex predators at dinner.
Tasteful T Names
- Takara: Means “treasure” — perfect for your most prized snuggler
- Tama: A classic cat name in Japan — simple, nostalgic, and super cute
- Tsuki: Means “moon” — lovely for night owls and soft gray coats
- Tanuki: A mythical raccoon-dog known for its mischief — great for weirdos
Umi
Umi means “sea” — vast, calm, and full of secrets (like your cat when she disappears under the couch for three hours).
Unique U Names
- Usagi: Means “rabbit” — ideal for soft, twitchy-tailed cats
- Uta: Means “song” — great for cats who meow in melody
- Udon: A chubby noodle name for a squishy, soft cat
- Uzume: A goddess of mirth and dance — playful and spirited
Vivi
Vivi is short, punchy, and cute — works beautifully for bubbly, high-energy cats.
Vibrant V Names (Japanese-influenced or stylized)
- Viera: Used in fantasy/anime settings — elegant and cool
- Vana: A poetic, feminine sound
- Viki: Light and lively, fits well in Japanese naming styles
- Viola: Romantic and classic, with international flair
Waka
Waka means “poem” — an artistic, minimalist name for a serene beauty.
Whimsical W Names
- Wasabi: Spicy and unforgettable — especially for fiery little cats
- Washi: Japanese paper — delicate and beautiful
- Wakana: Means “harmonious music” — a very peaceful choice
- Winkun: A soft, affectionate nickname-style name
Yuki
Yuki means “snow” — one of the most beloved and classic names in Japan. Cool, gentle, and perfect for white or soft-toned cats.
Youthful and Yummy Y Names
- Yume: Means “dream” — for floaty, sleepy cats
- Yuna: Soft and balanced, very popular in anime
- Yoshiko: Means “good child” — sweet and traditional
- Yaki: Refers to grilled food — spicy and fun
Zen
Zen is calm, clear, and perfect for cats who stare into space like they’re contemplating the void.
Z Names with Zing
- Zuki: A stylized version of Tsuki — short and sharp
- Zumo: Made-up but cute and playful
- Zazami: Inspired by wave-like sounds — rhythmic and cool
- Zeni: Old Japanese currency — great for treasure hunters
Japanese cat names have a beauty and depth that make them more than just a label — they’re a little poem, a soft sound, or a wink at your cat’s true nature. Whether your feline is fluffy and sweet like Mochi, bold like Tora, or as graceful as Sora, there’s a name here that captures their spirit.
