Whether you're of Japanese ancestry, your dog is a breed that originates in Japan, or you just appreciate honoring all things Land of the Rising Sun, you may have considered choosing from a list of Japanese dog names for your dog. Like any name, finding the right Japanese name to give to your dog will likely depend on your dog's personality and your relationship with each other.
We've compiled a long list of Japanese names that may include the perfect name for your dog. If you don't speak Japanese, scroll down for some name meanings that just might capture the exact essence of your new canine pal.
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Unique Japanese names for male dogs
For the bounding boy in your life, this list of unique Japanese names for male dogs is full of excellent options to consider.
- Aki
- Akihiro
- Akio
- Arata
- Atsushi
- Ayumu
- Dai
- Daiki
- Daisuke
- Eiji
- Fumio
- Haruki
- Haruto
- Hayate
- Hibiki
- Hideki
- Hideo
- Hikaru
- Hinata
- Hiraku
- Hiroaki
- Hiroki
- Hiroshi
- Hiroyuki
- Hitoshi
- Hotaka
- Ichiro
- Isamu
- Itsuki
- Jiro
- Junichi
- Kaede
- Kaito
- Kaoru
- Katashi
- Kenichi
- Kenji
- Kenshin
- Kenta
- Kichiro
- Kiyoshi
- Kouta
- Kunio
- Kyo
- Madoka
- Makoto
- Masa
- Masaaki
- Masaki
- Masaru
- Masashi
- Masato
- Masayoshi
- Masayuki
- Masumi
- Michi
- Michio
- Mitsuo
- Mitsuru
- Naoki
- Noboru
- Nori
- Norio
- Osamu
- Rakuro
- Ren
- Riku
- Rikuto
- Ryo
- Ryoichi
- Ryota
- Satoshi
- Shinji
- Shinobu
- Shiro
- Sho
- Shouta
- Susumo
- Tadao
- Tadashi
- Taichi
- Takahiro
- Takayuki
- Takumi
- Tamotsu
- Taro
- Toshiaki
- Yamato
- Yasushi
- Yori
- Yoshio
- Yoshiro
- Yoshito
- Yoshito
- Yosu
- Youta
- Yuji
- Yukio
Stunning Japanese female dog names
This lengthy list of Japanese female dog names has so many fitting possibilities for your new furry friend.
- Aiko
- Airi
- Akemi
- Akiko
- Akira
- Asami
- Asuka
- Ayame
- Ayano
- Ceiko
- Chika
- Chiyo
- Chiyoko
- Emi
- Emiko
- Eri
- Fumiko
- Hana
- Hanako
- Haru
- Haruko
- Haruna
- Hashiko
- Hideko
- Hikari
- Hino
- Hiro
- Hiroko
- Hiromi
- Hisako
- Hitomi
- Honoka
- Hotaru
- Izumi
- Kamiko
- Katsumi
- Kazuko
- Kazumi
- Keiko
- Kiko
- Kimiko
- Kiyomi
- Kumiko
- Kyo
- Kyoko
- Madoka
- Maiko
- Maki
- Makoto
- Mami
- Manami
- Mao
- Mariko
- Masa
- Masumi
- Mayumi
- Meiko
- Michi
- Michiko
- Midori
- Miho
- Mika
- Miki
- Miku
- Minako
- Minori
- Mio
- Misaki
- Mitsuko
- Mitsura
- Miwa
- Miyako
- Miyu
- Momoka
- Moriko
- Nana
- Nanami
- Nao
- Naoko
- Naomi
- Natsuki
- Natsumi
- Noboku
- Noriko
- Ren
- Rika
- Riko
- Rin
- Rina
- Rio
- Ryoko
- Sachiko
- Saki
- Sakura
- Satoko
- Satomi
- Shika
- Shiori
- Shizuka
- Shizuko
- Sora
- Sumiko
- Suzu
- Suzume
- Takako
- Tamiko
- Teruko
- Tomiko
- Tomomi
- Toshiko
- Umeko
- Wakana
- Yasu
- Yasuko
- Yoshi
- Yoshie
- Yoshiko
- Yua
- Yui
- Yuina
- Yuka
- Yukari
- Yuki
- Yukiko
- Yuko
- Yumi
- Yumiko
- Yuri
- Yuriko
- Yuuna
Japanese dog names and their meanings
Choosing a name for your dog says a lot about their personality, and choosing from a list of Japanese dog names and their meanings can help you find the best fit for your canine companion.
- Akira - Bright
- Haru - Spring
- Hiro - Generous
- Hoshi - Star
- Katsu - Victory
- Kimi - She Who Is Without Equal
- Mai - Dance
- Mana - Spirit
- Mi - Beautiful
- Nao - Love
- Shinju - Pearl
- Sora - Sky
- Taiki - Great Radiance
- Takara - Treasure
- Takeo - Warrior
- Toshi - Wise
- Toshio - Hero
- Yoshi - Good
- Yuki - Happiness
Dog names inspired by Japanese cities
For the traveling pet parent, or anyone who loves Japan, these Japanese cities can also make great names for any dog.
- Fuji
- Kawasaki
- Kobe
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Sapporo
- Tokyo
Fun dog names inspired by Japanese food
Do you love Japanese cuisine? Consider a name from this list, which features sweet and savory Japanese foods, snacks, and drinks.
- Manju
- Matcha
- Mochi
- Ramen
- Ryokucha
- Sake
- Sashimi
- Soba
- Sushi
- Tempura
- Udon
- Wasabi
Great Japanese dog names for Shiba Inus
One of the oldest and smallest dog breeds from Japan, Shiba Inus are keen, confident, and faithful dogs to who any of these names could be suited for.
- Fox
- Inu
- Kitsune
- Koko
- Momo
- Pochi
- Red
- Ryuu
- Sassy
- Tenko
Unique Japanese names for Akitas
Akitas, which means "autumn rice field" in Japanese, descend from ancient Japanese lineage, and you can honor that with any of these unique Japanese names.
- Gen
- Gin
- Jin
- Kazi
- Kinu
- Kuma
- Okami
- Shiki
- Shogun
- Tomodachi
- Tora
- Washi
Dog names inspired by manga and anime for art lovers
If you love Japanese animation, these art-inspired names might be for you.
- Ai
- Akamaru
- Akame
- Apo
- Asuna
- Bonta
- Bulma
- Ein
- Eren
- Goku
- Haji
- Hayate
- Hinata
- Ichigo
- Iggy
- Kaga
- Kakashi
- Kiki
- Kirito
- Korra
- Kurenai
- Leone
- Maka
- Maru
- Mayuri
- Menchi
- Mikasa
- Misa
- Mustang
- Naruto
- Natsu
- Pluto
- Revy
- Sasuke
- Saya
- Taromaru
- Tetsuya
- Totoro
Top Japanese dog names for boys and girls
If you'd like to stick with a Japanese name that's pretty popular among dogs, here's a list of some of the top names to choose from.
- Akira
- Hiro
- Inu
- Kimiko
- Mochi
- Momo
- Pochi
- Sushi
- Tokyo
- Totoro
- Yoko
- Yoshi
Do you need more inspiration for your new pet’s name?
We love our pets like we love our children—we care for them, and we dress them up in adorable outfits. So it's extra important that we take time to find the perfect name that reflects our new pet's personality and potential. Naming can be hard, which is why we've gathered nine pet-naming techniques to find the perfect fit, as well as assembled a handful of our most beloved lists of pet names!