
Japanese dog names don’t have to be limited to Japanese dog breeds.
In fact, there are so many beautiful, evocative and inspiring meanings behind Japanese dog names, that they’re a great place to look for any pup.
Top 30 Japanese Dog Names
Our thirty favorite ideas and one of their meanings are:
Yui | supportive |
Yoshi | lucky |
Hotaru | firefly |
Keiko | blessed child |
Kyo | cooperative |
Haru | spring |
Akira | clear |
Hiro | generous |
Aki | bright |
Daiki | nobility |
Pikachu | anime character |
Tokyo | Japan's capital city |
Nao | honesty |
Rila | brown bear |
Totoro | anime character |
Yori | trust |
Yuki | happiness |
Toshi | wise |
Kiko | chronicle child |
Aiko | child of love |
Shizuko | quiet |
Yuka | flower |
Haruto | flying sun |
Hikaro | radiance |
Fuji | a Japanese city |
Sora | summer sky |
Mirei | beautiful |
Ojo | princess |
Taidana | lazy |
Kemono | beast |
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Finding Japanese dog names
There are a lot of reasons to love Japanese dog names.
Firstly, they can be drawn from so many fascinating aspects of Japan and its culture – its history, geography, arts, food, technology, fashion and people.

And then of course, the Japanese language is so full of enchanting sounding words which convey beautiful imagery.
You can immerse yourself in ideas by reading manga comics, watching anime films, or finding out what puppy names have already been bestowed on Japan’s 12.3 million pet dogs.
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Or you can just enjoy the lists we have here, which we’ve sorted into the following categories:
- Female Japanese dog names
- Male Japanese dog names
- Cute ideas
- Japanese food names for dogs
- Cool choices
- Unique Japanese dog names
- Funny ideas
- Tough choices
Did you know that many Japanese names can have different meanings depending on the characters from the Kanji system used to write them?
In our lists, we’ve given each name with just one of its meanings, or its origin.
Japanese female dog names
Japanese girl dog names range from the adorable to the elegant.
And if you have a sweet, female pup coming into your life who needs a name as feminine and beautiful as she is, then this is the list for you!
Of course, you can also use any of the following ideas for male dogs in your life. Dogs aren’t inclined to notice!
So, here is our list of 30 gorgeous ideas and their meanings!
Kimi | noble |
Rina | jasmine |
Yoshie | lovely stream |
Kimiko | empress |
Miwa | peace |
Ayame | iris |
Yasu | peace |
Mai | dance |
Yuri | lily |
Rin | dignified |
Asami | morning beauty |
Chou | butterfly |
Kei | blessing, mercy |
Rinko | gem child |
Satomi | wise, beauty |
Kanna | guidance |
Yui | elegant cloth |
Chiharu | thousand springs |
Nozomi | heart of hope |
Yoko | sunshine child |
Ayaka | flower, petal |
Chia | thousand loves |
Maki | true, precious |
Koharu | little sun |
Emika | blossoming flower |
If you loved this list of ideas but didn’t find the name perfect enough for your pretty pooch, don’t worry.
We have plenty more for you to choose from here!
Japanese male dog names
Of course, we can’t leave the boys out!

This list of Japanese male choices is full of masculine ideas with wonderful meanings for the male (or female) pooch in your life.
Take a look!
Haru | spring |
Masato | righteous |
Itsuki | timber |
Makoto | sincere |
Naoki | honest tree |
Tamotsu | protector |
Akio | bright man |
Osamu | disciplined |
Daiki | great glory |
Dai | large |
Hiroshi | generous |
Nori | to rule |
Hideo | great man |
Eiji | eternity |
Ryo | refreshing |
Yukio | blessed hero |
Tsuyoshi | strong |
Masa | just, true |
Kento | happiness |
Takeru | fierce, noble |
Jin | bright and beautiful |
Shota | fly |
Michiyo | era of beauty and wisdom |
Natsu | born in summer |
Goku | aware of emptiness |
Minato | harbor |
Riku | wise sky |
Kaito | supportive |
Haru | peaceful. clement |
Bunji | affectionate |
Still not sold on this list of ideas?
Click here for an even larger list for male dogs!
Cute Japanese dog names
What we adore most about these cute ideas is that they are so visual.
Mixing sweetness with beauty and strength is an impressive feat, and these ideas have done just that.
Some of the imagery in these ideas makes them especially fitting as Japanese girl dog names.
Doki doki | excited |
Tori | bird |
Akachan | baby |
Amai | sweet |
Meisa | sprout |
Ojo | princess |
Emiko | beautiful child |
Oji | prince |
Suki | beloved |
Kirei | pretty |
Rini | little bunny |
Kicho | precious |
Amaya | night rain |
Shika | deer |
Emi | beautiful |
Kami | spirit |
Ami | friend |
Nanako | child |
Jin | tender |
Mausu | mouse |
Sukoshi | little |
Megami | goddess |
Shinzo | heart |
Yume | dream |
Fuwafuwa | fluffy |
Looking for even more cute choices to go gaga over? Visit us here!
Japanese food names for dogs
Japanese food is popular all over the world, and many dishes have names that make super cute pet names too.
These are our favorite Japanese food names for dogs:
Shuga | sugar |
Momo | peach |
Sesa | sesame |
Ramen | a famous noodle broth dish |
Soba | a type of noodle |
Udon | another type of noodle |
Kurumi | walnut |
Dango | dumpling |
Sashimi | thinly sliced raw fish or meat |
Sushi | a famous rice dish |
Tamago | egg |
Bekon | bacon |
Wasabi | horseradish |
Purin | pudding |
Zeri | jello |
Sake | rice beer |
Keki | cake |
Edamame | soybeans |
Mu Shu | pork |
But if a name which makes you feel hungry isn’t for you, maybe you’ll prefer one from our next list instead
Cool Japanese dog names
This list is full of non-traditional and cool sounding ideas.
We think you’re unlikely to ever meet another dog with the same name.

And we’re absolutely certain that any one of them will be a great ice breaker and conversation starter when you introduce your pup to new people.
So, if you’ve gotten hold of the coolest pup in town, then this is the list of ideas for you.
Fuji | Japan's highest volcano, and still active! |
Sora | summer sky |
Komori | sunbeam |
Riku | wise sky |
Ukiyo | floating world |
Hinata | ray of warmth |
Kogarashi | the arrival of winter |
Asahi | daybreak |
Yuugen | subtle grace, mysterious |
Yuuto | brave man |
Kaizen | change for better |
Ashi | a Japanese lake |
Boketto | daydreaming |
Oki | Japanese islands |
Touma | top of the mountain |
Gecco | moonlight |
Aoi | beyond the inside |
Tsuki | moon |
Niko | two hearts |
Cho | super |
Maji | for real |
Hayate | after Black Hayate, an anime Shiba Inu |
Acha | disappointed sky |
Renko | lotus child |
If you want a list of even more badass dog names to choose from, click here.
Unique Japanese dog names
We don’t mean to boast, but we think these ideas win when it comes to being unique.
They are generally less commonly heard outside Japan, but these are even more unusual still.
Take a look!
Hisoka | reserved |
Arata | fresh |
Kaito | ocean flying |
Kazuhiko | harmonious prince |
Minori | truth |
Kei | lucky |
Nao | docile |
Nobu | faith |
Shig | luxuriant |
Manabu | learn |
Jun | obedient |
Takehiko | prince of mountains |
Kin | gold |
Hiroshi | tolerant |
Noboru | climb |
Daichi | great wisdom |
Tadao | loyal |
Ayumu | dream walker |
Yuu | higher |
Niyuki | boiled snow |
Ninomae | one |
Ryu | dragon |
Suzu | bell |
Igarashi | fifty storms |
Kuroko | crocodile |
Searching for even more interesting and unique dog names that will make your pup stand out in a crowd? Click here!
Funny Japanese Dog Names
We got to get super creative with this list, and it was crazy fun!
We love that you’ll get to laugh to yourself when you call your dog by his funny name.
But there will only be a select few who get the joke!
These can be used as female or male choices – they are wonderfully unisex!
Shibo | fat |
Koinu | puppy, little dog |
Chokin-Bako | piggy |
Okubyomono | coward |
Nemui | sleepy one |
Juhi | bark |
Fukai | obnoxious |
Kiti | kitty |
Oroka | not intelligent |
Kaba | hippopotamus |
Bukiyo | clumsy |
Ototo | little brother |
Ashi | paw |
Imoto | little sister |
Koro | roly-poly |
Piero | clown |
Rocketto | rocket |
Kutsushita | socks |
Taida | sloth |
Sutikku | stick |
Tama | ball |
And last but not least, our last category of awesome ideas falls at the other end of the spectrum…
Tough Japanese Dog Names
These ideas not only sound tough but have a tough meaning.
Whether you have an itty-bitty dog who needs to carry some weight with her name instead, or a Great Dane who needs a name as big as he is, we’ve got you covered!
Tatsuo | dragon man |
Tsunami | tidal wave |
Futeki | fearless |
Senso | war |
Yasei | wild |
Masahiro | justice |
Jogi | ruler |
Kingu | king |
Arashi | storm |
Tamotsu | defender |
Raion | lion |
Heishi | soldier |
Isamu | brave |
Kuma | bear |
Senshi | warrior |
Gekido | fury |
Takeo | valiant man |
Takeshi | fierce warrior |
Jishin | earthquake |
Shirudo | shield |
Shiro | castle |
Butsu | boots |
Okami | wolf |
Visit us here for even more tough ideas!
The Best Japanese Dog Names
That just about wraps up our definitive collection of the best Japanese dog names.
We love the way these choices can paint a whole picture or set an entire mood with a single word.
What’s your dog called? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
References and Further Reading
- Mary B. Harris, Some Factors Influencing Selection and Naming of Pets, Psychological Reports, 1983.
- Kutsumi et al, Importance of Puppy Training and Future Behavior of the Dog, Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
- Hare & Tomasello, Human-Like Social Skills in Dogs?, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2005.
- Prato-Previde et al, Is the Dog-Human Relationship an Attachment Bond? An Observational Study Using Ainsworth’s Strange Situation, Behaviour, 2003.
Neville Titus says
These names are so kawaii!! I can’t wait to call my Akita egg UwU
Yours Sincerely,
Neville Titus
Lynn Kinslow says
I name my puppy nikko it mean sunshine in japanese