142 names

142 Japanese dog names (with meanings)

Japanese names are short, soft and easy to say, which makes them a natural fit for dogs. Many have a vowel on every syllable, so they carry well and stay clear even when you are calling from across the yard.

This list mixes everyday words with real Japanese first names. Nature words such as Sakura (cherry blossom), Kaze (wind) and Tsuki (moon) feel poetic. Food words such as Mochi, Miso and Wasabi are playful. Names like Tadashi (often written with the character for loyal) and Taro (eldest son) suit a family dog with a steady personality.

They are especially popular for Japanese breeds. If you are bringing home a Shiba Inu or an Akita, a name from the breed's home country can feel like a perfect match. Meanings can vary with the written characters, so we note the common one.

Nature, seasons and sky

Sakura♀Cherry blossom
YukiSnow; with other characters, happiness
Hana♀Flower
HaruSpring
Natsu♀Summer
AkiAutumn
Fuyu♀Winter
Kaze♂Wind
SoraSky
Umi♀Sea
TsukiMoon
HoshiStar
KumoCloud
Ame♀Rain
KiriFog or mist
Hikari♀Light
Taiyo♂Sun
MoriForest
Yama♂Mountain
KawaRiver
Kasumi♀Mist or haze
Nami♀Wave
FujiJapan's most famous mountain; written another way, wisteria
Take♂Bamboo
Matsu♂Pine tree
Ume♀Plum blossom
Momo♀Peach
Kiku♀Chrysanthemum
Botan♀Peony
Sumire♀Violet
Tsubaki♀Camellia
Momiji♀Maple leaf

Animals and colors

Kuma♂Bear
Tora♂Tiger
Ryu♂Dragon
Okami♂Wolf
Kitsune♀Fox, a magical figure in Japanese folklore
Tanuki♂Raccoon dog, a playful trickster in folklore
Usagi♀Rabbit
ToriBird
Tsuru♀Crane, a symbol of long life
Washi♂Eagle
Taka♂Hawk
Inu♂Dog
KoiCarp; also the word for love
Kuro♂Black
Shiro♂White
Aka♀Red
AoBlue
Midori♀Green
Kin♂Gold
Gin♂Silver
KuriChestnut
KohakuAmber
MameBean, a sweet pick for a small dog

Japanese food names

MochiSticky rice cake
SushiVinegared rice with fish or vegetables
RamenNoodle soup
UdonThick wheat noodles
SobaBuckwheat noodles
MisoFermented soybean paste
WasabiHot green horseradish
EdamameYoung soybeans in the pod
TofuSoybean curd
DangoSweet rice dumplings on a stick
OnigiriRice ball
MatchaPowdered green tea
AzukiSweet red bean
DaifukuSoft mochi with a sweet filling
TaiyakiFish-shaped cake with a sweet filling
KinakoRoasted soybean flour
YuzuFragrant Japanese citrus fruit
TempuraLightly battered fried food
PankoJapanese-style breadcrumbs
NoriSeaweed used in sushi

Boy names

Taro♂Eldest son; a very traditional name
Jiro♂Second son
Saburo♂Third son
Ichiro♂First son
Kenji♂Second son, often with a strong or wise meaning
Akira♂Bright or clear
Hiro♂Broad, generous
RenLotus; with other characters, love
Riku♂Land
Daiki♂Great radiance
Takeshi♂Warrior-like or fierce
Shin♂Truth
Satoshi♂Wise and quick-thinking
Hayato♂Falcon person
Isamu♂Courage
Masaru♂Victory
Noboru♂To rise
Osamu♂Discipline or ruler
Tadashi♂Often written with the character for loyal
MakotoSincerity

Girl names

Akemi♀Bright beauty
Aiko♀Beloved child
Emi♀Blessed beauty
Hanako♀Flower child
Haruka♀Distant or far-reaching
Kaori♀Fragrance
Sayuri♀Small lily
Chiyo♀A thousand generations
Akane♀Deep red, like madder root
Ayame♀Iris
Hotaru♀Firefly
Suzume♀Sparrow
HikaruRadiance or shine

Warriors, culture and attitude

Samurai♂Japanese warrior class
Shogun♂Military ruler of feudal Japan
Ronin♂Samurai without a master
Bushi♂Warrior
KatanaSamurai sword
ZenMeditative calm; ideal for a mellow dog
KamiSpirit or god in the Shinto tradition
OrigamiThe art of paper folding
HaikuThree-line poem
BanzaiA cheer meaning ten thousand years
TomoFriend
KizunaBond
ChibiLittle one
GenkiHealthy and energetic
DarumaRound doll that pops back up when knocked over
ToriiGate at the entrance to a Shinto shrine
SenseiTeacher
KawaiiCute
ChukenLoyal dog; the word used for Hachiko
HachiEight; also the first part of Hachiko

Breeds and places

ShibaNamesake of the Shiba Inu, Japan's small native breed
AkitaJapanese region and large native breed
KishuHunting dog breed from the Kishu region
ShikokuJapanese island that gives its name to a native breed
HokkaidoNorthern island and a native spitz breed
KaiOld province of Japan that gives the Kai Ken breed its name
TokyoJapan's capital
Kyoto♀Former imperial capital
OsakaLarge port city
Nara♀Ancient capital with a famous park
NaganoMountain city in the Japanese Alps
OkinawaSouthern island chain
KamakuraSeaside city famed for its giant Buddha
HakoneHot-spring resort near Mount Fuji

Tips for choosing

Japanese names often have more than one meaning depending on how they are written. Yuki, for example, can mean snow or happiness, and Ren can mean lotus or love. We list the most common meaning, and you can choose the one you like best.

Say each name out loud. Most are easy for English speakers, but check the vowels: Kuma is KOO-mah, Sora is SOH-rah and Mochi is MOH-chee. Names with a short, crisp ending, like Taro, Kuma and Ren, are easy to call out.

For more playful food names from around the world, browse our food dog names.

Frequently asked questions

What are good Japanese names for a Shiba Inu or Akita?

Kuma (bear), Tora (tiger), Taro, Mochi, Sakura and Kuro (black) are all popular for these breeds. Since both are native Japanese breeds, a name with roots in the same language feels natural.

What does Hachi mean in Japanese?

Hachi is the Japanese word for eight. It is also the first part of Hachiko, the famous Akita who waited for his owner at Shibuya Station in Tokyo. You can read his story on our famous dog names page.

What is the Japanese word for dog, or for a loyal dog?

Inu means dog, and chuken is the word for a loyal dog, used for Hachiko. Both make short, sweet names that carry their own meaning.

Can I use a Japanese name for a dog that is not Japanese?

Yes. A name is not tied to a breed, and many people choose Japanese names for their sound or meaning. If you are unsure how to pronounce one, look up an audio guide before you commit.