Japan is a country filled with incredible natural beauty, cultural wonders, and culinary delicacies—and the country loves dogs, too!
Filled with dog-friendly cafes, parks, and even hot springs geared toward canines, it’s the land where adorable pups like Shiba Inus and Akitas hail from.
With all of this dog love, it should come as no surprise that there are many popular dog names that can be pulled right from the Japanese language. Ahead, we’ll share our 200 favorites.
Top 50 Japanese Dog Names
With names that touch upon things that have made Japan famous, like “Cherry Blossom,” and ones that are oh-so adorable (“Big Boy” or “Peach”), you’re sure to find a Japanese name you love on this list.
- Hachi (ハチ) – Eight
- Yuki (雪) – Snow
- Ken (ケン) – Dog
- Kiki (キキ) – Hope
- Kumo (雲) – Cloud
- Suki (好き) – Loved
- Taro (太郎) – Big Boy
- Momo (桃) – Peach
- Riku (陸) – Land
- Hana (花) – Flower
- Chibi (ちび) – Tiny
- Toshi (敏) – Wise
- Kira (キラ) – Sparkle
- Rina (リナ) – Jasmine
- Neko (猫) – Cat
- Hoshi (星) – Star
- Pochi (ポチ) – Spot
- Sakura (桜) – Cherry Blossom
- Taki (滝) – Waterfall
- Akira (明) – Bright
- Ryo (涼) – Cool
- Yumi (由美) – Beautiful
- Yoko (陽子) – Sunshine
- Katsu (勝) – Victory
- Aiko (愛子) – Child of Love
- Tatsu (達) – Achieve
- Fido (フィド) – Loyal
- Kaito (海斗) – Ocean
- Miki (美樹) – Beautiful Tree
- Koko (ココ) – Here
- Kazuki (和樹) – Harmony Tree
- Rika (理香) – Reason & Fragrance
- Shiro (白) – White
- Kuro (黒) – Black
- Sora (空) – Sky
- Tama (たま) – Jewel
- Nori (海苔) – Seaweed
- Ai (愛) – Love
- Mochi (餅) – Rice Cake
- Aki (秋) – Autumn
- Kenta (健太) – Healthy
- Haru (春) – Spring
- Jiro (次郎) – Second Son
- Mura (村) – Village
- Koji (コウジ) – Small
- Kyo (京) – Capital
- Mitsu (光) – Light
- Yori (寄り) – Rely
- Chiyo (千代) – Longevity
- Ritsu (律) – Law
Male Japanese Dog Names
Your male dog deserves a Japanese name that’s as amazing and majestic as he is, like “Ryu,” which means “Dragon.”
- Yuki (幸) – Happiness
- Kota (幸太) – Happy
- Nobu (信) – Faith
- Hikaru (光) – Light
- Kei (恵) – Blessing
- Genji (源氏) – Source
- Ryu (龍) – Dragon
- Shinji (慎二) – True Second
- Kiyoshi (清) – Pure
- Haruki (春樹) – Spring Tree
- Ren (蓮) – Lotus
- Yoru (夜) – Night
- Kusa (草) – Grass
- Riko (理子) – Child of Logic
- Hiro (浩) – Broad
- Shin (真) – True
- Mika (美香) – Beautiful Fragrance
- Taiga (大河) – Big River
- Kiro (琥珀) – Amber
- Yoshi (良) – Good
- Yuto (優斗) – Gentle
- Naito (内藤) – Inside
- Kuma (熊) – Bear
- Tora (虎) – Tiger
- Mikado (帝) – Emperor
Female Japanese Dog Names
Japanese names for a female dog are truly beautiful and have wonderful meanings, like “Kumi,” which translates to “Eternal Beauty.”
- Kiki (キキ) – Energetic
- Nami (波) – Wave
- Kira (煌) – Sparkle
- Rin (凛) – Dignified
- Fumi (文) – Writing
- Chika (千佳) – Wisdom
- Hikari (光) – Light
- Yumi (由美) – Beautiful Reason
- Saki (咲) – Blossom
- Kumi (久美) – Eternal Beauty
- Rika (理香) – Logic & Fragrance
- Ruri (瑠璃) – Lapis Lazuli
- Ami (亜美) – Asia Beauty
- Hanae (花恵) – Flower Blessing
- Yoko (陽子) – Child of the Sun
- Mina (美奈) – Beautiful Name
- Nana (七) – Seven
- Misa (美沙) – Beautiful Sand
- Sayo (小夜) – Little Night
- Rika (莉佳) – Jasmine & Good
- Akane (茜) – Deep Red
- Miyu (美夢) – Beautiful Dream
- Sayuri (小百合) – Small Lily
- Mei (芽依) – Bud
- Tomiko (富子) – Wealthy Child
Nature Japanese Dog Names
Japan is bursting with awe-inspiring natural beauty, and you can nod to those sights with one of these Japanese nature-inspired names.
- Mori (森) – Forest
- Kawa (川) – River
- Mizu (水) – Water
- Yama (山) – Mountain
- Kiri (霧) – Mist
- Suzu (鈴) – Bell
- Akane (茜) – Deep Red (Sunset)
- Tsubaki (椿) – Camellia Flower
- Momiji (紅葉) – Maple Leaf
- Umi (海) – Sea
- Kiku (菊) – Chrysanthemum
- Suna (砂) – Sand
- Fuyu (冬) – Winter
- Haruka (春) – Spring
- Natsuki (夏希) – Summer Hope
- Kanoko (鹿子) – Fawn
- Kaze (風) – Wind
- Oka (丘) – Hill
- Tsuru (鶴) – Crane (bird)
- Hinata (日向) – Sunny Place
- Katsura (桂) – Katsura Tree
- Sei (星) – Star
- Sui (水) – Water
- Ao (青) – Blue
- Shima (島) – Island
Japanese Food Dog Names
There are so many delicious foods from Japan to choose from, and they all double as amazing dog names! Think: Sushi, Ramen, and Tempura.
- Sushi (寿司) – Sushi
- Ramen (ラーメン) – Ramen Noodles
- Jaga (ジャガ) – Potato
- Yaki (焼き) – Grilled
- Udon (うどん) – Thick Wheat Noodles
- Sake (酒) – Rice Wine
- Wasabi (わさび) – Wasabi
- Katsu (カツ) – Cutlet
- Tempura (天ぷら) – Battered & Fried Food
- Tako (タコ) – Octopus
- Yuzu (柚子) – Citrus Fruit
- Miso (味噌) – Fermented Soybean Paste
- Kinoko (きのこ) – Mushroom
- Kabocha (かぼちゃ) – Pumpkin
- Ichigo (いちご) – Strawberry
- Kashi (菓子) – Sweets
- Choco (チョコ) – Chocolate
- Shio (塩) – Salt
- Tamago (卵) – Egg
- Goma (ごま) – Sesame
- Niku (肉) – Meat
- Zuke (漬け) – Pickled
- Ocha (お茶) – Tea
- Gyoza (餃子) – Dumplings
- Ringo (りんご) – Apple
Japanese Dog Names from Anime
Anime is a big deal in Japan, and since they’ve made their way over to the United States, the characters are inspiring perfect dog names, too.
- Pikachu (ピカチュウ) – Electric mouse (Pokémon)
- Goku (悟空) – Sky (Dragon Ball)
- Luffy (ルフィ) – To Stretch (One Piece)
- Totoro (トトロ) – Big Creature (My Neighbor Totoro)
- Miku (ミク) – Future (Hatsune Miku)
- Chihiro (千尋) – A Thousand Questions (Spirited Away)
- Jiji (ジジ) – Black cat (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
- Hachiko (ハチ公) – Loyal Dog (Hachi)
- Shikamaru (鹿丸) – Deer Circle (Naruto)
- Mikasa (三笠) – Three Helmets (Attack on Titan)
- Inosuke (いのすけ) – Boar (Demon Slayer)
- Nobara (野薔薇) – Wild Rose (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Sasuke (佐助) – Assistance (Naruto)
- Kenshin (剣心) – Sword Heart (Rurouni Kenshin)
- Tsubasa (翼) – Wings (Captain Tsubasa)
- Asuka (アスカ) – Tomorrow (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- Alluka (アルカ) – Arc (Hunter x Hunter)
- Winry (ウィンリィ) – Victory Sound (Fullmetal Alchemist)
- Erza (エルザ) – Honor (Fairy Tail)
- Riza (リザ) – Fire (Fullmetal Alchemist)
- Gon (ゴン) – Root (Hunter x Hunter)
- Sanji (サンジ) – Third (One Piece)
- Botan (牡丹) – Peony (Yu Yu Hakusho)
- Chrollo (クロロ) – Crown (Hunter x Hunter)
- Nezuko (禰豆子) – Bean Child (Demon Slayer)
Kawaii/Cute Japanese Dog Names
Plenty of adorable things permeate Japanese culture (from frilly fashion to cute characters). Since your pup is a cutie, too, think about giving them one of these Kawaii-inspired names!
- Kawaii (かわいい) – Cute
- Ame (雨) – Rain
- Kaira (海良) – Good Ocean
- Koko (ココ) – Here or Cocoa
- Mimi (耳) – Ear
- Riki (力) – Strength
- Yume (夢) – Dream
- Roro (ロロ) – Doves
- Sawa (沢) – Swamp or Marsh
- Kame (亀) – Turtle
- Suzu (鈴) – Bell
- Lulu (ルル) – Pearl
- Purin (プリン) – Pudding
- Niji (虹) – Rainbow
- Pinky (ピンキー) – Pink
- Toru (とる) – To Take or Capture
- Kuri (栗) – Chestnut
- Tori (鳥) – Bird
- Kiseki (奇跡) – Miracle
- Rara (らら) – Cheerful or Happy
- Ami (編み) – Knit or Weave
- Usagi (うさぎ) – Rabbit
- Fuku (ふく) – Good Fortune
- Yasumi (休美) – Restful Beauty
- Mai (舞) – Dance
Learn More About Dogs
- The Most Popular Dog Breeds in America
- Best Dog Breeds for Kids & Families
- What to Do With Your Dog in the First 30 Days
- How to Read a Dog’s Body Language
Rover Knows Pet Names
As pet lovers through and through, Rover has the scoop on what people are naming their dogs. We have a passion for all things dog names and love helping pet parents pick their pup’s perfect name. For over a decade, we’ve gathered pet names from Rover’s database of millions of pets. The names you find here aren’t randomly generated. We keep our lists updated to match the trends within—and from—our own pet parent community.
