From anime to manga, video games to music, theres a world of pop culture to explore with a little wink and nod to some favorite (and classic!) trends.
Kirito (Kirigaya Kazuto from Sword Art Online)
Kyary (thought to be Japan’s modern pop music princess)
Pikachu (something that doesn’t make noise)
Taiko (Japanese drum)
Kon (famous film director Kon Ichikawa)
Gyaru (‘gal’—part of a fashion subculture)
Kogal (fashion term for schoolgirl outfits)
Kaiju (‘giant monster’ cinema style)
Tanka (modern shortform poetry)
Maki (from Street Fighter)
RELATED: 160 Magical Disney Dog Names Perfect for Your Pup
Japanese Dog Names Inspired by the Natural World
According to the University of Tokyo, “Japanese people have long appreciated the presence of life in all aspects of nature—from landscapes and climates that change seasonally to the plentiful freshwater found throughout the country.” So add a different element (see what we did there?) to your poochs pedigree with these natural selections.
Hoshi (star)
Umi (sea or ocean)
Bonsai (the bonsai tree)
Nami (wave)
Rina (jasmine)
Mori (forest)
Amaya (night rain)
Taiyo (sun)
Tsuki (moon)
Cho or Chou (butterfly or butterflies)
Yuki (snow)
Kumo (cloud)
Nori (seaweed)
Uchuu (the cosmos)
Taki (waterfall)
Kuuki (air)
Daichi (from the earth)
Kingyo (goldfish)
Aki (autumn)
Chisai tori (little bird)
Asami (morning beauty)
Sora (sky)
Whats hip or cool can be defined in various ways, so one of these monikers is bound to be a good fit!
Yoshi (good luck, good, righteous)
Akira (intelligent)
Jazu (jazz music)
Kiseki (miracle)
Ikigai (reason for being)
Arata (new and fresh)
Kenzan (the ‘spiky frog’ base used in ikebana or flower arranging)
Daiki (born for the great glory)
Itsuki (independance)
Hideaki (bright and shining)
Zūmu (zoom)
Karafuru (colorful)
Kei (style)
Natsukashii (happy memories of the past)
Fuji (unique)
Kawaii (cute or adorable) is a term that applies to a series of characters (Hello Kitty), clothing (like frilly, feminine looks), and even municipality mascots (such as Pipo-kun, which represents the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department). Your precious pooch fits right in!
Kirei (pretty)
Ai (love)
Bigaku (a love for beautiful things)
Ko (child)
Chibi (small child)
Akachan (baby)
Koro (roly-poly)
Chiisai (small)
Chīsana (pocket-size)
Aoi (the color blue)
Pinku (the color pink)
Kichōna (precious)
Shuga (sugar)
Speaking of cute, you can choose any number of adorable tags for your sweet fur girl.
Hana (flower)
Yumi (beautiful)
Shinju (pearl)
Himari (light and love)
Aika (love song)
Bashira (joyful)
Yuri (lily)
Makoto (true)
Danuja (a ruler)
Haia (nimble)
Kiyo (pure)
Yamato (great harmony)
Eiji (cheerful)
From senshi (warrior) to ryuu (dragon), Nippon (the Japanese name for the country) offers many honorable choices perfect for your good boy.
Kimi (noble)
Akio (hero)
Katoro (small boy)
Toshiro (talented)
Eiji (prosperity or peace)
Benjiro (enjoys peace)
Taeko (brave)
Hiroshi (generous)
Ichiro (first son)
Kento (happiness)
Shohei (respect)
Tadaaki (faithful light)
Yuuma (truthful, gentle)
Give your little num-num fuzzball a clever name that makes him sit up and take notice. After all, what dog doesnt love his treats? (Note: actual food below might not be suitable for dogs. Just sayin. Check out this helpful list of human foods that dogs can eat just to be on the safe side.)
Udon (a thick wheat flour noodle)
Sushi (raw fish with rice)
Sashimi (raw fish served without rice)
Pōkupan (pork bun)
Dango (sweet dumpling)
Soba (a buckwheat noodle)
Mochi (rice cake)
Yuzu (citrus fruit)
Kurumi (walnut)
Matcha (green tea)
Kit-Kat (yes, the candy bar!)
Izakaya (pub or bar)
Satsumaimo (sweet potato)
Senbei (rice cracker)
Momo (peach)
Female Japanese Dog Names
These female names are popular in the country and make beautiful Japanese dog names.
Akira – bright / clear
Kiko – chronical child
Kimi – noble
Chieko – child of intelligence, wisdom
Chika – scatter flowers
Chiyo – one thousand generations
Yuina – bind together
Yuka – gentle flower
Chiyoko – child of a thousand generations
Tomiko – child of wealth, fortune
Tomomi – beautiful friend
Ceiko – child of splendor
Emi – beautiful blessing
Emiko – beautiful blessing child
Eri – blessed prize
Hanako – flower child
Haru – spring
Akemi – bright beautiful
Akiko – bright child
Haruko – spring child
Haruna – spring vegetables
Hideko – child of excellence
Aiko – child of love
Airi – love jasmine
Hikari – light, radiance
Hina – sun vegetables
Hiro – generous
Hiroko – generous child
Hiromi – generous beauty
Hisako – child of long life
Mana – love
Manami – loving beautiful
Masa – just / true
Hitomi – pupil of the eye
Hoshiko – star child
Mao – dance cherry blossom
Mariko – true village child
Hotaru – firefly
Izumi – spring, fountain
Kamiko – superior child
Katsumi – victorious beauty
Kazuko – child of harmony
Kazumi – harmonious beauty
Keiko – blessed child / respectful child
Miwa – beautiful hamony, peace
Miyako – beautiful night child
Miyu – beautiful gentle
Kimiko – empress child
Kiyomi – pure beauty
Kumiko – long-time beautiful child
Kyo – cooperation
Yoshiko – child of goodness
Yua – binding love
Etsuko – child of joy
Fumiko – child of abundant beauty
Hana – flower
Kyoko – respectful child
Madoka – circle, round
Mai – dance
Maiko – child of dance
Maki – true hope
Makoto – sincere
Mami – true beauty
Masumi – true clarity
Mayumi – true gentle beauty
Honoka – harmony flower
Hoshi – star
Mi – beautiful
Michi – pathway
Michiko – beautiful wise child
Midori – green
Mieko – beautiful blessing child
Miho – protected, guaranteed beauty
Yuri – lily
Yuriko – lily child
Yuuna – gentle
Miku – beautiful sky
Minako – beautiful child
Shizuko – quiet child
Sora – sky
Sumiko – child of clarity
Minori – truth
Mio – beautiful cherry blossom
Misaki – beautiful blossom
Mitsuko – child of light
Mitsuru – satisfy, full
Miyuki – beautiful blessing
Momoka – peach tree flower
Moriko – child of the forest
Nana – seven
Nanami – seven seas
Tamiko – child of many beauties
Teruko – shining child
Nao – honest
Naoko – honest child
Yumi – reason beautiful
Yumiko – reason beautiful child
Rina – jasmine
Rio – village cherry blossom
Mika – beautiful fragrance
Miki – beautiful princess
Naomi – honest beautiful
Natsuki – summer hope
Natsumi – beautiful summer
Nobuko – faithful, trustworthy child
Noriko – lawful child
Shinju – pearl
Shiori – poem
Yoshie – beautiful stream
Yui – bind clothing
Ren – lotus / love
Rika – true fragrance
Riko – child of truth
Rin – dignified
Ryoko – refreshing child
Sachiko – joyful, happy child
Yasuko – child of peace
Yoko – child of sunlight
Yoshi – lucky / righteous
Saki – blossom of hope
Sakura – cherry blossom
Satoko – wise child
Satomi – beautiful and wise
Shigeko – growing child
Shika – deer
Asuka – tomorrow perfume, fragrance
Ayame – iris
Ayano – my color
Shizuka – quiet summer
Suzu – bell
Yukari – beautiful pear tree
Yuki – happiness / snow
Suzume – sparrow
Takako – noble child
Yukiko – child of snow / child of happiness
Yuko – gentle child
Takara – treasure
Asami – morning beauty
Toshiko – clever child
Umeko – plum child
Wakana – harmonious music
Yasu – peace
40 Famous Japanese Dogs Names and Meanings| Japanese Dog Names for Female and Male Dogs
Japanese dog names are different. Why? Japanese dogs have pointed tails and ears that are pointed skywards.
Almost every nation boast of a unique dog breed, and voila!, Japan is a pioneer when it comes to dogs.
Not to mention, thanks to pop culture and constant exposure. Japan has become a popular hunting place for pet dogs.
Important Trivia – The very first Akita dogs to enter America belonged to the popular Helen Keller.