120 Best Japanese Names for Male & Female Dogs

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Learn the meaning behind these popular dog names

Co-authored by Sonya Prior and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: December 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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Popular

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Male

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Female

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Cute

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Nature-Inspired

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Food-Inspired

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Whether you have a Japanese dog breed like a Shiba Inu or simply want to pay respect to the culture, there are plenty of Japanese dog names to choose from. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of male and female dog names that are popular in Japan or inspired by aspects of Japanese culture, like food and drink. Keep reading to find the perfect name for your pup!

Top Japanese Names for Dogs

An image depicting a Shiba Inu dog alongside a list of popular Japanese dog names.

Many popular Japanese dog names are inspired by nature, like Sakura (cherry blossom) and Aki (autumn). Others are inspired by food and drinks, like Matcha and Udon. Other common names include Akira, Kenzo, Daiki, and Yuki.

Section 1 of 6:

Popular Japanese Dog Names

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Consider a popular or traditional Japanese dog name. Maybe you just got a Japanese dog breed, like the Shiba Inu or Akita, or maybe you want to honor your culture. Either way, there are a ton of Japanese dog names to choose from! Here are some of the most popular names and their meanings:
- Adzuki (red bean)
- Akira (intelligent)^{[1]
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- Arata (new and fresh)
- Choco (inspired by the English word “chocolate”)
- Crea (shortened version of “create”)
- Daiki (born for great glory)
- Itsuki (independence)
- Kenzo (wise one)
- Maron (inspired by the French word for chestnut, “le marron”)^{[2]
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- Maru (round)
- Pochi (Japanese equivalent of “Spot”)
- Runa (luna/moon)
- Tadeo (loyal)
- Taro (eldest son)
- Sakura (cherry blossom)
- Yuki (good fortune)
- Zumu (zoom)

Section 2 of 6:

Japanese Names for Male Dogs

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Pick a traditional masculine name for your male pup. A lot of people give their dogs “human” names, so check out some popular Japanese boy names to see if any catch your eye. Here are a few to get you started:
- Akio (hero)
- Benjiro (enjoys peace)
- Eiji (prosperity or peace)
- Haruki (spring)
- Hiroshi (generous)
- Ichiro (first son)
- Kaede (maple tree)
- Katoro (small boy)
- Kenji (strong)
- Kento (happiness)
- Kimi (noble)
- Nao (honest)
- Riku (land)
- Taeko (brave)
- Toshiro (talented)
- Shohei (respect)
- Sota (strong wind)
- Tadaaki (faithful light)
- Yuto (gentleness, kindness)
- Yuuma (truthful, gentle)

Section 3 of 6:

Japanese Names for Female Dogs

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Consider popular girl names. If you have a female dog, you may want to give her a traditional Japanese girl name. Name consultant Sonya Prior says some popular Japanese girl names include Sakura, Naomi, Hana, and Akari.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Sonya Prior
Name Consultant

Expert Interview} These can all work for a dog, too! Here are some other names and their meanings:
- Aika (love song)
- Akari (light)
- Akiko (bright child)
- Bashira (joyful)
- Danuja (ruler)
- Eiji (cheerful)
- Emi (beautiful smile)
- Haia (nimble)
- Hana (flower)
- Himari (light and love)
- Kimi (noble, enjoyment)
- Kiyo (pure)
- Makoto (true)
- Mana (love, affection, truth)
- Mei (bright)
- Shinju (pearl)
- Yamato (great harmony)
- Yui (gentle)
- Yumi (beautiful)
- Yuri (lily)

Section 4 of 6:

Cute Japanese Dog Names

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Choose a name that’s oh-so kawaii. A kawaii name will be a great fit for your adorable pup! Choose a name that’s short and sweet, or one that has a cute meaning. Here are some of the cutest Japanese names to choose from:
- Ai (love)^{[4]
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- Akachan (baby)
- Aoi (blue)
- Bigaku (a love for beautiful things)
- Ko (child)
- Chibi (small child)
- Chiisai (small)
- Chīsana (pocket-size)
- Fuji (unique)
- Hideaki (bright and shining)
- Jazu (jazz music)
- Karafuru (colorful)
- Kei (style)
- Kichōna (precious)
- Kirei (pretty)
- Kiseki (miracle)
- Koro (roly-poly)
- Pinku (pink)
- Shuga (sugar)
- Yoshi (good luck, good, righteous)

Section 5 of 6:

Nature-Inspired Japanese Dog Names

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Name your dog after the natural world. Historically, nature has played a large role in Japanese culture, so it’s no surprise that many popular names are nature-inspired. Name your dog after your favorite plant, animal, season, or anything else connected to nature. Here are some examples:
- Aki (autumn)
- Amaya (night rain)^{[5]
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- Asami (morning beauty)
- Bonsai (bonsai tree)
- Chisai tori (little bird)
- Cho/Chou (butterfly/butterflies)
- Daichi (from the earth)
- Hoshi (star)
- Kingyo (goldfish)
- Kumo (cloud)
- Kuuki (air)
- Mori (forest)
- Nami (wave)
- Nori (seaweed)
- Rina (jasmine)
- Sora (sky)^{[6]
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- Taiyo (sun)
- Taki (waterfall)
- Tsuki (moon)
- Uchuu (the cosmos)
- Umi (sea or ocean)
- Yuki (snow)^{[7]
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- Still want more ideas? Check out our Japanese Name Generator for even more personalized options!

Section 6 of 6:

Food-Inspired Japanese Dog Names

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Get inspiration from your favorite Japanese treat. Lots of people name their pets after food, and luckily, Japan is known for many tasty snacks. Here are a few Japanese foods and drinks to consider:
- Amazake (sweet fermented rice drink)
- Dango (sweet dumpling)
- Izakaya (pub or bar)
- Kit-Kat (after the candy bar)
- Kombu (type of seaweed)
- Kurumi (walnut)
- Matcha (green tea)
- Miso (type of soup)
- Mochi (rice cake)
- Momo (peach)
- Momoshu (peace liquor)
- Natto (fermented soybeans)
- Pōkupan (pork bun)
- Sake (famous alcoholic drink)
- Sashimi (raw fish served without rice)
- Satsumaimo (sweet potato)
- Senbei (rice cracker)
- Soba (buckwheat noodle)
- Sushi (raw fish with rice)
- Udon (thick wheat flour noodle)
- Yuzu (citrus fruit)