Japanese Dog Names

This unisex Japanese name can be formed by many combinations of kanji, but the most oft-cited meaning is intuitive for English speakers — "mint."

Minto

Matsu

A representative Japanese name with a meaning symbolizing ripeness.


Anzu

Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life. The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario. Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
 
And why couldn't Maro be more widely used today? As a masculine spin on stylish Mara, it certainly could.

Maro

Miren is a feminine Basque name meaning 'beloved' or 'wished-for child.' It is the Basque form of Mary/Maria, connecting it to a rich religious tradition while maintaining a distinct cultural identity. Common in the Basque Country of northern Spain and southwestern France, Miren remains relatively rare outside these regions, giving it an air of uniqueness internationally. The name combines simplicity with an intriguing cultural depth, making it appealing to parents drawn to short, meaningful names with European heritage. Its pronunciation (MEE-ren) is relatively intuitive for non-Basque speakers. In recent years, as interest in distinctive cultural names has grown, Miren has gained modest international recognition while remaining true to its Basque roots.

Miren

Strong Japanese name with a hopeful meaning.

Arata

Strong and vital Asian birth order name. 

Manzo

Mango might be cute as a short form of a related name like Manuel, or for a pet name. But we're not feeling it as a full baby name for a child of any gender.

Mango

Mochi is an adorable feminine name with Japanese origins, derived from the sweet rice cake dessert popular in Japanese cuisine. As a given name, Mochi evokes qualities of sweetness, softness, and cultural connection. It follows the modern trend of food-inspired names that convey warmth and comfort. While relatively uncommon as a human name, Mochi has gained popularity as a pet name, particularly for cats and dogs with round, soft appearances. As a human name, it offers a unique, multicultural option that resonates with parents seeking names that are both cute and culturally significant. The name carries connotations of sweetness, joy, and the cherished cultural traditions associated with making and sharing mochi during Japanese celebrations.

Mochi

Traditionally a masculine diminutive of Moses or Morris, Moe has also been used for Moriah, Maureen, Moira, and Maura, ultimately variations of the classic Mary. It could work equally well as a short, sweet, gender-bending nickname for more contemporary choices like – Ramona, Moana, Imogen, or Monroe.
 
Moe is also a Japanese girl name, with the nature related meaning "bud, sprout, flower". In this case it would be pronounced with two syllables.

Momiji

Japanese dog names are trending — Japanese names like Remi, Kona, Koda, Kai, and Mochi are among the most popular names for dogs right now. Of course, some of these also have origins in other countries, but we're noticing more and more dogs with distinctly Japanese names like Kenzo and Kenji, Yoko and Yoshi.

 include Hachi, Kiko, Momo, Nemi, and Tazu. In addition to Kai and Kenzo, other 

 include Hiro, Kiba, Mori, Oto, and Yuto.

 are currently a microtrend. Besides Mochi, others we recommend include Maki, Tamari, Soba, Nori, and Yuzu.

Japanese dog names are especially appropriate for Japanese breeds, like the Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, and Japanese Spitz. But you may also choose to use Japanese names for dogs if you have Japanese heritage yourself.

There are many cute Japanese dog names worth considering for your pup. Browse our full collection below.

Japanese dog names, including female Japanese dog names and male Japanese dog names. (Page 21)

400+ Japanese Dog Names