400+ Japanese Dog Names
- Jiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"second son"Description:
Also written as Jirō, this is a commonly used Japanese name, sometimes as a standalone and sometimes as a suffix. Often written to mean "second son", other kanji elements may be used to create the meanings "son, reign", "second, melodious", and "next son".
- Katana
Origin:
Persian or JapaneseMeaning:
"honorable or sword"Description:
Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.
- Yuki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"snow; happiness"Description:
Succinct and memorable, Yuki is a Japanese name, which may relate to winter or joy, depending on the kanji used. It is a unisex choice, notably borne by singer Yuki Kuramochi (stylized as YUKI).
- Kiyomi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"sacred and beautiful; clean and beautiful"Description:
Kiyomi is a Japanese name that means 'sacred and beautiful' or 'clean and beautiful.' It refers to a variety of citrus fruit and is gaining popularity for baby girls in the U.S., with just under 200 girls receiving the name in 2022. Kiyomi combines a meaningful and elegant definition with a unique cultural reference, making it a distinctive choice for parents.
- Chie
Description:
Chie is a feminine Japanese name that carries significant cultural meaning. In Japanese, Chie (知恵 or 智恵) typically means 'wisdom' or 'intelligence,' though the exact meaning can vary depending on the kanji characters used to write it. The name is concise and elegant, reflecting traditional Japanese naming preferences for brevity and meaningful associations. Outside Japan, Chie remains relatively uncommon, maintaining its distinctive cultural identity. For parents seeking a name that combines simplicity with depth of meaning, Chie offers both qualities. Its single-syllable pronunciation in English (though properly two syllables in Japanese: 'chi-eh') makes it accessible while still honoring its Japanese origins.
- Rua
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red"Description:
Anglicized form of Ruadh
- Junko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"pure or obedient child"Description:
Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.
- Mochi
Description:
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.
- Midori
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"green; beautiful bird"Description:
In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly used on girls.
- Aoi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"bluish"Description:
A very popular girls' name in Japan with an unfortunate English pronunciation: picture a toddler with a hurt knee saying "owee."
- Neira
Description:
Neira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Galician and Spanish contexts, it likely derives from geographic roots, referring to the Neira River in Spain or possibly meaning 'snow' or 'snowy place.' In Basque culture, the name may relate to words meaning 'mine' or 'where there is iron.' Neira also appears in Slavic countries with potential connections to words for gentleness. The name has a melodic quality that transcends cultural boundaries, making it accessible worldwide despite its specific regional origins. While not widely popular in English-speaking countries, Neira has maintained steady usage in Spanish-speaking regions and parts of Eastern Europe. The name offers an elegant, distinctive option with international appeal, combining simplicity with a sophisticated sound that works well cross-culturally.
- Koki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"bright light; hopeful fortune"Description:
A Japanese name with lovely meanings.
- Izuku
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"long exit"Description:
Famously the name of Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist of the popular anime series My Hero Academia. It is not a common name among Japanese boys.
- Momo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"peach"Description:
Sweet Japanese choice.
- Rima
Origin:
Arabic; LithuaniianMeaning:
"white antelope; to calm down, to quieten"Description:
Nature girl played by Audrey Hepburn in "Green Mansions," it now has an old-style bohemian feel.
- Niko
Origin:
Finnish variation of Nichoals; diminutive of Nikolaos, GreekMeaning:
"victory of the people"Description:
Niko was used for 14 baby girls in the US last year, and twin sister Nico for another 30 -- though that's still far fewer than the 1500 baby boys who were given one of those two names.
- Reia
Description:
Reia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, giving it rich cross-cultural significance. In Japanese, Reia (麗愛) can mean 'lovely love' or 'beautiful affection,' depending on the kanji characters used. It also resembles Rhea from Greek mythology, who was a Titaness and mother of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Additionally, Reia could be considered a variant of Raya, which has Hebrew and Arabic roots meaning 'friend' or 'companion.' This multicultural name remains relatively uncommon in Western countries but has seen modest increased usage in recent decades as parents seek distinctive names with international appeal. Its brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers, while its various meaningful associations offer depth beyond its simple, beautiful sound.
- Kano
Origin:
African place-name or JapaneseMeaning:
"the god of the waters"Description:
Pleasing crossover possibility.
- Issa
Description:
Issa is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Arabic culture, it is the name for Jesus (prophet Isa in Islam) and means 'God is salvation.' It also appears in Slavic languages as a diminutive of names like Isidor. In Japanese, Issa can be a given name meaning 'one tea' or was famously the pen name of the poet Kobayashi Issa. The name's brevity and melodic quality have contributed to its growing international appeal. Issa has gained popularity in recent decades, especially in Muslim communities and among parents seeking short, meaningful names with cross-cultural significance. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across different languages, adding to its global accessibility while maintaining cultural richness.
- Nona
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"ninth"Description:
Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue.
