400+ Japanese Dog Names

To honor the majestic mountain.

In Nepal, India and Pakistan, Kiran is used for both boys and girls - as can be seen from internationally acclaimed (female) author Kiran Desai and (male) Nepali soccer player Kiran Chemjong. Nepali-American Fox news anchor Kiran Chetry is another famous, female bearer of this name. With its light-filled meaning, and similarity to names such as Kieran and Karen, this name works well outside Asia.

Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.

Traditionally a feminine name in Japan, although Ammika Harris and Chris Brown chose Aeko for their son, born in 2018. The starbaby's name is pronounced like "echo," but the traditional Japanese pronunciation is AH-EE-KO.

Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf.

As a Japanese name, Umina derives from umi, meaning "sea", combined with a range of other kanji characters.

An attractive and easily translatable Finnish name.

Michi can be a playful yet charming Japanese name or a friendly German diminutive of Michael (or Michaela), pronounced similarly to Mickey. Either way, it is a unisex option with broad appeal.

Simple and, yes, elegant -- until you think of the wrestlers.

Tama is a feminine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Māori tradition, it typically means 'child' or 'son' though it's used for girls in other contexts. In Japanese, Tama can mean 'jewel' or 'pearl,' symbolizing something precious and beautiful. The name also appears in Hebrew as a variation of 'Tamar,' meaning 'date palm.' Tama's simplicity and gentle sound make it appealing cross-culturally, while its brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots. The name carries a natural elegance with its balanced two syllables and open vowel sounds. Though not widely common in Western countries, Tama offers a straightforward yet distinctive option for parents seeking a name that is both international and accessible, with positive associations of preciousness and natural beauty.

Traditionally a masculine diminutive of Moses, Moe could work equally well as a short, sweet, gender-bending nickname for girls – perhaps from Ramona, Moana, Imogen, or Monroe.

Riko is a hugely popular name for baby girls in contemporary Japan, and one that easily translates to the West.

Mima was once a common nickname for the biblical Jemima.

In Welsh, a diminutive of Iorwerth. As a Japanese name, Iori stands alone.

Older Japanese name given new life in the anime series One Piece.

As Ryan quickly becomes a plausible option for a girl, some parents may be interested in the spelling Rian — the more authentic and original form of the name.

Part of a group of similar midcentury names rarely given to babies today.

Upbeat name that cheers you as soon as you hear it. One famous bearer is Maori feminist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia.

Kitana is the name of a character in Mortal Kombat II -- she's a princess who looks young but is actually 10,000 years old. It may be related to the male Persian name Katana, which means honorable, or even more likely to the Japanese word katana which means sword.

Several artistic Hiroshis make this one of the more plausible Japanese imports.