Japanese Cat Names

Give your feline friend a name that purrs with Japanese charm. These picks stretch from food-inspired cuteness to elegant seasonal imagery so you can match any personality.

Showing 34 cozy cat name ideas.

たま

Tama

common

Meaning

Jewel; classic pet name that feels warm and familiar.

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If you want instant cozy nostalgia, Tama is the go-to name across Japan.

もち

Mochi

common

Meaning

Soft mochi rice cake; pillowy and sweet.

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Fits chubby couch potatoes who melt into your lap like a warm dessert.

きなこ

Kinako

common

Meaning

Roasted soybean flour used on desserts.

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Perfect for golden or cream cats with a subtle toasted hue.

みたらし

Mitarashi

uncommon

Meaning

Glaze from mitarashi dango, sweet-salty caramel.

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Great for playful foodies who “taste test” everything they paw at.

こゆき

Koyuki

common

Meaning

Little snow; flurries and winter hush.

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A poetic pick for gentle white cats who move like falling snow.

みかん

Mikan

common

Meaning

Mandarin orange; bright and citrusy.

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Ideal for orange tabbies that radiate cheerful sunshine.

つき

Tsuki

uncommon

Meaning

Moon; serene glow.

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For nocturnal prowlers who glide through the night with lunar elegance.

そら

Sora

common

Meaning

Sky; endless openness.

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Good for curious window watchers who track clouds all afternoon.

うめ

Ume

uncommon

Meaning

Plum blossom; fragrant resilience.

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A sweet-smelling name for cats who brighten late winter with affection.

ふく

Fuku

common

Meaning

Good fortune; luck and plenty.

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Many families choose Fuku hoping their cat brings fortune to the household.

こたつ

Kotatsu

uncommon

Meaning

Heated table; warm winter comfort.

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For cats who monopolize the coziest spot in the house.

しらたま

Shiratama

uncommon

Meaning

White dumpling; chewy mochi spheres.

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Adorable for round, snowball-like kittens.

あずき

Azuki

common

Meaning

Red bean; hearty and sweet.

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Pairs nicely with cats sporting warm brown or reddish coats.

きき

Kiki

common

Meaning

Sound of a bell; nod to “Kiki’s Delivery Service”.

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For whimsical adventurers who dash from rooftop to rooftop.

ねこまる

Nekomaru

uncommon

Meaning

Round kitty; playful suffix.

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Suits rotund rascals that roll into naps after mischief.

はなび

Hanabi

uncommon

Meaning

Fireworks; bursts of color.

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Great for cats whose coats sparkle with calico or tortoiseshell patterns.

ほたる

Hotaru

uncommon

Meaning

Firefly; soft summer glow.

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Matches gentle night owls that light up the room with presence alone.

こむぎ

Komugi

common

Meaning

Wheat; toasty and wholesome.

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Perfect for beige or light-brown cats with a bakery vibe.

らん

Ran

uncommon

Meaning

Orchid; exotic bloom.

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Pairs with elegant felines that glide like they’re on a catwalk.

ひめ

Hime

common

Meaning

Princess; cherished darling.

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For pampered cats who expect royal treatment at every meal.

しじみ

Shijimi

uncommon

Meaning

Shijimi clam; petite delicacy.

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Suited for tiny cats with big eyes resembling seashells.

ちゃちゃ

Chacha

uncommon

Meaning

Playful chattering; quick chatter.

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An energetic pick for talkative cats with endless meows.

のら

Nora

uncommon

Meaning

Stray; free wandering spirit.

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Keeps the adventurous history of a rescued cat close to their new life.

ほし

Hoshi

common

Meaning

Star; twinkling night light.

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For cats whose eyes sparkle like constellations.

ぽんず

Ponzu

uncommon

Meaning

Citrus soy sauce; tangy zing.

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Fun for citrus-colored cats with zesty personalities.

かりん

Karin

uncommon

Meaning

Quince fruit; autumn sweetness.

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A refined name for graceful felines who love quiet afternoons.

きらり

Kirari

uncommon

Meaning

Sparkle; glimmering light.

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Matches cats with shimmering coats or sparkling personalities.

こまり

Komari

uncommon

Meaning

Little ball; bundled fluff.

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Fits petite cats who curl into the tiniest sleeping spots.

とらお

Torao

uncommon

Meaning

Tiger boy; bold stripes.

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Great for tabbies whose stripes command respect.

みるく

Miruku

common

Meaning

Milk; creamy sweetness.

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A cute choice for milky-white kittens or soft-hearted snugglers.

しずく

Shizuku

uncommon

Meaning

Water droplet; cool serenity.

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Matches calm cats who nap to rain sounds or watch water drip.

さくら

Sakura

common

Meaning

Cherry blossom; fleeting beauty.

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Well-suited for pink-nosed sweethearts with delicate paws.

きらら

Kirara

uncommon

Meaning

Glittering; sparkling radiance.

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Adds a magical shimmer for cats who seem straight out of a fantasy.

つくね

Tsukune

uncommon

Meaning

Chicken meatball; izakaya comfort food.

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Irresistible for round, bouncy cats who steal snacks with big eyes.