Japanese Dog Names

Hooked on Japanese culture? We get it. Here are some of the coolest and most distinctive Japanese names to give you to your puppy.

Tap the arrow to see a name's meaning, and the heart to save it to your shortlist.

AdzukiA popular type of red bean in Japan used in sweets.
AikoA common feminine name in Japan, meaning "love child".
AiriCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "love, affection" and "jasmine".
AkemiA common feminine name in Japan, meaning "bright, beautiful".
AkiCommon Japanese name meaning "autumn" or "bright, clear".
AkihiroA common male name in Japan, often meaning "bright, large, and expansive."
AkikoA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "bright child".
AkioA common male name in Japan, meaning "bright man".
AkiraA popular unisex name and iconic anime film in Japan.
AmayaMeans "night rain" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
ArataMeans "new" in Japanese, often used for boys' names.
AsamiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "morning beauty".
AsukaCommon female name in Japan, also refers to ancient historical period.
AtsushiA common male name in Japan, often written with kanji.
AyameMeans "iris" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
AyanoCommon female name in Japan, often used in anime and manga.
AyumuA common Japanese name, often meaning "walk dream" or "visionary".
CeikoResembles Japanese words, often used in brand or product names.
ChiekoA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing wisdom.
ChikaCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "near and dear".
ChiyoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "thousand generations".
ChiyokoA common female name in Japan, meaning "child of a thousand generations".
DaiAssociated with Japanese language, often meaning "great" or "large".
DaikiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "great glory".
DaisukeA common male name in Japan, often meaning "great help".
EijiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "great second son".
EmiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "blessed with beauty".
EmikoA common feminine name in Japan, meaning "blessed, beautiful child".
EriCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "blessed with reason".
EtsukoA common female name in Japan, meaning "joyful child".
FumikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of abundant beauty".
FumioA common male name in Japan, often associated with historical figures.
HanaMeans "flower" in Japanese and is a common female name.
HanakoCommon female name in Japan, often used in traditional literature.
HaruMeans "spring" in Japanese, often used as a personal name.
HarukiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "spring tree".
HarukoA common female name in Japan, meaning "spring child".
HarunaCommon female name in Japan, often associated with springtime.
HarutoA common male name in Japan, often symbolizing spring or clear skies.
HayateMeans "swift wind" in Japanese, often used for manga characters.
HibikiMeans "echo" in Japanese and is a popular whiskey brand.
HidekiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "excellent timber".
HidekoA traditional Japanese female name meaning "splendid child."
HideoA common male name in Japan, meaning "excellent man".
HikariMeans "light" in Japanese, often used in names and anime.
HikaruMeans "radiance" in Japanese, often used as a unisex name.
HinaAssociated with a Japanese goddess and a popular girl's name.
HinataMeans "sunny place" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
HirakuA common Japanese name meaning "open, expand" in the native language.
HiroA common male name in Japan, meaning "generous" or "tolerant".
HiroakiA common male name in Japan, often symbolizing widespread brightness.
HirokiA common male name originating from Japan.
HirokoA common feminine name originating from Japan.
HiromiA common given name in Japan, often for females.
HiroshiA common male first name originating from Japan.
HiroyukiA common male name in Japan, often associated with generosity.
HisakoA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing long-lived child.
HitomiA common female name in Japan, meaning "pupil of the eye".
HitoshiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "benevolent, virtuous."
HonokaA common female name in Japan, often linked to harmony or grace.
HoshiMeans "star" in Japanese, often used in names and titles.
HoshikoA Japanese name meaning "star child" in English.
Hotakatall grain
HotaruMeans "firefly" in Japanese, often used in literature and names.
IchiroCommon first name in Japan, meaning "first son" in Japanese language.
IsamuA common male name in Japan, meaning courage or bravery.
ItsukiA common Japanese name, often meaning "tree" or "dependence" in kanji.
IzumiMeans "spring" or "fountain" in Japanese, often used as a name.
JiroCommon male name in Japan, often associated with skilled sushi chefs.
JunichiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "pure, obedient one".
KaedeMeans "maple" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
KaitoA common male name in Japan, often meaning "sea, ocean" or "soar, fly".
KamikoA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "superior child".
KaoruCommon unisex name in Japan, meaning fragrance or perfume.
KatashiA common male name in Japan, often meaning firm or hard.
KatsuRefers to a breaded, deep-fried meat dish in Japanese cuisine.
KatsumiA common Japanese name, often meaning "overcome beauty" in the language.
KazukoA common female name in Japan, meaning "harmonious child".
KazumiA common given name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful harmony".
KeikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "blessed child".
KenichiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "healthy first son".
KenjiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "intelligent second son".
KenshinA protagonist in a popular manga and anime series in Japan.
KentaA common male first name in Japan, meaning "healthy and strong".
KenzoAssociated with a famous Japanese fashion designer and brand.
KichiroA traditional Japanese male name meaning "lucky son".
KikoCommon nickname in Japan, also means "chrysanthemum child" in Japanese.
KimiCommonly used in Japan, often translates to "noble" or "righteous".
KimikoA common feminine name originating from Japan.
KiyomiA common female name in Japan, meaning pure beauty.
KiyoshiA common male name in Japan, meaning "pure" or "quiet".
KokoMeans "here" in Japanese and is also a popular female name.
KoutaCommon male name in Japan, often meaning "peaceful and sturdy".
KumikoA traditional Japanese female name, often meaning "long-time beautiful child".
KunioA common male name in Japan, often used in video games.
KurumiMeans "walnut" in Japanese and is a common female name.
KyoMeans "capital city" in Japanese, often referring to Kyoto.
KyokoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "mirror."
MadokaA common female name in Japan, often linked to circle or roundness.
MaikoRefers to an apprentice geisha in traditional Japanese entertainment.
MaireSimilar to "Mai", means dance in Japanese.
MakiAssociated with sushi rolls and a common female first name.
MakotoA common Japanese name meaning sincerity, truth or faithfulness.
MamiCommon term of endearment for mother, also used in anime subculture.
ManaRelates to spiritual energy or power in Japanese culture.
ManamiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful sea".
MaoAssociated with a popular anime character and a common female name.
MarikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "truthful child".
MasaCommon male name and means "righteous" in Japanese.
MasaakiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "correct brightness."
MasakiA common male first name in Japan, often meaning "correct tree".
MasaruA common male name in Japan meaning "victory" or "win".
MasashiA common male name in Japan, often associated with righteousness.
MasatoA common male given name in Japan, often meaning "righteous person".
MasayoshiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "righteous" or "just".
MasayukiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "righteous journey".
MasumiA common feminine name in Japan, meaning "true clarity" or "true beauty".
MayumiA common female name in Japan, meaning "true beauty".
MegumiA common feminine name in Japan, meaning "blessing" or "grace".
MiCommon female name and means "beautiful" in Japanese.
MichiMeans "path" or "way" in Japanese, often used in names.
MichikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful, wise child".
MichioA common male name in Japan, often meaning "man with strength of three".
MidoriMeans "green" in Japanese and is a popular female name.
MiekoA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing beauty and prosperity.
MihoCommon feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful grain" or "beautiful step".
MikaCommon feminine name in Japan, meaning "beautiful fragrance" or "beautiful increase".
MikiCommon feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful" or "tree".
MikuAssociated with popular virtual singer in Japan's Vocaloid music program.
MinakoA common female name in Japan, often linked to beautiful child.
MinoriA common female name in Japan, meaning "beautiful harbor".
MioAssociated with Japanese language, often used as a female name.
MisakiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful blossom".
MitsukoA common female name in Japan, meaning "child of beautiful light".
MitsuoA common male name in Japan, often meaning "shining man".
MitsuruA common Japanese name meaning "full" or "satisfy".
MiwaCommon female name in Japan, also refers to a popular J-pop singer.
MiyakoRefers to a beautiful city in Japan and means "capital" in Japanese.
MiyuA common female name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful gentleness".
MiyukiA common female name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful snow".
MomoRefers to a popular Japanese ghost story and means peach in Japanese.
MomokaA common female name in Japan, often linked to peach trees.
MorikoA female Japanese name meaning "child of the forest".
NanaMeans "seven" in Japanese and is also a common female name.
NanamiA common Japanese female name meaning "seven seas".
NaoAssociated with Japanese language, meaning "honest, straight, reliable".
NaokiA common male first name in Japan.
NaokoA common female name in Japan, often used in literature.
NaomiCommonly used in Japan, often written with characters meaning "beautiful honesty."
NatsukiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "summer hope".
NatsumiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful summer".
NoboruA common male name in Japan, meaning "rise, ascend" in Japanese.
NobukoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "faithful, trustworthy child".
NoriNori refers to edible seaweed used in sushi making.
NorikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "lawful child".
NorioA common male name in Japan, meaning "man of principles."
OsamuA common male first name in Japan, often associated with intelligence.
PochiCommon pet name in Japan, often used for dogs.
RenRen means "lotus" in Japanese and symbolizes purity and enlightenment.
RikaCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "fragrant pear" or "true fragrance".
RikoCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "truthful child" or "jasmine child".
RikuMeans "land" in Japanese, often used in anime and games.
RikutoA common male name in Japan, often written in kanji.
Rindignified
RinaCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "jasmine" or "white jasmine".
RioCommon Japanese name, also means "village cherry blossom" in the language.
RokuroMeans "sixth son" in Japanese and often used in folklore.
RyoCommon male name in Japan, also a currency unit during Edo period.
RyoichiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "good, clear one".
RyokoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "good woman".
RyotaCommon male name in Japan, often meaning "refreshing, robust" in Japanese.
RyuuMeans "dragon" in Japanese, symbolizing strength and good fortune.
SachikoA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing happiness.
SakiRefers to a type of Japanese rice wine.
SakuraRefers to cherry blossoms, symbolizing transient beauty in Japan.
SatokoA common female name in Japan, often used in literature.
SatomiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful and wise."
SatoshiA common male first name in Japan, often symbolizing wisdom.
ShibaA popular breed of dog and ancient Japanese coin share this name.
ShigekoA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing "luxury child".
ShikaMeans "deer" in Japanese, symbolizing beauty and grace.
ShinjiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "true second" in kanji.
ShinjuRefers to "pearl" in Japanese and symbolizes beauty, wealth, protection.
ShinobuA common Japanese name, often associated with endurance and patience.
ShioriA common female name in Japan, meaning "bookmark" or "guide".
ShiroMeans "white" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
ShizukaMeans "quiet" in Japanese and is a common female name.
ShizukoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "quiet child".
ShoneNot connected to Japanese culture or language.
ShoutaCommon male name in Japan, often used in anime and manga.
SoraMeans "sky" in Japanese, often used in anime and manga.
SumikoA common female name in Japan, meaning "clear, pure child".
SushiTraditional Japanese dish made of vinegared rice, fish, and sometimes vegetables.
SusumoA common male name in Japan, meaning "progress" or "advance".
SuzuMeans "bell" in Japanese, often used as a female name.
TadaoA common male name in Japan, often associated with loyalty.
TadashiA common male name in Japan, meaning "loyal" or "faithful".
TaichiAssociated with martial arts and philosophy, symbolizing balance and harmony.
TaikiAssociated with Japanese origin, meaning "great radiance, shine" in English.
TakahiroA common male name in Japan, often meaning "noble and expansive".
TakakoA common feminine name originating from Japan.
TakaraMeans "treasure" in Japanese and is a common female name.
TakashiA common male first name in Japan, often meaning "noble" or "prosperous".
TakayukiA common male name in Japan, often meaning noble or valuable.
TakeoA common male name in Japan, often associated with strength or warrior.
TakumiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "artisan" or "skillful".
TamikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful child".
TamotsuA common male name in Japan, meaning "protector" or "preserver".
TaroCommon first name in Japan and a type of root vegetable.
TerukoA traditional Japanese female name meaning "shining child".
TomikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "rich, prosperous child".
TomomiA common feminine name in Japan, often meaning "beautiful friend".
ToshiCommon Japanese name meaning "clever" or "sharp."
ToshiakiA common male name in Japan, often associated with nobility.
ToshikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "clever child".
ToshioA common male name in Japan, often associated with intelligence.
TsuyoshiA common male name in Japan, meaning "strong" or "vigorous".
UmekoA common Japanese female name meaning "plum child".
WakanaA common female name in Japan, often linked to harmonious music.
WasabiA spicy green paste used in Japanese cuisine, often with sushi.
YamatoAn ancient term for Japan, also a famous battleship.
YasuCommonly used in Japan, meaning "peaceful" or "calm" in Japanese.
YasukoA common female name in Japan, meaning "child of peace".
YasushiA common male name in Japan, often associated with peace or honesty.
YokoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of sunlight".
YoriCommonly used in Japan, signifies "reliable" or "trustworthy" in Japanese.
YoshiA common Japanese name meaning "good luck" or "respectful."
YoshieA common female name in Japan, often symbolizing "good, respectful".
YoshikoA common female name in Japan, meaning "good, respectful child".
YoshioA common male name in Japan, meaning "righteous man".
YoshiroA common male name in Japan, often meaning "righteous son."
YoshitoA common male name in Japan, often meaning "righteous person".
YoutaA common male name in Japan, often symbolizing sunlight or positivity.
YuaCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "binding love" or "gentle".
YuiCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "tie, bind" and "clothing, garment".
YuichiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "first one".
YuinaA common female name in Japan, often meaning "tie, bind" and "vegetables, greens".
YujiA common male name in Japan, often meaning "righteous second son".
YukaCommon female name in Japan, also means "gentle flower" in Japanese.
YukariA common female name in Japan, often linked to silk weaving.
YukiMeans "snow" in Japanese and is a common unisex name.
YukikoA common female name in Japan, meaning "snow child".
YukioA common male name in Japan, meaning "snow boy".
YukoCommon female name in Japan, often meaning "gentle child".
YumiA common female name in Japan, also means "beautiful" in Japanese.
YumikoA common female name in Japan, meaning "beautiful child".
YuriRefers to genre of Japanese media focusing on female homosexual relationships.
YurikoA common female name in Japan, often meaning "child of superiority".
YuunaCommon feminine name in Japan, often associated with beauty and grace.

Japanese Dog Names currently rank in 53rd place out of all PupNames.com categories.

As of October 2026, japanese dog names are trending down with new puppy owners. Our stats suggest that they are less fashionable than they were at this time last year.

We've seen quite a lot of variation for this category, which suggests its popularity could be seasonal or based on cultural events.

Which are the cutest and most unique Japanese Dog Names?

These japanese dog names range from cute to badass, and from traditional to unique. Click each circle to see the name.

Nana is among the cutest of these. If you prefer tougher, edgier dog names, the one considered the most badass is Yoko.

Asuka scored high for its uniqueness, which would help your dog to stand out. But if you prefer more common, old-fashioned names, the more traditional option here is Nana.

How does interest compare across the United States for Japanese Dog Names?

The map below compares each state by the number of people browsing Japanese Dog Names.

The states that love japanese dog names the most are Hawaii, Alaska and Virginia.

The least amount of interest in this category was registered in South Dakota, New Hampshire and Oklahoma.

Which countries have the most love for Japanese Dog Names?

Here's a world map showing the popularity in each country of japanese dog names.

Who'd have thought?! Some of the countries you might not have thought about that LOVE japanese dog names are Niger, Honduras and El Salvador.

On the flip, PupNames data shows there's not much interest in Vietnam, China and Iraq.