100+ Japanese Dog Names With Their Meanings

Whether you prefer a Japanese dog breed or if you just want to show your love for Japan, picking a Japanese dog name will be a way to appreciate the country. Phrasing it in a meaningful way and actually understanding what it means will be the cherry on top.

We can all agree finding the perfect Japanese name for your dog is overwhelming, but with these helpful lists you’ve got plenty of options to choose from. The meanings of each name have been included to make the process easier.

Male Japanese Dog Names with Meanings

Akihiki-shining prince
Atsushi- industrious
Baka- crazy or foolish
Benjiro- enjoys peace
Botan- peony
Chibi- little/small
Dai- cost/price
Daichi- from the earth
Dai-ichi- first
Daiki- big/great
Daitan- daring or bold
Fuji- wealth, abundance, or status
Fujita- field
Genki- lively one
Hajime- beginning
Haru- born in the spring
Haruo- springtime man/male
Hoshi- star
Hoshi-star
Jazu- jazz
Jinsei- lifetime
Kenzo- wise one
Kiba- fang
Kimi- noble
Kingyo- goldfish
Koro- roly-poly
Kotaro- small boy
Kumo- cloud
Kun- a term of endearment (male)
Kyujitai- lightning bolt
Masumi- clarity
Monterio- big boy
Mori- forest
Nikko- sunshine
Nippon- Japan
Nobuyuki- faithful happiness
Osamu- ruler
Renjiro- virtuous
Rin- dignified
Saske- ninja warrior
Shinobi/Shinobu- ninja
Shohei- respect
Suzumebachi- hornet
Tadao- loyal
Taiyo- sun
Taki- waterfall
Taro- eldest son
Toshiko- clever
Toshio- agile, man, or hero
Toshiro- talented or intelligent
Uchuu- cosmos
Umi- ocean
Uzumaki- spiral
Yoshi- good/alright
Yuji- courageous or brave second son

Female Japanese Dog Names with Meanings

Ai- love
Akachan- baby
Akako- red
Akane- brilliant red
Akemi- beauty or bright
Aki- autumn
Akira- intelligent
Amai- sweet
Amaya- night rain
Annaisha- a helpful guide
Ara Ara- “oh my” or “oh no”
Arata- fresh/new
Arisu- noble
Asami- morning beauty
Ayame- iris
Bashira- joyful or beautiful smile
Beni- crimson
Chan- a term of endearment (female)
Chisai tori- little bird
Cho/Chou- butterfly/butterflies
Danuja- a ruler
Eiji- prosperity, peace, or great
Emi- blessing
Emiko- smiling child
Fubuki- snowstorm/blizzard
Haia- nimble/quick
Hana- flower
Haru- sunlight
Haruno- blooming fields
Hideaki- outstanding/excellent or bright
Himari- home of light and love
Hime- princess
Ichika- one thousand flowers
Ikebana- a flower arranging artform
Ikigai- life’s purpose
Itsuki- tree or servant of God
Izumi- spring/fountain
Jun- obedient
Kaguya- radiant night
Kazuki- peaceful tree
Ki- brightness/radiance
Kichona- precious
Kirei- pretty
Kiseki- miracle
Kuuki- air
Makoto- true, genuine, or pure
Maru- round
Megumi- blessing
Mei- beautiful
Mikki- flower stem
Miyu- gentle
Nahiso- shore
Nami- wave
Nana- seven
Nyomo- gem or treasure
Pinku- pink
Rina- jasmine
Sakura- cherry blossom
Shin- heart
Shinju- pearl
Sora- sky
Tatsumaki- tornado
Tsuki- moon
Yamato- great harmony
Yoshiko- good or child
Yubi- graceful
Yuki- snow
Yumi- beautiful
Yuri- lily

Japanese Food Names for Dogs

Adzuki- red bean
Anko- a sweet bean soup
Dango- sweet dumpling
Kurumi- walnut
Maron- chestnut
Matcha- a type of green tea
Mochi- a sweet rice cake
Momo- peach
Nori- seaweed
Ramen- a noodle soup
Sashimi- raw fish without rice
Soba- a type of buckwheat noodle
Sushi- raw fish with rice
Udon- a type of wheat noodle
Wakame- sesame seaweed
Yuzu- a type of citrus fruit

Japanese Pop Culture Names

Amaterasu- the goddess of the sun
Gojira- Godzilla
Image Credit- Julio Yeste, Shutterstock
Kaiju- a type of giant monster
Kakashi- scarecrow
Kawaii- cute
Kyary- the name of a pop star
Maki- Character from the “Street Fighter game”
Naruto- the name of a popular anime show
Okami- wolf
Pikachu- a Pokémon character
Raiden/Raijin- the god of thunder and lighting
Ronin- a masterless Samurai
Ryu- dragon
Samurai- a Japanese warrior
Sensei- teacher or master
Senshi- warrior

Cute Japanese Dog Names

Ai -love
Akachan -baby
Aoi -the color blue
Bigaku -a love for beautiful things
Chibi -small child
Chiisai -small
Chīsana -pocket-size
Kichōna -precious
Kirei -pretty
Ko -child
Koro -roly-poly
Pinku -the color pink
Shuga -sugar

Cool Japanese Dog Names

Akira -intelligent
Arata -new and fresh
Daiki -born for the great glory
Fuji -unique
Hideaki -bright and shining
Ikigai -reason for being
Itsuki -independance
Jazu -jazz music
Karafuru -colorful
Kei -style
Kiseki -miracle
Natsukashii -happy memories of the past
Yoshi -good luck
Zūmu -zoom

Conclusion

Some name ideas for your Japanese pet that might be included in this list are food, pop culture, and personality. There is a variety of names for different tastes so you should find at least one name to suit your needs.

It is important to keep in mind that the meanings of words in Japanese vary based on the kanji script and not solely on how the word sounds, so there may be more than one possible meaning for a given word, even if it’s not listed above.

You would give the name Naruto to your dog because it reminds you of the anime show or water-related meaning, but it is more likely that you would choose this name because you like its simplistic sound.