Original and Traditional Japanese Dog Names

Are you looking for a cool name for your new “inu” (meaning “dog” in Japanese)? Whether you have a Japanese-bread puppy or just love the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun, you can choose from a list of beautiful and meaningful names for the newest member of your family.

Japanese dog names inspired by nature

Japanese people are known for their respect and love for harmony and nature. If you share a similar philosophy of life, why not name your dog Aki (spring), Hoshi (star), Umi (sea or ocean), Nami (wave), Rina (jasmine), Mori (forest), Taiyo (sun), or Tsuki (moon).

Further on, we have Yuki (snow), Kumo (cloud), Taki (waterfall), Kuuki (air), Chisai tori (little bird), Asami (morning beauty), Hana (flower), or Sora (sky)? However, the most popular name in this category is by far Sakura, meaning cherry blossom (sometimes referred to as Japanese cherry).

Japanese people are known for their respect and love for harmony and nature. So you can base your choice on that.

Japanese dog names based on character traits

Can you guess in advance what will your new pup’s personality be like?

If so, choose between Tadao – “loyal” or “faithful,” Kenshin – “truthful” or “modest,” Takeo – “warrior hero,” Takashi – “noble” or “prosperous,” Osamu – “disciplined,” Yuji – “a brave son,” Yasuo – “gentle” or “calm,” Kenta “strong” or “healthy,” Akira – “intelligent,” Hiroshi – “generous,” and Makoto – “sincere.”

Original female Japanese dog names

Hana (flower), Yumi (beautiful), Shinju (pearl), Himari (light and love), Aika (love song), Yuri (lily), Makoto (true), Danuja (a ruler), Haia (nimble), Kiyo (pure), Yamato (great harmony), Kiseki (miracle), Arata (new and fresh), Itsuki (independence), Hideaki (bright and shining), Nyomo (gem or treasure) are some of the best options to choose from if you’re looking for an authentic Japanese name for a girl pup.

Can you guess in advance what will your new pup’s personality be like?

Original male Japanese dog names

Akio (hero), Ryuu (dragon), Nippon (the Japanese name for the country – the ideal choice for a person with Japanese roots), Akio (hero), Toshiro (talented), Eiji (prosperity or peace), Benjiro (enjoys peace), Ichiro (first son), Kento (happiness), Shohei (respect) are all great options for a fluffy little boy.

Then there is Natsukashii, meaning happy memories of the past that bring a smile to your face – the ideal name for your four-legged companion. Other male names include Tadaaki (faithful light), Ikigai (reason for being), Yoshi (good luck), Karafuru (colorful), and Daiki (born for the great glory).

In case you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, you can name your fluffy companion Sushi.

Dog names inspired by traditional Japanese food and drinks

In case you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, you can name your fluffy companion Sushi. Nowadays, this food has become a household name, understood around the globe. Sake, Japanese rice wine has the same reputation, as well as Ramen soup.

Soba is buckwheat used to make noodles, Tempura stands for deep-fried seafood or vegetables, Udon is thick wheat flour noodle, Adzuki are red beans, Momo is peach; Kurumi is walnut, Nori is seaweed, and Sashimi is a delicacy prepared using fresh raw meat or fish sliced into thin pieces: all yummy dog names.

Anime dog names

Although an English word, anime is today associated with Japan. For true Anime fans and dog lovers, the following names are worth considering: Akamaru – Kiba’s dog from Naruto, Alexander – from Fullmetal Alchemist, Apo – Hibito’s pug from Space Brothers, and Blue – from Wolf’s Rain.

The list goes on as anime’s popularity rises over time: Ein – a “data dog” from Cowboy Bebop, Iggy – a Boston Terrier from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Kazuhito Harumi – Dachshund from Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou [Dog & Scissors], Maru – the stray dog from Kimi ni Todoke, Pakkun – Ninja dog from Naruto.

Choosing a name based on an anime character is a great idea.

Geography-inspired Japanese dog names

Why don’t you name your fluffy friend Tokyo after the Japanese capital, or Osaka, one of the largest cities in the country? To really impress anyone you meet at the dog park, you can go further and name them Yoko (short for the city of Yokohama), Kyoto, Sapporo, and Kawasaki (all famous Japanese cities).

Other popular (name)places are Fushimi – a shrine in Kyoto, Ashi – after Lake Ashi, Oki – after the island chain of Okinawa, and of course, Fuji – after one of Japan’s sacred mountains and the country’s tallest peak.

Dog names popular in Japan

Japanese dog-owners usually choose these names for their pups, so why not ape them: Pochi (a classic dog name like “Spot”), Kotaro (small boy), Koro (roly-poly), Megumi (blessing), Choco (as in chocolate), Cookie (yes, the treat we all love), Taro (eldest son or boy), Kenzo (wise one), Crea, Leo, Leon, Maron (chestnut), and Lucky.

Japanese dog-owners usually choose these names for their pups, so why not ape them.

Colorful Japanese dog names

A lot of people name their dogs based on the animal’s fur color but you can definitely be more original than Blacky. In Japan, Kuru would be a great option for a black pup and Shiro for a white one.

Kiro means yellow; Hairo stands for ash or grey, and Akamaru is simply red. Kane means “golden in color,” which makes it a good choice for brown or golden-colored dogs, such as retrievers.

Japanese dog names based on numbers

Hachiko’s name (a Japanese Akita dog famed for posthumous loyalty to its owner) can be roughly translated from Japanese as either “Mr. Eight” or “Sir Eight.”

In case you too are inspired by numbers (Pachinko fans anywhere?), you can go with Ichi, which means “one,” Ni for “two,” San – “three,” Shi (Yon) – “four,” Go – “five,” Roku – “six,” Shichi – “seven,” Hachi – “eight,” Kyuu – “nine,” and Juu – “ten.”

A lot of people name their dogs based on the animal’s fur color but you can definitely be more original than Blacky.

Kawaii Japanese dog names

Kawaii stands for all things cute and adorable and it’s a big concept in Japanese culture, from popular characters to clothing.

Some examples of Kawaii dog names are Kirei (pretty), Ai (love), Bigaku (a love for beautiful things), Chibi (small child), Akachan (baby), Chīsana (pocket-size), Aoi (the color blue), Pinku (the color pink), Kichōna (precious), and Shuga (sugar).

Japanese dog names from popular culture

You can name your pup Pikachu, Charmander, Dragonite, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur after famous Pokémons. Another suitable and goofy name for your pet dog is Shiba Inu, after the famous eponymous meme and subsequent cryptocurrency. Kon, short for famous director Kon Ichikawa, is yet another option.

The Japanese language and culture are beautiful, rich, and unique enough to provide any new dog owner with inspiration for a pet name. Before you choose any of the options given above, make sure you’re able to remember and pronounce the name correctly, so you don’t confuse your mutt.