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Dog owners know how tedious the search for the right name can be. If you're looking for a particularly evocative name, Japanese culture offers plenty of beautiful examples. We've looked around at Japanese dog names for you.

In a nutshell

  • Some names are inappropriate
  • meaning should be clear
  • Pay attention to easy pronunciation
  • Also gender neutral names

Inappropriate Japanese dog names

Japan has always had a unique culture with special traditions. In order not to be disrespectful to them, some names should not be chosen for your dog. They are simply unsuitable:

  • Mikado (imperial title in Japan)
  • Samurai (warrior; more commonly used in the West)
  • Harakiri (ritual suicide)
  • Nagasaki (negative event)
  • Fukushima (negative event)

You should also avoid religious names and designations. Also, be sure to know the meaning of the name. Otherwise encounters with native speakers could become quite unpleasant. Also remember that the name should be easy to pronounce.

Avoid inappropriate or unclear Japanese dog names.

Female Dog Names

But there are many other names that you can give your darling. Japan has many names to offer, especially for female dogs. Most female first names end in -ka ("fragrance"), -ko ("girl"), -mi ("beauty"), -yo, -na or -e. As in other languages, these dog names can be assigned by character, appearance or preference.

Female Japanese dog names from A - M

  • Ai (love; affection)
  • Aiko (Love Child)
  • Aimi (love)
  • Akemi (bright and beautiful)
  • Akeno (morning; brightly shining field)
  • Akiko (Autumn Child)
  • Akina (Spring Flower)
  • Akira (radiant; bright; the enlightened one)
  • Amaya (rainy night)
  • Ami (Asian Beauty)
  • Anda (meet at the field)
  • Aneko (Older Sister)
  • Aoi (mallow)
  • Arisu (Japanese form of Alice)
  • Asuka (scent of morning)
  • Aya (woven silk)
  • Ayaka (colorful flower)
  • Ayame (Iris)
  • Ayano (color)
  • Ayumi (She goes her own way)
  • Bara (Rose)
  • Chika (wisdom)
  • Chikako (Child of Wisdom)
  • Chinatsu (1000 Summers)
  • Chiyo (eternal; thousand worlds)
  • Chiyoko (Eternity Child)
  • Cho (Butterfly)
  • Emi (blessed with beauty)
The name "Emi" suits such a beautiful dog.
  • Etsuko (adorable child)
  • Gina (silver)
  • Hana (flower; blossom)
  • Hanako (Flower Child)
  • Haruka (far away)
  • Haruko (Spring Child)
  • Hikari (Light)
  • Himeko (little princess)
  • Hina (sunny vegetation)
  • Hinata (sun kissed; sun place)
  • Hiroko (magnanimous child)
  • Hisa (permanent)
  • Hitomi (doubly beautiful; eye)
  • Hoshi (Star)
  • Hoshiko (Star Child)
  • Hotaru (firefly)
  • Izumi (fountain; fountain)
  • Junko (pure child)
  • Kaeda (maple)
  • Kaede (maple leaf)
  • Kameko (child of the turtle)
  • kana (beautiful)
  • Kasumi (fog; moist haze)
  • Katana (sword; blade)
  • Katsumi (Self Control)
  • Kaya (gives a resting place)
  • Kazuko (Peace Child)
  • Kazumi (Harmony and Beauty)
  • Kei (delight; adoration)
  • Keiko (lucky kid)
  • Kiku (chrysanthemum; child of the tree)
  • Kimi (the incomparable)
  • Kimiko (noble child)
  • Kin (golden)
  • Kioko (happy child)
  • day care center (north)
For a Husky lady, "Kita" is an appropriate Japanese dog name.
  • Kiyo (clean)
  • Kiyoko (clean kid)
  • Kohaku (Amber)
  • Kohana (small flower)
  • koto (harp)
  • Kotone (sound of a harp)
  • Kumi (braid)
  • Kumiko (eternally beautiful child)
  • kuri (chestnut)
  • Kurumi (Walnut)
  • Kyoko (mirror)
  • Leiko (arrogant)
  • Machiko (Fortunate Child)
  • Madoka (round beauty; round good)
  • Maeko (honorable child)
  • Maemi (Smile of Loyalty)
  • May (brightness; dance)
  • mommy (true beauty)
  • Manami (beautiful love)
  • Mariko (Child of Faithful Faith)
  • Matsuko (Child of the Pine Tree)
  • Mayu (true reason)
  • Mayumi (true arc)
  • Megumi (blessing)
  • Michie (path)
  • Michiko (beautiful, wise child)
  • Midori (green)
  • Mieko (light)
  • Miho (foamy crown of a wave)
  • Mina (South)
  • Minako (beautiful child)
  • Misaki (beautiful blossom; beautiful flower)
  • Mitsuko (Child of Light)
"Mitsuko" looks like a child of light.
  • Miu (beautiful feather)
  • Miwa (beautiful peace)
  • Miya (three arrows)
  • Miyako (beautiful March Child)
  • Miyu (gentle beauty)
  • Mizuki (beautiful moon)
  • Moe (bud; sprout)
  • Momo (peach)
  • Momoko (Peach Kid)
  • Moriko (Forest Child)

Female Japanese Dog Names from N - Y

  • Nami (wave)
  • Nana (seven; apple)
  • Nanami (seven seas)
  • Naomi (above all; beauty)
  • Naoki (upright tree; perseverance)
  • Nariko (gentle child)
  • Natsuki (Summer Hope)
  • Natsuko (Summer Child)
  • Natsumi (beautiful summer)
  • Noriko (Child of Ceremony; Law; Order)
  • Oki (mid-ocean)
  • Otsuyu (Morning Dew)
  • ran (orchid)
  • Reina (sound of jewels)
  • reindeer (lotus)
  • Rin (cold)
  • Rina (home of the family)
  • Sachi (blessed child)
  • Sachiko (cold)
  • Saika (colorful flower)
  • Saki (cape; headland)
  • Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
  • Sango (coral)
  • Satsuki (5th month)
  • Satu (sugar)
  • Sayuri (little lily)
  • Setsuko (Child of the Festival)
  • Shika (deer)
  • Shina (good; virtue)
  • Shinju (Pearl)
  • Shino (Bamboo Trunk)
  • Shizuka (calm)
  • Shizuko (quiet kid)
  • Sora (Heaven)
  • Suki (loved; popular)
  • Sumi (Educated; clear)
  • Sumiko (eternal child)
  • Suzume (sparrow)
  • Taka (large; honorable)
  • Takako (exalted child)
"Takako" - a wonderful Japanese dog name for such an elevated child.
  • Takara (treasure)
  • Takehiko (brave wise child)
  • Takuya (to be a pioneer)
  • Tamae (bell; ball)
  • Tami (do favors to the people)
  • Tamika (race)
  • Tamiko (Child of Abundance)
  • Taree (leaning branch)
  • Taura (many lakes; many rivers)
  • Taya (field in the valley)
  • Teiko (righteous child)
  • Tomiko (Child of Wealth)
  • Tomoko (Child of Wisdom)
  • Tomomi (beautiful friend)
  • Toshi (mirroring)
  • Toya (entrance to the valley)
  • Tsukiko (Child of the Moon)
  • Tsuyu (Morning Dew)
  • Ume (plum blossom)
  • Umeko (Plum Blossom Child)
  • Yasu (calm)
  • Yoko (Sun Child)
  • Yoshiko (good kid; free kid)
  • Youko (Sun Child)
  • Yukiko (Snow Child)
  • Yuka (reason for good smell)
  • Yuko (graceful child)
  • Yumi (beautiful girlfriend; beauty)
  • Yumiko (Beauty's Child)
  • Yuri (Lily)
  • Yuriko (Lily's Child)
  • Yuuka (exquisite aroma)

Male Dog Names

Male given names usually end in -ro ("son"), -ta ("big"), -shi, -ya, or -o, like Hachiko, the most famous dog in Japan. But the Japanese language has many more beautiful male dog names to offer:

Male Japanese dog names from A - M

  • Aiko (Love Child)
  • Akeno (morning)
  • Akio (bright boy)
  • Akira (cleverness; brightness)
  • Arata (new; freshness)
  • Bandai (Forever)
  • Benjiro (enjoy the peace)
  • Botan (peony)
  • Dai (great; generation)
  • Daichi (great first son)
Wouldn't "Daichi" be a great first son?
  • Daiki (great shine; great glow)
  • Daisuke (great help)
  • Danno (field collection)
  • Goro (5th son)
  • Hachiko (8th son)
  • Hakubi (the best example)
  • Hideaki (superb and bright)
  • Hikaru (Light)
  • Hiro (generous; tolerant)
  • Hiroshi (magnanimous)
  • Hoshi (star)
  • Ichiro (1st son)
  • Isamu (valour; courage)
  • Jiro (2nd son)
  • Joben (enjoy the purity)
  • Jomei (light up)
  • Jun (fast steed)
  • Juro (longevity; best wishes)
  • Kado (gateway)
  • Kaemon (Joyful)
  • Kane (combine; money)
  • Kano (power; ability)
  • Katashi (Consistency)
  • Katsu (victory)
  • Katsuo (victorious child)
  • Katsuro (victorious son)
  • Kazuki (shining; the shining one; soothing peace)
  • Kazuo (lovable son)
  • Keiji (rules with discretion)
  • Keitaro (blessed)
  • Ken (strong; healthy)
  • Ken'ichi (the strong one)
  • Kenji (strong and powerful)
  • Kenjiro (insightful 2nd son)
  • Kenshin (Sword and Heart)
  • Kenta (healthy and stocky)
  • Kentaro (big boy)
  • Kichiro (lucky son)
  • Kioshi (calm)
  • Kiyoshi (pure)
  • Kotarou (little boy)
  • Kouhei (quiet peace)
  • Kuro (black; dark; 9th son)
  • Kyo (big; agree)
  • Kyoshi (calm)
  • Makoto (sincerity; faithfulness)
"Makato" looks faithful.
  • Manabu (Eager to Learn)
  • Manzo (1000 strong son)
  • Maro (myself)
  • Mareo (rare; uncommon)
  • Masao (righteous person)
  • Masaru (victory; winning)
  • Mashiro (broadhearted)
  • Masuyo (enlarge the world)
  • Michio (3000 power man)
  • Mikio (three trees together)
  • Minoru (fruit; seed)
  • Montaro (big boy)
  • Morio (Forest Boy)

Male Japanese dog names from N - Y

  • Nao (straightforward; honest)
  • Naoki (honest; honorable; straight tree)
  • Naoto (honorable person)
  • Nibori (reaching great importance)
  • Nikko (Daylight)
  • Nobu (extend; delay)
  • Nori (rule; law)
  • Osamu (law abiding)
"Osamu" sticks to your rules.
  • Rai (Trust; Lightning; Thunder)
  • Reizo (calm; well-groomed; cool)
  • Renjiro (clean; upright; honorable)
  • Renzo (3rd son)
  • Riku (country)
  • Rinji (peaceful forest)
  • Roka (white foamy head of a wave)
  • Rokuro (6th son)
  • Ryo (refreshing)
  • Ryota (nice stocky)
  • Ryuu (dragon)
  • Saburo (3rd son)
  • Sachio (lucky born)
  • Saniiro (admirable; praise)
  • Seiji (righteous)
  • Sen (hermit)
  • Shigeru (thrive magnificently; grow luxuriantly)
  • Shin (true; truth)
  • Shiro (4th son)
  • Sho (ambitious; brilliant)
  • Shoda (level field)
  • Shou (to rise; to fly)
  • Shun (speed; good horse)
  • Susumu (ascension; advancement)
  • Tadao (satisfied)
  • Tadashi (correct; fair)
  • Taiki (great shine; great glow)
  • Takahiro (precious and great; great hawk)
  • Takashi (respect to parents)
  • Takeo (strong like bamboo)
  • Takeru (Warrior)
  • Takeshi (brave; Bumbus tribe; warrior; protector)
  • Takumi (the talented; the skillful; carpenter; craftsman)
  • Takuya (to be a pioneer)
  • Tanjiro (esteemed second son)
  • Taro (the Firstborn; Big Boy)
  • Tatsuya (completed)
  • Teijo (righteous)
  • Teiljo (established; regulated)
  • Torio (bird tail)
  • Toru (sea)
Is "Toru" dreaming of the sea?
  • Toshi (clever; smart)
  • Toshiro (talented; intelligent)
  • Tsubasa (wing)
  • Tsuyoshi (strong; sturdy)
  • Udo (ginseng plant)
  • Yasu (rest; peace)
  • Yasuo (the Peaceful)
  • Yori (Reliability)
  • Yoshio (righteous human)
  • Yoshiro (good son; free son)
  • Yuki (happy; snow)
  • Yukio (lucky man; gets what he wants)
  • Yutaka (abundant; plentiful; rich)
  • Yuu (superb; distinguished)
  • Yuudai (greatness; splendor)
  • Yuuki (Bravery; Courage)
  • Yuuta (shapely hero)
  • Yuuto (superb; distinguished)

Gender Neutral Japanese Dog Names

Some Japanese names are also suitable for both genders. The meanings are no less beautiful:

  • Aki (autumn)
  • Chiko (arrow; pawn)
  • Fuyu (Winter)
  • Haru (Spring)
  • Kami (noble)
  • Kamlyn (noble)
  • Kaori (flavor; perfume)
  • Marise (unlimited; endless)
  • Maru (round; circle)
  • Miki (trunk)
  • Naoko (obedient child)
  • Natsu (Summer)
  • Nikki (two trees)
  • Rei (generosity; law; strive)
  • Suzu (bell)
  • Yoshi (luck; goodness)
How fortunate that "Yoshi" exists.

If you didn't find the right name, it's best to look around in your area. How about, for example, one of your heroes from anime, manga or a Japanese computer game? You can find inspiration anywhere.

frequently asked Questions

Why shouldn't I choose a name I don't know the meaning of?

In principle, you can of course choose any name that you like. However, if you don't know the meaning of a word, the name you chose may have a negative connotation. You certainly don't want to unwittingly give your dog a repugnant or offensive name. It is therefore better to find out about the meaning beforehand.

Which breeds go well with Japanese names?

Due to the close interdependence, Japanese names go particularly well with Japanese breeds such as Akita Inus, Shiba Inus, Hokkaidos, Kishus, Kais, Japanese Terriers, Shikokus or Tosas.

Can I give my dog a Japanese name even if the breed is not Japanese?

Yes. Although the names suit Japanese breeds particularly well, a dog does not have to have Japanese origins. Just like other foreign language dog names, the names are also suitable for all other breeds.

Does my dog also respond to the name if it has no reference points to Japan?

Yes. Dogs don't respond to the meaning of the name, but rather to the manner of speaking. So if you condition your dog well on the Japanese name, he will have no problems.

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