Looking for the coolest Japanese dog names? Then you’re in the right place because we have recollected over 300 ideas, exclusively for you! This article is part of our wider amazing collection of dog name ideas for new puppy parents.
They are excellent for Japanese dog breeds like the Akita, Shikoku or Shiba Inu, and of course, they are also ideal for non-Japanese dogs which owners are fans of anime or Japanese culture in general. If that’s you, then you will love our list!
We have taken inspiration from the most beautiful Japanese words, famous characters, anime, books, history, and culture, to bring you an impeccable recompilation that will surpass all of your expectations. Guaranteed!
List of Japanese Dog Names
Here are several options of japanese dog names for you to choose from:
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AikaCan mean a variety of things but generally means love song.
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AikoChild of love.
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AimiBeautiful love.
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AiriLove jasmine.
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AkaneJapanese word for deep red.
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AkemiBright beautiful.
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AkiBright / autumn.
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AkihiroGreat brightness.
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AkikoBright child.
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AkioBright man.
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AkiraBright / clear.
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AliAfter the famous Muhammad Ali.
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AoiA Japanese word for colors related to green and blue.
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ArataNew, fresh.
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AsamiMorning beauty.
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AshiLake Ashi is a scenic lake.
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AspenA ski-resort town in Colorado with high-end guests and an impeccable scenery.
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AsukaTomorrow perfume, fragrance.
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AtsushiIndustrious director.
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AyaArt or beauty.
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AyakaA colorful flower.
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AyameIris.
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AyanoMy color.
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AyumuWalk dream, vision.
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BoltDisney's loveable white pup.
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CeikoChild of splendor.
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ChibiJapanese slang word pertaining to something short.
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ChieWisdom.
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ChiekoChild of intelligence, wisdom.
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ChikaScatter flowers.
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ChiyoOne thousand generations.
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ChiyokoChild of a thousand generations.
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ChoJapanese term for butterfly.
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DaiGreat, large.
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DaikiGreat glory / great nobility.
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DaisukeGreat help.
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EijiEternity order.
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EmiBeautiful blessing.
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EmikoBeautiful blessing child.
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EriBlessed prize.
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EtsukoChild of joy.
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Fawkes KittyNamed after Ariana Grande's dog.
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FujiA city in Central Japan.
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FumikoChild of abundant beauty.
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FumioLiterature, scholarly hero.
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FushimiA shrine in Kyoto.
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GoroFifth son.
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HanaFlower.
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HanakoFlower child.
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HaruSpring.
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HarukiShining sun.
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HarukoSpring child.
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HarunaSpring vegetables.
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HarutoSun flying.
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HayateSmooth.
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HibikiSound, echo.
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HidekiExcellent timber trees.
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HidekoChild of excellence.
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HideoExcellent man.
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HikariLight, radiance.
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HikaruLight, radiance.
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HinaSun vegetables.
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HinataSunflower / facing towards the sun.
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HirakuOpen, expand.
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HiroGenerous.
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HiroakiWide, spacious light.
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HirokiVast timber trees.
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HirokoGenerous child.
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HiromiGenerous beauty.
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HiroshiGenerous.
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HiroyukiGreat journey.
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HisakoChild of long life.
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HitomiPupil of the eye.
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HitoshiMotivated person.
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HonokaHarmony flower.
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HoshiStar.
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HoshikoStar child.
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HotakaTall grain.
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HotaruFirefly.
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HunterFor a breed popular for its hunting skills.
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IchiroFirst son.
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InuJapanese word for dog.
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IsamuBrave, courageous.
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IsaoMerit.
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ItsukiTimber trees.
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IzumiSpring, fountain.
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JiroSecond son.
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JunObedient.
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JunichiObedient first son.
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JunpeiTo be pure, innocent and kind.
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KaedeMaple.
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KageJapanese name meaning 'Shadow', best for any dark furred canine.
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KaitoOcean flying.
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KamikoSuperior child.
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KanaA Japanese name meaning 'Powerful one'
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KaoriFragrance.
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KaoruFragrance.
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KatashiFirm.
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KatsuVictory.
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KatsumiVictorious beauty.
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KatsuroVictorious son.
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KawasakiBetween Tokyo and Yokohama ia anotther populous city, Kawasaki.
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KazukiPeace.
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KazukoChild of harmony.
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KazumiHarmonious beauty.
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KazuoMan of harmony.
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KeikoBlessed child / respectful child.
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KenHealthy and strong.
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KenichiStrong, healthy first son.
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KenjiStrong, healthy second son.
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KenshinModest truthful.
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KentaLarge strong, healthy.
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KichiroLucky son.
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KikoChronical child.
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KimiNoble.
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KimikoEmpress child.
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KinKin deals with gold, ideal for handsome Golden Retriever.
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KitsuneLiterally means fox.
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KiyomiPure beauty.
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KiyoshiPurity.
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KobeA city in Osaka, considered as the sixth-largest city in Japan.
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KoukiLight of hope.
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KoutaGreat peace.
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KoyaDefined as fast and knowledgeable leader, an option for the German Shepherd or Border Collie breed.
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KumaPerfect name for dog breeds which closely resemble teddy bears.
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KumikoLong-time beautiful child.
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KunioCountry man.
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KyoCooperation.
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KyokoRespectful child.
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KyotoA city located in central Japan.
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MadokaCircle, round.
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MaiDance.
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MaikoChild of dance.
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MakatoSincere.
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MakiTrue hope.
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MakotoSincere.
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MamiTrue beauty.
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MamoruGuardian or protector.
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ManaLove.
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ManabuFor a dog that is easily trainable and loves learning.
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ManamiLoving beautiful.
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ManjuA famous traditional Japanese confection.
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MaoDance cherry blossom.
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MareoA japanese name meaning rare or uncommon.
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MarikoTrue village child.
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MasaJust / true.
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MasaakiPleasing brightness.
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MasakiGreat timber tree.
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MasaoSaint.
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MasaruVictory.
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MasashiRighteous aspiration.
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MasatoRighteous person.
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MasayoshiRighteous, honorable.
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MasayukiRighteous blessing.
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MasumiTrue clarity.
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MayuTrue and gentle.
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MayumiTrue gentle beauty.
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MiBeautiful.
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MichiPathway.
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MichikoBeautiful wise child.
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MichioMan on a journey.
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MidoriGreen.
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MiekoBeautiful blessing child.
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MihoProtected, guaranteed beauty.
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MikaBeautiful fragrance.
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MikiBeautiful princess.
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MikuBeautiful sky.
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MinakoBeautiful child.
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MinoriTruth.
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MioBeautiful cherry blossom.
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MisakiBeautiful blossom.
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MitsukoChild of light.
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MitsuoShining hero.
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MitsuruSatisfy, full.
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MiwaBeautiful harmony, peace.
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MiyakoBeautiful night child.
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MiyuBeautiful gentle.
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MiyukiBeautiful blessing.
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MomokaPeach tree flower.
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MorikoChild of the forest.
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NanaSeven.
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NanamiSeven seas.
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NaoHonest.
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NaokiHonest timber tree.
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NaokoHonest child.
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NaomiHonest beautiful.
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NatsukiSummer hope.
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NatsumiBeautiful summer.
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NoboruAscend, rise.
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NobukoFaithful, trustworthy child.
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NoriTo rule.
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NorikoLawful child.
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NorioLawful man.
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OkamiWolf.
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OkiOkinawa is a chain of more than a hundred small islands in mainland Japan.
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OsakaOne of the country's largest cities.
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OsamuDisciplined, studious.
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RamenA Japanese soup dish.
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RenLotus / love.
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RikaTrue fragrance.
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RikoChild of truth.
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RikuLand.
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RikutoPerson of land.
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RinDignified.
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RinaJasmine.
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RioVillage cherry blossom.
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RokuroSixth son.
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RyoRefreshing, cool.
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RyoichiGood first son.
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RyokoRefreshing child.
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RyokuchaA Japanese green tea.
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RyotaGreat refreshment.
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RyuuDragon, mythical creatures that protects great treasures.
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SachikoJoyful, happy child.
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SakeA Japanese rice wine.
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SakiBlossom of hope.
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SakuraCherry blossom.
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SamuraiA Japanese warrior.
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SapporoJapan's fifth largest city.
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SashimiA Japanese delicacy of thinly sliced fresh raw meat or fish.
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SassPerfect for a dog with an attitude!
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SatokoWise child.
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SatomiBeautiful and wise.
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SatoshiWise, fast learner.
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SetaA very catchy name for the Hokkaido Dog breed.
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SetoPerfect for any white furred pup.
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ShigekoGrowing child.
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ShikaDeer.
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ShimiAs in Sashimi.
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ShinShin means real or genuine, Genuinely a name for any dog.
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ShinjiTrue second son.
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ShinjuPearl.
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ShinobuEndurance.
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ShioriPoem.
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ShiroFourth son.
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ShizukaQuiet summer.
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ShizukoQuiet child.
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ShoTo fly.
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ShoutaBig flying.
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ShunTalented and fast learner.
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SnowTo suit their lovely great amount of snow-colored fur.
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SobaJapanese name for buckwheat.
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SoraSky.
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SumikoChild of clarity.
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SumoA sumo is a Japanese wrestler.
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SushiA dish prepared by combining rice and ingredients like raw seafood and vegetable.
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SusumoTo advance, proceed.
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SuzuBell.
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SuzumeSparrow.
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TadaoLoyal, faithful man.
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TadashiLoyal, faithful.
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TaichiLarge first son.
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TaikiGreat radiance, shine.
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TakahiroOf great value, nobility.
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TakakoNoble child.
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TakaraTreasure.
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TakashiProsperous, noble.
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TakayukiNoble journey.
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TakeoWarrior hero.
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TakumiArtisan.
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TamikoChild of many beauties.
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TamotsuProtector, keeper.
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TaroLarge son.
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TaruSea of water.
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TatsuyaImperial.
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TempuraJapanese dish of battered and deep fried seafoods or vegetables.
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TerukoShining child.
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TokyoJapan's capital and most populous city.
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TomikoChild of wealth, fortune.
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TomomiBeautiful friend.
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ToshiWise.
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ToshiakiAdvantageous light.
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ToshikoClever child.
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ToshioGenius leader, hero.
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TsuyoshiStrong.
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TuffySuits the Japanese Spitz perfectly with their sassy somewhat 'tuff' temperament.
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UdonA kind wheat flour noodle often used in Japanese cuisine.
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UmekoPlum child.
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WakanaHarmonious music.
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YamatoGreat harmony.
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YasuPeace.
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YasukoChild of peace.
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YasushiPeaceful.
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YokoChild of sunlight.
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YoriTrust.
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YoshiLucky / righteous.
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YoshieBeautiful stream.
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YoshikoChild of goodness.
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YoshioJoyful life.
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YoshiroRighteous son.
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YoshitoCeremonial, correct person.
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YoutaGreat sunlight.
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YuaBinding love.
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YuiBind clothing.
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YuichiHeroic first son.
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YuinaBind together.
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YujiHeroic second son.
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YukaGentle flower.
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YukariBeautiful pear tree.
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YukiHappiness / snow.
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YukikoJoyous child.
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YukioBlessed hero.
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YukoGentle child.
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YumiReason beautiful.
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YumikoReason beautiful child.
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YuriLily.
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YurikoLily child.
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YuunaGentle.
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YuutaMeaning great bravery.
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YuzukiTender moon.
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Alaric
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Alpha
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Butch
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Dart
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Fuzz
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Hera
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Leila
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Luna
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Misty
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Oz
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Poof
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Queen of Shiba
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Spike
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Winter
Dog Names Inspired by Beautiful Japanese Words
You don’t need to speak Japanese to appreciate the beauty of the language, because the mere sound of it is enough to captivate you, and hence, it’s an amazing idea to use specific words as the name of your dog.
For those who love their dogs above and beyond, the word Aiko will make an ideal name. It means child of love, and therefore, in our opinion, it’s one of the sweetest dog names from Japan.
For puppies with beautiful eyes, or as clear as the snow, you could opt for Akira, which means bright and clear. It’d also be an excellent choice for the most gentle dog breeds like the Cavalier Charles King Spaniel, an interesting mix here: A name from Japan and a breed from the UK. What a combination!
That previous example allows you to see the versatility of Japanese dog names because they will suit any dog breed, as you can match them according to additional traits other than the origin.
If you have a red-haired puppy, then you could use the next word as a beautiful name: Akane. It means deep red, and hence, it’d be an excellent pick for breeds like the Irish Terrier, the American English Coonhound, the Border Collie, the Alaskan Klee Kai, the Tibetan Mastiff, or the Irish Setter. Just a few examples.
If you have a small dog like the Chihuahua, the Bichon Frise or the Boston Terrier, then you could name it Chibi, which is the Japanese slang for small. The name itself sounds very cute, and in consequence, it will be the perfect match for small breeds.
If you have a dog that belongs to the most elegant dog breeds, then the name Daiki would be an amazing pick, because it means great glory or great nobility. Such breeds include the Afghan Hound, the Dobermann, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Great Dane.
A Plethora of Japanese Dog Names – Inspired by Many Elements
As you have seen, our list is very big, because Japan is an amazing source of inspiration at the hour of naming your puppy. Its language is so rich and meaningful that you can always find a word to fully describe the personality and most important traits of your pet.
For example, for very calm dog breeds like the Bulldog, the Pug or the Labrador Retriever, you could use the following name: Kouta. It means great peace, and evidently, it resembles one of the top qualities of your pet.
For dog breeds that love learning new tricks, like the Poodle, the Barbet or the Sheltie, you can choose Manabu, which is the Japanese term for a dog that loves learning and is perfectly suited for training.
For dogs with very clear and bright coats like the Samoyed Dog or the Maltese Dog, you could use a very creative name, Masaaki. It means pleasing brightness. What a name! It’d also be excellent for sweet puppies that are always eager to please.
Names Inspired in Japanese Cities and Regions
Japan is full of cool-named cities that will be perfect for your puppy. For example, you could name it Fuji, which is a city in central Japan.
Another popular choice would be Kawasaki, one of the largest cities in the country. It’s full of great attractions, and hence, it’s a good pick.
If you like the concept we propose, then you could also opt for Kobe, which is a beautiful city in Osaka. Following the same line, Kyoto would be another cool choice, and the same goes for Sapporo, and of course, Tokyo!
If you are fond of Japan, then what a better idea than naming it after any of its most important cities?
Take It Easy
Now that you have the largest selection of Japanese dog names, it’s time for you to go ahead and study it patiently. Take it easy. Take your own time to check it properly, to find the name that truly suits your puppy.