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300+ Japanese Dog Names – Incredible Names & Meanings

Breeding Business is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.

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:

  • Aika
    Can mean a variety of things but generally means love song.
  • Aiko
    Child of love.
  • Aimi
    Beautiful love.
  • Airi
    Love jasmine.
  • Akane
    Japanese word for deep red.
  • Akemi
    Bright beautiful.
  • Aki
    Bright / autumn.
  • Akihiro
    Great brightness.
  • Akiko
    Bright child.
  • Akio
    Bright man.
  • Akira
    Bright / clear.
  • Ali
    After the famous Muhammad Ali.
  • Aoi
    A Japanese word for colors related to green and blue.
  • Arata
    New, fresh.
  • Asami
    Morning beauty.
  • Ashi
    Lake Ashi is a scenic lake.
  • Aspen
    A ski-resort town in Colorado with high-end guests and an impeccable scenery.
  • Asuka
    Tomorrow perfume, fragrance.
  • Atsushi
    Industrious director.
  • Aya
    Art or beauty.
  • Ayaka
    A colorful flower.
  • Ayame
    Iris.
  • Ayano
    My color.
  • Ayumu
    Walk dream, vision.
  • Bolt
    Disney's loveable white pup.
  • Ceiko
    Child of splendor.
  • Chibi
    Japanese slang word pertaining to something short.
  • Chie
    Wisdom.
  • Chieko
    Child of intelligence, wisdom.
  • Chika
    Scatter flowers.
  • Chiyo
    One thousand generations.
  • Chiyoko
    Child of a thousand generations.
  • Cho
    Japanese term for butterfly.
  • Dai
    Great, large.
  • Daiki
    Great glory / great nobility.
  • Daisuke
    Great help.
  • Eiji
    Eternity order.
  • Emi
    Beautiful blessing.
  • Emiko
    Beautiful blessing child.
  • Eri
    Blessed prize.
  • Etsuko
    Child of joy.
  • Fawkes Kitty
    Named after Ariana Grande's dog.
  • Fuji
    A city in Central Japan.
  • Fumiko
    Child of abundant beauty.
  • Fumio
    Literature, scholarly hero.
  • Fushimi
    A shrine in Kyoto.
  • Goro
    Fifth son.
  • Hana
    Flower.
  • Hanako
    Flower child.
  • Haru
    Spring.
  • Haruki
    Shining sun.
  • Haruko
    Spring child.
  • Haruna
    Spring vegetables.
  • Haruto
    Sun flying.
  • Hayate
    Smooth.
  • Hibiki
    Sound, echo.
  • Hideki
    Excellent timber trees.
  • Hideko
    Child of excellence.
  • Hideo
    Excellent man.
  • Hikari
    Light, radiance.
  • Hikaru
    Light, radiance.
  • Hina
    Sun vegetables.
  • Hinata
    Sunflower / facing towards the sun.
  • Hiraku
    Open, expand.
  • Hiro
    Generous.
  • Hiroaki
    Wide, spacious light.
  • Hiroki
    Vast timber trees.
  • Hiroko
    Generous child.
  • Hiromi
    Generous beauty.
  • Hiroshi
    Generous.
  • Hiroyuki
    Great journey.
  • Hisako
    Child of long life.
  • Hitomi
    Pupil of the eye.
  • Hitoshi
    Motivated person.
  • Honoka
    Harmony flower.
  • Hoshi
    Star.
  • Hoshiko
    Star child.
  • Hotaka
    Tall grain.
  • Hotaru
    Firefly.
  • Hunter
    For a breed popular for its hunting skills.
  • Ichiro
    First son.
  • Inu
    Japanese word for dog.
  • Isamu
    Brave, courageous.
  • Isao
    Merit.
  • Itsuki
    Timber trees.
  • Izumi
    Spring, fountain.
  • Jiro
    Second son.
  • Jun
    Obedient.
  • Junichi
    Obedient first son.
  • Junpei
    To be pure, innocent and kind.
  • Kaede
    Maple.
  • Kage
    Japanese name meaning 'Shadow', best for any dark furred canine.
  • Kaito
    Ocean flying.
  • Kamiko
    Superior child.
  • Kana
    A Japanese name meaning 'Powerful one'
  • Kaori
    Fragrance.
  • Kaoru
    Fragrance.
  • Katashi
    Firm.
  • Katsu
    Victory.
  • Katsumi
    Victorious beauty.
  • Katsuro
    Victorious son.
  • Kawasaki
    Between Tokyo and Yokohama ia anotther populous city, Kawasaki.
  • Kazuki
    Peace.
  • Kazuko
    Child of harmony.
  • Kazumi
    Harmonious beauty.
  • Kazuo
    Man of harmony.
  • Keiko
    Blessed child / respectful child.
  • Ken
    Healthy and strong.
  • Kenichi
    Strong, healthy first son.
  • Kenji
    Strong, healthy second son.
  • Kenshin
    Modest truthful.
  • Kenta
    Large strong, healthy.
  • Kichiro
    Lucky son.
  • Kiko
    Chronical child.
  • Kimi
    Noble.
  • Kimiko
    Empress child.
  • Kin
    Kin deals with gold, ideal for handsome Golden Retriever.
  • Kitsune
    Literally means fox.
  • Kiyomi
    Pure beauty.
  • Kiyoshi
    Purity.
  • Kobe
    A city in Osaka, considered as the sixth-largest city in Japan.
  • Kouki
    Light of hope.
  • Kouta
    Great peace.
  • Koya
    Defined as fast and knowledgeable leader, an option for the German Shepherd or Border Collie breed.
  • Kuma
    Perfect name for dog breeds which closely resemble teddy bears.
  • Kumiko
    Long-time beautiful child.
  • Kunio
    Country man.
  • Kyo
    Cooperation.
  • Kyoko
    Respectful child.
  • Kyoto
    A city located in central Japan.
  • Madoka
    Circle, round.
  • Mai
    Dance.
  • Maiko
    Child of dance.
  • Makato
    Sincere.
  • Maki
    True hope.
  • Makoto
    Sincere.
  • Mami
    True beauty.
  • Mamoru
    Guardian or protector.
  • Mana
    Love.
  • Manabu
    For a dog that is easily trainable and loves learning.
  • Manami
    Loving beautiful.
  • Manju
    A famous traditional Japanese confection.
  • Mao
    Dance cherry blossom.
  • Mareo
    A japanese name meaning rare or uncommon.
  • Mariko
    True village child.
  • Masa
    Just / true.
  • Masaaki
    Pleasing brightness.
  • Masaki
    Great timber tree.
  • Masao
    Saint.
  • Masaru
    Victory.
  • Masashi
    Righteous aspiration.
  • Masato
    Righteous person.
  • Masayoshi
    Righteous, honorable.
  • Masayuki
    Righteous blessing.
  • Masumi
    True clarity.
  • Mayu
    True and gentle.
  • Mayumi
    True gentle beauty.
  • Mi
    Beautiful.
  • Michi
    Pathway.
  • Michiko
    Beautiful wise child.
  • Michio
    Man on a journey.
  • Midori
    Green.
  • Mieko
    Beautiful blessing child.
  • Miho
    Protected, guaranteed beauty.
  • Mika
    Beautiful fragrance.
  • Miki
    Beautiful princess.
  • Miku
    Beautiful sky.
  • Minako
    Beautiful child.
  • Minori
    Truth.
  • Mio
    Beautiful cherry blossom.
  • Misaki
    Beautiful blossom.
  • Mitsuko
    Child of light.
  • Mitsuo
    Shining hero.
  • Mitsuru
    Satisfy, full.
  • Miwa
    Beautiful harmony, peace.
  • Miyako
    Beautiful night child.
  • Miyu
    Beautiful gentle.
  • Miyuki
    Beautiful blessing.
  • Momoka
    Peach tree flower.
  • Moriko
    Child of the forest.
  • Nana
    Seven.
  • Nanami
    Seven seas.
  • Nao
    Honest.
  • Naoki
    Honest timber tree.
  • Naoko
    Honest child.
  • Naomi
    Honest beautiful.
  • Natsuki
    Summer hope.
  • Natsumi
    Beautiful summer.
  • Noboru
    Ascend, rise.
  • Nobuko
    Faithful, trustworthy child.
  • Nori
    To rule.
  • Noriko
    Lawful child.
  • Norio
    Lawful man.
  • Okami
    Wolf.
  • Oki
    Okinawa is a chain of more than a hundred small islands in mainland Japan.
  • Osaka
    One of the country's largest cities.
  • Osamu
    Disciplined, studious.
  • Ramen
    A Japanese soup dish.
  • Ren
    Lotus / love.
  • Rika
    True fragrance.
  • Riko
    Child of truth.
  • Riku
    Land.
  • Rikuto
    Person of land.
  • Rin
    Dignified.
  • Rina
    Jasmine.
  • Rio
    Village cherry blossom.
  • Rokuro
    Sixth son.
  • Ryo
    Refreshing, cool.
  • Ryoichi
    Good first son.
  • Ryoko
    Refreshing child.
  • Ryokucha
    A Japanese green tea.
  • Ryota
    Great refreshment.
  • Ryuu
    Dragon, mythical creatures that protects great treasures.
  • Sachiko
    Joyful, happy child.
  • Sake
    A Japanese rice wine.
  • Saki
    Blossom of hope.
  • Sakura
    Cherry blossom.
  • Samurai
    A Japanese warrior.
  • Sapporo
    Japan's fifth largest city.
  • Sashimi
    A Japanese delicacy of thinly sliced fresh raw meat or fish.
  • Sass
    Perfect for a dog with an attitude!
  • Satoko
    Wise child.
  • Satomi
    Beautiful and wise.
  • Satoshi
    Wise, fast learner.
  • Seta
    A very catchy name for the Hokkaido Dog breed.
  • Seto
    Perfect for any white furred pup.
  • Shigeko
    Growing child.
  • Shika
    Deer.
  • Shimi
    As in Sashimi.
  • Shin
    Shin means real or genuine, Genuinely a name for any dog.
  • Shinji
    True second son.
  • Shinju
    Pearl.
  • Shinobu
    Endurance.
  • Shiori
    Poem.
  • Shiro
    Fourth son.
  • Shizuka
    Quiet summer.
  • Shizuko
    Quiet child.
  • Sho
    To fly.
  • Shouta
    Big flying.
  • Shun
    Talented and fast learner.
  • Snow
    To suit their lovely great amount of snow-colored fur.
  • Soba
    Japanese name for buckwheat.
  • Sora
    Sky.
  • Sumiko
    Child of clarity.
  • Sumo
    A sumo is a Japanese wrestler.
  • Sushi
    A dish prepared by combining rice and ingredients like raw seafood and vegetable.
  • Susumo
    To advance, proceed.
  • Suzu
    Bell.
  • Suzume
    Sparrow.
  • Tadao
    Loyal, faithful man.
  • Tadashi
    Loyal, faithful.
  • Taichi
    Large first son.
  • Taiki
    Great radiance, shine.
  • Takahiro
    Of great value, nobility.
  • Takako
    Noble child.
  • Takara
    Treasure.
  • Takashi
    Prosperous, noble.
  • Takayuki
    Noble journey.
  • Takeo
    Warrior hero.
  • Takumi
    Artisan.
  • Tamiko
    Child of many beauties.
  • Tamotsu
    Protector, keeper.
  • Taro
    Large son.
  • Taru
    Sea of water.
  • Tatsuya
    Imperial.
  • Tempura
    Japanese dish of battered and deep fried seafoods or vegetables.
  • Teruko
    Shining child.
  • Tokyo
    Japan's capital and most populous city.
  • Tomiko
    Child of wealth, fortune.
  • Tomomi
    Beautiful friend.
  • Toshi
    Wise.
  • Toshiaki
    Advantageous light.
  • Toshiko
    Clever child.
  • Toshio
    Genius leader, hero.
  • Tsuyoshi
    Strong.
  • Tuffy
    Suits the Japanese Spitz perfectly with their sassy somewhat 'tuff' temperament.
  • Udon
    A kind wheat flour noodle often used in Japanese cuisine.
  • Umeko
    Plum child.
  • Wakana
    Harmonious music.
  • Yamato
    Great harmony.
  • Yasu
    Peace.
  • Yasuko
    Child of peace.
  • Yasushi
    Peaceful.
  • Yoko
    Child of sunlight.
  • Yori
    Trust.
  • Yoshi
    Lucky / righteous.
  • Yoshie
    Beautiful stream.
  • Yoshiko
    Child of goodness.
  • Yoshio
    Joyful life.
  • Yoshiro
    Righteous son.
  • Yoshito
    Ceremonial, correct person.
  • Youta
    Great sunlight.
  • Yua
    Binding love.
  • Yui
    Bind clothing.
  • Yuichi
    Heroic first son.
  • Yuina
    Bind together.
  • Yuji
    Heroic second son.
  • Yuka
    Gentle flower.
  • Yukari
    Beautiful pear tree.
  • Yuki
    Happiness / snow.
  • Yukiko
    Joyous child.
  • Yukio
    Blessed hero.
  • Yuko
    Gentle child.
  • Yumi
    Reason beautiful.
  • Yumiko
    Reason beautiful child.
  • Yuri
    Lily.
  • Yuriko
    Lily child.
  • Yuuna
    Gentle.
  • Yuuta
    Meaning great bravery.
  • Yuzuki
    Tender moon.
  • Alaric
  • Alpha
  • Butch
  • Dart
  • Fuzz
  • Hera
  • Leila
  • Luna
  • Misty
  • Oz
  • Poof
  • Queen of Shiba
  • Spike
  • 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.


Published on
Friday 7 June 2019
Last updated on
Monday 7 December 2020

Want more puppy name ideas?

Breeding Business is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.

One comment on “300+ Japanese Dog Names – Incredible Names & Meanings”

  1. Geoffrey Hauser

    Need good name for a very awesome male shiba inu cream colored. Help!

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