500+ Japanese Dog Names With Meanings (Popular & Unique)

October 31, 2022 Akita Facts
500+ Japanese Dog Names With Meanings (Popular & Unique)

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We have compiled a list of the best Japanese dog names for you to choose from, regardless of whether your pup was born in Japan or you simply enjoy Japanese culture. Check them out and let us know your favorites in the comments!

Contents hide
1 Japanese Dog Names Video Version
2 Popular Japanese Dog Names
3 Japanese Dog Names Male
4 Japanese Dog Names Female
5 Cute Japanese Dog Names
6 Cool Japanese Dog Names
7 Japanese Food Names for Dogs
8 Anime Dog Names
9 Other Japanese Names for Dogs
10 How to Teach a Puppy Its Name
11 Top Picks For Akitas

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Japanese Dog Names Video Version

Popular Japanese Dog Names

  1. Choco (chocolate)
  2. Kenzo (wise one)
  3. Maron (le marron)
  4. Maru (round)
  5. Pochi (spot)
  6. Sakura (cherry blossoms)
  7. Sora (sky)
  8. Tadeo (loyal)
  9. Taro (eldest son or boy)
  10. Yuki (good fortune)

Japanese Dog Names Male

  1. Akemi (the beauty of dawn)
  2. Aki (brightness)
  3. Akihiro (bright person)
  4. Akio (hero)
  5. Akira (clear and bright dawn)
  6. Amida (Buddhism)
  7. Ani (elder brother)
  8. Atsushi (industrious or soft)
  9. Bachiko (happy child)
  10. Benjiro (enjoys peace)
  11. Dai (great, large)
  12. Daichi (first son)
  13. Daisuke (great helper)
  14. Eichi (wisdom)
  15. Eiji (peace)
  16. Eiko (prosperity)
  17. Ena (God’s gift)
  18. Haru (born in the season of spring)
  19. Haruki (spring child)
  20. Haruo (springtime man)
  21. Haruto (flying sun)
  22. Hibiki (sound, echo)
  23. Hikaru (shining, light)
  24. Hiro (generous)
  25. Hiroki (abundant strength and joy)
  26. Hiroshi (generous)
  27. Hiroyuki (happiness)
  28. Hisoka (reserved)
  29. Hitoshi (motivated individual)
  30. Ichiro (first son)
  31. Isamu (courage)
  32. Isao (merit)
  33. Izanagi (male who promotes hospitality)
  34. Jiro (second son)
  35. Joben (clean)
  36. Kaede (maple)
  37. Kaito (flying ocean)
  38. Kanaye (zealous one)
  39. Kaori (powerful and strong)
  40. Katashi (firmness)
  41. Katoro (small boy)
  42. Katsu (victory)
  43. Kenichi (strong, healthy first son)
  44. Kenji (strong, healthy second son)
  45. Kento (happiness)
  46. Kichiro (lucky son)
  47. Kimi (noble)
  48. Kiyoshi (purity)
  49. Kyo (cooperation)
  50. Makoto (sincere)
  51. Masanori (correct principles)
  52. Masao (superior)
  53. Masaru (victory)
  54. Masato (righteous individual)
  55. Masayuki (happiness)
  56. Masuyo (world)
  57. Michio (man on a journey)
  58. Mitsuo (shining hero)
  59. Nao (honest)
  60. Nikko (sunshine)
  61. Norio (lawful man)
  62. Osamu (ruler)
  63. Ozuru (stork)
  64. Raidon (Thundergod)
  65. Ren (lotus)
  66. Renjiro (virtuous)
  67. Riku (land)
  68. Ringo (apple)
  69. Ronin (a warrior without a samurai master)
  70. Ryo (excellent)
  71. Ryo (refreshing)
  72. Saburou (third son)
  73. Sadao (decisive man)
  74. Satoshi (wise, fast learner)
  75. Shamon (a Buddhist monk)
  76. Shinji (true ruler)
  77. Shiro (fourth son)
  78. Shohei (respect)
  79. Shoma (reaching for the truth)
  80. Shouta (big flying)
  81. Shuki (governing son)
  82. Susumo (proceed)
  83. Tadaaki (faithful light)
  84. Tadashi (loyal, faithful)
  85. Taeko (brave)
  86. Taichi (large first son)
  87. Takahiro (nobility)
  88. Takashi (prosperous)
  89. Takeo (warrior)
  90. Taku (artisan)
  91. Taro (large son)
  92. Toshi (wise and smart)
  93. Toshio (genius leader)
  94. Toshiro (talented)
  95. Yamato (great harmony)
  96. Yasu (stability or peace)
  97. Yori (trust)
  98. Yoshi (lucky)
  99. Yoshio (joyful life)
  100. Yukio (blessed hero)
  101. Yukita (capable, systematic)
  102. Yuuma (truthful, gentle)

Japanese Dog Names Female

  1. Ai (love)
  2. Aika (love song)
  3. Aina (lover of green)
  4. Airi (jasmine)
  5. Akemi (bright beautiful)
  6. Akiko (bright child)
  7. Akira (clear)
  8. Amaya (night rain)
  9. Ami (beautiful)
  10. Asami (morning beauty)
  11. Asuka (tomorrow)
  12. Atsuko (gentle child)
  13. Bashira (joyful)
  14. Chie (intellect)
  15. Chikako (wise child)
  16. Chiyoko (child of a thousand generations)
  17. Danuja (a ruler)
  18. Eiji (cheerful)
  19. Eiko (child of splendor)
  20. Emi (beautiful blessing)
  21. Emiko (blessing)
  22. Eri (blessed prize)
  23. Fumiko (child of abundant beauty)
  24. Haia (nimble)
  25. Hana (flower)
  26. Hikari (radiance)
  27. Himari (light and love)
  28. Hiro (generous)
  29. Hoshi (star)
  30. Izumi (spring, fountain)
  31. Kamiko (superior child)
  32. Katsumi (victorious beauty)
  33. Kazuko (child of peace)
  34. Kei (respectful, dignified)
  35. Keiko (blessed or respectful child)
  36. Kiko (rejoicing child)
  37. Kimi (noble)
  38. Kimiko (empress child)
  39. Kiyo (pure)
  40. Kiyomi (pure beauty)
  41. Kyoko (respectful child)
  42. Mai (dance)
  43. Maki (true hope)
  44. Makoto (true)
  45. Mana (love)
  46. Manami (affection, beautiful)
  47. Mao (cherry blossom dance)
  48. Masa (true sand)
  49. Masumi (true clarity)
  50. Mi (beautiful)
  51. Michi (pathway)
  52. Midori (green)
  53. Mieko (beautiful blessing child)
  54. Mika (beautiful fragrance)
  55. Miki (beautiful princess)
  56. Minori (truth)
  57. Mio (beautiful cherry blossom)
  58. Miwa (beautiful harmony)
  59. Miyu (gentle)
  60. Miyuki (beautiful blessing)
  61. Moe (sprouting)
  62. Momoe (one hundred blessings)
  63. Momoka (peach tree flower)
  64. Nanami (seven seas)
  65. Nao (honest)
  66. Naomi (honest beautiful)
  67. Natsuki (summer hope) 
  68. Noa (from love)
  69. Ren (lotus)
  70. Rika (true fragrance)
  71. Riko (child of truth)
  72. Rina (jasmine)
  73. Rini (little bunny)
  74. Ryoko (refreshing child)
  75. Sachiko (happy child)
  76. Saki (blossom of hope)
  77. Sakura (cherry blossom)
  78. Satomi (beautiful and wise)
  79. Shika (deer)
  80. Shinju (pearl) 
  81. Shinobu (endurance)
  82. Shiori (poem)
  83. Shizuka (quiet summer)
  84. Shizuoka (calm child)
  85. Shun (quick, speed)
  86. Sumiko (child of charity)
  87. Suzu (bell)
  88. Suzume (sparrow)
  89. Takako (noble child)
  90. Takara (treasure)
  91. Teruko (shining one)
  92. Tomiko (child of fortune)
  93. Tomomi (good friend)
  94. Toshiko (clever one)
  95. Ume (plum)
  96. Umeko (plum child)
  97. Usagi (rabbit)
  98. Wakana (melodious music)
  99. Yamato (great harmony)
  100. Yasu (peace)
  101. Yoko (child of sunlight)
  102. Yua (binding love)
  103. Yui (bind clothing)
  104. Yuka (fragrance, flower)
  105. Yukari (beautiful pear tree)
  106. Yukiko (child of snow)
  107. Yuko (gentle child)
  108. Yumi (beautiful)
  109. Yuri (lily)
  110. Yuriko (lily child)
  111. Yuuki (superior)
  112. Yuuna (soft)
  113. Yuuna (gentle)
  114. Yuzuki (gentle moon)

Cute Japanese Dog Names

  1. Akachan (baby)
  2. Aoi (the color blue)
  3. Bigaku (a love for beautiful things)
  4. Chibi (small child)
  5. Chiisai (small)
  6. Chisana (pocket-size)
  7. Gacho (goose)
  8. Inu (dog)
  9. Kichona (precious) 
  10. Kirei (pretty)
  11. Ko (child)
  12. Koro (roly-poly)
  13. Neko (cat)
  14. Pinku (the color pink)
  15. Saru (monkey)
  16. Shuga (sugar)
  17. Tanuki (raccoon)

Cool Japanese Dog Names

  1. Akamaru (the dog character from the famous anime show Naruto)
  2. Akira (intelligent)
  3. Arata (new and fresh)
  4. Chanoyu (a traditional tea ceremony)
  5. Daiki (born for the great glory)
  6. Doki doki (excited)
  7. Doragon (dragon)
  8. Fuji (unique)
  9. Fuwafuwa (fluffy)
  10. Hashi (chopsticks)
  11. Hideaki (bright and shining)
  12. Ikigai (reason for being)
  13. Itsuki (independance) 
  14. Jazu (jazz music)
  15. Jin (placid)
  16. Kanpai (cheers)
  17. Karafuru (colorful)
  18. Kei (style)
  19. Kiseki (miracle)
  20. Kuma (bear)
  21. Kuru (black)
  22. Mausu (mouse)
  23. Natsukashii (happy memories of the past)
  24. Obon (an annual festival and Buddhist custom honoring ancestors)
  25. Pochi (pooch)
  26. Ryuu (dragon)
  27. Sumo (the famous ancient Japanese sport)
  28. Taidana (lazy)
  29. Takeo (warrior)
  30. Tenko (a long-living fox from Japanese folklore)
  31. Tora (tiger)
  32. Yoshi (good luck, good, righteous)
  33. Zumu (zoom)

Japanese Food Names for Dogs

  1. Adzuki (red bean)
  2. Amazake (a sweet fermented rice drink)
  3. Anko (a sweet bean soup)
  4. Daifuku (a sweet, filled mochi)
  5. Dango (sweet dumpling)
  6. Donburi (a rice bowl dish usually with meat and vegetables)
  7. Dorayaki (pancakes stuffed with red bean paste)
  8. Gyoza (dumplings with a moon-like shape)
  9. Izakaya (pub or bar)
  10. Kaisipan (a sweet bread)
  11. Kit-Kat (candy bar)
  12. Kombu (a type of seaweed)
  13. Kurumi (walnut)
  14. Manju (a Japanese sweet treat made of boiled sugar and beans)
  15. Maron (chestnut)
  16. Matcha (green tea)
  17. Miso (a type of soup)
  18. Mochi (a sweet rice cake)
  19. Momo (peach)
  20. Momoshu (a peach liquor)
  21. Natto (fermented soybeans)
  22. Oden (a winter hot pot dish with different proteins and vegetables)
  23. Onigiri (portable rice balls with various fillings)
  24. Purin (a Japanese pudding)
  25. Pokupan (pork bun)
  26. Ramen (Japanese soup and noodle dish)
  27. Ryokucha (a Japanese green tea)
  28. Sake (a famous alcoholic drink)
  29. Sake (Japanese rice wine)
  30. Sashimi (raw fish served without rice)
  31. Satsumaimo (sweet potato)
  32. Senbei (rice cracker)
  33. Sencha (a strong, green tea)
  34. Soba (a buckwheat noodle)
  35. Sushi (the most iconic type of Japanese food)
  36. Tamagoyaki (a Japanese omelet)
  37. Tempura (battered and deep-fried dish of Japanese seafood and veggies)
  38. Tofu (a soy protein that’s incorporated into many Japanese dishes)
  39. Udon (a thick wheat flour noodle)
  40. Unagi (freshwater eel)
  41. Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)
  42. Wakame (sesame seaweed)
  43. Yakitori (skewers of bite-sized chicken with sauce)
  44. Yuzu (citrus fruit)

Anime Dog Names

  1. Akamaru (Naruto)
  2. Akame (Akame Ga Kill!)
  3. Apo (Uchuu Kyoudai)
  4. Armageddon (Hayate the Combat Butler) 
  5. Armin (Attack on Titan)
  6. Artemis (Sailor Moon)
  7. Black Hayate (Full Metal Alchemist)
  8. Blue (Wolf’s Rain)
  9. Boh (Spirited Away)
  10. Cinnamoroll (Hello Kitty)
  11. Corkus (Berserk)
  12. Dabi (My Hero Academia)
  13. Eevee (Pokemon)
  14. Ein (Cowboy Beebop)
  15. Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
  16. Entei (Pokemon)
  17. Espresso (Hello Kitty)
  18. Excalibur (Soul Eater)
  19. Exodia (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
  20. Foxy (One Piece)
  21. Frieza (Dragon Ball)
  22. Gaara (Naruto)
  23. Genos (One-Punch Man)
  24. Giru (Dragon Ball)
  25. Gohan (Dragon Ball)
  26. Goku (Dragon Ball)
  27. Growlithe (Pokemon)
  28. Guts (Kill la Kill)
  29. Heen (Howl’s Moving Castle)
  30. Hisoka (Hunter x Hunter)
  31. Holo (Spice & Wolf)
  32. Holy (One Piece)
  33. Iggy (Boston terrier from Stardust Crusaders)
  34. Itachi (Naruto)
  35. Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)
  36. Kaonashi (Spirited Away)
  37. Kazuhito Harumi (Hasami Wa Tsukaiyou)
  38. Killer B (Naruto Shippuden)
  39. Killua (Hunter x Hunter)
  40. Koromaru (Megami Tensei)
  41. Leorio (Hunter x Hunter)
  42. Luffy (One Piece)
  43. Luna (Sailor Moon)
  44. Maru (Gakkou Gurashi!)
  45. Mello (Death Note)
  46. Merlin (Kenja no Mago)
  47. Mikasa (Attack on Titan)
  48. Mokona (xxxHOLic)
  49. Momo (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
  50. Nagato (Naruto)
  51. O-Tama (One Piece)
  52. Pakkun (Naruto)
  53. Pedro Martinez (Kimi ni Todoke)
  54. Pikachu (Pokemon)
  55. Pluto (Kuroshitsuji)
  56. Pochacco (Hello Kitty)
  57. Pompompurin (Hello Kitty)
  58. Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea)
  59. Potato (Air)
  60. Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
  61. Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)
  62. Ruth (Ancient Magus Bride)
  63. Ryuk (Death Note)
  64. Sai (Naruto Shippuden)
  65. Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)
  66. Saitama (One-Punch Man)
  67. Sasuke (Naruto)
  68. Shanks (One Piece)
  69. Shiro (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)
  70. Sora (Yosuga no Sora)
  71. Tadakichi-san (Azumanga Daioh)
  72. Tenten (Naruto)
  73. Tetsuya (Kuroko no Basuke) 
  74. Tomoe (Kamisama Kiss)
  75. Trebol (One Piece)
  76. Trunks (Dragon Ball)
  77. Vegeta (Dragon Ball)
  78. Wanta (Elfen Lied)
  79. Yagami (Death Note)
  80. Yota (Naruto Shippuden)
  81. Yugi Mutou (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
  82. Zeke (Highschool of the Dead)

Other Japanese Names for Dogs

  1. Aikido (a Japanese martial art) 
  2. Akane (restful)
  3. Amane (heavenly sound)
  4. Ayame (iris)
  5. Azumi (love) 
  6. Bonsai (miniature trees shaped and pruned with artistic precision.
  7. Chisai tori (little bird)
  8. Chochin (traditional Japanese lanterns)
  9. Edamame  (soybeans served in the shell)
  10. Ena (gift from God)
  11. Etsuko (child of joy)
  12. Fuyuki (snow) 
  13. Geta (a traditional Japanese wooden shoe)
  14. Gyaru (part of a fashion subculture)
  15. Haiku (poem)
  16. Haku (beautiful stone) 
  17. Hanabi (fireworks)
  18. Hanami (the custom of viewing cherry blossoms in full bloom)
  19. Harumi (spring beauty)
  20. Haya (free)
  21. Hayami (early) 
  22. Himari (sun)
  23. Hiroko (fine child)
  24. Hitomi (wisdom) 
  25. Hiyori (beautiful) 
  26. Homura (flame)
  27. Hoshi (star)
  28. Ichika (one) 
  29. Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arrangement)
  30. Kabuki (a form of Japanese drama)
  31. Kai (free)
  32. Kaia (ocean)
  33. Kanna (ring)
  34. Katsuki (summer)
  35. Kawaii (a cute Japanese aesthetic)
  36. Kazumi (peace and beauty) 
  37. Kei (aromatic)
  38. Kendo (a form of Japanese fencing)
  39. Kikyou (mirror)
  40. Kingyo (goldfish)
  41. Kira (shine)
  42. Kiyori (hope)
  43. Kogal (fashion term for schoolgirl outfits)
  44. Koinobori (a carp streamer used to celebrate the holiday Children’s Day)
  45. Kumo (cloud)
  46. Kuuki (air)
  47. Kyary (thought to be Japan’s modern pop music princess)
  48. Kyudo (the Japanese martial art of archery)
  49. Mako (sincerity)
  50. Mami (genuine)
  51. Manga (Japanese comics)
  52. Mari (crystal)
  53. Mashiro (white)
  54. Megumi (blessed)
  55. Mei (bright)
  56. Mikasa (shade) 
  57. Miko (light)
  58. Mikoto (beauty)
  59. Miku (sky) 
  60. Mimi (kindness)
  61. Mina (beautiful)
  62. Minori (ripening)
  63. Mira (heart)
  64. Misaki (beautiful blossom)
  65. Mitsue (branch of light)
  66. Miya (love)
  67. Mizu (water)
  68. Mizuki (moon)
  69. Mori (forest)
  70. Nami (wave)
  71. Naru (formation) 
  72. Nemu (dream)
  73. Niko (lake)
  74. Omamori (amulets or good luck charms sold at shrines and temples)
  75. Onsen (a Japanese hot spring)
  76. Origami (the Japanese art of paper folding)
  77. Purikura (refers to the popular photo strips from Japanese photo booths)
  78. Rakugo (a form of Japanese storytelling)
  79. Reika (wise and elegant)
  80. Reina (beautiful)
  81. Remi (clever)
  82. Rin (extraordinary)
  83. Rui (tear)
  84. Sachi (fortune) 
  85. Sae (bloom)
  86. Samurai (an ancient feudal warrior)
  87. Sana (love)
  88. Sara (pleasant)
  89. Sayaka (color)
  90. Sayu (small) 
  91. Sayuri (small lily) 
  92. Seira (star)
  93. Sensei (the term used to refer to a respected teacher or master)
  94. Setsuna (rainbow)
  95. Shiki (remember) 
  96. Shinobu (stealth)
  97. Shizuku (drop) 
  98. Shodo (the art of writing calligraphy)
  99. Shogi (the game of generals, similar to Chess)
  100. Suiren (water)
  101. Sumire (violet)
  102. Taiko (Japanese drum)
  103. Taiyo (sun)
  104. Taki (waterfall)
  105. Tomoe (blessing)
  106. Towa (forever)
  107. Tsuki (moon)
  108. Uchuu (the cosmos)
  109. Umi (sea or ocean)
  110. Yashiro (castle)
  111. Yuma (superiority)
  112. Yuna (dream) 
  113. Yuno (friend)

How to Teach a Puppy Its Name

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Hanh Duong

Hanh is a freelance writer and owner of petchao.com, a popular resource for all matters relating to the Akita and the Shiba Inu. She has a strong love for animals of all kinds and wants to give them the life they deserve. She believes we should educate ourselves to improve the quality of our pets' lives and their overall well-being. You can reach her via email at [email protected] or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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