100+ Cute Japanese Dog Names for Your Pet
Layne is an animal lover who grew up in a household full of rescued critters. She is a registered veterinary technician.
Japanese Animal Names for Dogs
Are you looking for a cute or pretty name for your new dog or puppy? Choose from this list of adorable pet names for your new best friend. The Japanese language is absolutely beautiful, and the names on this list are oh-so-cute for girl and boy dogs. Pick from nature-inspired names (planets, stars, seasons), food-inspired names (fruits, veggies), animal names (land mammals and fish), and colors, numbers, and more.
What's the Difference Between Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji?
If you are looking to learn Japanese, you will want to start by learning to pronounce and read hiragana. Hiragana is easiest for learners and is used to write out suffixes following complex kanji (characters, more advanced). Katakana, alternatively, is used to represent borrowed words from other languages like English, Spanish, and French. You are best starting off your exploration of the Japanese language with hiragana.
Cute Animal Names in Japanese for Dogs
Name | English | Hiragana/Katakana |
---|---|---|
Hachi | bee | はち |
Kaeru | frog | かえる |
Hina | little bird | ひな |
Hato | dove | はと |
Kitsune | fox | きつね |
Chou | butterfly | ちょう |
Kujira | whale | くじら |
Koorogi | cricket | こおろぎ |
Tora | tiger | とら |
Kuma | bear | くま |
Saru | monkey | さる |
Hotaru | firefly | ほたる |
Same | shark | さめ |
Iruka | dolphin | いるか |
Tsubasa | wing | つばさ |
Ika | squid | いか |
Hitode | sea star | ひとで |
Nezumi | mouse | ねずみ |
Inu | dog | いぬ |
Usagi | rabbit | うさぎ |
Panda | panda | パンダ |
Sai | rhino | さい |
Hebi | snake | へび |
Risu | squirrel | りす |
Tsuru | crane | つる |
Cute Fruit and Food-Inspired Japanese Names
Name | English | Hiragana/Katana |
---|---|---|
Ichigo | strawberry | いちご |
Suika | watermelon | すいか |
Ringo | apple | りんご |
Mikan | citrus/clementine | みかん |
Mochi | chewy rice cake | もち |
Momo | peach | もも |
Keki | cake | ケーキ |
Satoimo | taro | さといも |
Shouga | ginger | しょうが |
Ninjin | carrot | にんじん |
Kabocha | pumpkin | かぼちゃ |
Endou | pea | えんどう |
Yuzu | yuzu | ゆず |
Nashi | pear | なし |
Sumomo | plum | すもも |
Tamago | egg | たまご |
Satou | sugar | さとう |
Wasabi | wasabi | わさび |
Ocha | tea | おちゃ |
Mizu | water | みず |
Read More From Pethelpful
Pretty Nature-Inspired Japanese Pet Names
Name | English | Hiragana/Katana |
---|---|---|
Sakura | cherry blossom | さくら |
Sora | sky | そら |
Umibe | sea shore | うみべ |
Yama | mountain | やま |
Bara | rose | ばら |
Uchuu | space | うちゅう |
Tanpopo | dandelion | たんぽぽ |
Yuri | lily | ゆり |
Kiku | chrysanthemum | きく |
Mori | forest | もり |
Dou | copper | どう |
Suisei | Mercury | すいせい |
Kasei | Mars | かせい |
Dosei | Saturn | どせい |
Ginga | galaxy | ぎんが |
Suisei | comet | すいせい |
Kawa | river | かわ |
Shima | island | しま |
Kumo | cloud | くも |
Umi | sea | うみ |
Mine | mountain peak | みね |
Tetsu | iron | てつ |
Gin | silver | ぎん |
Kin | gold | きん |
Tsuki | moon | つき |
Taiyou | sun | たいよう |
Kinsei | Venus | きんせい |
Ame | rain | あめ |
Hana | flower | はな |
Ai | love | あい |
Hoshi | star | ほし |
Yuki | snow | ゆき |
Niji | rainbow | にじ |
Haru | spring | はる |
Yoko | ocean-sun-child | よこ |
Japanese Names: Shapes, Colors, Numbers
Name | English | Hiragana/Katana |
---|---|---|
Ao | blue | あお |
Kiiro | yellow | きいろ |
Midori | green | みどり |
Aka | red | あか |
Maru | circle | まる |
Ichi | one | いち |
San | three | さん |
Roku | six | ろく |
Hachi | eight | はち |
Rei | zero | れい |
Hyaku | 100 | ひゃく |
Murasaki | purple | むらさき |
Learn Hiragana
© 2020 Laynie H
Comments
Laynie H (author) from Bend, Oregon on September 16, 2020:
Hi Liz, glad you like these names. I love the language!
Liz Westwood from UK on September 16, 2020:
This is a great list of suggestions, especially for people looking for something a little more unusual as a name.