46 Japanese Dog Names Male & Female With Meanings

Dogs have been familiar to the Japanese since ancient times. Hachikō is possibly Japan’s most well-known dog while the Shiba-Inu accounts for 80 percent of all the Japanese dog breeds kept in Japan. I have hand-picked 46 Japanese dog names (male and female) with meanings included.

Japanese Male Dog Names

Genki

Genki has a meaning that I like: ”source energy.”

Akio

Akio can be used for a male dog and means ”bright man.”

Makoto

Truth and sincerity.

Banko

In Japanese Banko means ”one who cultivates rice fields.”

Noboru

I like the Japanese name Noboru for a male dog. It is translated as ”to climb” or ”to ascend.”

Chibi

In Japanese slang, Chibi means short or small. I recommend the name Chibi for a Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Bichon Frisé, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu.

Osamu

The meaning of the name Osamu is ruler.

Daisuke

Daisuke is derived from dai (big) and suke (help).

Riku

Continent or land.

Eiji

Eiji is a common male Japanese name, and it symbolises prosperity and peace. Japanese actor Eiji Akaso bears this name and is known for playing Ryuga Banjou in Kamen Rider Build.

Raiden

It is connected with Raiden who is the god of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology.

Fumio

Wealth, abundance, history, or writing. Japanese sculptor Fumio Asakura was appointed to the Imperial Fine Arts Academy in 1919.

Facts about Japanese dogs

Many Japanese dog breeds originate from the island nation.

These six breeds, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Shiba, Kishu, Kai, and Akita, are unique to Japan. Most of these Nihon-ken are descended from hounds for hunting.

Shiba Inu is the most popular dog breed in Japan. Shibas have been used for hunting both small and large game.

Shikoku is the cousin of the Shiba Inu.

Haru

It means sunny, sunlight, sun, or springtime.

Satoshi

In Japanese Satoshi is symbolizing ”quick-witted” or ”wise.” Satoshi Nakamoto is the anonymous creator of Bitcoin. He never revealed anything personal. Even today Nakamoto’s true identity is unknown. In 2008 Nakamoto released the Bitcoin whitepaper and now has in his wallet at least 1.1 million Bitcoin.

Shiro

Shiro means gentleman.

Isamu

Isamu is a Japanese name that is meaning brave, merit, courage, or courageous. Isamu Chō was a Japanese general who graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1913.

READ MORE: 44 Good Dog Names For A Golden Retriever

Zen

Zen comes from the Middle Chinese word ”chan” which is from Sanskrit dhyāna, meaning meditation. Zen Buddhism is the 4th largest Buddhist sect in Japan. Zazen is a form of meditation that practically anyone can learn.

Jiro

Jiro means “second son” in Japanese. It also means reign.

Yoshi

Yoshi is interpreted as good luck or righteousness in Japanese

Kaito

Ocean or sea.

Taiki

Tai means ”large” and ki is meaning radiance.

Natsu

Natsu is translated as summer.

Ryuu

Imperial or dragon.

Taro

The male Japanese name Taro symbolises (depending on the used kanji) watchtower, melodious, abundance, or heroic. Variations include Tarou and Taro.

Yuji

Yu means abundance and ji is symbolizing ”peace.”

Female Names

Fumi

Fumi is a feminine Japanese given name, meaning beauty or lotus.

Ahana

Inner light.

Koto

Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument. Koto is roughly 180 centimetres in length.

Aiko

The name Aiko has its origins in the Japanese language, where it means ”child of love.”

Emiko

Beautiful blessed child.

How to choose a good Japanese name for your dog

Add a different element to your pooch’s pedigree.

Give your dog an authentic Japanese name with some of the above popular names. Use your imagination, and when you land on the right name.

Consider the feelings that the moniker can evoke.

Note: I recommend to avoid changing the name weeks or months later.

Ami

In Japanese, the name Ami means asia-ocean.

Koharu

The name Koharu literally means “Indian summer” or “small spring.” Japanese singer Koharu Kusumi became a host of “Boat Race Live” in 2015.

Asahi

Meaning rising sun or morning sun, Asahi has Japanese origins.

Nori

Doctrine or belief.

Chiyo

Chiyo is a name of Japanese origins, meaning ”thousand generations.”

Kiko

In Japanese, the name Kiko (depending on the used kanji) means noble child, precious child, child of happiness, or joyful child.

Hana

Hana is translated as flower from Japanese. It also means bliss in Arabic, hope in Kurdish, and grace in Hebrew. Japanese actress Hana Sugisaki re-debuted with Ken-On in April 2011.

Himari

Himari is another name with a meaning that I love, snowy.

Nana

Nana means “seven” in Japanese while in the UK it means grandmother.

Hoshi

In the Japanese language, Hoshi symbolises a ”star.”

Yume

Yume is interpreted as dream or vision in Japanese. Japanese manga artist Yumi Hotta won the 2000 Shogakukan Manga Award.

Kimi

The Japanese name Kimi can be used for a female dog, and it means joy or beautiful.

Saki

Saki means sand.

Machi

The name Machi translates as to city or town.

Momo

Momo means peach, while in Turkish it means mom.

Yuki

Happiness or snow.