
Need a name for your new kitty? Here are 25 suggestions from Japan.
Just like cats say “nyao” in Japan instead of “meow,” so too does the country have its own trends in names for feline pets. Japanese website Iris Pet recently completed its annual survey of Japan’s top cat names, in which 839 respondents gave the names of the collective 1,694 cats they own.
Let’s take a look at the top 25.
25 (tie). Yuki (meaning “Snow”)
怒って噛んだ後に、しんみりと反省する白猫ユキちゃんです♪
— オッドアイの白猫ユキ (@oddeyekitty) February 15, 2016
悪いことをしたと思ったのか、うつむいて、下を向いている姿が可愛いです♪#cat #3KCOC @YouTube
動画⇒ https://t.co/b9Sbee0RW9 pic.twitter.com/wYwGa6iRes
No doubt a popular choice for kitties with snow-white fur, like the one seen in the tweet above.
25 (tie). Minto (“Mint”)
No, Japan doesn’t have mint-green cats, but it does have a penchant for naming its cute pets after foodstuffs, as we’ll see as the list goes on.
25 (tie). Miruku (“Milk”)
25 (tie). Haru (“Spring”)
25 (tie). Chobi
25 (tie). Kurumi (“Walnut”)
25 (tie). Kinako
Kinako is a cinnamon-like seasoning made from roasted soybean powder, with a color not unlike the coat of the cat seen above.
22 (tie). Reo/Leo
Lions are just big cats, so why not name your housecat after the king of the jungle?
22 (tie). Moka (“Mocha”)
22 (tie). Tama
先日のギフトショーブースの一角。よく出来ていますが、ネコせんべいもタマ大福も粘土細工。食べられませんよ~。 pic.twitter.com/IntO2pky7d
— 三丁目のタマ町内会 (@tama_friends) February 9, 2016
Tama literally means “ball,” and may have initially caught on as a metaphor for how cats look when curled up asleep. Tama may also get a boost form being the name of the family cat in long-running anime Sazae-san as well as the star of anime and character merchandise line Tama and Friends, which has been around since the early 1980s and is still going strong with its own Twitter account.
18. Maru
Meaning “circle,” Maru carries cozy connotations similar to Tama.
18 (tie). Hime (“Princess”)
18 (tie). Jiji
We’re guessing most owners of a Jiji named the animal after the companion of little witch Kiki in classic Ghibli anime Kiki’s Delivery Service.
18 (tie). Azuki (“Sweet Red Beans”)
As we’ve mentioned before, sweet beans make everything better.
13 (tie). Rin
13 (tie). Maron (“Marron”)
Marron, being the French word for “chestnut,” has enough foreign flare to propel it past the more domestic and mundane Kurumi in the battle of nut-derived cat names.
13 (tie). Tora (“Tiger”)
13 (tie). Sakura (“Cherry Blossom”)
Cats and cherry blossoms are a great combination, after all.
13 (tie). Kotetsu (“Small Iron”)
This diminutive yet tough name was the number-three choice for male cats in the poll.
11 (tie). Mikan (“Mandarin Orange”)
11 (tie). Chibi (“Tiny”)
9 (tie). Chiro
9 (tie). Kai
The masculine-sounding Kai tied for the number-one male cat name.
8. Mei
7. Fuku (“Lucky”)
5 (tie). Sora (“Sky”)
ソラ「白猫よりあたちを構いなさーい!」って感じかなw
— 林檎猫₍˄·͈༝·͈˄₎◞ ̑̑ෆ⃛ (@yoshiringochan) February 9, 2016
メートルのルーン4200個まで来た(*´ω`*) pic.twitter.com/b23x88H7pl
Sora tied with Kai in the male rankings, but a couple of responses from the female side pushed it higher in the overall rankings.
5 (tie). Shiro (“White”)
4. Koko
2 (tie). Hana (“Flower”)
Hana, which is also a popular name for dogs in Japan, was the top response for female cats.
2 (tie). Kuro (“Black”)
Black cats may be traditionally considered bad luck, but they got plenty of love in the survey.
1. Momo (“Peach”)
▼ With victory secured, Momo can rest easy.
めっちゃいい顔して寝てました。
— モモとウメとハギ (@momoume_ppp) February 9, 2016
@夫 #猫 #モモ pic.twitter.com/HS2c8bHAOE
Even though it was only the second-most popular choice for female cats, and its sweet, fruity image meant it wasn’t a huge hit for males, Momo had just enough crossover appeal to capture the top spot in Iris Pet’s poll for an astounding eighth year in a row.
Now, armed with this list, you’ll be more than ready to welcome 25 new pets into your home.
Source: Iris Pet via My Navi Gakusei no Madoguchi via Otakomu
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Studio Ghibli


Japan’s top 10 cat names for 2017
Japan’s top 10 dog names for 2017
Meow’s that? 2022’s ranking of the top cat names in Japan
Meow’s this? 2020’s ranking of the top cat names and breeds in Japan
Japan’s most popular kitty names, featuring inspiration from anime and sweet treats!
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Most popular pet names in Japan for 2014 suggest owners obsessed with food
Top 5 dog and cat breeds in Japan 2013
Japanese universities determine cats know the names of other cats
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Rest in peace, Tama – Japan’s stationmaster cat passes away at 16, company funeral to be held
What’s in a name? The 10 most common surnames in Japan (and their meanings)
“I tape them to my monitor” – Weird things people in Japan do with their cat’s fallen whiskers
“Family name researcher” discovers the most common full name in Japan
Japan’s cat testicle calendar is here for nyantama fans to go nuts with
Cat becomes head priest at Japanese shrine
Japanese baby name app releases 2021 ranking of top ten most intriguing boy and girl baby names
Dress like a cute cat while cuddling a real one with new colors for Japan’s kitty pouch jumpsuits
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Japan’s cat cuddle hoodie upsizes to accommodate larger cats and larger hugs