
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
Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
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]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s most popular kitty names, featuring inspiration from anime and sweet treats!
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