Choosing a dog name is never an easy task. There are some amazing dog names out there, but many of them are already taken.
To help you find the best orient inspired dog name ideas, we’ve compiled a list of Japanese dog names with meanings and origins. You can read this list and see if any of them sound like the name you’re looking for.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Japanese dog names, and some even with their meanings.
Best Japanese Dog Names From a to Z

Japanese Dog Names That Start With A
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with A:
- Adzuki (red bean)
- Ai (love)
- Aika (love song)
- Aiko
- Airi
- Aito
- Akachan (baby)
- Akemi
- Aki
- Akiara
- Akihiro (great brightness)
- Akiko
- Akio (hero)
- Akira (intelligent)
- Akita
- Akito
- Amaya (night rain)
- Anzu
- Aoi (the color blue)
- Arata (new and fresh)
- Arisu
- Asa
- Asami (morning beauty)
- Asas
- Asuka
- Atomu
- Atsuji
- Atsushi
- Aya
- Ayame
- Ayano
- Ayumu
- Azumi
Japanese Dog Names That Start With B
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with B:
- Banri
- Bashira (joyful)
- Benjiro (enjoys peace)
- Bigaku (a love for beautiful things)
- Bonsai (the bonsai tree)
- Botan
- Bunta
Japanese Dog Names That Start With C
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with C:
- Ceiko
- Chiaki
- Chibi (small child)
- Chie
- Chiisai (small)
- Chika
- Chiko
- Chimon
- Chisai tori (little bird)
- Chiyo
- Chiyoko
- Chizue
- Cho or chou (butterfly or butterflies)
- Choco (inspired by the english word chocolate)
- Chujiro
- Chuya
- Chīsana (pocket-size)
- Cookie (another english choice)
- Crea (a shortened version of create)
Japanese Dog Names That Start With D
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with D:
- Dai (great, large)
- Daichi (from the earth)
- Daido
- Daigo
- Daiki (born for the great glory)
- Daisuke
- Daizo
- Danuja (a ruler)
- Denji
Japanese Dog Names That Start With E
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with E:
- Eiji (cheerful)
- Eiji (prosperity or peace)
- Eiko
- Eito
- Eizo
- Emi (blessing)
- Emika
- Emiko
- Enmei
- Eri
- Eshima
- Etsu
- Etsuji
- Etsuko
Japanese Dog Names That Start With F
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with F:
- Fuji (unique)
- Fujio
- Fumihiro
- Fumiko
- Fumio
- Fumito
- Futoshi
Japanese Dog Names That Start With G
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with G:
- Gaku
- Genjiro
- Genkei
- Genzo
- Gin
- Ginjoro
- Goro
- Gyaru (‘gal’—part of a fashion subculture)
Japanese Dog Names That Start With H
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with H:
- Habiki
- Hachi
- Hachiro
- Haia (nimble)
- Haku
- Hana (flower)
- Hanako
- Hanami
- Haru (sunlight)
- Haruka
- Haruki
- Haruko
- Harumi
- Haruna
- Haruto
- Haruto (flying sun)
- Hashiko
- Hatsu
- Hatsuko
- Haya
- Hayata
- Hayate
- Hayato
- Hedeki
- Hibiki (sound, echo)
- Hideaki (bright and shining)
- Hideji
- Hideki
- Hideko
- Hidemi
- Hideo
- Hideto
- Hideyo
- Hikari
- Hikaru
- Himari (light and love)
- Hinata
- Hino
- Hiraku
- Hiro (generous)
- Hiroaki
- Hiroki (large timber trees)
- Hiroko
- Hiromi
- Hiromitsu
- Hiroshi
- Hiroshi (generous)
- Hiroto
- Hiroyuki
- Hisako
- Hisato
- Hisoka
- Hisoki
- Hitomi
- Hitoshi (motivated individual)
- Hokkaido
- Honoka
- Hoshi (star)
- Hoshiko
- Hotaka
- Hotaru
- Hozumi
Japanese Dog Names That Start With I
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with I:
- Ichiro (first son)
- Ikigai (reason for being)
- Ikko
- Ima
- Isami
- Isamu
- Ito
- Itsuki (independance)
- Iwa
- Izumi
Japanese Dog Names That Start With J
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with J:
- Jazu (jazz music)
- Jin
- Jinichi
- Jiro (second son)
- Joben
- Jona
- Jun
- Junichi
- Junji
- Junko
- Junpei
- Junto
- Juro
- Jurou
Japanese Dog Names That Start With K
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with K:
- Kaede (maple)
- Kaemon
- Kage
- Kai ken
- Kaichi
- Kaiju (‘giant monster’ cinema style)
- Kairi
- Kaito (flying ocean)
- Kaiyo
- Kamiko
- Kamin
- Kaori
- Kaoru
- Karafuru (colorful)
- Kasumi
- Katashi (firm)
- Katoro (small boy)
- Katsu (victory)
- Katsuji
- Katsumi
- Katsuro
- Kawasaki
- Kayda
- Kayo
- Kazu
- Kazue
- Kazuki
- Kazuko
- Kazumi
- Kazuro
- Kazz
- Kei (style)
- Keiji
- Keiko
- Ken
- Kenichi (strong, healthy first son)
- Kenji (strong, healthy second son)
- Kenshin
- Kenta
- Kento (happiness)
- Kenzan
- Kenzo (wise one)
- Kenzou
- Keomi
- Kichi
- Kichiro (lucky son)
- Kichōna (precious)
- Kiko
- Kiku
- Kimi (noble)
- Kimika
- Kimiko
- Kin
- Kingyo (goldfish)
- Kioka
- Kioshi
- Kirei (pretty)
- Kirito (kirigaya kazuto from sword art online)
- Kiseki (miracle)
- Kishi
- Kishu ken
- Kiwa
- Kiyo (pure)
- Kiyomi
- Kiyoshi (purity)
- Ko (child)
- Kobe
- Kogal (fashion term for schoolgirl outfits)
- Kohaku
- Kohana
- Koichi
- Koji
- Koko
- Kokoro
- Kon (famous film director kon ichikawa)
- Koro (roly-poly)
- Kotaro (small boy)
- Koto
- Kouta
- Koya
- Kozo
- Kuma
- Kumiko
- Kumo (cloud)
- Kuniko
- Kunio
- Kuri
- Kuro
- Kurumi (walnut)
- Kuuki (air)
- Kyary (thought to be japan’s modern pop music princess)
- Kyi
- Kyo (cooperation)
- Kyoko
- Kyoto
Japanese Dog Names That Start With L
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with L:
- Leo
- Leon
Japanese Dog Names That Start With M
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with M:
- Machiko
- Madoka
- Mai
- Maiko
- Maki (from street fighter)
- Makoto (sincere)
- Mami
- Mana
- Manabu
- Manami
- Manjiro
- Manju
- Mao
- Mari
- Mariko
- Maro
- Maron (chestnut)
- Maru (round)
- Masa
- Masaaki
- Masaji
- Masaki
- Masako
- Masami
- Masao
- Masaru (victory)
- Masashi
- Masato (righteous individual)
- Masayoshi
- Masayuki
- Masumi (clarity)
- Matcha
- Mayu
- Mayumi
- Megumi (blessing)
- Mei
- Meiko
- Michi
- Michiko
- Michio (man on a journey)
- Midori
- Mie
- Mieko
- Miho
- Mika
- Mikan
- Miki
- Mikio
- Mikka
- Miku
- Minako
- Minami
- Minato
- Minori
- Minoru
- Mio
- Misa
- Misaki
- Misako
- Mitsu
- Mitsuko
- Mitsuo (shining hero)
- Mitsura
- Mitsuru
- Miwa
- Miya
- Miyako
- Miyo
- Miyoko
- Miyu (gentle)
- Miyuki
- Mizuki
- Mocha
- Mochi
- Momo (peach)
- Momoka
- Mori (forest)
- Morie
- Moriko
- Mura
Japanese Dog Names That Start With N
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with N:
- Nakano
- Nami (wave)
- Namie
- Namika
- Namio
- Nana (seven)
- Nanako
- Nanami
- Nao (honest)
- Naoji
- Naoki
- Naoko
- Naomi
- Naoshi
- Naozumi
- Nara
- Narumi
- Natsu
- Natsukashii (happy memories of the past)
- Natsuki
- Natsuko
- Natsumi
- Nishi
- Noa
- Noboku
- Noboru
- Nobu
- Nobuko
- Nori (seaweed)
- Noriko
- Norio (lawful man)
- Norita
- Notin
- Nozomi
- Nyoko
Japanese Dog Names That Start With O
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with O:
- Okimi
- Osaka
- Osamu (studious)
- Oshin
Japanese Dog Names That Start With P
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with P:
- Pikachu (something that doesn’t make noise)
- Pinku (the color pink)
- Pochi (the japanese equivalent of ‘spot’)
Japanese Dog Names That Start With R
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with R:
- Raden
- Rai
- Raiden
- Raijin
- Raku
- Rakuro
- Ramen
- Rei
- Reiji
- Reiki
- Reiko
- Reizo
- Ren (lotus / love)
- Renzo
- Rika
- Riki
- Riko
- Rikona
- Riku (land)
- Rikuto
- Rin
- Rina (jasmine)
- Rini
- Rio
- Risa
- Rokuro
- Ruka
- Rumi
- Runa (luna)
- Ruri
- Ryo (refreshing)
- Ryoichi
- Ryoko
- Ryokucha
- Ryota
- Ryu
- Ryuma
- Ryuu (dragon)
Japanese Dog Names That Start With S
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with S:
- Sachi
- Sachiko
- Sada
- Sadako
- Saeko
- Sai
- Sakae
- Sakai
- Sake
- Saki
- Saku
- Sakura (cherry blossoms)
- Samuru
- Samurai
- Sango
- Sanyu
- Saori
- Sapporo
- Sashimi
- Satoko
- Satomi
- Satoru
- Satoshi (wise, fast learner)
- Satsuki
- Satsuo
- Sayaka
- Sayuri
- Seiji
- Seika
- Seto
- Setsuko
- Shiba inu
- Shigeo
- Shika
- Shiki
- Shiko
- Shikoku ken
- Shinji (true second son)
- Shinju (pearl)
- Shino
- Shinobu
- Shinya
- Shiori
- Shiro (fourth son)
- Shizu
- Shizuka
- Shizuko
- Sho
- Shohei (respect)
- Shoji
- Shoko
- Shoma
- Shouta
- Shouta (big flying)
- Shuga (sugar)
- Shuji
- Shunta
- Shuzo
- Soba
- Sora (sky)
- Sorano
- Souji
- Souta
- Sugi
- Suki
- Sumiko
- Sumire
- Sunako
- Sushi
- Susumo (proceed)
- Susumu
- Suzu
- Suzuki
- Suzume
Japanese Dog Names That Start With T
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with T:
- Tadaaki (faithful light)
- Tadami
- Tadao (loyal)
- Tadashi (loyal, faithful)
- Tadeo (loyal)
- Taeko (brave)
- Taichi (large first son)
- Taiga
- Taiki
- Taiko (japanese drum)
- Taishi
- Taiyo (sun)
- Taji
- Taka
- Takahiro (nobility)
- Takako
- Takao
- Takara
- Takaro
- Takashi (prosperous)
- Takato
- Takayuki
- Takeo (warrior hero)
- Taki (waterfall)
- Tako
- Taku
- Takuma
- Takumi
- Tamaki
- Tamiko
- Tamotsu
- Tani
- Tanka (modern shortform poetry)
- Taro (eldest son or boy)
- Taru
- Tateo
- Tatsu
- Tatsumi
- Tatsuo
- Taura
- Teiji
- Teijo
- Tempura
- Teruko
- Tetsu
- Tetsuji
- Tetsuro
- Tohru
- Toki
- Tokuro
- Tokyo
- Tomiju
- Tomiko
- Tomio
- Tomo
- Tomohito
- Tomomi
- Tomoya
- Toru
- Toshi (wise)
- Toshiaki
- Toshiji
- Toshiko (clever)
- Toshio (genius leader)
- Toshiro (talented)
- Toya
- Tsuki (moon)
Japanese Dog Names That Start With U
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with U:
- Uchuu (the cosmos)
- Udon
- Ume
- Umeji
- Umeko
- Umi (sea or ocean)
- Usagi
- Utano
Japanese Dog Names That Start With W
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with W:
- Wakana
- Wakumi
- Wasabi
Japanese Dog Names That Start With Y
Here are some of the best dog names in Japanese that start with Y:
- Yahiro
- Yamato (great harmony)
- Yasu (peace)
- Yasuko
- Yasuri
- Yasushi
- Yataro
- Yoko
- Yori (trust)
- Yoru
- Yoshi (good luck, good, righteous)
- Yoshie
- Yoshiko
- Yoshio (joyful life)
- Yoshiro
- Yoshito
- Yosu
- Youta
- Yozo
- Yua
- Yui
- Yuina
- Yuji
- Yujiro
- Yuka
- Yukari
- Yuki (good fortune)
- Yukiko
- Yukio (blessed hero)
- Yuko
- Yumi (beautiful)
- Yumiko
- Yuna
- Yuri (lily)
- Yuriko
- Yuuma (truthful, gentle)
Conclusion

Whether your dog is white, black, brown or blue merle, I hope you were able to find a Japanese dog name you love! If you’re interested in other dog name ideas, please check out the blog.
That being said, there is nothing left but to thank you for your attention up to this point.
I hope I have been helpful, and I wish you many moments of joy and satisfaction in the company of your beloved puppy.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns along the way, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for reading, and have a great day!
Until next time!
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