Wild animals are not given a name upon birth. Adopted pets require a name so they can be fully integrated into the family. Cat names have always been amusing to decide. The choice between Fuzzykins and John is a fun one to make, and the choices only expand once you integrate culture from other countries such as Japan. In this article, we talk about what to consider when searching for Japanese names for cats.
Naming a Cat
Naming a cat or any pet for that matter is as straightforward as it seems. Deciding the name itself is the harder part. You can decide to name your cat based on real-world names shared by humans such as Sherman, but you can just as easily call your feline Fur-Ball. You can even name your cats based on your favorite food, objects, actor, character, and pieces of media.
It is not uncommon for people to name their cats using common objects like a snowball or base their name off a character from a TV show or a movie like John Wick. These choices can become very stressful to decide. One should always remember that Japanese names for cats provide a plethora of different names to give to your furry baby.
What to Consider
The first things to consider when thinking of cats’ names are their gender, personality and what type of breed they may be. Further things you can consider when naming it is what type of fur color it has and other defining features it may possess which may help it create its own identity. You don’t want to call your female cat Tom.
Instead, you could go for a gender-neutral name like Sam or Morgan, but you could also just as easily choose a name based on its personality. Training should also be kept in mind that its name and the commands you teach it to sound different.
In the end, you must give your cat a name which you can say for many glorious years to come. The name should make you happy just as much as it defines the cat.
Cats in Japan
Japan is known for the beckoning cat called Maneki-Neko. The locals believe this popular cat figurine to bless the owner with good luck and positive blessings. This originated from a legend where a man saw a cat waving its paw at him, so he approached the cat, dodging a lightning strike that hit his previous position.
Believing the cat to be the source of his good fortune, he spread the legend of the beckoning cat, a symbol of fortune and luck. This cat figurine is now usually found in front of shops, restaurants, and other business locations. It is sometimes also fashioned onto keychains or into piggybanks. Cats play a huge role in Japanese culture, having many shrines dedicated to cats. This is why Japanese names for cats are given such importance in the culture.
Common Cat Breeds in Japan
The Japanese Bobtail cat breed is one of the oldest known cat breeds originating from Japan. It is said that short tail cats arrived in Japan 1000 years ago. In the year 1602, Japanese authorities passed a law that demanded all cats be free so that they could deal with Japan’s mouse problem. From there, cats were allowed to live on farms and in the streets.
They can be like dogs who play fetch and will often carry toys. They are a healthy and strong breed that will live up to 15-17 years. Their unusual bobtail resembles the tail of a bunny rabbit. This cat is a good candidate to be given one of the many Japanese names for cats.
Cute Japanese Cat Names
Starting with the names of our list, we have some gender-neutral Japanese names for cats that describe the cat based on personality and appearance. They fully encompass the cat by who they are and what they appear as to the world. These names are also very cute.
Starting with naming fat cats, big round cats can be named Hayate, which translates to smooth. Another name to consider is Kenta, which means big and healthy. Aggressive or feisty cats may be called Judo, Japanese for fighters, while talkative cats may be named Hibiki, Japanese for sound.
These are but a few examples of cute Japanese names for cats based on the cat’s general appearance and habits.
Male Japanese Cat Names
Male cats in Japan are easily distinguished by their name. Just like in the west, you would not expect a woman to be called Josh. It is the same concept in Japanese, with cat names being given a more masculine form to better suit their male gender. Isamu and Hiko are prime examples of masculine names given to cats, with the former meaning brave and the latter being the name for a prince.
Daiki means big and valuable, while Shou means prized. Another male name is Mitsuo which translates to a shining man or a hero. Yota is a male name for light and means the same as Haru or Aki. Kazuo means peaceful man, while Yamato means harmony. There are dozens of other cool male Japanese names for cats to choose from.
Female Japanese Cat Names
Giving female Japanese names for cats, the rules are the same as the male Japanese cat names, where the name is evident that it belongs to a female; examples being Rebecca or Mary. These names are usually those of beauty or nature. Aimi, Asami, Hiromi, and Miki all dwell in beauty. Cho is a girl’s name for butterfly, while Eri and Kei mean blessed. This trend continues with other Japanese names for cats, such as Aya, a female name for the color.
Anime Cat Names
Anime is an important part of Japanese culture, so it makes sense that some Japanese names for cats derive from animation. Some of these entries, such as Artemis from Sailor Moon and Arthur from Code Geass, may not be in Japanese but are Japanese names for cats based on names from popular animation. Some actual Japanese names for cats include Kuro, Poyo, and Tama, which all originate from classic Japanese animations.
Japanese names for cats will undoubtedly have the perfect name to represent your cat’s personality and unique traits to the family & the world.
