Pet names in Japan follow clear trends. The most popular names for both dogs and cats in recent years have been foods and drinks, led by Mugi (barley), then Latte, Mocha, Cocoa and Kinako. They are playful, easy to call, and usually match a brown or golden coat.
Below are the names at the top of the latest ranking, then the best Japanese words to use, with their meanings. For more, see dog names and cat names.
The most popular dog names in Japan
In Daiichi ipet's ranking of puppies insured from April 2025 to March 2026, the top five were Mugi, Latte, Mocha, Cocoa and Komugi. Mugi has also led other Japanese pet insurers' name rankings in recent years.
| Name | Japanese | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mugi | むぎ 麦 | barley, wheat | No. 1 for both dogs and cats in recent rankings |
| Latte | ラテ | caffè latte | No. 2 for dogs and joint No. 2 for cats in the Daiichi ipet ranking |
| Mocha | モカ | mocha coffee | |
| Cocoa | ココア | cocoa | |
| Komugi | こむぎ 小麦 | wheat | A favourite for Shiba Inu |
| Kinako | きなこ | roasted soybean flour | Golden-brown, like many coats |
| Omochi | おもち | rice cake | Soft, white and round |
| Marron | マロン | chestnut (from French) | |
| Leo | レオ | lion | The top boy's name for cats in the Daiichi ipet ranking |
| Coco | ココ | – | A short, cute favourite for small dogs |
The most popular cat names in Japan
In Daiichi ipet's ranking of kittens insured from April 2025 to March 2026, Mugi came first, Latte and Luna tied for second, then Kinako, Leo and Mocha. Mugi has topped other cat name rankings in recent years too.
| Name | Japanese | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mugi | むぎ 麦 | barley, wheat | No. 1 for both dogs and cats in recent rankings |
| Latte | ラテ | caffè latte | No. 2 for dogs and joint No. 2 for cats in the Daiichi ipet ranking |
| Luna | ルナ | moon (Latin) | Joint No. 2 for cats; Luna is also the cat in Sailor Moon |
| Kinako | きなこ | roasted soybean flour | Golden-brown, like many coats |
| Leo | レオ | lion | The top boy's name for cats in the Daiichi ipet ranking |
| Mocha | モカ | mocha coffee |
Food names
Food is the biggest theme in Japanese pet names. Most top names are shades of brown that match a dog's coat, and owners like that they are playful rather than human names.
| Name | Japanese | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azuki | あずき 小豆 | sweet red beans | Popular for Shiba Inu |
| Omochi | おもち | rice cake | Soft, white and round |
| Mochi | もち 餅 | rice cake | |
| Dango | だんご | rice dumplings | |
| Daifuku | だいふく 大福 | rice cake stuffed with sweet bean paste | |
| Ohagi | おはぎ | rice ball coated in red bean paste | |
| Goma | ごま | sesame | For speckled coats |
| Nori | のり | seaweed | For black coats |
| Kuri | くり 栗 | chestnut | |
| Yuzu | ゆず | yuzu citrus | |
| Ume | うめ 梅 | plum | |
| Momo | もも 桃 | peach | |
| Tofu | とうふ 豆腐 | tofu | For white pets |
| Ikura | いくら | salmon roe | |
| Wasabi | わさび | wasabi |
Nature names
Japanese words from nature suit dogs of any size.
| Name | Japanese | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sora | そら 空 | sky | |
| Hana | はな 花 | flower | |
| Sakura | さくら 桜 | cherry blossom | |
| Yuki | ゆき 雪 | snow | For white coats |
| Haru | はる 春 | spring | |
| Kaze | かぜ 風 | wind | |
| Hoshi | ほし 星 | star | |
| Tsuki | つき 月 | moon | |
| Kai | かい 海 | sea | |
| Kaede | かえで 楓 | maple | |
| Kohaku | こはく 琥珀 | amber | For golden eyes or coats |
| Midori | みどり | green |
Rankings: SoraNews24, 27 May 2026: Daiichi ipet ranking; Web Tan (Impress), June 2025: pet name rankings.