Japanese names for cats: features of choice, interesting examples

Japanese cat names are now popular all over the world - the cultural characteristics of the land of the rising sun have long been established in other cultures. Japan attracts with its rich history, and even people who are far from Japanese traditions can find their own reason for giving their pet a beautiful oriental name. In the article, we talked about the reasons for the popularity of Japanese names for cats, which names are more suitable for boys and girls, and how to choose a name based on the character of the pet. You will also learn about cat names from Japanese mythology and geography.

Reason for popularity

Japan is famous for its special and respectful attitude towards cats: every year on February 22, residents of the country celebrate National Cat Day.

Traditional cat festival in Japan

Cats appeared in the country around 600-700 AD. e. – Chinese ships were often accompanied by tailed travelers. There is a reason for this: cats protected ships from rodents, which could seriously damage food supplies and spoil goods.

IMPORTANT: in Japanese the word for “cat” or “cat” will sound like “neko”.

But cats received true recognition in the land of the rising sun thanks to Buddhism: monks kept cats in monasteries that protected scriptures from rodents, thereby giving rise to the legend that cats in Buddhism are the guardians of sacred books.

During the reign of the 66th Japanese Emperor Ichijo, cats were given to courtiers for special services.

Despite their special position, over time cats became part of Japanese folklore, where they were considered demonic creatures. It was believed that a cat's tail was dangerous and by hitting the ground with it, it could summon evil spirits into this world. All this served as the basis for the strong strengthening of cats in the traditional culture of the Japanese.

IMPORTANT: Gotoku-Ji Temple in Japan especially reveres cats - devout Japanese install sculptures of their deceased pets here.

Temple of "alluring" cats Gotoku-Ji

Animals

Sometimes pets can become associated with another animal. A pet can be fast like a hawk , graceful like a panther, or majestic like a lion. Below are the names in Japanese.

Vani is a crocodile.
Kami is a wolf.
Koneko is a kitten.
Kuma is a bear.
Kitsune is a fox.
Yu-xia is a falcon.
Tora is a tiger.
District - lion.
Hyo - jaguar, panther.
Ieusagi is a rabbit.
Hatsuka is a mouse.
Usagi is a hare.
Yamaneko is a lynx.
Ryuyu is a dragon.

Interesting examples of names with meaning

Appearance, character, behavior - all these are not the only characteristics that allow you to choose Japanese nicknames for cats.

Was your favorite kitten who grew up in the village, lapped milk from a saucer and hunted butterflies? You can name the boy Kunio - “raised in the village”, and the girl Mariko, which in Japanese means “born in the village”.

The pet that becomes the second in your home can be called Jiro - the second child.

A kitten born during the cherry blossom season may be named Haruna, which means “spring”, or Mio, which means “cherry blossom”.

A pet's background can say a lot about its personality.

A summer kitten can get the wonderful name Natsumi - “beautiful summer” in Japanese.

Nanami is a unique nickname that will make your pet a conqueror of the “seven seas”. The nickname takes us back to the times when brave cats traveled on ships, protecting ship gear, holds and provisions from the sharp teeth of numerous rodents.

Fans of traditional Japanese products and funny nicknames name their cats after their favorite dishes. Sushi, manchu, sake, soba - all these are names of Japanese gastronomic delights.

How to choose the right one?

The Japanese love cats so much that on December 8th of every year they celebrate World Day of These Cute Creatures. They call them “neko” and believe that the fluffies do not say “meow”, as is customary in our country, but “nya”. When choosing a name for a pet, the following are important:

breed;
floor;
color;
eye color
vivid personal characteristics of the animal.

The name can be composed of one word or two. A simple nickname is easier to pronounce and remember, while a complex one, in turn, sounds more noble and gives the pet a special charm.

Geographic nicknames

There are quite a few sonorous names among the geographical names of Japanese cities.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, a simple and harmonious word;

Ashi is a popular lake, distinguished by its picturesqueness;

Yoko is a city near Tokyo;

The names of Japanese places have their own meaning, for example, Yoko means "child of the ocean, confidence"

Fushiki - Japanese shrine;

Osaka is a developed and one of the largest metropolises in the country;

Okinawa is the southwestern island chain of Japan;

Other characteristics

If you want to give your pet a unique and symbolic name, then a Japanese nickname is exactly what you need.

Asa - morning, dawn.
Izumi is a trickle.
Katsu - victory.
May - dance.
Michiko is a beautiful child.
Miyako is a beautiful child of the night.
Megumi is a blessing.
Takara is a treasure.
Hikari – light.
Hoshiko is a star child.
Tsukiko is a moon child.
Etsuko is a child of joy.
Yuki - snow.
Chikara – strength, power, might
Hareru is the sun.
Hesey - peace, tranquility
Himitsu is a mystery.
Kishi is a knight.
Megami is a goddess.
Miko is a priestess or maiden.
Mizu – water.
Pika - ray of light
Tsuki is the moon.
Yusei is a fairy.
Yusha is a hero.

Nicknames from Japanese mythology

Lovers of true exotics can delve into the knowledge of ancient Japanese mythology, which presents the historical folklore names of these mysterious animals and their meaning.

IMPORTANT: “maneki-neko” figurines have become very popular - a white porcelain figurine of a cat with a raised paw, symbolizing blessing and good luck.

Maneki-neko figurines

The legend tells of the noble samurai Ii Naotake, who was passing by the temple and encountered severe bad weather. Hiding under a tree, he saw a white cat at the foot of the Gotoku-Ji temple, which seemed to be calling him with its paw. After leaving the shelter, the samurai witnessed lightning strike a tree. The monks received him with honor in their monastery, allowing him to wait out the downpour. Before this, they lamented that the temple was in a deplorable state and there was no money to repair it. Ii Naotake was so captivated by what happened that he donated a large sum for the reconstruction of the temple, later making it his family temple. Since then, the white figurine symbolizes the blessing and salvation of higher powers.

Along with this, cat names fill up other Japanese mystical stories. Eg:

Kasya is a cat with a human body and a cat’s head, with a burning tail and, according to legend, lived a long life and even outlived its owner. Kasia sends the souls of sinners to Hell, causing severe bad weather.

Illustrative image of the spirit Kasia

Nekomata is a cat that lives in the mountains, has a very long and forked tail, starts fires and hunts lost travelers.

This is how Nekomata was represented

Kaibyo is a cat spirit that takes revenge on its owner's offenders.

Kaibyo could take the form of a human

Gotoku-neko is the guardian of the hearth, a cat with a double tail, fanning the flames in the hearth through a bamboo tube.

Mythological representation of Gotoku-neku

Traditional names for boys

In this selection of names that can be given to cats:

Akayo is smart.
Aki - bright autumn.
Akio is handsome.
Akira - clear dawn.
Aretha is new.
Goro is the fifth son.
Jiro is the second son.
June - respectful, obedient.
Dake is a great value.
Daichi is the first son.
Izamu is a brave warrior.
Izao - honor and dignity.
Yoichi is courageous.
Iori - obedience, dependence.
Yoshi is good, correct.
Yoshiro is a good son.
Ichiro is the firstborn.
Kayoshi is calm and quiet.
Keiji is respectful.
Ken is strong and tough.
Kenji is a wise ruler.
Kenta is of strong build.
Kenshin is humble.
Kyo - approval.

Cat Ken:

Kichiro is the one who is lucky.
Koji is the heir.
Koichi is bright, noticeable.
Kazuki is a new generation.
Katashi is strong-willed.
Ketsaro - born to be a winner.
Katsu - victory.
Makoto is truth and truth.
Masashi is correct.
Minoru is fruitful.
Michi - road, path.
Madoka - calmness.
Mazeki is correct.
Memoru is a true protector.
Menebou is a diligent student.
Naoki is honest.
Nobu - true faith.
Norayo - strong principles.
Neo - crystal honesty.
Ozemu - king, ruler.
Rio is superior.
Ryota is strong, unbending.
Roquero is the sixth son.
Ryuu is a baby dragon.
Suzumu - progress, moving forward.
Satoru is smart, enlightened.
Takashi is worthy of praise,
Taro is the great son.
Tetsuya has an iron character.
Toru is a traveler, wanderer.
Toshi is a colorful incident.
Taddeo is loyal, patient.
Takeo is a fighter, a warrior.
Takeshi is a fierce warrior.
Tetsuo is a wise, long-lived dragon.
Hideki is an amazing opportunity.
Hideo is luxurious.

This is Toshi:

Hizoka - preserved.
Hizeo is a long-liver.
Hiro is popular.
Hiroki - great joy, great strength.
Hiroshi - abundance.
Hitoshi is balanced and calm.
Haruo - born in spring.
Shijo - abundance of something.
Shin is the embodiment of truth.
Shoji - shining, radiant.
Yuichi is a brave friend.
Yukayo is the one who will live a happy life.
Yuki is snowy.
Yutaka - success awaits him.
Yuchi is an example of courage.
Yasuo is peaceful and honest.

Boy Yutaka:

Trees and flowers

Japan is a symbol of the beautiful cherry blossoms and for many of us the country is associated with this event, which the Japanese greet with special trepidation. Cats, in turn, are creatures of the wild: some of them are wise and calm like centuries-old trees, and some are gentle and tremulous like buds.

Among the Japanese, names meaning trees and flowers are also popular; choosing them is easy:

Hinata means sunflower, child of the sun;

Itsuki is a small tree growing in the forest;

Ackee is warm and bright like autumn leaves;

Masaki is as strong as a big tree;

Airi is as attractive as jasmine;

Yuriko is a fragile blooming lily;

Variations on the theme of sakura have many meanings: from beauty to the long-awaited arrival of some moment

Rio - sakura, the long-awaited arrival of spring;

Yukari is the color of fresh pear;

Hasidoi - spring lilac;

Azomatsu - delicate forest Christmas tree;