160 Anime Cat Names: Characters, Ghibli & Japanese Words
Anime is full of names that already sound like pet names: short, melodic, and packed with meaning. And it has something no other fandom offers, a whole cast of actual cat characters, from Luna in Sailor Moon to Jiji in Kiki's Delivery Service to Happy in Fairy Tail.
Below are 160 names: the real anime cats first, then Studio Ghibli favorites, heroes and heroines, Japanese word names with verified meanings, and villains for the edgy cat. Each entry notes the series and the character, plus the kind of cat it suits.
If you are naming a girl or a boy, our female cat names and male cat names lists break the favourites from this page down by gender.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the actual anime cats: Luna, Jiji, Happy, Meowth, Chi, and Kirara are the most fitting picks of all.
- Studio Ghibli gets its own section: Totoro, Kiki, Chihiro, Haku, and Ponyo are gentle, timeless names.
- Japanese word names carry verified meanings: Yuki means snow, Sora means sky, Hana means flower, marked clearly below.
- Short names win: Jiji, Chi, Ash, and Rem are two syllables your cat will learn fast.
- Match the energy: a chaos kitten is no Totoro, and a sleepy senior is no Bakugo, watch your cat for a day first.
Most Popular Anime Cat Names
The names anime fans reach for first: beloved, wearable, and easy to shout across the house. Start here when you want a name other anime fans will recognise instantly: these are the proven favourites from the biggest series.
Tap any card to copy the name.
Real Anime Cat Characters
The actual cats of anime: the ones with whiskers on screen. Choosing from this lane means the name was already a cat on screen, which makes the tribute feel complete.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artemis | goddess of the moon | Wise and patient; for the dazzling white advisor. | |
| Nyanko-sensei | the grumpy spirit cat in Natsume's Book of Friends | Gruff and powerful; for the chubby complainer. | |
| Blair | plain, field | Flirty and magical; for the bewitching black girl. | |
| Kuro | black | Small and dark; for the little shadow. | |
| Puck | the artificial spirit cat in Re:Zero | Cute and terrifying; for the sweet girl with a hidden edge. | |
| Baron | lowest rank of hereditary nobility | Dapper and chivalrous; for the gentleman cat. | |
| Muta | the fat tabby in The Cat Returns | Lazy and streetwise; for the big sarcastic boy. | |
| Nekobasu | the Catbus in My Neighbor Totoro | Wild and wonderful; for the huge grin. | |
| Buyo | the plump cat in Inuyasha | Round and lazy; for the professional napper. | |
| Sakamoto | the scarf-wearing cat in Nichijou | Deadpan and dignified; for the serious weirdo. | |
| Kamineko | the biting cat in Azumanga Daioh | Skittish and snappy; for the don't-touch-me cat. | |
| Kuroneko | the black cat in Trigun | Quiet and watchful; for the silent observer. | |
| Korin | the martial-arts cat in Dragon Ball | Ancient and wise; for the old master. | |
| Mao | the demon cat in Darker than Black | Mysterious and sleek; for the night prowler. | |
| Charle | the white Exceed cat in Fairy Tail | Proper and caring; for the fussy mother hen. | |
| Frosch | the frog-costumed Exceed in Fairy Tail | Shy and sweet; for the timid baby. | |
| Carla | the white Exceed in Fairy Tail | Sharp and prophetic; for the know-it-all girl. | |
| Pantherlily | the battle-ready Exceed in Fairy Tail | Small and fierce; for the tiny warrior. | |
| Spinel | the small guardian beast in Cardcaptor Sakura | Sweet then fierce; for the pocket protector. | |
| Kero | Cerberus, the lion-like guardian in Cardcaptor Sakura | Greedy and loyal; for the sweets thief. | |
| Skitty | the pink cat Pokemon | Playful and bouncy; for the pink-loving girl. | |
| Delcatty | the evolved prim Pokemon | Graceful and lazy; for the elegant loafer. | |
| Glameow | the snooty cat Pokemon | Vain and curly-tailed; for the diva. | |
| Liepard | the sleek purple cat Pokemon | Sneaky and fast; for the midnight thief. | |
| Litten | the fire kitten Pokemon | Fiery and cool; for the hot-headed baby. | |
| Shinx | the electric lion cub Pokemon | Bright and crackling; for the energetic cub. | |
| Persian | the classy cat Pokemon | Elegant and aloof; for the aristocrat. | |
| Lily | the kindly old woman's cat in Kiki's Delivery Service | Gentle and grey; for the senior sweetheart. | |
| Niya | the cat in The Secret World of Arrietty | Curious and big; for the gentle giant. | |
| Luisa | the cat in Whisper of the Heart | Quiet and watchful; for the background beauty. | |
| Moon | the cat in Whisper of the Heart | Fat and mysterious; for the neighborhood legend. | |
| Natori | the cat in The Cat Returns | Gentle and grey; for the soft soul. | |
| Thomas | the cat in Earwig and the Witch | Grumpy and magical; for the witch's familiar. | |
| Chomusuke | the cat-like familiar in Konosuba | Small and demonic; for the tiny terror. | |
| Donyatsu | the donut-shaped cat | Round and sweet; for the donut-bodied baby. | |
| Fukumaru | the round cat in A Man and His Cat | Plump and loving; for the squishy senior. |
Studio Ghibli Names
Gentle, timeless names from the world's most beloved animation studio. Ghibli names age gracefully: soft, timeless picks that never go out of style.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haku | white | Fluid and brave; for the graceful protector. | |
| Ponyo | the goldfish girl in Ponyo | Bubbly and hungry; for the chubby-cheeked baby. | |
| Sophie | wisdom | Kind and cursed-then-cured; for the gentle old soul. | |
| Howl | the flamboyant wizard in Howl's Moving Castle | Dramatic and vain; for the beautiful drama king. | |
| Calcifer | the fire demon in Howl's Moving Castle | Grumbly and warm; for the fireplace hog. | |
| San | Mountain | Wild and fierce; for the untamed girl. | |
| Ashitaka | the cursed prince in Princess Mononoke | Noble and calm; for the peacemaker. | |
| Mononoke | the spirit princess title | Wild; for the forest phantom. | |
| Mei | beautiful | Small and brave; for the tiny adventurer. | |
| Satsuki | fifth month | Responsible and kind; for the caretaker. | |
| Arrietty | the tiny borrower | Brave and miniature; for the pocket-sized explorer. | |
| Sho | soar; fly | Gentle and quiet; for the soft-hearted boy. | |
| Nausicaa | the wind-rider princess | Compassionate and brave; for the peacemaker girl. | |
| Sosuke | the boy in Ponyo | Earnest and kind; for the devoted boy. | |
| Granmamare | the ocean goddess in Ponyo | Vast and loving; for the majestic mother. | |
| Fujimoto | the wizard father in Ponyo | Eccentric and strict; for the fussy dad. | |
| Yubaba | the bathhouse witch in Spirited Away | Terrifying and businesslike; for the formidable matron. | |
| Zeniba | Yubaba's kind twin in Spirited Away | Warm and granny-like; for the sweet witch. | |
| Kamaji | the boiler man in Spirited Away | Gruff and kind; for the sooty worker. | |
| Lin | the bathhouse worker in Spirited Away | Blunt and big-sisterly; for the no-nonsense girl. | |
| Boh | the giant baby in Spirited Away | Huge and whiny; for the giant baby. | |
| Sheeta | the sky princess in Castle in the Sky | Brave and kind; for the floating dreamer. | |
| Pazu | the miner boy in Castle in the Sky | Energetic and loyal; for the adventurous boy. | |
| Dola | the air-pirate captain in Castle in the Sky | Loud and loving; for the bossy matron. | |
| Jiro | second son | Gentle and driven; for the thoughtful boy. | |
| Nahoko | the artist in The Wind Rises | Delicate and bright; for the fragile beauty. | |
| Shizuku | droplet | Dreamy and bookish; for the imaginative girl. | |
| Lune | Prince Lune in The Cat Returns | Handsome and kind; for the princely boy. |
Heroes & Heroines
The protagonists worth naming a cat after. Pick the hero whose traits match your cat: the protector, the goofball, or the brooding loner.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sasuke | the brooding ninja in Naruto | Cool and conflicted; for the loner with a past. | |
| Kakashi | scarecrow | Laid-back and brilliant; for the one-eyed cool guy. | |
| Hinata | sunny place | Gentle and strong; for the soft-spoken girl. | |
| Gohan | rice, meal | Smart and powerful; for the gentle giant. | |
| Vegeta | the proud Saiyan prince | Arrogant and loyal; for the prince of the house. | |
| Luffy | the pirate captain (One Piece) | Goofy and fearless; for the stretchy-limbed player. | |
| Zoro | the swordsman in One Piece | Tough and lost; for the directionally challenged boy. | |
| Sanji | the cook in One Piece | Chivalrous and flirty; for the food-obsessed charmer. | |
| Nami | the navigator in One Piece | Clever and money-loving; for the smart girl. | |
| Chopper | the reindeer doctor in One Piece | Small and cute; for the baby-faced healer. | |
| Ichigo | strawberry | Gruff and protective; for the strawberry-blond boy. | |
| Rukia | the soul reaper in Bleach | Petite and fierce; for the small warrior. | |
| Orihime | the kind healer in Bleach | Sweet and spacey; for the daydreamer. | |
| Edward | wealthy guardian | Short and brilliant; for the tiny genius. | |
| Alphonse | the armored brother in Fullmetal Alchemist | Gentle and huge; for the big softie. | |
| Roy | Roy Mustang, the flame alchemist | Suave and snapping; for the finger-snapping showoff. | |
| Winry | the automail mechanic in Fullmetal Alchemist | Tough and caring; for the fixer. | |
| Eren | saintly and mature | Angry and driven; for the intense boy. | |
| Mikasa | the peerless soldier in Attack on Titan | Loyal and lethal; for the devoted protector. | |
| Armin | the strategist in Attack on Titan | Smart and nervous; for the clever worrier. | |
| Deku | Izuku Midoriya in My Hero Academia | Earnest and crying; for the sensitive hero. | |
| Bakugo | the explosive rival in My Hero Academia | Loud and angry; for the screaming gremlin. | |
| Todoroki | the half-hot half-cold hero | Cool and conflicted; for the two-toned cat. | |
| Uraraka | the gravity girl in My Hero Academia | Bubbly and kind; for the floaty girl. | |
| Zenitsu | the cowardly slayer in Demon Slayer | Scared and strong-asleep; for the scaredy-cat with hidden power. | |
| Inosuke | the boar-headed slayer | Wild and loud; for the feral beast. | |
| Yuji | courageous second | Kind and strong; for the good-hearted brawler. | |
| Megumi | blessing | Stoic and cool; for the serious boy. | |
| Nobara | the hammer-wielding sorcerer | Fierce and fashionable; for the bold girl. | |
| Spike | Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop | Lazy and cool; for the laid-back drifter. | |
| Faye | fairy | Sassy and gambling; for the femme fatale. | |
| Lelouch | the masked rebel in Code Geass | Brilliant and ruthless; for the chessmaster. | |
| Inuyasha | the half-demon dog boy | Grumpy and golden-eyed; for the amber-eyed tsundere. | |
| Kagome | the time-traveling girl in Inuyasha | Kind and brave; for the modern girl. | |
| Killua | the ex-assassin kid in Hunter x Hunter | Sweet and deadly; for the small killer of toys. | |
| Gon | the cheerful hunter kid | Bright and wild; for the sunshine boy. |
Japanese Word Names with Meanings
Beautiful Japanese words with verified dictionary meanings, elegant on any cat. Match the meaning to the cat: Yuki for the white winter baby, Tora for the tabby tiger.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuki | snow; happiness | Pure and joyful; for the white winter baby. | |
| Sora | sky | Vast and free; for the daydreamer. | |
| Hoshi | star | Bright and distant; for the night gazer. | |
| Hana | flower | Delicate and blooming; for the pretty girl. | |
| Sakura | cherry blossom | Fleeting and lovely; for the spring beauty. | |
| Kira | beam of light; ruler | Shining and commanding; for the radiant leader. | |
| Sumi | ink | Dark and sleek; for the black panther. | |
| Shiro | white | Pure and clean; for the white cloud. | |
| Aki | autumn | Crisp and golden; for the fall-born kitten. | |
| Wakaba | young leaves | Fresh and new; for the spring baby. | |
| Himawari | a sunflower | Sunny and cheerful; for the golden girl. | |
| Fuyu | winter | Quiet and pale; for the snow-season cat. | |
| Kaze | wind | Swift and free; for the hallway runner. | |
| Ame | rain; candy | Soft and grey; for the mellow grey. | |
| Yume | dream | Sleepy and sweet; for the champion napper. | |
| Hikari | light | Radiant; for the cat who lights up the room. | |
| Tsuki | moon | Silvery and calm; for the night watcher. | |
| Ren | lotus; love | Pure and blooming; for the graceful girl. | |
| Aoi | hollyhock; blue | Cool and clear; for the blue-eyed beauty. | |
| Midori | green | Fresh and vivid; for the green-eyed hunter. | |
| Momo | peach | Sweet and round; for the chubby-cheeked baby. | |
| Tora | tiger | Striped and bold; for the tabby tiger. | |
| Usagi | rabbit | Soft and bouncy; for the hopping player. | |
| Kiku | chrysanthemum | Noble and autumnal; for the dignified beauty. |
Villains & Edgy Picks
For the cat with a dark side: names with bite. These suit the dramatic, the aloof, and the gloriously unhinged.
| Name | Meaning | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madara | speckled; mottled | Godlike and vengeful; for the all-powerful boy. | |
| Pain | the Rinnegan leader in Naruto | Broken and mighty; for the intense philosopher. | |
| Obito | the masked man in Naruto | Tragic and twisted; for the fallen hero. | |
| Frieza | the galactic tyrant in Dragon Ball | Cold and cruel; for the white-and-purple menace. | |
| Cell | the perfect android in Dragon Ball | Smug and spotted; for the spotted perfectionist. | |
| Buu | the pink destroyer in Dragon Ball | Round and chaotic; for the chubby chaos. | |
| Aizen | the traitor captain in Bleach | Calm and terrifying; for the smiling schemer. | |
| Shigaraki | the decay villain in My Hero Academia | Crusty and vengeful; for the scratchy menace. | |
| Muzan | the demon king in Demon Slayer | Pale and perfect; for the flawless villain. | |
| Sukuna | the king of curses in Jujutsu Kaisen | Ancient and arrogant; for the tattooed terror. | |
| Hisoka | the clown magician in Hunter x Hunter | Creepy and playful; for the unsettling joker. | |
| Meruem | the chimera ant king | Ruthless then redeemed; for the fearsome softie. |
Tips for Naming Your Anime Cat
A few practical notes before you commit:
- Say it out loud. You will be shouting it at the vet. Jiji works; the full "Baron Humbert von Gikkingen" does not, pick the everyday version now.
- Two syllables win. Cats learn short names fastest, it is why Chi, Ash, Rem, and Jiji top every list.
- Check the meaning. Japanese word names carry real meanings: make sure Yuki (snow) suits a white cat better than a black one.
- Match the energy. A sleepy senior is no Bakugo, and a chaos kitten is no Totoro. Watch your cat for a day first.
- Mind the sound-alikes. In a multi-cat house, avoid pairs like Rem and Ren that blur together.
- Watch before you borrow. If you name your cat after a character, watch at least one episode first: the story behind the name is half the fun, and you will know whether the name truly suits your cat.
Our Pick
If we were naming an anime cat tomorrow, we would pick Jiji for a black cat and Hana for a girl. Jiji is the wittiest familiar in anime and two perfect syllables; Hana means flower, suits any temperament, and ages beautifully. For the ultimate fan pick, Kirara, a real anime cat with a mighty secret.
More Names You'll Love
Still deciding? These lists go deeper in every direction:
- All cat names, the complete collection, 520 names and counting
- Female cat names, 315 names for her
- Male cat names, 384 names for him
- Cute cat names, 219 names for the softie
- Funny cat names, 284 names for the comedian
- Japanese cat names, 282 names with verified meanings
- Black cat names, 226 names for dark coats
- White cat names, 150 names for pale coats
- Orange cat names, 166 names for ginger coats
- Star Wars cat names, 91 names from a galaxy far, far away
- Cat name generator, deal fresh ideas by gender and style
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular anime cat name?
Luna (Sailor Moon), Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service), and Happy (Fairy Tail) top the charts. Luna is the single most popular anime cat name overall.
What are good anime names for a female cat?
Nezuko, Hana, Sakura, Mikasa, and Nobara are all-time favorites. For Japanese word names, Yuki, Sora, and Hoshi are beautiful and verified.
What are good anime names for a male cat?
Jiji, Naruto, Goku, Tanjiro, Gojo, and Levi lead the pack. Doraemon and Totoro are perfect for rounder, gentler boys.
What is a good anime name for a black cat?
Jiji is the classic, Kiki's black familiar. Luna (the black Sailor Moon cat), Kuro (Japanese for black), and Blair suit dark-coated cats.
What is a good anime name for a white cat?
Artemis, the white guardian cat in Sailor Moon. Yuki (snow) and Shiro (white) are verified Japanese word names that fit perfectly.
What does Yuki mean?
Yuki is a Japanese word meaning snow, and it can also mean happiness. It is one of the most popular Japanese cat names in the world.
What does ‘Luna’ mean?
On this page, Luna means moon: she is Sailor Moon's black guardian cat, wise and devoted, and the most popular anime cat name overall.
What are good anime names for a kitten?
Chi, Chopper, Ponyo, Donyatsu, and Fukumaru all suit kittens: Chi is the tiny kitten from Chi's Sweet Home, Chopper is small and cute, Ponyo is the bubbly goldfish girl, Donyatsu is round and sweet, and Fukumaru is plump and loving.
What are the best Studio Ghibli cat names?
Jiji, Totoro, Kiki, Chihiro, Haku, Ponyo, San, and Arrietty lead the Ghibli lane on this page: Jiji is Kiki's black familiar, Totoro the gentle forest spirit, and Haku the graceful protector.
What are good anime names for an orange cat?
Ichigo suits the strawberry-blond boy, Natsu the fiery boy, and Donyatsu the round, sweet one.
What is the cat's name in Sailor Moon?
Luna, the black guardian cat; her partner is Artemis, the wise white advisor. Both sit in the real anime cats lane above.
By Brianna Baxter
Featured photo: Photo: Knopik-som, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons