Japanese Dog Names For Your Canine Pet

“Konichihuahua” and welcome to the comprehensive guide for dog owners who want to pick a Japanese name for their pet. If your furry companion is native to Japan, then you might want to give it a name that resonates well with its ancestral links rather than naming them in a traditional manner. If you are looking for the best Japanese dog names, then you can find the best results on the online platform of My Dog’s Name now.

Whether you buy a pedigree puppy from a pets store or rescue an adult dog from the local shelter, you would be required to give it an interesting name. There are many exotic Japanese names that would ensure that no other dog on the block has the same title.

Most Japanese dogs have unique physical traits and features that make them unique from other local breeds, which includes pointy ears and upward-facing tails. Japanese breeds, like Akita and Shiba Inu, are becoming highly sought after these days among dog enthusiasts because of the eye-catching coats and body dimensions of these pooches.

When it comes to naming your canine companion, various studies show that they would respond to particular names in a much better and faster way because of less syllables in the word. Names with two syllables, such as Masa and Yoshi, are more likely to be clearly audible to your compared to one-syllabled names like Max or Ren. Being a loving and caring owner, you would want to give a title to your furry friend that he or she can easily respond to rather than mixing it up with other commands. You should carefully select the name, because once it is associated with your dog, it would stay on with him throughout his lifespan.

Why Choose a Japanese Name?

Japan is rich in culture and tradition, and its diversity has allowed it to become one of the most highly sought after places from which unique things originate, such as food, dresses, and household items. Many of the names native to this land embody ancient beliefs and historical events that usher us back to the old civilization of this enchanting land. Some of these names can have a plethora of meaning, and you might find different interpretations as you go to the different villages and areas of the country.

Where Do These Names Usually Come From?

You might choose a specific name for your pup because it reflects its heritage and lineage or you might just select it because it sounds good to you. For example, a name that means flower can reflect your expectations of having a fluffy and adorable pup. Many of Japanese names come from local legends or historical figures that were once revered among the people, and were held high in the hierarchal position of the society.

Most of these names can be transformed into a kanji – which is basically a script with Chinese origin and has many similarities in terms of grammar rules and structures. It quite difficult for a non-native individual to properly interpret the meaning of a specific kanji name, because it can be pronounced in several ways.

Japanese Dog Names You Should Refrain From Using

Being unfamiliar with nuances of dialect and script, a beginner can make mistake while properly pronouncing a word that has several interpretations in different parts of the country. This can provoke a feeling of anger or shame among the native speakers when they notice that they are being generalized in regards to names. You might end up selecting a name that might show that you are culturally insensitive and ignorant about the native language.

No one wants to have a negative impact on ethnic minorities when living abroad, and you should be going for options that promote peace and feeling of acceptance. Never name your dog “Doji”, because even though it appears to be a bona fide name used for a canine, it actually means “stupid”.

Japanese Dog Names You Should Use With Caution

Many locals might be offended if they hear you mispronounce a word that has multiple meanings, and it is always better to stay away from such ambiguities as much as you can. If you are not able to fluently speak Japanese language with proper accent, then you might not be able to make correct sounds to call some names. For example, “Ryo” should not be pronounced “rio” like we generally would do following the English pronunciation principles. The “R” in Japanese is pronounced in way that it sounds like a combination of “R” and “L”.

Similarly, words ending with an “ou”, such as “Shinzou”, should be pronounced by making a long “ou” sound at the end of the word. If you cut it short every time, then it can alter the actual meaning of the word.

Top Japanese Dog Names

Here is a list of some of the most commonly preferred names given to their dogs by their owners:

Gorou

Walking the streets of Tokyo, you would hear this name several times in any given month. It has two meanings: “son” or “five”.

Shishi

It means “lion”. If your dog has similar traits to that of a lion, such as strong and fearless, then this would be suitable title for him.

Nari

The meaning of this name in Japanese is “thunder”. It is yet another name suitable for formidable and intimidating breeds like Doberman and Rottweiler.

Choco

It is just a short form used for “chocolate”, but you would see several Japanese pet owners using it. It can be used for dogs that have dark colored fur coats, such as Barbet and Boxador.

It means “great” or “large”. It would make sense if you use this title for giant dog breeds, such as Saint Bernard or Great Dane.