[Most Popular Cat Names 2020 Edition] Check out the lists of Japanese-style names, food-inspired names, and names that sound good!

What kind of names do cat owners give their beloved feline friends? I have a general impression that many names are food-related or Japanese-style, but I'm curious to know which names are popular.

Therefore, poponeko conducted a survey among cat owners nationwide about their beloved cats' names. We are announcing the 2020 "Cat Name Ranking TOP 30" and "Popular Cat Breed Ranking TOP 10"!

Announcing the Top 30 Cat Names!

The number one cat name was "Mugi." This name was given to a wide variety of cat breeds, including mixed breeds, Munchkins, Scottish Folds, American Shorthairs, and Abyssinians.

The next most popular name was "Kinako." It has a soft sound and seems to be a common name for female cats. This was followed by two-syllable names like "Momo," "Noah," "Maru," "Sora," and "Kuro." These names are easy to say and likely easy for cats to remember. 

Female Cat Name Ranking TOP 20

The most popular girl's name is Momo, surpassing Mugi (No. 1 overall) and Kinako (No. 2 overall). Girl's names tend to have cute sounds, such as Maru, Hana, Koko, Lin, and Hina.

Top 20 Boy Cat Names

The most popular boy cat name is Leo. Strong, masculine names, reminiscent of characters from popular anime, top the list. Sora and Kotetsu are also popular boy cat names. Japanese-style names such as Ten, Yamato, and Haku also seem to suit cats well.

Kanji Name List

Out of 1286 cats, 195 had names written in Kanji. The rankings reveal that "Fuku" and "Kohaku" tied for first place!

Both Fuku and Kohaku have an equal ratio of male and female cats. The name Fuku (福, meaning good fortune) seems to convey the owner's love. Some owners named their cats Kohaku (琥珀, meaning amber) after the color of their cat's eyes.

The third-place names, "Kotetsu", "Kotetsu", and "Kotetsu" are all read as "Kotetsu" despite their varied spellings. They sound less traditional and more like Sengoku-period warlords, making one imagine mischievous cats. Interestingly, all "Kotetsu" cats were either mixed breeds or American Shorthairs.

"Mugi" (麦, meaning wheat) and "Sora" (空, meaning sky) are also popular Kanji names. Names of historical figures or celebrities like "Ranmaru," "Ranpo," and "Yumeji" are also lovely.

List of Food Names

• Azuki
• Amanatsu
• Ame
• Arare
• Anko
• Ichigo
• Inari
• Unagi
• Uni
• Ume
• Okoge
• Omochi
• Oyaki
• Okaki
• Cashew
• Karin
• Ganmo
• Kinako
• Candy
• Cookie
• Gummy
• Kuri
• Kurumi
• Kuromame
• Kuromitsu
• Kokemomo
• Cocoa
• Kogomi
• Koshian
• Konegi
• Gohan
• Kobucha
• Goma
• Gomashio
• Kombu
• Sazae
• Sasami
• Sashimi
• Sabamiso
• Cinnamon
• Shoga
• Chocolat
• Shirasu
• Suika
• Sushitaro
• Sudachi
• Souffle
• Sumomo
• Daifuku
• Tart
• Chikuwa
• Choco
• Tsukune
• Tuna
• Tunamayo
• Tsumire
• Tofu
• Tororo
• Negi
• Basil
• Hassaku
• Vanilla
• Pan
• Pretz
• Pudding
• Hotate
• Hokke
• Borscht
• Ponzu
• Maguro
• Mame
• Mame Daifuku
• Marron
• Mikan
• Misoshiru
• Misoni
• Milk
• Mint
• Mousse
• Mugicha
• Mekabu
• Mebaru
• Moca
• Mozuku
• Monaka
• Momo
• Monja
• Yuzu
• Yomogi
• Lime
• Lemon
• Wasabi
• Warabi

Among food names, "Kinako," "Momo," and "Azuki" ranked in the top 3. Names like "Mame," "Marron," "Moca," and "Choco" are also popular.

Not only Western sweets like "Chocolat" and "Cookie," but also traditional Japanese sweets like "Anko" and "Daifuku" are popular.

Many owners name their cats after Japanese ingredients, with names like "Chikuwa," "Tsukune," "Tsumire," and "Ganmo" that make you crave oden. It's easy to imagine that "Oyaki," "Sabamiso," and "Monja" might be the owners' favorite foods that they named their cats after.

List of Pleasant-Sounding Names

• Ame
• Umi
• Nana
• Noa
• Hana
• Mii
• Yume

Names beginning with the A, Na, Ha, Ma, and Ya rows of the Japanese syllabary have a comforting, soft sound. They seem to be frequently used for female cats.

• Lime
• Lala
• Rio
• Riku
• Rui
• Rei

Names beginning with the Ra row have a dignified sound and a Western image, giving a very glamorous impression.

• Azuki
• Abi
• Kojiro
• Tsumugi
• Nozomi

Names with voiced consonants (濁音) create a powerful impression and were often used for male cats. They have a strong, core-like sound.

• Coco
• Nene
• Mimi
• Bibi
• Jiji
• Lulu

Names with repeated sounds have a cute resonance.

• Gin
• Ten
• Marine
• Mikan
• Cashew
• Kuu
• Sho
• Futa

Names ending with "n" or containing a long "oo" sound are easy to call and for cats to remember.

Top 10 Popular Cat Breeds

Poponeko's survey revealed that an overwhelming number of owners live with mixed-breed cats. Many of these cats are former rescue cats or strays.

Following closely are popular breeds like Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, and Munchkin. Scottish Folds are known for their gentle nature, American Shorthairs for being energetic and playful, and Munchkins for their adorable wobbly walk—all charming in their own ways.

2020 Cat Rearing Environment

A survey on cat rearing environments showed that over 90% of respondents practiced "complete indoor keeping." In recent years, free-roaming cat ownership has decreased due to safety concerns, and complete indoor keeping has become the norm.

Furthermore, an increasing number of owners are routinely using "cat collars" as a measure against escape and for disaster preparedness. The percentage of owners utilizing cat collars is high at 74.2%, with "always worn (65.8%)" and "sometimes worn (8.4%)". This indicates a growing awareness among owners.

Cat collars are not just fashion items; they also help identify your cat if it escapes or gets lost. Attaching a lost pet tag or name tag significantly increases the chances of your cat returning home.

The 2020 popular cat name ranking showed "Mugi" in 1st place, "Kinako" in 2nd, and "Momo" and "Noa" tied for 3rd place.

The female cat rankings featured names with soft and gentle sounds, while the male cat rankings included names that were dignified and powerful. There were many lovely names filled with owners' affection, such as food names and traditional Japanese names written in kanji.

It is said that cats can learn and distinguish their own names. Enjoy moments when your cat meows back when you call its name.

Furthermore, it was also found that indoor cat keeping has become the norm, and many owners are proactively using cat collars as a daily measure against escape.

Many cats dislike wearing collars, but it is reassuring to get them accustomed to cat collars for emergencies. Don't forget to attach a lost pet tag or name tag.

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