What to name your Shiba Inu? Explaining how to name your dog without making mistakes

Shiba Inu dogs are designated as a natural monument of Japan.They account for approximately 80% of all Japanese dog breeds kept in Japan, and are popular overseas as well.They are loyal to their owners but can be cold towards strangers. They are also intelligent, brave, and vigilant, making them a cool guard dog in addition to their cute appearance.

What kind of name should you give such a reliable and adorable Shiba Inu?
We would like to introduce some recommended names and naming tips.

This is a must-read for anyone considering welcoming a Shiba Inu into their family, so we hope you will find it useful.

Shiba Inu Name Ranking

As mentioned at the beginning, Shiba Inu dogs have become part of many families in Japan, with the number reaching 27,300 in 2020 (registered with the Japan Kennel Club). What names have experienced owners given them?

Please see the ranking below.

1st place	wheat
2nd place	adzuki bean
3rd place	Wheat
4th place	fuku
5th place	Haru
6th	Hana
7th	Mame
8th	Sakura
9th	Kotaro
10th	Momo
11th	Sora
12th	Rin
13th	Yuzu
14th	Maru
15th	Hime
16th place	Koro
17th place	Koharu
18th place	Kotetsu
19th place	Riku
20th place	Maro

Reference: Inu no Kimochi

What do you think? The most notable feature is the Japanese-style name.

Combined with the fact that they are Japanese dogs and their adorable appearance, many of their names seem to combine cuteness, ease of pronunciation, and elegance.

Let's take a look at a few.

Wheat, Azuki, and Barley

These top three names are derived from familiar grains.
This is likely due to the fact that they are familiar and familiar to Japanese people.

Wheat is a soft ingredient in bread, and red beans are a sweet ingredient in bean paste. Both match the cuteness of Shiba Inu dogs, making this a fitting ranking.

Haru, Koharu, Sakura

These names evoke spring and a warm, gentle impression.
They also evoke memories of new encounters, such as school entrance ceremonies, which are familiar to Japanese people, making them a perfect choice for a new addition to your family. It's a fitting name for a Japanese breed like the Shiba Inu.

Fuku, Kotaro, Maro

These names are old-fashioned yet emphasize cuteness and lovability.
They are gentle and beautiful Japanese words that bring happiness just by calling them. Your Shiba Inu will likely love them, too.

Recommended Shiba Inu Names

Now, let's finally introduce some recommended names.

When naming a child, it's not so much the name you choose, but the feeling and attitude you have toward it that's important. I believe that feeling and attitude ultimately lead to a good name.

Recommended Japanese Names for Boys

From here on, we'll introduce some recommended Japanese names for boys.

〇〇ろ (Taro, Kotaro, etc.)

As mentioned above, this name is ranked highly. Not only is it easy to pronounce, but it also has a Japanese feel and a certain cuteness to it. Other names like Jiro and Saburo are also good, but be careful with names that end in "~Saburo," as they can be too long and your Shiba Inu may not remember them.

As I'll explain later, Shiro (Shiro) is also a good name, as it has a double meaning that incorporates color, making it ephemeral yet meaningful.

XXmaru (Chachamaru, Kurimaru, etc.)

Cute names really suit small dogs. The Shiba Inu's fluffy coat and rounded form make this a popular name.

This name was also often given to warlords during the Sengoku period as children, and it was thought to have the meaning of warding off evil spirits, ensuring that the boy would grow up to be a strong and respectable man.

For example

• Bontenmaru (Date Masamune)
• Hokikumaru (Imagawa Yoshimoto)
• Matsujumaru (Mori Motonari)

And so on.

Bontenmaru is probably a bit too impactful and long, so you can usually abbreviate it to "Bon" or "Tenmaru."

Recommended Japanese Names for Girls

Here, we'll introduce some recommended Japanese names for girls.

Mugi, Komugi (Wheat, Wheat)

This is the top-ranked name. The image is as described above, and I think the ease of pronunciation is also a reason for its popularity. Another grain-related name is "kinako," made from ground soybeans.

"Kinako" is a cute name that ranks highly for other dog breeds. Since kinako itself is a yellowish-brown color, it's often named to match the dog's coat.

Hana (Flower, Blossom)

Including Sakura, which also ranks highly, there are many names that suit girls very well. "Hana" on its own is easy to pronounce and friendly, and it can also be given with a meaningful name based on the breed.

As just a few examples, here are some easy names based on the names of seasonal flowers.

• Spring flower "Suzu" (from lily of the valley, its flower language is purity and chastity)
• Summer flower "Hima" (from sunflower, its flower language is "I only look at you")
• Autumn flower "Lin" (from gentian, its flower language is "I love you when you are sad")
• Winter flower "Tsubaki" (from camellia, its flower language is "modest kindness and pride")

Names Based on Shiba Inu Coat Colors

When naming your Shiba Inu, naming it after its distinctive features is a good way to capture the individual's personality. Shiba Inu's coat colors and patterns vary from individual to individual.

Specifically, the following are the main coat colors.

• Red
• Dark Brown
• Sesame Brown
• Red Sesame Brown
• Black Sesame Brown
• White

Here are some examples of the colors and their characteristics.

Red: "Azuki" and "Botan"

Azuki is a popular name, and the easy-to-pronounce "Botan" is a popular choice.

Red Shiba Inu dogs have a light brown body like a fox, and many have white on the inside of their bodies, such as the cheeks, around the eyes, chest, ears, and belly.

Red Shiba Inu dogs are born with a dark red coat, but the pigment fades as they grow. Many puppies have black around their mouths, but this fades by the time they're 2-3 months old, and by adulthood, they're lighter overall.

Dark-brown "Anko, Kotetsu"

Anko has a soft, fluffy look, making it perfect for girls. Kotetsu is cool, and your Shiba Inu will likely love it.

Dark-brown Shiba Inu make up only about 10% of all Shiba Inu breeds. Their entire body is covered in black fur, and like the red Shiba Inu, many individuals have white or light brown fur on the inside of their bodies, such as the cheeks, around the eyes, chest, ears, and belly.

The eyebrow-like markings above the eyes are a charming feature of the dark-brown Shiba Inu.

When they are puppies, the overall color is dark, so the markings may not be noticeable, but they become more distinct as they reach adulthood.

White "Yuki (Snow) Koyuki (Koyuki)"

This is a beautiful, clear name. It's easy to pronounce and familiar.

White Shiba Inu coats are even rarer than dark browns. Puppies may have a slight reddish coat, but this gradually fades to white. Some may turn light brown as they grow older. Their faces, surrounded by white fur, give off a gentle impression.

Things to Note When Naming

There are many ways to name your Shiba Inu. As mentioned above, it's best to choose a name that takes into consideration your Shiba Inu, such as choosing a name based on your individual impression or with a meaningful meaning.

Also, since names on rankings are ranked, they are likely to be easy to pronounce and familiar with, but be careful not to rely too easily on rankings, as you may end up with a name that overlaps with another dog's.

If you chose a name based on various reasons and it is the same as one on the rankings, you can add kanji to give it an original meaning.

Azuki → Ai-ko (loved with love), for example.

Also, if you give your Shiba Inu a name that is too special and difficult to pronounce, it can be hard for him to remember or call you when there are other people around, causing problems in daily life. It's best to avoid difficult names.

Summary

Thank you for reading this far.

Choosing a name can be a daunting task, with so many things to consider. However, since it's a new family member's name, you'll want to choose one that reflects your feelings and thoughts. Your lovely dog ​​will surely grow up to be just that.

Also, when you call your pet by its name, it's a good idea to choose a name that reminds your dog of something good.By doing so, your dog's name will become a signal that good things are about to happen, helping to build a good relationship with you.

Have fun choosing a name!