Top Cat Names 2022

This sweet cat is no longer with us. Her name was Monica, which is my favorite cat name.

I'm always interested in what people name their pets.  In Japan, the Japanese pet insurance company, Anicom, announces the top names each year.  Of the 55,000 cats less than one year of age, they have compiled these listings for cats from the last 12 months. 

Overall top ten names

10. Moka (“mocha”): 245 cats

9. Maron (French for “chestnut”): 252 cats
8. Momo (Japanese for “peach”): 260 cats
7. Runa (Luna): 266 cats
6. Kinako (Japanese for “roasted soybean flour”): 289 cats
5. Rin (Japanese for “bell”): 298 cats
4. Koko (“cocoa”): 323 cats
3. Reo (Leo): 327 cats
2. Sora (Japanese for “sky”): 376 cats
1. Mugi (Japanese for “wheat” or “barley”): 479 cats

The top four are the same as last year.  The only new name this year is Moka (Mocha). 

Top ten names for male cats

10. Ten (Japanese for “dot” or “heavens”): 138 cats
8 [tie]. Reon (Leon): 140 cats
8 [tie]. Fuku (Japanese for “good fortune”): 140 cats
7. Maru (Japanese for “circle,” also a common suffix in Japanese names): 143 cats
6. Kotetsu (Japanese for “small iron,” also a classical masculine given name in Japan): 150 cats
5. Maron: 152 cats
4. Kohaku (Japanese for “amber”): 158 cats
3. Mugi: 269 cats
2. Sora: 287 cats
1. Reo: 319 cats

Leo (Reo) has been the top name for the fifth year in a row. The second and third place names stayed the same as last year, but the fourth place Kohaku, meaning Amber, is new. 

Top ten names for female cats

10. Beru (“bell”): 137 cats
9. Moka: 158 cats
8. Hana (Japanese for “flower”): 166 cats
7. Mei (Japanese for “brightness”): 175 cats
6. Kinako: 203 cats
5. Mugi: 210 cats
3 [tie]. Runa (Luna): 233 cats
3 [tie]. Rin: 233 cats
2. Momo: 234 cats
1. Koko: 242 cats

The name Koko moved from last year's third place to first place this year.  The only new name in this year's top ten is Beru. 

Do you have a favorite cat name?

Cat Day

In Japanese, the number two is read as ni or with some stretch of the imagination nya, which is often what your children call cats - nya nya.  According to this wisdom, February 22nd or triple two,  sounds like nya nya nya, and that is why we celebrate our feline friends on this cold winter day.

The People's Choice SAL - Cats

Jo at Serendipidous Stitching is hosting a Stitch A Long the first Saturday of the month, with the topics chosen by her readers.  This month's topic - Cats.

These cats are available as free charts at Happiness is Cross-Stitching.

Scrappy Cats Quilt

I made this cross stitch cat afghan in 1995, and keep it on the back of my chair for cool evenings.

This is my cat Monica, who liked to sit with me as I stitched when she was alive.

Thankful for Cats, Especially Monica

Sarah at Sarah Did It! hosts a weekly link up called Feline Friday.  This week she is hosting a special link up.  From her 11/9/18 post: 

 Yesterday Momma and Auntie Neesey were talking about all the cats that have owned them. Momma thought it would be fun to do a special post on the day after Thanksgiving dedicated to those cats. Kind of a lets be thankful for our cats thing. She asked me to ask you to start looking for pictures of any cats that have owned you and to join in the special linky party on Friday, 11/23/18!

Here is my contribution to Feline Friday - Monica. 

I miss her still.

The Pet Shop

I love cats and kittens.  I like dogs and other animals too, but I’m especially fond of felines. Ted and I were at the mall the other day and stopped in to look at the pet shop.  The kittens and puppies were so adorable, but so expensive.

188,000 yen!

one is 188,000 yen and the other 178,000

I'm not sure, but I think this one is usually 198,000 and is 100,000 yen today

Puppies are only 168,000 yen

We can’t have a pet where we live, but even if we could, I don’t think we could afford to have one.  I’ve talked about this with another student (from California) in my Japanese class.  He, too, was shocked at the price.  There must not be the problem with stray animals and animal shelters here, like in the US. The harsh Hokkaido winters may prevent stray animals from surviving here.  I wonder if the rest of Japan is like Hokkaido when it comes to the cost of kittens and puppies.

                                          In Memory of Monica Moo

She always wanted to help me when I was stitching

Yes, of course, she could read

I miss you Moo!