One clever fox tricked whole villages in Japanese folklore, and people still can’t get enough of it. The kitsune blends wisdom, mystery and magic like no other animal spirit. No wonder so many readers hunt for Japanese names that mean fox.
This guide gives you 420 names in clean bullets, each with kanji and a clear meaning. You’ll find Japanese boy names meaning fox, Japanese girl names meaning fox, surnames, rare folklore picks and cute modern ones. Ready to meet your fox?
| Section | Names |
| Male | 85 |
| Female | 85 |
| Last names | 70 |
| First names | 70 |
| Rare folklore names | 55 |
| Cute and modern names | 55 |
| Total | 420 |
Japanese Name That Means Fox Male
Here’s a surprise: Japan has very few names that translate to fox word for word. The word is kitsune, written 狐.
Most names below are Japanese names inspired by foxes. They use the fox kanji or borrow fox traits like fire, rice and cunning. Inari, the deity of rice, keeps foxes as messengers. That’s why rice and red kanji show up so often.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
| 狐 | Ko, Kitsune | Fox |
| 稲 | Ina, Ine | Rice plant, linked to Inari |
| 赤 | Aka | Red |
| 朱 | Shu | Vermilion, the color of shrine gates |
| 尾 | O, Bi | Tail |
| 玉 | Tama | Jewel, often held by shrine foxes |
| 霊 | Rei | Spirit |
| 幻 | Gen | Illusion |
| 賢 | Ken | Wise |
Keep this table handy. It unlocks the meaning of almost every name in this article.
- Kitsune (狐): Fox
- Kitsuro (狐郎): Fox son
- Kotaro (狐太郎): Great fox boy
- Kojiro (狐次郎): Second fox son
- Koichi (狐一): First fox
- Kosuke (狐助): Fox helper
- Koki (狐輝): Shining fox
- Kohei (狐平): Peaceful fox
- Koya (狐夜): Fox of the night
- Kohaku (琥珀): Amber, the shade of a fox coat
- Akagitsune (赤狐): Red fox
- Byakko (白狐): White fox spirit
- Tenko (天狐): Celestial fox
- Kuko (空狐): Sky fox
- Yako (野狐): Field fox
- Inari (稲荷): Rice bearer, the fox deity
- Inaki (稲樹): Rice tree
- Inato (稲人): Rice person
- Kyubi (九尾): Nine tails
- Kyuya (九夜): Nine nights
- Seimei (晴明): Clear and bright, a sage said to have a fox mother
- Yasuna (保名): Protector of the name, from the fox wife legend
- Kenji (賢二): Wise second son
- Kenta (賢太): Wise boy
- Satoru (悟): Enlightened
- Satoshi (聡): Clever and quick
- Toshiro (敏郎): Quick-witted son
- Toshiki (敏樹): Sharp tree
- Hayate (疾風): Swift wind
- Homura (焔): Flame
- Honoo (炎): Blaze
- Kaen (火炎): Blazing fire
- Kagari (篝): Bonfire, like fox fire
- Hikaru (光): Light
- Mori (森): Forest
- Morio (森雄): Forest man
- Rinta (林太): Woodland boy
- Itsuki (樹): Tree
- Haruki (春樹): Spring tree
- Kage (影): Shadow
- Kageo (影雄): Shadow hero
- Kagemaru (影丸): Shadow circle
- Yoru (夜): Night
- Yoruto (夜人): Night person
- Tsukikage (月影): Moonlight
- Gen (幻): Illusion
- Genya (幻夜): Night of illusion
- Genta (幻太): Illusion boy
- Shu (朱): Vermilion
- Shuya (朱夜): Vermilion night
- Shuichi (朱一): First vermilion
- Shusei (朱星): Vermilion star
- Akio (赤雄): Red hero
- Akamaru (赤丸): Red circle
- Aki (秋): Autumn
- Akito (秋人): Autumn person
- Akihiko (秋彦): Autumn prince
- Kinta (金太): Golden boy
- Kintaro (金太郎): Golden firstborn
- Kinji (金二): Golden second son
- Ginji (銀二): Silver second son
- Ginya (銀夜): Silver night
- Gin (銀): Silver
- Tama (玉): Jewel
- Tamao (玉雄): Jewel man
- Hoju (宝珠): Sacred jewel
- Kagi (鍵): Key
- Minoru (稔): Harvest
- Takumi (巧): Skilled
- Raiden (雷電): Thunder and lightning
- Reiji (霊二): Spirit second son
- Reiya (霊夜): Spirit night
- Yosuke (妖助): Spirit helper
- Yoichi (妖一): First spirit
- Shiro (白): White
- Shirou (白郎): White son
- Kuro (黒): Black
- Kurojiro (黒次郎): Black second son
- Daichi (大地): Great earth
- Kazuki (和樹): Harmony tree
- Sorata (空太): Sky boy
- Tatsuya (達也): Accomplished
- Hisashi (久): Enduring
- Ryosuke (亮介): Bright helper
- Genzo (玄蔵): Mysterious storehouse
Boys get the cunning. But the fox women of legend might be even more captivating.
Japanese Name That Means Fox Female
Some of Japan’s most famous fox stories star a woman. Kuzunoha, a fox who took human form to marry a man, raised the sage Abe no Seimei. Tamamo, the nine-tailed beauty, charmed an entire court.
Their names lead this list of beautiful Japanese fox names. The rest pair graceful nature words with fox and spirit kanji.
- Kuzunoha (葛の葉): Arrowroot leaf, the fox wife of legend
- Tamamo (玉藻): Jeweled seaweed, the nine-tailed beauty
- Kitsumi (狐美): Beautiful fox
- Kitsuka (狐花): Fox flower
- Koyuki (狐雪): Fox snow
- Konoha (狐葉): Fox leaf
- Kokoro (狐心): Fox heart
- Kotone (狐音): Fox sound
- Koharu (狐春): Fox spring
- Kohime (狐姫): Fox princess
- Kiko (狐子): Fox child
- Miko (巫子): Shrine maiden
- Inaho (稲穂): Ear of rice
- Inako (稲子): Rice child
- Ine (稲): Rice plant
- Inami (稲美): Beautiful rice
- Inahime (稲姫): Rice princess
- Akane (茜): Madder red
- Akari (灯): Lantern light
- Akemi (朱美): Vermilion beauty
- Shuri (朱里): Vermilion village
- Shuka (朱花): Vermilion flower
- Shuna (朱奈): Vermilion grace
- Ayame (菖蒲): Iris
- Ayano (彩乃): Colorful field
- Momiji (紅葉): Red maple leaf
- Kaede (楓): Maple
- Beni (紅): Crimson
- Benika (紅花): Crimson flower
- Kurenai (紅): Bright crimson
- Honoka (焔花): Flame flower
- Hotaru (蛍): Firefly
- Yume (夢): Dream
- Yumeka (夢花): Dream flower
- Yuzuki (夕月): Evening moon
- Yuzuha (夕葉): Evening leaf
- Tsukiko (月狐): Moon fox
- Tsukiha (月葉): Moon leaf
- Tsukiyo (月夜): Moonlit night
- Mayo (真夜): True night
- Sayo (小夜): Little night
- Sayuri (小百合): Little lily
- Kaguya (輝夜): Shining night
- Kagura (神楽): Sacred dance
- Kamiko (神子): Divine child
- Reika (霊花): Spirit flower
- Reina (霊奈): Spirit grace
- Reiko (霊子): Spirit child
- Reimi (霊美): Spirit beauty
- Rin (凛): Dignified
- Rinka (凛花): Dignified flower
- Rina (凛奈): Dignified grace
- Ran (蘭): Orchid
- Ranko (蘭子): Orchid child
- Miyabi (雅): Elegance
- Sakura (桜): Cherry blossom
- Sakurako (桜子): Cherry blossom child
- Suzu (鈴): Bell
- Suzuka (鈴花): Bell flower
- Suzune (鈴音): Bell sound
- Suzuha (鈴葉): Bell leaf
- Hikari (光): Light
- Hiyori (日和): Fair weather
- Ameko (雨子): Rain child
- Nozomi (望): Hope
- Mio (澪): Waterway
- Nagisa (渚): Shore
- Shizuka (静): Quiet
- Shizuku (雫): Droplet
- Yuki (雪): Snow
- Yukine (雪音): Snow sound
- Yukiko (雪子): Snow child
- Mai (舞): Dance
- Maiko (舞子): Dance child
- Chie (智恵): Wisdom and grace
- Chiaki (智秋): Wise autumn
- Tomoe (巴): Swirl
- Sachiko (幸子): Happy child
- Fumiko (文子): Literary child
- Ayaka (彩花): Colorful flower
- Haruka (遥): Distant
- Harune (春音): Spring sound
- Natsuki (夏希): Summer hope
- Fuyuka (冬花): Winter flower
- Aika (愛花): Love flower
Names carry a family line too. So what about surnames?
Japanese Last Name That Means Fox
Fox surnames are rare, and that makes them memorable. Many come from place names, like a mound, hill or rice field near a fox shrine.
Writers love them as Japanese character names. Treat the meanings below as poetic readings of the kanji, not strict translations.
- Kitsunezuka (狐塚): Fox mound
- Kitsunezaki (狐崎): Fox cape
- Kitsuneda (狐田): Fox rice field
- Kitsuneyama (狐山): Fox mountain
- Kitsunemori (狐森): Fox forest
- Kitsunegawa (狐川): Fox river
- Kitsunebayashi (狐林): Fox woods
- Kitsunehara (狐原): Fox plain
- Kitsunemura (狐村): Fox village
- Kitsunehama (狐浜): Fox beach
- Kitsuneoka (狐岡): Fox hill
- Kitsunemoto (狐本): Fox origin
- Kitsunetani (狐谷): Fox valley
- Kitsunejima (狐島): Fox island
- Inariyama (稲荷山): Inari mountain
- Inarida (稲荷田): Inari rice field
- Inarizaki (稲荷崎): Inari cape
- Inada (稲田): Rice field
- Inaba (稲葉): Rice leaf
- Inagaki (稲垣): Rice fence
- Inamoto (稲本): Rice origin
- Inamura (稲村): Rice village
- Inatomi (稲富): Rich rice
- Inagawa (稲川): Rice river
- Inamori (稲森): Rice forest
- Inaoka (稲岡): Rice hill
- Inazawa (稲沢): Rice marsh
- Inazu (稲津): Rice harbor
- Inahara (稲原): Rice plain
- Inayama (稲山): Rice mountain
- Shinoda (信太): Faithful and great, named for a famed fox forest
- Kuzuha (葛葉): Arrowroot leaf
- Kuzuhara (葛原): Arrowroot plain
- Katsuragi (葛城): Arrowroot castle
- Akagi (赤木): Red tree
- Akasaka (赤坂): Red slope
- Akamatsu (赤松): Red pine
- Akabane (赤羽): Red feather
- Akai (赤井): Red well
- Akazawa (赤沢): Red marsh
- Kaneko (金子): Gold child
- Kaneda (金田): Gold field
- Shirakawa (白川): White river
- Shiraishi (白石): White stone
- Shirai (白井): White well
- Shiratori (白鳥): White bird
- Kuroda (黒田): Black field
- Ozaki (尾崎): Tail cape
- Ogata (尾形): Tail shape
- Onoe (尾上): Above the tail
- Obana (尾花): Plume flower, like a fox tail
- Oyama (尾山): Tail mountain
- Bito (尾藤): Tail wisteria
- Hino (火野): Fire field
- Kamiya (神谷): Valley of the gods
- Kamiyo (神代): Age of the gods
- Miyamoto (宮本): Shrine origin
- Miyata (宮田): Shrine field
- Torii (鳥居): Shrine gate
- Yashiro (社): Shrine
- Miyazaki (宮崎): Shrine cape
- Miyazawa (宮沢): Shrine marsh
- Miyashita (宮下): Below the shrine
- Miyagawa (宮川): Shrine river
- Suzumura (鈴村): Bell village
- Suzumori (鈴森): Bell forest
- Tsukishima (月島): Moon island
- Tsukiyama (月山): Moon mountain
- Morita (森田): Forest field
- Moriyama (森山): Forest mountain
Surnames anchor a story. First names give it a voice.
Japanese First Names That Mean Fox
Want a softer, everyday feel? These gentle picks suit any gender and work as Japanese baby names meaning fox.
Some carry the fox kanji itself. Others are simple nature names with Japanese names for fox lovers in mind. They read smoothly abroad too, which helps if you live outside Japan.
- Kitsuki (狐月): Fox moon
- Kitsuha (狐羽): Fox feather
- Kitsuna (狐奈): Fox grace
- Kitsuho (狐穂): Fox rice ear
- Kitsuo (狐雄): Fox hero
- Kosei (狐星): Fox star
- Kouga (狐牙): Fox fang
- Kota (狐大): Great fox
- Koto (琴): Harp
- Koyomi (暦): Calendar
- Kozue (梢): Treetop
- Kozakura (小桜): Little cherry blossom
- Konatsu (小夏): Little summer
- Kofuyu (小冬): Little winter
- Koaki (小秋): Little autumn
- Konami (小波): Little wave
- Kosaku (耕作): Cultivation
- Ren (蓮): Lotus
- Aoi (葵): Hollyhock
- Haru (春): Spring
- Natsu (夏): Summer
- Fuyu (冬): Winter
- Kaoru (薫): Fragrance
- Hinata (陽向): Toward the sun
- Yuzu (柚): Citron
- Ai (藍): Indigo
- Tsubaki (椿): Camellia
- Mizuki (瑞希): Auspicious hope
- Akira (明): Bright
- Shion (紫苑): Aster
- Mikoto (命): Sacred command
- Mirai (未来): Future
- Ibuki (息吹): Breath
- Izumi (泉): Spring water
- Nagi (凪): Calm
- Riku (陸): Land
- Rei (玲): Jewel sound
- Tsubasa (翼): Wing
- Yuu (優): Gentle
- Sui (翠): Jade green
- Midori (緑): Green
- Kanata (彼方): Far away
- Asahi (朝日): Morning sun
- Yuhi (夕陽): Evening sun
- Minato (港): Harbor
- Kanade (奏): To play music
- Subaru (昴): Pleiades
- Umi (海): Sea
- Kazuha (一葉): One leaf
- Hibiki (響): Echo
- Hisui (翡翠): Jade
- Nanami (七海): Seven seas
- Sei (静): Stillness
- Mitsuki (光月): Light moon
- Tsukasa (司): Official
- Emi (笑): Smile
- Ayumu (歩): To walk
- Kazuma (一真): One truth
- Manabu (学): To learn
- Naoki (直樹): Honest tree
- Yuto (悠人): Calm person
- Sakae (栄): Prosperity
- Hajime (始): Beginning
- Ichika (一花): One flower
- Chihiro (千尋): Thousand fathoms
- Sora (空): Sky
- Kouki (光希): Bright hope
- Yoshi (芳): Fragrant
- Ryo (涼): Cool
- Nao (直): Honest
Those cover the everyday. Now for the names hiding deeper in the forest.
Rare Japanese Names That Mean Fox From Kitsune Folklore
Sun and rain at once? Old Japanese tales call it a fox’s wedding. Stories like that fuel the rarest Japanese kitsune names.
The picks below come from yokai lore, Inari shrines, plays and pop culture. They make unique Japanese names that mean fox and suit Japanese folklore names in fiction. Pokémon’s Rokon and Kyukon even borrow the six and nine tails of legend. And Seimei’s fox-born story from earlier? It’s the tip of a very deep den.
- Uka (宇迦): Food spirit, tied to Inari
- Ukano (宇迦野): Field of the food spirit
- Ukanomitama (宇迦之御魂): Inari’s kami name
- Miketsu (御食津): Food offering, linked to Inari
- Toyouke (豊受): Abundant reception
- Myobu (命婦): Court lady, an old word for the Inari fox
- Osaki (御先): Fox spirit messenger
- Kuda (管): Pipe fox
- Izuna (飯綱): Tamed fox spirit of the mountains
- Ninko (人狐): Person fox
- Genko (玄狐): Dark fox
- Jinko (神狐): Divine fox
- Shinko (真狐): True fox
- Kaiko (怪狐): Strange fox
- Mako (魔狐): Demon fox
- Fuko (福狐): Fortune fox
- Koko (幸狐): Lucky fox
- Kinko (金狐): Golden fox
- Ginko (銀狐): Silver fox
- Kokko (黒狐): Black fox
- Zenko (善狐): Good fox
- Tsurigitsune (釣狐): Fox trap, a classic play
- Hakuzosu (白蔵主): Fox priest of the old stage
- Doujimaru (童子丸): Boy circle, Seimei’s childhood name
- Doman (道満): Path of fullness, Seimei’s rival
- Kurama (蔵馬): Storehouse horse, a famed fox demon in anime
- Shippo (七宝): Seven treasures, a young fox in Inuyasha
- Rokon (六尾): Six tails
- Kyukon (九尾): Nine tails
- Yae (八重): Eightfold, a fox shrine maiden in games
- Kitsunebi (狐火): Fox fire
- Kitsunetsuki (狐憑き): Fox possession
- Hakumen (白面): White face
- Kinmo (金毛): Golden fur
- Nogitsune (野狐): Wild fox
- Tamamonomae (玉藻前): Lady Tamamo
- Fushimi (伏見): Hidden view, home of the famed Inari shrine
- Kasama (笠間): Hat interval, site of a well-known Inari shrine
- Toyokawa (豊川): Abundant river, site of an Inari temple
- Senbon (千本): Thousand, as in the thousand shrine gates
- Ukemochi (保食): Keeper of food
- Kitsunemi (狐目): Fox eyes
- Kitsuneo (狐尾): Fox tail
- Kobi (狐尾): Fox tail
- Kogane (黄金): Gold
- Senko (仙狐): Immortal fox
- Sen (仙): Hermit sage
- Senri (千里): Thousand miles
- Senya (千夜): Thousand nights
- Raiko (雷狐): Thunder fox
- Suiko (水狐): Water fox
- Kako (火狐): Fire fox
- Fuuko (風狐): Wind fox
- Doko (土狐): Earth fox
- Yoko (妖狐): Bewitching fox
Rare is great. Sometimes you want cute.
Cute Japanese Fox Names for Anime, Games and Pets
Foxes say “kon kon” in Japanese, and that sound alone is adorable. It shows up in the first few names below.
This last batch runs from cute Japanese fox names to powerful Japanese fox names. Use them for Japanese anime fox names, game handles or a pet with a fluffy orange tail. Modern Japanese names like these feel playful without losing their roots.
- Kon (こん): Fox call
- Konta (こん太): Little fox call
- Konko (こんこ): Fox cry
- Gon (ごん): Little fox of a classic tale
- Gonta (ごん太): Gon the boy
- Mofu (もふ): Fluffy
- Mofuko (もふこ): Fluffy child
- Fuwa (ふわ): Soft and airy
- Fuwari (ふわり): Softly
- Momo (桃): Peach
- Mochi (餅): Rice cake
- Anzu (杏): Apricot
- Kuri (栗): Chestnut
- Kurumi (胡桃): Walnut
- Hoshi (星): Star
- Hoshiko (星子): Star child
- Kirara (煌): Sparkle
- Pon (ぽん): Pop
- Chiyo (千代): Thousand years
- Chiyoko (千代子): Child of a thousand years
- Sumire (菫): Violet
- Ume (梅): Plum
- Umeko (梅子): Plum child
- Sakuya (咲夜): Blooming night
- Tsumugi (紬): Pongee silk
- Mikan (蜜柑): Mandarin orange
- Kinako (きなこ): Roasted soybean flour
- Kuromame (黒豆): Black bean
- Azuki (小豆): Red bean
- Dango (団子): Dumpling
- Tsubu (粒): Grain
- Maru (丸): Round
- Kiba (牙): Fang
- Tsume (爪): Claw
- Arashi (嵐): Storm
- Kaminari (雷): Thunder
- Tsurugi (剣): Blade
- Kenshin (剣心): Sword heart
- Raiga (雷牙): Thunder fang
- Tsukumo (九十九): Ninety-nine
- Shiranui (不知火): Mysterious lights
- Hotarubi (蛍火): Firefly light
- Kagaribi (篝火): Bonfire flame
- Onibi (鬼火): Ghost fire
- Kiri (霧): Mist
- Kirimaru (霧丸): Mist circle
- Kazan (火山): Volcano
- Rekka (烈火): Raging fire
- Tsuyoshi (剛): Strong
- Takeru (猛): Fierce
- Kagerou (陽炎): Heat haze
- Yozora (夜空): Night sky
- Tsukuyomi (月読): Moon reader
- Hoshikage (星影): Starlight
- Yamikage (闇影): Dark shadow
Frequently Asked Questions
What Japanese names mean fox?
Kitsune is the direct word, written 狐. Kitsu, Yako and Byakko are popular fox-based picks.
What does the fox symbolize in Japan?
Foxes symbolize intelligence, magic, transformation and service to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity.
Are there Japanese surnames related to foxes?
Yes, though they’re rare. Kitsunezuka is one, and rice surnames like Inada echo Inari.
Can fox-related Japanese names be used for any gender?
Yes. Names like Kon, Akira and Hikari suit anyone. Always check the kanji for gendered readings.
What’s the meaning of the name Kitsune?
Kitsune means fox. In folklore, it also names a magical fox spirit that can shapeshift.
How many tails can a kitsune have?
Up to nine. Folklore says a fox gains tails as it grows older and wiser.
Final Thoughts
The best fox name isn’t the fanciest. It’s the one whose kanji and story you truly love. Whether you chose a rare yokai name, a gentle first name or a bold surname, you now have 420 ways to honor the kitsune.
Pick three favorites and say them out loud. Then confirm the kanji and reading with a native speaker before you commit. Your fox is waiting.
With years of experience creating name-focused web content, NameZora brings together creative, unique, and trending name ideas in one easy-to-explore place. We focus on useful, SEO-friendly, and engaging content that helps you find the perfect name for teams, groups, gamers, businesses, characters, and more. Our goal is simple: make naming easier, faster, and a lot more fun.