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Unveiling the 2026 Cat Name and Breed Rankings by Anicom

In celebration of Cat Day on February 22, Anicom Insurance Co., Ltd., the leading pet insurance provider in Japan, has released its highly anticipated rankings of cat names and breeds for 2026. This report is based on data from 54,764 kittens who were newly insured under the company’s popular pet insurance plan, “Doubutsu Kenpo.” The data reflects new contracts for kittens aged zero years, signifying fresh arrivals into the lives of their loving owners. The rankings reveal intriguing shifts in naming trends among our feline friends.

Overall Rankings: “Mugi” Retains Top Spot for Seven Consecutive Years

For the seventh consecutive year, “Mugi” tops the overall cat name ranking, boasting 438 registered cats. Close contenders include “Late” in second place with 349 cats and “Luna” in third with 338 cats, both surpassing the 300 mark. Notably, “Ruru” experienced a significant rise from last year’s tenth place to claim fourth place with 285 cats, while “Late” also climbed to second from fifth, showcasing a dynamic shift among the top names.

Gender-Specific Rankings: “Leo” and “Luna” Shine Bright

In the male category, “Leo” takes the lead with 253 cats, followed by “Mugi” at 231 and “Sora” at 222. A remarkable development includes “Uni” and “Chachamaru,” entering the top ten for the first time with 112 and 109 cats, respectively. Conversely, in the female category, “Luna” stands out as the most popular name with an impressive count of 286, making it the highest among both genders. “Ruru” also advanced from seventh to third place, while “Meru” debuted in the top ten after being unranked last year, emphasizing the trend towards short and easy-to-pronounce names.

Kanji Name Rankings: “Kohaku” and “Hime” Lead the Way

When it comes to names written in kanji, “Kohaku” remains in first place for males with 75 registered cats, followed by “Chachamaru” at 64 and “Sora” at 45. In the female category, “Hime” occupies the top spot with 29 cats. Interestingly, “Kohaku” also ranks third in the female category with 25 registrations, demonstrating its popularity across genders. The trends in kanji names reveal a preference for names that evoke natural imagery or carry auspicious meanings.

Cat Breed Rankings for 2026

The 2026 rankings for cat breeds show that the “Scottish Fold” continues to dominate, leading with 7,520 cats, accounting for 13.7% of all surveyed pets. The “Mixed Breed” follows closely in second place with 6,115 registrations, while the “Munchkin” takes third with 5,553. Collectively, these top three breeds represent approximately 35% of the overall cat population surveyed. Importantly, the top ten breeds have maintained their ranks from the previous year, indicating stability in breed preferences among pet owners.

Methodology for Name and Breed Rankings

The rankings were formulated based on data collected from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, involving 54,764 kittens that were insured under Anicom's “Doubutsu Kenpo” for the first time. This extensive data set provides insight into Japan’s evolving pet ownership landscape, highlighting the deep affection and innovative naming choices of cat owners throughout the country. As cats continue to capture our hearts, these rankings offer a fun glimpse into the trends that shape their identities.