Kitsune names carry the enchantment and mystery of Japanese fox spirits, creatures known for their shape-shifting abilities, wisdom, and magical powers. Whether you’re creating a character for a story, game, anime, or just exploring Japanese folklore, choosing the right Kitsune name can bring your fox spirit to life.
In Japanese mythology, Kitsunes are intelligent beings that can transform into humans, possess multiple tails (up to nine), and serve as messengers of Inari, the rice deity. Their names often reflect elements of nature, celestial bodies, seasons, and mystical concepts.
What Are Kitsunes?
Kitsunes are mythical fox spirits from Japanese folklore with extraordinary abilities:
- Shape-shifting: Can transform into beautiful humans, often appearing as elegant women or wise elders
- Multiple tails: Gain tails as they age and grow more powerful, with nine tails representing maximum power
- Magical abilities: Control fire (kitsunebi or fox fire), create illusions, and possess great wisdom
- Dual nature: Can be benevolent (Zenko) or mischievous/malevolent (Yako and Nogitsune)
- Sacred messengers: Often serve Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, and prosperity
Famous Kitsune from Mythology
Tamamo-no-Mae – The legendary nine-tailed fox who disguised herself as a beautiful courtesan in ancient Japan. One of the most famous Kitsune in Japanese history.
Kuzunoha – A white fox who transformed into a human woman, married a man, and gave birth to the legendary onmyōji (sorcerer) Abe no Seimei.
Hakuzōsu – The white fox monk who appeared in folklore as a Buddhist priest.
Gitsune – An evil fox spirit known for causing mischief and harm.
Kyubi no Kitsune – The nine-tailed fox representing ultimate power and wisdom.
Female Kitsune Names
- Akiko – Autumn child
- Yuzuna – Gentle moon
- Kaoruko – Fragrant child
- Miyuki – Beautiful snow
- Rinako – Dignified child
- Haruna – Spring greens
- Chiyo – Thousand generations
- Hoshino – Of the stars
- Ayaka – Colorful flower
- Itsumi – Spring beauty
- Sakurami – Cherry blossom beauty
- Tsukihana – Moon flower
- Mizuhana – Water blossom
- Kurohana – Black flower
- Hikariko – Child of light
- Shioriha – Bookmark leaf
- Nozomi – Hope, wish
- Kyoko – Mirror child
- Airi – Love jasmine
- Miyu – Beautiful kindness
- Ayane – Colorful sound
- Kanade – To play music
- Yoriha – Reliable leaf
- Minatsuki – Water moon
- Sazanami – Ripple
- Fumihara – Letter field
- Chiyoko – Child of a thousand generations
- Murasaki – Purple
- Yuzuki – Gentle moon
- Hanekiri – Feather mist
- Sorami – Sky beauty
- Fuyusora – Winter sky
- Hisame – Long rain
- Ayakumo – Colorful cloud
- Kaenji – Maple temple
- Tomokaze – Wisdom wind
- Izanamiya – Inviting shrine
- Tsubakiro – Camellia white
- Rinketsu – Frozen bond
- Oborozuki – Hazy moon
- Getsumei – Moonlight
- Yozora – Night sky
- Kagerou – Heat haze
- Honoka – Fire blossom
- Aokusa – Green grass
- Botamari – Peony
- Seika – Sacred flower
- Yumetsu – Dream fox
- Myobu – Celestial fox
- Hoshiyume – Star dream
Male Kitsune Names
- Haruto – Sun flying
- Rikuya – Land arrow
- Daichi – Great earth
- Hiroto – Abundant person
- Tetsuya – Iron night
- Masaki – Elegant tree
- Renjiro – Lotus second son
- Shinji – True second son
- Katsuro – Victory son
- Fumito – Literary person
- Akiharu – Autumn spring
- Kenzou – Wise three
- Shigeru – To grow
- Renji – Lotus second
- Kazuma – Harmony truth
- Makoto – Sincere, truth
- Takumi – Artisan
- Kotaro – Small boy
- Harumichi – Spring path
- Rinsho – Forest shore
- Toraichi – Tiger first
- Keirou – Blessed son
- Yuichiro – Gentle first son
- Tsunemaru – Eternal circle
- Hirokaze – Wide wind
- Orinosuke – Weaving helper
- Takemura – Bamboo village
- Renjuro – Lotus tenth son
- Natsurou – Summer son
- Ryoshin – Good heart
- Hoshimura – Star village
- Takitsune – Waterfall fox
- Raijiro – Thunder second son
- Gekkou – Moonlight
- Hayakumo – Swift cloud
- Kaigen – Open sea
- Ryokaze – Dragon wind
- Hoshinori – Star blessing
- Jinrai – Swift thunder
- Kazekiri – Wind cutter
- Raidenmaru – Thunder circle
- Fukuroya – Night owl
- Soryu – Blue dragon
- Kairitsu – Ocean law
- Fumihide – Letter excellence
- Hikarou – Light man
- Kaoriji – Fragrant second
- Tsubameya – Swallow house
- Kenmaru – Wise circle
- Ayatori – String game
Mystical & Magical Kitsune Names
- Enkaze – Flame wind
- Hikarime – Eyes of light
- Tsuyomori – Forest strength
- Seiraka – Sacred blossom
- Raibane – Thunder wing
- Yumihoshi – Dream star
- Kagemitsu – Shadow light
- Aokami – Blue god
- Myoken – Mystic sword
- Fushihana – Immortal flower
- Inazami – Lightning god
- Kirihana – Mist blossom
- Kaguyume – Shining dream
- Tenrai – Divine thunder
- Hokari – Bright flame
- Shinraku – Sacred joy
- Kokuyose – Dark summon
- Suzuhara – Bell meadow
- Amekage – Rain shadow
- Kiyotsune – Pure fox spirit
- Shiranui – Unknown fire
- Sorakami – Sky god
- Tsubasae – Feathered wing
- Emberveil – Glowing mystique
- Shadowblossom – Dark flower spirit
- Whisperfang – Silent bite
- Moonveil – Lunar mystery
- Starwhisker – Celestial sense
- Flamepetal – Fire flower
- Dreamveil – Sleep mystery
- Silentflame – Quiet fire
- Mistwhisper – Fog voice
- Frostpetal – Ice flower
- Glimmerfang – Shining tooth
- Nightpetal – Dark flower
- Crystalveil – Clear mystery
- Phantomflare – Ghost fire
- Twilightsnare – Dusk trap
- Ashenbloom – Gray flower
- Lunarcrest – Moon peak
Nature-Inspired Kitsune Names
- Mizuto – Water person
- Hanekaze – Feather wind
- Sakurane – Cherry blossom sound
- Akikaze – Autumn wind
- Tsukihana – Moon flower
- Yamakaze – Mountain wind
- Kawamizu – River water
- Morigami – Forest god
- Yukitsume – Snow claw
- Hayashi – Forest
- Nadeshiko – Pink carnation
- Kusanagi – Grass cutter
- Hinoki – Cypress tree
- Momiji – Autumn leaves
- Tsubaki – Camellia
- Suzuran – Lily of the valley
- Ayame – Iris
- Kikyo – Bellflower
- Yanagi – Willow
- Matsu – Pine
- Kiku – Chrysanthemum
- Ume – Plum blossom
- Asagao – Morning glory
- Himawari – Sunflower
- Sakaki – Sacred tree
- Kaede – Maple
- Tachibana – Wild orange
- Fuji – Wisteria
- Botan – Peony
- Nadeshiko – Carnation
Cool & Powerful Kitsune Names
- Kuroyami – Black darkness
- Zenkai – Total release
- Arashiro – Storm white
- Rengami – Lotus god
- Akikuro – Autumn black
- Shinobi – Stealth
- Kagemusha – Shadow warrior
- Raiden – Thunder and lightning
- Byakko – White tiger
- Seiryu – Azure dragon
- Genbu – Black tortoise
- Suzaku – Vermillion bird
- Kuro – Black
- Shiro – White
- Gin – Silver
- Kin – Gold
- Hagane – Steel
- Kotetsu – Tiger iron
- Masamune – Famous swordsmith
- Muramasa – Famous swordsmith
- Zangetsu – Cutting moon
- Tensa – Heavenly chain
- Ryujin – Dragon god
- Fujin – Wind god
- Susanoo – Storm god
- Tsukuyomi – Moon god
- Amaterasu – Sun goddess
- Izanagi – Creator god
- Onimaru – Demon circle
- Kusanagi – Grass cutter
Cute & Playful Kitsune Names
- Mochi – Rice cake
- Dango – Sweet dumpling
- Sushi – Famous dish
- Tofu – Bean curd
- Miso – Fermented soybean
- Ramen – Noodle dish
- Bento – Lunch box
- Konbu – Kelp
- Matcha – Green tea
- Wasabi – Horseradish
- Yuki – Snow
- Hoshi – Star
- Sora – Sky
- Kaze – Wind
- Hana – Flower
- Yume – Dream
- Ai – Love
- Nami – Wave
- Kiri – Mist
- Tora – Tiger
- Kuma – Bear
- Usagi – Rabbit
- Tsuru – Crane
- Kame – Turtle
- Tanuki – Raccoon dog
Dark & Shadow Kitsune Names
- Kurogitsune – Black fox
- Yamiha – Dark leaf
- Ankoku – Darkness
- Meikai – Dark world
- Kurotsuki – Black moon
- Yamikage – Dark shadow
- Ankokuji – Dark temple
- Kurenai – Deep crimson
- Shikkoku – Jet black
- Kokuyo – Ebony
- Yaiba – Blade
- Shi – Death
- Yami – Darkness
- Kage – Shadow
- Mayoi – Lost, astray
- Aku – Evil
- Ma – Demon
- Oni – Ogre
- Kyoki – Madness
- Mugen – Infinite
- Metsubou – Destruction
- Fumetsu – Immortal
- Eien – Eternity
- Shinigami – Death god
- Jigoku – Hell
Elemental Kitsune Names
Fire Element:
- Enkai – Flame sea
- Kaen – Flame
- Homura – Blaze
- Enbai – Flame ash
- Shakuya – Burning night
- Hinote – Flame sound
Water Element: 7. Mizukage – Water shadow 8. Suijin – Water god 9. Minamo – Water surface 10. Shinju – Pearl 11. Nami – Wave 12. Umi – Ocean
Earth Element: 13. Daichi – Great earth 14. Iwao – Rock man 15. Tsuchi – Soil 16. Sugi – Cedar 17. Ganban – Bedrock 18. Sekiyu – Stone oil
Wind Element: 19. Kamikaze – Divine wind 20. Hayate – Sudden gale 21. Kaze – Wind 22. Arashi – Storm 23. Tatsumaki – Tornado 24. Nowaki – Field-dividing wind
Lightning Element: 25. Raijin – Thunder god 26. Inazuma – Lightning 27. Kaminari – Thunder 28. Raikou – Lightning
Ice/Snow Element: 29. Fubuki – Snowstorm 30. Hyouga – Glacier
Kitsune Last Names
- Inouye – Above the well
- Takahara – High field
- Kitsumoto – Fox origin
- Yamazaki – Mountain peninsula
- Fushikawa – Mystery river
- Aokura – Blue storehouse
- Nishiyama – West mountain
- Harukami – Spring god
- Kurobane – Black feather
- Minamoto – Source
- Shionari – Tide forming
- Izuhara – Spring field
- Tomikura – Wealth storehouse
- Yoshimori – Good forest
- Kaguragi – Sacred music tree
- Matsunaga – Pine eternity
- Hayashida – Forest field
- Okitane – Offshore seed
- Shibukawa – Astringent river
- Tanemori – Seed forest
One-Word Kitsune Names
- Enko – Flame
- Raijin – Thunder
- Fumio – Scholarly
- Kaoru – Fragrance
- Shinri – Truth
- Akira – Bright
- Itsuki – Tree
- Arata – New
- Hikari – Light
- Sora – Sky
- Kaito – Ocean flying
- Ren – Lotus
- Ryu – Dragon
- Sei – Sacred
- Shin – True
- Ten – Heaven
- Zen – Good
- Rei – Spirit
- Jin – Benevolence
- Ken – Wise
Tips for Choosing Your Kitsune Name
Consider the Character’s Personality
- Playful and mischievous: Choose lighter names like Yuki, Mochi, or Sazanami
- Wise and ancient: Select dignified names like Hakuzōsu, Myobu, or Tsukuyomi
- Dark and mysterious: Pick shadow-themed names like Kuroyami, Yamiha, or Kurogitsune
- Powerful and fierce: Go for strong names like Raiden, Zenkai, or Ryujin
Match Their Element or Power If your Kitsune has elemental abilities, choose a name that reflects it:
- Fire Kitsune: Enkai, Kaen, Homura
- Water Kitsune: Mizukage, Suijin, Minamo
- Lightning Kitsune: Raijin, Inazuma, Raikou
- Wind Kitsune: Kamikaze, Hayate, Arashi
Consider the Number of Tails
- One-tail (young): Simple, cute names work well
- Three-tail (adolescent): More complex names showing growth
- Five-tail (mature): Sophisticated, meaningful names
- Nine-tail (ancient): Legendary, powerful names like Tamamo, Kyubi, or Amaterasu
Cultural Authenticity For authentic Japanese names:
- Combine nature words (hana=flower, yuki=snow, kaze=wind)
- Use celestial elements (tsuki=moon, hoshi=star, sora=sky)
- Include mystical concepts (yume=dream, kage=shadow, hikari=light)
Sound and Flow
- Say the name aloud to ensure it flows well
- Consider how it pairs with a last name if using one
- Avoid overly complicated combinations that are hard to pronounce
Uniqueness Factor
- Blend traditional Japanese elements with creative twists
- Combine two meaningful words to create something new
- Consider using less common kanji meanings
Conclusion
Kitsune names are rich with meaning, drawing from Japanese culture, nature, and mythology. Whether you choose a traditional name like Tamamo or Kuzunoha, or create something unique like Shadowblossom or Crystalveil, the perfect Kitsune name should reflect your character’s essence, powers, and story.
Remember that in Japanese folklore, names carry power and meaning. A well-chosen Kitsune name doesn’t just identify your character—it reveals their nature, hints at their abilities, and connects them to the ancient traditions of these magical fox spirits.
