Japan is one of the most densely populated and urbanized countries. The mountainous country is known for its rich culture and sophisticated technology. If you are looking for Japanese last names for your baby, this post is for you. In Japan, surnames are more than just identifiers; they show cultural heritage, historical connections, and geographical origins of families. Learning about these names can give us a glimpse into Japan’s societal structure and values. In this post, we bring you a comprehensive list of Japanese last names and their meanings. We have referred to several reliable online sources to bring you the most popular Japanese surnames (1).
Key Pointers
- Japanese names reflect the rich history and culture of Japan and the Japanese people.
- Abhuraya, Doi, Hagihara, and Nagata are Japanese surnames derived from the names of places.
- Nagata, Miura, Sato, and Yamagata are names derived from Japanese clans.
- Japanese surnames include nature-inspired ones, such as Chisaka, Wakabayashi, Agawa, and Suzuki.
A Brief History Of Japanese Surnames
In ancient Japan, there were two types of surnames: Uji (氏), representing clans with specific duties, and Kabane (姓), titles given by the great royal family. Towards the end of the Heian period (794–1185), more surnames came into existence.
The nobles (Kuge) often took surnames based on where they lived, while the samurai used the names of the lands they controlled or protected. In the Edo period (1603–1868), surnames became symbols of social status and were mostly limited to the samurai and some privileged commoners, while others used informal names.
During the Meiji period (1868–1912), surnames became mandatory for everyone to help organize records, so people revived old family names, got new ones from local leaders, or formalized the informal names they had been using (2).
Japanese Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings
Nature-Inspired Japanese Surnames
1. Aburaya
Aburaya comprises Abura, which means ‘made with Abura (oil),’ and Ya means ‘valley.’
2. Agawa
In Japanese, A means ‘nook’, ‘flatter’, ‘corner’ and Kawa means ‘stream’, ‘river’. Some of the notable name bearers are Hiroyuki Agawa (Japanese writer) Sawako Agawa (Japanese writer and television personality).
3. Ahane
The kanji character Ah means ‘second’, ‘Asia’, Ha means ‘wave’ and Ne means ‘root’. Singer and songwriter Ayano Ahane is a notable person.
4. Aikawa
Ai means ‘sympathize’ and Kawas means ‘river’. This name is generally added as a middle name or as a last name.
5. Aoki
This surname means ‘green tree,’ and is mostly found in central Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. The bearers of this surname have connections with the Takeda branch of the Minamoto clan and Fujiwara.
6. Amamiya
In this Japanese surname, Ama means ‘rain’ and Miya means ‘shrine’. Takeshi Amemiya is a well-known economist.
7. Chiba
The meaning of this name is ‘A thousand leaves’. Chi means ‘thousand’ and ha means ‘leaf’. It is also the name of a Japanese prefecture. One of the famous name bearers is Akira Chiba (president of The Pokemon Company).
8. Chibana
This Japanese surname means ‘A thousand blossoms’. One of the notable name bearers is Kurara Chibana (actress and model).
9. Chisaka
The meaning of this surname is ‘One thousand hills’.
10. Eguchi
The meaning of this surname is the ‘mouth of the river’. The surname is prominent in the island of Kyushu. Fujie Eguchi (table tennis player) is a famous name bearer.
11. Ejiri
The Japanese character for E means an ‘inlet’ or ‘river’, and jiri means ‘behind’ or ‘rear’. A noteworthy personality with this surname is Atsuhiko Ejiri (football player).
12. Enatsu
E stands for ‘river’ or ‘inlet’ and natsu means ‘summer’. Yutaka Enatsu (former pitcher) is a noteworthy name bearer.
13. Endo
En means ‘distant’ and do refers to ‘wisteria’ flowers. The second Japanese character in the surname links it to the powerful Fujiwara clan.
14. Endomoto
In this Japanese surname, the word eno means ‘hackberry’ and moto means ’base’.
15. Fuji
This is a very common Japanese surname, and means ‘wisteria’. Sumiko Fuji (Japanese actress) is a famous name bearer.
16. Fujihara
This name is a variation of Fujiwara and means ‘wisteria plain’ and is one of the greatest noble clans of classical Japan.
17. Fujiki
This surname refers to the Japanese wisteria tree. Some of the notable personalities with this surname are Naohito Fujiki (actor and singer), and Saburo Fujiki (golfer).
18. Fujisaki
It means ‘two unblooming flowers’. If you’re looking for F last names in Japanese culture, Fujisaki is a unique and meaningful option.
19. Furukawa
This popular Japanese surname means an ‘old river’. It has descended from the Minamoto, Nitta and northern Fujiwara families.
20. Furuya
It means an ‘ancient valley’. Keiji Furuya (Japanese politician) is a famous name bearer.
21. Futaba
This is a Japanese last name for girls. Futu means ‘a pair’ and ba means a ‘leaf.’
22. Hamaguchi
This Japanese surname means the ‘seashore entrance’. Hamaguchi Osachi (the 27th prime minister of Japan) is a famous bearer of this name.
Did you know?23. Hanabusa
In this surname, Hana means ’flower’ and busa means ’room’. A notable personality with this surname is Hanabusa Masayuki (Japanese samurai).
24. Haruki
It means ‘spring season tree’. This name is used as both the first and the last name.
25. Hiraoka
This Japanese surname is found in western Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. The meaning of this name is a ‘peaceful hill’.
26. Ichikawa
It means a ‘city river’, and is a common surname throughout Japan. This surname was adopted by one of the branches of the Taira clan who lived in Ichikawa-go in Kai. Some noteworthy name bearers are Daisuke Ichikawa (football midfielder), and Haruyo Ichikawa (film actress).
27. Igarashi
This surname means ‘fifty storms’ and originated from Ikarashi river that flows in central Niigata prefecture. It is also believed that the surname came from Yamato prince Ikatarashihiko-no-Mikoto. This name has variations such as Ikarashi and Isoarashi.
28. Iida
This Japanese surname means ‘paddy of cooked rice’ with the original meaning being ‘good rice paddy’. Some noteworthy name bearers are Akira Iida (racing driver), and Kodai lida (footballer).
29. Ishii
The surname means ‘rock’ or ‘stone well’ and refers to someone who ‘lives in a rocky place.’ The surname is common in Chiba prefecture and the Tokyo area. The name bearers are mostly found in the Ryūkyū Islands and the northeastern part of the country around the Inland Sea.
30. Ishizaki
This Japanese surname means ‘stone peninsula.’
31. Kagawa
This Japanese surname means ‘fragrant river’ and is held by families from Kagawa in Sagami and Kagawa in Aki.
32. Kamei
This name, meaning ‘turtle well,’ is mainly found in western Japan. It is the surname of a noble family that descended from the Minamoto clan.
33. Kamiyama
This Japanese surname means ‘god’ or ‘upper mountain’. A noteworthy personality with this surname is Takashi Kamiyama (golfer).
34. Kaneko
This name means ‘golden child’ and is probably referred to the gold or iron ore dust found in the streams and sandbanks. It is mostly found in Tokyo and Okinawa Island.
35. Kasai
In the areas of Tokyo and Ryukyu Islands, this name means ‘bamboo hat’ and ‘well’ and in western Japan this is the name of a village and means the ‘west of the river’. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Akira Kasai (politician), Noriaki Kasai (ski jumper), and Kenta Kasai (football player).
36. Kase
The Japanese characters for this surname mean ‘add’ and ‘strait’. It is mostly found in the Tokyo area. A few noteworthy name bearers are Jido Kase (Japanese judoka), and Ryo Kase (Japanese actor).
37. Kataoka
It means ‘hill on the side’ and is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku. Some noteworthy name bearers are Shinwa Kataoka (actor), and Yoshiro Kataoka (anime producer).
38. Katayama
The meaning of this surname is ‘mountain on the side’ and is found throughout Japan and Ryukyu Islands. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Hitomi Katayama (Japanese film actress), and Tetsu Katayama (the 46th prime minister of Japan).
39. Kato
Also known as Katou or Katoh, this is one of the most common Japanese surnames. It means ‘increase wisteria’ and is mostly found in the southeastern seaboard and Ryukyu Islands. A noteworthy name bearer is Ayuko Kato (politician).
40. Kawabata
This name means ‘side or bank of the river’. Some of the famous name bearers are Hikaru Kawabata (wrestler), Makoto Kawabata (musician), and Yasunari Kawabata (writer).
41. Kawano
The surname means ‘river field,’ and is mainly found in the western region of Japan, over the Shikoku and Ryūkyū Islands.
42. Kawasaki
This famous surname is found mostly in eastern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. The meaning of this is the ‘river cape’. Kawasaki Shozo (founder of Kawasaki Heavy Industries) is the most famous name bearer.
43. Kita
This surname is found in western Japan and Okinawa Island. It is written in various ways with meanings such as ‘north field of trees,’ and ‘many happiness’. Famous personalities include Kazuma Kita (football goalkeeper), and Sumire Kita (gymnast).
44. Kikuchi
This surname is mostly found in western Japan and in the Island of Kyushu. It means a ‘chrysanthemum pond’. The powerful Kikuchi clan of Higo province has its connections with this surname.
45. Kimura
Common in western and northeastern Japan, this surname means ‘tree village.’ Popular Japanese actor Takuya Kimura is one of the most famous bearers.
46. Kubo
This surname has various meanings; one of them is ‘sunken ground’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Ryogo Kubo (mathematical physicist), and Tatsuhiko Kubo (soccer player).
47. Kurosawa
It means a ‘black swamp’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Akira Kurosawa (acclaimed filmmaker), Kiyoshi Kurosawa (film director), and Toshiaki Kurosawa (swimmer).
48. Maekawa
Found in western Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, this surname means ‘river in front’.
49. Maruyama
The topographic surname means ‘round mountain.’ Professional wrestler Atsushi Maruyama is a famous bearer.
50. Masaki
This surname means ‘correct’ and ‘tree’. The families are descendants of the Taira, northern Fujiwara, and Minamoto clans. A noteworthy name bearer is Goro Masaki (science fiction writer).
51. Matsumoto
Featuring within the top 15 surnames in Japan, Matsumoto means ‘base of the pine tree.’ Japanese actor and singer Jun Matsumoto is one of the most popular bearers of this surname.
52. Matsushita
The meaning of this Japanese surname is ‘beneath the pine tree’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Hiro Matsushita (champ car racer, chairman of Swift Engineering and Swift Xi), Tadahiro Matsushita (a member of the House of Representatives of Japan), and Sayami Matsushita (archer).
53. Matsui
The surname means ‘pine tree well.’ It is a common surname amongst the people of west-central Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands.
54. Matsuura
This name is originally taken from the ancient Matsura province, which is now in Nagasaki prefecture. It is alternatively known as Matsura and means ‘pine tree bay’. Some of the prominent personalities with this surname are Max Matsuura (record producer and president of Avex Tax), and Daigo Matsuura (politician).
55. Miyake
It means ‘three horses’. The residents and their descendants of the royal rice-growing estates (Miyake) of the Yamato region adopted this as their surname.
56. Miura
This name means ‘three bays’. The families, which descended from the Taira clan and settled in a place called Miura in Sagami, adopted the name of that place.
57. Mori
This is a versatile surname with roots tracing back to Japan, Italy, and India. In Japanese, the surname means ‘forest’ or ‘woods.’
58. Morita
Commonly found in western Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands, the surname is composed of mori, meaning ‘forest,’ and ta, meaning ‘field’ or ‘rice paddy.’ The surname means ‘rice paddy near the forest’ or ‘abundant rice paddy.’
59. Nagasawa
This surname means ‘long swamp’ and is mostly found in central Japan. Some famous personalities with this surname are Hiroaki Nagasawa (politician), Yoshiaki Nagasawa (bicycle builder), and Kazuki Nagasawa (football player).
60. Nagata
Most of the bearers of this surname descended from the Sasaki branch of the Minamoto clan, and took the name of a village in Omi. It is listed in Shinsen Shojiroku. The meaning of this surname is ‘long rice paddy’.
61. Nakayama
This surname is mostly found in western Japan and in the Island of Okinawa. This surname means ‘central mountain’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Akinori Nakayama (Olympic gymnast), and Masa Nakayama (the first female cabinet minister in Japan).
62. Nishikawa
This surname is mostly found in western Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. The meaning of this surname is ‘western river’.
63. Ogawa
Sometimes pronounced as ‘Kogawa,’ this surname is common throughout Japan and means a ‘small river’.
64. Omori
This Japanese surname is mostly found in eastern Japan and the island of Okinawa. It means a ‘large grove’.
65. Otake
The variations of this surname are Ootake and Ohtake. The meaning of this surname is ‘large bamboo,’ and is mostly found in the southeastern seaboard and the Ryukyu Islands.
66. Sakai
The Japanese characters sake means ‘rice wine’, and I means ‘well’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Kiyoshi Sakai (anime producer and director), Maki Sakai (actress), and Natsumi Sakai (swimmer).
67. Sakurai
This surname means ‘cherry blossom well,’ and is mostly found in eastern Japan.It is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku and is one of the beautiful last names that start with S in Japanese culture.
68. Sasaki
In Japanese script, the letters Sa means ‘help’, or ‘aid’ and ki means ‘tree’, or ‘wood’. This name is most popular in the northeastern parts of Japan.
69. Shibata
There are two names as per pronunciations in Japanese scripts. One name means ‘turf’ or ‘rice paddy’ and is from the Tachibana family, the other means ‘brushwood’ from the island of Kyushu and the southeastern seaboard.
70. Shimizu
Composed of the two components ‘shi’ and ‘mizu,’ the surname means ‘pure water.’ It is one of the most common Japanese surnames.
71. Shimoda
The meaning of this surname is ‘lower rice paddy’. It is commonly found throughout Japan.
72. Sugawara
A common surname in the northeastern part of Japan, Sugawara means ‘sedge plain.’ In the Shinsen shōjiroku, the surname is also recognized as Sugahara. Some bearers spell it as Kanbara and shorten it as Suga.
73. Sugiyama
The surname means ‘cedar mountain.’ It is a common surname amongst the population living along the coast between Tokyo and Kyōto. Some name bearers belong to the Fujiwara clan, while others are of Taira origin.
74. Suzuki
This name means ‘bell tree’ and might have derived from Japan’s pampas grass, Susuki, because this surname is also known as Susuki. This is the second most common surname in Japan (1). The most famous personality with this surname is Michio Suzuki (the founder of Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company).
75. Tabata
Found in eastern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, this Japanese surname means ‘edge of the rice paddy’. Some famous personalities with this surname are Kazumi Tabata (karate grandmaster), and Kenji Tabata (sprinter).
76. Takagi
The surname means ‘tall tree.’ Japanese crime-fiction writer Akimitsu Takagi is a noteworthy bearer.
77. Takayama
The meaning of this surname is ‘high mountains’, and is the name of a city in the mountains of Hida. This name is mostly found in western Japan and on the Okinawa Islands.
78. Takeuchi
The nature-inspired surname Takeuchi means ‘within bamboo’ or ‘warrior household.’ Also written as Takenouchi, this surname is most common in the west-central part of Japan.
79. Yagi
The meaning of this surname is ‘eight trees’ taken from a valley in Tajima by an ancient Kusabake family. It is also found in Ryukyuan island of Amami.
80. Yamagata
This Japanese surname means ‘mountain shape’ or ‘mountain district’. These are the descendants of the Shiba branch of the Minamoto clan and took the name from a village in Uzen. Some other name bearers are from the Tada branch of the same clan and took their name from Mino.
81. Yamaguchi
This surname is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku. The meaning of this surname is ‘mountain entrance’. Akane Yamaguchi (badminton player) is a famous name bearer.
82. Yamamoto
Yamamoto is one of the more common last names that start with Y in Japan. This means ‘base of the mountain’. The name bearers are found mostly in central and west-central Japan. A few noteworthy name bearers are Akihiko Yamamoto (politician), and Fujiko Yamamoto (actress).
Geographical Japanese Surnames
83. Arai
The surname means ‘new well,’ ‘new residence,’ or ‘well in the wilderness.’ Japanese actor Nanao Arai is a proud bearer of this surname.
84. Bando
This Japanese surname is popular in eastern Japan from where it originated. The meaning of this name is ‘East of the slope’ referring to the eastern provinces of Osaka.
85. Bushida
Bushi means ‘warrior’ or ‘samurai,’ and Da means ‘paddy field.’
86. Doi
This surname has different meanings in different places. In the west and in Shikoku, it is known as ‘earth well,’ and in eastern Japan, it is known as ‘earth habitation’.
Did you know?87. Fujii
This surname means ‘well of wisteria.’ Listed in Shinsen shōjiroku, Fujii is also known as ‘arrowroot well.’ It is a common surname in west-central Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands. Some bearers of this surname are known to have a connection with the Fujiwara clan.
88. Fujimura
This Japanese surname refers to a Japanese wisteria village, and is found in western Honshu and the Ryukyu Islands.
89. Fujioka
This surname means ‘wisteria hill’. This is a common name in the village of Shinano and found mostly in western Japan and Ryukyu Islands. A famous name bearer is Chihiro Fujioka (Japanese video game designer and composer).
90. Fujiwara
It means ‘wisteria field’. This surname belongs to the noble clan, who were the descendants of the statesman Nakatomi no Kamatari. This surname is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku (Japanese genealogical record), as the ancestral name, Nakatomi. Tatsuya Fujiwara is a famous name bearer.
91. Fukushima
This Japanese surname means ‘fortune island’. This is commonly heard throughout Japan and Ryukyu Islands.
92. Goda
Popular on Shikoku island, this surname means ‘connected to rice paddy’. In western Japan, it is pronounced as Aita.
93. Goto
This Japanese surname is also known by the names Gotou and Gotoh. There are two meanings — ‘behind wisteria,’ and ‘five islands’. The aristocratic Goto family played a prominent role in the development of Japanese culture. This surname also refers to the descendants of the Fujiwara clan and chiefly occurs along the southeastern seaboard of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.
94. Hada
It is also known as Haneda and Hata. Ha means ‘feather’ or ‘wing’ and Da means ‘rice paddy’. This name is predominantly found in eastern Japan.
95. Hagihara
This surname means ‘Japanese clover field’. It is also known as Hagiwara and is mostly found in the Tokyo area and the island of Okinawa.
96. Hagino
It means ‘Bush clover field’.
97. Hamada
Prominent in the island of Shikoku and Ryukyu Islands, this is used both as a name and a surname. It means a ‘seashore paddy field’.
98. Hamamura
It means a ‘seashore village’.
99. Hamasaki
This surname means a ‘seashore peninsula’, and is mainly found in western Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.
100. Handa
This surname means a ‘flower field’.
101. Hara
This surname means ‘field’ or ‘plain’, and is found in Musashi as well as the Ryukyu Islands. It is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku. A notable name bearer is Hara Takashi (the 19th prime minister of Japan).
102. Harada
Commonly found in the islands of Kyūshū and the Ryūkyū, Harada is a topographic surname meaning ‘plain field’ or ‘rice paddy on the plain.’
103. Hasegawa
This topographic surname means ‘long valley river.’ Many of the bearers descended from the Minamoto and Fujiwara clans.
104. Hashimoto
This surname means ‘one who lives near the bridge’, and is one of the common Japanese last names. Ai Hashimoto (model and actress) is a famous name bearer.
105. Hirano
A popular topographic and habitational name, the surname means ‘flat, plain, or peaceful field.’ Japanese pop singer and actor Sho Hirano is a famous bearer of the surname
106. Honda
This famous Japanese last name means ‘original rice field’, and is common throughout Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. The man who made the surname famous is Soichiro Honda (the founder of Honda Motor Company).
107. Hori
Mostly found in central Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, the surname means ‘moat’.
108. Ichihara
This surname is a combination of Ichi which means ‘one’ or ‘town’ and hara which means ‘field’ or ‘meadow’. A few notable people with this surname are Etsuko Ichihara (actress), Hayato Ichihara (actor), Hiroshi Ichihara (footballer).
109. Ikeda
This Japanese surname is found throughout Japan and the Ryukyu Islands and means ‘rice paddy near the lake’. A few noteworthy name bearers are Shintaro Ikeda (badminton player), and Yukiko Ikeda (actress).
110. Iwazaki
Also spelled as Iwasaki, the surname means ‘stone,’ ‘slope,’ or ‘hill.’ It also means ‘stone peninsula’ or ‘stone cape.’
111. Imai
This Japanese surname means a ‘new place of residence’. Several families from Minamoto descent have taken this name.
112. Imamura
This common surname means a ‘new village’. A famous personality is Takeshi Imamura (public figure).
113. Ishida
A common place name, Ishida means ‘rocky rice paddy’ or ‘stone rice field.’ Also written as Isida, some bearers of this surname descended from the samurai of Tosa.
114. Ishikawa
Also written as Isikawa, this surname means ‘rock river’ or ‘stone river.’ It is commonly found in eastern Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands.
115. Iwata
The meaning of this name is ‘Stony paddy field’. The name became famous thanks to Anest Iwata Corporation, the manufacturer of air compressors. Another famous bearer is Satoru Iwata, former president and CEO of Nintendo.
116. Otsuka
The surname means ‘large tomb mound’ or ‘large bundle.’ The surname is common in the eastern region of the country.
117. Kamada
This surname means a ‘sickle field’.
118. Kinoshita
A habitational surname, Kinoshita refers to someone who lives ‘under a tree.’ The surname is common in Japan and has several noteworthy name bearers such as playwright Junji Kinoshita and Japanese American activist Cherry Kinoshita.
119. Kobayashi
This common Japanese surname means a ‘small forest’. It is commonly found in central Japan and in the Ryukyu Islands. A famous name bearer is Haru Kobayashi (musician).
120. Kojima
Meaning ‘small island,’ the surname is most commonly found along the coasts of Tokyo and Kyōto and in the Ryūkyū Islands. Yorihiko Kojima, chairman of the board of Mitsubishi Corporation, is a noteworthy name bearer.
121. Kondou
Also written as Kondō or Kondo, this surname is commonly found in the Tokyo area of Japan. This topographic surname means ‘near wisteria.’ Dou indicates a link to the Fujiwara clan.
122. Koyama
Also pronounced as Oyama, the surname means ‘small mountain.’ The bearers are often linked to Fujiwara no Hidesato (10th century) of the northern branch of the Fujiwara clan.
123. Kudou
The surname is composed of two elements: ku, meaning ‘long time’ or ‘construction,’ and dou, meaning ‘distant’ or ‘wisteria.’
124. Machida
The name means ‘town field or town rice patty’. This name is prominently found in eastern Japan and Ryukyu Islands.
125. Maeda
Common amongst the people of the Kyūshū and Ryūkyū Islands, this surname is also written as Mayeda. It means ‘front rice paddy’ or ‘previous rice paddy.’
126. Makino
This is another popular surname and means ‘shepherd field’ or ‘pasture field’. A noble family, who are the descendants of Takenouchi no Sukune, hold this surname. A few noteworthy name bearers are Hiroshi Makino (golfer), and Maria Makino (singer).
127. Masuda
The meaning of this surname is ‘increasing rice paddy’ and is found throughout Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. Some of the famous name bearers are Hiroya Masuda (politician), Kosaku Masuda and Shigeto Masuda (football players).
128. Matsubara
This surname is mostly found in western Japan and Ryukyu Islands. The meaning is ‘pine tree plain’. Some families bearing this surname are descendants of the Minamoto and Fujiwara clans.
129. Matsuda
The surname means ‘pine ricefield’ and is connected with priestly families following the Shinto religion. This is a habitational name commonly found in western Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands.
130. Matsuo
Meaning ‘pine tree’ and ‘lower slope (of a mountain),’ the surname is more prevalent in Kyūshū and Okinawa islands than in any other part of the country.
131. Matsumura
Many families with this surname are found to have samurai connections. The meaning of this surname is ‘pine tree village’.
132. Miyamoto
A habitational surname, Miyamoto refers to someone who lives ‘near the shrine’ or ‘base of the shrine.’ This surname may be common amongst samurai families due to their common connection to Shinto shrines. However, it does not mean these name bearers are related to or of samurai rank.
133. Nakagawa
Nakagawa means ‘middle river.’ Some bearers of this surname are descendants of the Fujiwara or Minamoto clan.
134. Miyazaki
The surname means ‘shrine cape’ and is also written as Miyasaki. Japanese actor Aoi Miyazaki is a noteworthy bearer.
135. Murata
A known but uncommon surname in Japan, Murata means ‘village rice paddy.’ Award-winning Japanese writer, Kiyoko Murata is a famous bearer.
136. Nakamura
If you’re looking for a popular Japanese last name that starts with N, this is an ideal choice, as it’s the 5th most common surname in Japan. The surname means ‘village in the middle’. It is an ancient and very common surname listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku. Shinsuke Nakamura (pro wrestler) is a famous name bearer.
137. Nakano
Listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku, this is a common Japanese surname that means ‘central field.’
138. Nakajima
This surname is also written as Nakashima. It is composed of naka, meaning ‘middle,’ and shima, meaning ‘island.’
139. Nishimura
The meaning of this Japanese surname is ‘western village’. This surname is found in northeastern Japan and the island of Okinawa.
140. Noguchi
This surname, meaning ‘entrance of the field,’ is found along the southeastern coast of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. A few families with this surname have samurai connections. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Haruchika Noguchi (the founder of Seitai), Osamu Noguchi (the founder of Japanese kickboxing), and Soichi Noguchi (astronaut).
140. Nomura
The meaning of this surname is ‘village in the field’, ‘field village’ or ‘wilderness village’. It is commonly found in western Japan and the island of Okinawa.
142. Oba
This name has variations such as Ooba and Ohba. The meaning of this Japanese surname is ‘large garden’. Some of the known personalities with this surname are Akira Oba (Japanese footballer), and Masoa Oba (Japanese boxer).
143. Ohara
The meaning of this surname is ‘large plain’, and is mostly found in western and west-central Japan. It is listed in Shinsen Shojiroku. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Koyu Ohara (film director), and Reiko Ohara (actress).
144. Okada
This surname means ‘hill rice-paddy’ or ‘rice paddy on the hill.’ It is a commonplace name, especially in Western Japan.
145. Okamoto
The meaning of this surname is the ‘one who lives at the base of the hill’. The name bearers are mostly found in western and central Japan, and the Ryukyu Islands.
146. Sakamoto
This topographic name refers to someone who lives ‘at the bottom of the slope.’ It is listed in the Shinsen shōjiroku and a few of its bearers are connected to ancient nobility.
147. Sano
This surname means ‘small field’ and is found throughout Japan. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Kazumo Sano (actor), and Naoki Sano (wrestler).
148. Shima
This Japanese surname means ‘island’ or a ‘land that is separated from its village’. It is listed in Shinsen Shojiroku and is mostly found in the Kyoto-Osaka area and in the Ryukyu Islands.
149. Sugimoto
Many of the surname bearers are Miura or Ishii family descendants and are found in eastern Japan and Ryukyu Islands. The meaning of this surname is the ‘one who lives beneath the cedars’ and refers to the name of a village near Kamakura.
150. Takada
Also pronounced as Takata, this popular surname means ‘high rice paddy.’ It is listed in Shinsen shōjiroku and is a known name all over Japan.
151. Tanaka
This is the fourth most common surname in Japan and means ‘dweller in the rice fields’. This name is mostly found around the city of Osaka, and on the Ryukyu Islands. It is listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku.
Trivia152. Taniguchi
The surname is commonly found in the northern region of Japan. It means ‘mouth of the valley’ and is one of the 100 most common surnames in Japan. Some bearers are linked to the Sasaki family, while others belong to the Kuga branch of the Minamoto clan.
153. Tamura
The surname means ‘rice field village’ and is a common surname in the Kyōto–Ōsaka area and the northeast region of Japan.
154. Toyoda
This surname means ‘fruitful rice paddy’. This is a common surname throughout Japan. Akio Toyoda (president Toyota Motor Corporation) is the most famous name bearer.
155. Tsuchiya
The meaning of this surname is ‘earthen house’ and is mostly found in Tokyo and west-central Japan. Some of the name bearers are descendants of the Taira clan.
156. Tsuda
This surname means ‘harbor rice field,’ and is mostly found in northern Japan.
157. Uchida
This is a common surname throughout Japan and Ryukyu Islands, and means ‘inner paddy fields’. Some of the name bearers have samurai connections and are also listed in the Shinsen Shojiroku.
158. Ueda
This is also read as Kamida and means ‘upper rice paddy’. It is found throughout Japan.
159. Uehara
It is also read as Kamihara and means ‘upper plain’.
160. Ueno
It means ‘upper field’.
161. Wada
This name is taken from the village of Wada in the Miura peninsula, and means ‘harmonious rice paddy’. A noteworthy name bearer is Ben Wada (TV producer).
162. Wakabayashi
It means ‘young forest’ and is mostly found in eastern Japan.
163. Watabe
The surname is composed of two terms, wata, meaning ‘cross’ or ‘ferry,’ and be, meaning ‘part’ or ‘section.’
164. Yamada
It means ‘mountain paddy’ and is common along the eastern seaboard (3).
165. Yamashita
This surname is mainly found on the island of Kyūshū. It refers to someone who lives ‘below the mountain.’ Some of the name bearers are descended from the Minamoto or Fujiwara clans.
166. Yamazaki
In Japanese, yama means ‘mountain,’ and saki means ‘peninsula’ or ‘cape.’ This surname means ‘mountain promontory.’ Japanese actor Kento Yamazaki is a noteworthy bearer.
167. Yoshida
One of the most common surnames in Japan, Yoshida is a combination of yoshi, meaning ‘good luck,’ and ta, meaning ‘rice paddy.’ The surname means ‘lucky ricefield’ or ‘fragrant rice field.’
168. Yokoyama
The surname is popular throughout Japan and the northern region of the Ryūkyū Islands. The surname means ‘mountain to the side.’
Clan Surnames
169. Abe
In Japanese, the letter A means ‘peace’ and be means ‘multiple times’. One of the oldest Japanese clans is known by this name. The most famous bearer of this surname is Shinzō Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan.
170. Adachi
This name is variously written, but the kanji characters used mean ‘foot’ or ‘stand’. The Adachi clan was a samurai family. Some of the important name bearers are Japanese actors Osamu Adachi and Yumi Adachi.
171. Andou
Also written as Andō, Ando, or Andoh, the surname is linked to the Fujiwara clan. It is composed of two elements: an or yasu, meaning ‘relax,’ ‘inexpensive,’ ‘low, and to or fuji, meaning ‘wisteria.’
172. Date
Pronounced as Da-Te, this surname means ‘intelligent’. There was an ancient Japanese clan of this name in the lineage of daimyos, who controlled northern Japan in the 16th century.
173. Hachisuka
This surname is derived from a Japanese clan, who were the descendants of Emperor Seiwa and are a branch of Ashikaga clan and Shiba clan. It has no special meaning as Hachisuka is the name of a place, near the Kiso river at the border of Owari and Mino provinces.
174. Inoue
A samurai surname, Inoue descended from the Seiwa Genji clan. Also written as Inouye, the surname comprises ‘i,’ meaning ‘well or pit,’ and ‘no,’ meaning ‘top or above.’ Shinano Province is the home province of this clan, and the kamon is the family crest.
175. Murakami
This surname comes from the Murakami Genji, a branch of the Minamoto clan, which descended from several sons of Emperor Murakami. It means ‘above the village’ or ‘village superior.’ Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is one of the most noteworthy bearers of this surname.
176. Ota
The surname Ota means ‘large rice paddy.’ Listed in the Shinsen shōjiroku, the Ota clan is a samurai kin group. Some bearers of this surname descended from the Minamoto clan. It is a common surname in western Japan and the Ryūkyū Islands.
177. Takeda
Also written as Taketa, the surname belongs to the Takeda clan of Kai Province and means ‘bamboo rice paddy’ or ‘warrior rice paddy.’ It is listed in the Shinsen shōjiroku.
Takeda is a respected family name in Japan, which is one of the reasons Chinese-Indonesian blogger Hoei Ching-ling chose to adopt it as her Japanese surname. She says, “Shakespeare’s ‘What’s in a name?’ really plays a lot here. And for my specific case, the ‘what’ question will give tons of info about how and why I chose my Japanese surname of ‘Takeda’ (武田). For me, it’s not only about the meaning, but it’s also about fondness and respect… I chose the surname ‘Takeda’ not just merely because of that it’s the name of a samurai domain in Aizu (present-day Fukushima), which this mode implicitly means ‘to be sound great in Japanese’. According to my Japanese history professor, the surname ‘Takeda’, which means, ‘battlefield’ really indicates the noble spirit of a warrior for those holding the surname. But when I choose this surname, this option is really based on my amazement and fondness over Aiki-budo and Takeda Sokaku (1859-1943), the disseminator of the art (i).”
Other Popular Japanese Surnames
178. Abiko
A means peaceful, Bi means grandchild, and Ko means child. Mitsuhiro Abiko (Japanese sprinter) and Tomomi Abiko (pole vaulter) are its famous bearers.
179. Adachihara
In this name, Ah means ‘leg’, ‘limp’, ‘step’, Dachi means ‘stand’, and Hara means ‘plain’. Kenji Adachihara is a renowned football player.
180. Aguni
A or Awa refers to foxtail millet, and Guni means ‘country’.
181. Aiuchi
Ai means ‘love’ and Uchi means ‘inside’. Singer Rina Aiuchi is a famous personality with this surname.
182. Baba
This surname is heard mostly in west-central Japan. It refers to a ‘horse-riding track’. Some of the famous name bearers are Kenji Baba (footballer), Otman Baba (Sufi saint).
183. Chinen
This name means ‘know feelings’ in Japanese. It also means ‘one thousand years’ from the Ryukyu Islands.
184. Daguchi
It means ‘exit’ or ‘protrude’. Some of the famous personalities with this surname are Kazuya Deguchi (Japanese sports wrestler), and Tetsujyo Deguchi (Japanese Zen Buddist).
185. Daigo
This name is derived from the 60th Japanese emperor. Daigo refers to the Daigo Shingon Buddist temple in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto.
186. Genji
This Japanese surname means ‘two beginnings’ or ‘source’. This is one of the three most prominent clans in Japanese history and was formerly known as Minamoto.
187. Gushiken
It means ‘strong willed’. This surname originated in Okinawan and is one of the many family names of the Okinawan bureaucrat class. Many families of this warrior class migrated to places like Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and California. Luiz Gushiken (Brazilian politician) is one such notable person.
188. Haga
Ha means ‘fragrance’ or ‘aroma’ and Ga means ‘congratulations’. This name is mostly found in northeastern Japan.
189. Hajime
This surname means the ’beginning’. In Japanese martial arts, such as karate and Judo, Hajime is used as a verbal command to begin.
190. Haku
This Japanese surname has many meanings, such as ‘poetic’, ’white’, ‘older brother’ or an honorific meaning ‘general’.
191. Ito
This is one of the most common surnames in Japan and means ‘the one’. It is also known as Itou, Itoh or Itoo.
192. Kido
The meaning of this surname is ‘wooden door’ or ‘castle door’. The name bearers are mostly found in west Japan. Some of the noteworthy name bearers are Kido Takayoshi (politician), and Akiyuki Kido (ice dancer).
193. Nishio
The Japanese character for Nishi means ‘west’ and O means ‘male’.
194. Ono
Also written as Oono or Ohno, the surname means ‘small field.’ Ono is a common surname in the western region of Japan. A part of the Shinsen shōjiroku, some bearers of this surname are descendants of the Minamoto clan.
195. Sato
Also known as Saitou, Saitoh, and Saito, it is one of the most common surnames. It is more profound in northeastern Japan. The to in Sato is a Japanese character for Fuji, which indicates connections with the Fujiwara clan and Sa means a bureaucratic title.
196. Sone
The meaning of this surname is ‘former’ or ‘ancestor’ or ‘root’, and is found mostly in eastern Japan and Ryukyu Islands. A few noteworthy name bearers are Mikiko Sone (athlete), and Koji Sone (judoka).
197. Takahashi
This is the third most common Japanese surname. The Japanese characters for Taka mean ‘tall’, ‘high’ and hashi means ‘bridge’. This surname is frequently found in eastern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.
198. Takao
It means ‘A warrior son/man’.
199. Usui
This surname means ‘mortar well’ and is found mostly in eastern Japan.
200. Watanabe
Watanabe is one of the most well-known last names that start with W in Japan. The first name bearers belonged to the Samurai clan founded by Watanabe no Tsuna, who was a Minamoto and a Saga Genji warrior. The meaning of this surname is ‘ferry side’.
201. Yagami
The Japanese characters for Ya mean ‘eight’ and gami mean ‘god’.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Japanese first and last names work?
In Japan, the Eastern naming order is followed, where the family name comes before the given name, highlighting the importance of family ties over individual identity. This tradition is based on historical customs and reflects the collective nature of Japanese society. Japanese people refer to each other through their first or family names, and given names are generally used for children or close friends (4).
2. Why do Japanese last names come first?
Since the Meiji era, Japanese last names have come first, resembling the custom followed in other East Asian countries such as China and Korea. It is also said that the naming order was originally based on grammar. Given names are more like adjectives following the last names (4).
3. Is Mochi a Japanese surname?
The surname Mochi is relatively rare in Japan but does exist. It is derived from the word ‘mochi,’ which refers to a traditional Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice.
4. Is Saiki a Japanese surname?
Saiki is a Japanese surname with various meanings depending on the kanji characters used to write it. Some possible meanings of the characters in ‘Saiki’ include ‘equal’ and ‘tree.’ It is worth noting that surnames in Japan can have multiple possible readings and meanings, so the exact interpretation of a surname may vary depending on the family history and traditions.
5. Can Japanese last names be changed or modified?
In Japan, changing or modifying one’s last name is possible but generally rare and subject to specific legal procedures. The primary reason for changing a last name is usually due to marriage or adoption. Other than these circumstances, changing or modifying a Japanese last name could be challenging.
6. How do Japanese last names compare to other cultures?
Japanese last names are typical family names that represent familial history and heritage and have distinct characteristics that set them apart from last names in other cultures. Japanese last names are typically written in kanji and often have meanings associated with nature, occupations, geographic features, or historical events.
7. What is the history and evolution of Japanese last names?
In ancient Japan, the society was primarily organized into clans or extended families. These clans adopted surnames, which were often derived from their occupations, locations, or ancestral names. Today, Japanese surnames exhibit a wide variety of origins and forms. While traditional names derived from occupations, locations, or nature still exist, many surnames have evolved as independent names specific to individual families.
8. Are Japanese last names always just one or two syllables, or can they be longer?
Traditionally, Japanese names follow a pattern of having one or two kanji characters for the surname. These characters can represent specific meanings or have historical significance. While many Japanese surnames are indeed one or two syllables, there are also longer last names in the Japanese language.
9. What is the meaning behind the suffixes that sometimes appear in Japanese last names (such as -yama or -hara)?
In Japanese last names, suffixes such as ‘yama’ or ‘hara’ often indicate a geographic or topographic feature associated with a person’s ancestry or family origin. The suffix ‘yama’ means ‘mountain’ in Japanese. The suffix ‘hara’ translates to ‘field’ or ‘plain’ in Japanese.
Japanese culture is based on giving utmost importance to the family. Thus, they have the tradition of having surnames or last names linked to their ancestry. They also have last names inspired by nature and natural elements such as valleys or slopes. These last names sound adorable and have beautiful meanings, making them astoundingly attractive. If you like Japanese culture and Japanese last names fascinate you, consider choosing one of these names as your baby’s first name.
Infographic: Facts On Japanese Last Names
Japanese last names have a rich history that gives us a glance at the country’s culture and traditions. Learn more about the country’s naming traditions through this infographic on exciting facts about Japanese surnames. We also list a few uncommon last names of the country. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Discover the top 100 most common Japanese surnames. This fun video will introduce you to the most common surnames in Japan.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How I choose my Japanese Surname “Takeda” (武田);https://qinglingmonde.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/how-i-choose-my-japanese-surname-takeda-%E6%AD%A6%E7%94%B0/
References
- 100 Most Popular Japanese Surnames
https://www.jcccnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/100-Most-Popular-Japanese-Surnames.pdf - Japanese Surname List and History: How Did Japanese Surname Come About?
https://snownotes.org/en/japanese-surname-500-history-and-ranking/ - The sound pattern of Japanese surnames.
https://linguistics.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/YuTanaka_dissertation.pdf - Why Do Japanese Say Last Name First? Japanese Names 101; Escape to Asia
https://escapetoasia.net/japanese-last-name-first/
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