637+ Japanese Last Names, A-Z [All Categories]

Japanese last names, also known as surnames or family names, are an important part of Japanese culture and society.

They are unique in their characteristics and are different from last names used in other cultures.

Here are some of the key characteristics of Japanese last names:

Origin: Japanese last names often have an origin story, and many of them are derived from geographical features, occupations, or personal characteristics of ancestors. For example, the surname “Sato” is derived from the word for “village” and likely indicates that the family’s ancestors were from a small village.
Commonality: Unlike some Western cultures where certain last names are more common than others, Japanese last names are generally evenly distributed. There are thousands of different surnames in Japan, and no single name dominates.
Structure: Japanese last names are typically written in kanji, which are Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system. Many surnames have two or three characters, and the meaning of each character can give insight into the origin of the name.
Uniqueness: Japanese last names are typically unique to each family, meaning that only one family will use a particular surname. This is different from some cultures where many people share the same last name.
Gender: While some cultures have last names that are gender-neutral, Japanese last names often differ based on gender. For example, the suffix “-ko” is often added to female names to indicate femininity, such as in the surname “Tanaka.”
Importance: In Japanese culture, family and ancestry are highly valued, and last names play an important role in this. Japanese people often feel a strong connection to their family name and take pride in its history and meaning.

Overall, Japanese last names are an important part of Japanese culture and society.

They are unique, meaningful, and reflect the history and characteristics of each family.

Table of Contents

Common Japanese Last Names

Common Japanese Last Names:

Sato (佐藤) – The most common Japanese surname, meaning “helpful wisteria.”
Suzuki (鈴木) – The second most common Japanese surname, meaning “bell tree.”
Takahashi (高橋) – Meaning “tall bridge,” this surname is often found in the central and western regions of Japan.
Tanaka (田中) – A surname meaning “middle of the rice field,” often found in the eastern regions of Japan.
Watanabe (渡辺) – Meaning “crossing over,” this surname is often found in the Kanto region of Japan.
Yamamoto (山本) – Meaning “base of the mountain,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Nakamura (中村) – Meaning “middle of the village,” this surname is often found in central Japan.
Kobayashi (小林) – Meaning “small forest,” this surname is often found in eastern Japan.
Kato (加藤) – Meaning “increased wisteria,” this surname is often found in the Kansai region of Japan.
Ito (伊藤) – Meaning “thread wisteria,” this surname is often found in the Tokai region of Japan.
Okada (岡田) – Meaning “hill rice paddy,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Ueda (上田) – Meaning “upper rice field,” this surname is often found in the central and western regions of Japan.

Japanese Last Names and Meanings

Japanese Last Names and Meanings:

Aoki (青木) – Meaning “blue tree,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Endo (遠藤) – Meaning “distant wisteria,” this surname is often found in central and western Japan.
Fujimoto (藤本) – Meaning “base of the wisteria,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Hara (原) – Meaning “field,” this surname is often found in eastern Japan.
Inoue (井上) – Meaning “above the well,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Kikuchi (菊地) – Meaning “chrysanthemum land,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Matsuda (松田) – Meaning “pine tree rice field,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Nakajima (中島) – Meaning “middle of the island,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Ohashi (大橋) – Meaning “big bridge,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Saito (斉藤) – Meaning “united wisteria,” this surname is often found in central Japan.
Shibata (柴田) – Meaning “brushwood rice field,” this surname is often found in western Japan.
Yamaguchi (山口) – Meaning “mountain entrance,” this surname is often found in western Japan.

TOP100 Japanese Last Names ~34% of Japanese People~ | Japanese Surnames

Japanese Last Names for Girls

Japanese Last Names for Girls:

Abe (阿部) – Meaning “second son,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Asano (浅野) – Meaning “shallow field,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Fujii (藤井) – Meaning “wisteria well,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Hirata (平田) – Meaning “flat rice field,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Inoue (井上) – Meaning “above the well,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Kato (加藤) – Meaning “increasing wisteria,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Kobayashi (小林) – Meaning “small forest,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Matsuda (松田) – Meaning “pine rice field,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Miyazaki (宮崎) – Meaning “shrine cape,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Nakamura (中村) – Meaning “middle village,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Ogawa (小川) – Meaning “small river,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Sasaki (佐々木) – Meaning “assistant tree,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.
Shimizu (清水) – Meaning “clear water,” this surname is often used for girls as well as boys.

Japanese Last Names for Boys

Japanese Last Names for Boys:

Aoki – This surname means “green tree,” and is a popular Japanese last name for boys.
Fujiwara – Meaning “field of wisteria,” Fujiwara is a historical Japanese last name for boys.
Hasegawa – This surname means “long river” and is a common Japanese last name for boys.
Ito – Meaning “string,” Ito is a classic and popular Japanese last name for boys.
Kato – This surname means “village person,” and is a common Japanese last name for boys.
Nakamura – Meaning “middle village,” Nakamura is a popular Japanese last name for boys.
Okada – This surname means “hill rice paddy” and is a unique and meaningful Japanese last name for boys.
Saito – Meaning “fine wisteria,” Saito is a classic and popular Japanese last name for boys.
Tanaka – This surname means “rice field in the middle,” and is a common Japanese last name for boys.
Ueda – Meaning “upper rice paddy,” Ueda is a unique and meaningful Japanese last name for boys.
Yamaguchi – This surname means “mouth of the mountain,” and is a popular Japanese last name for boys.
Yoshida – Meaning “lucky rice field,” Yoshida is a classic and popular Japanese last name for boys.

Popular Japanese Last Names (Most Common)

Popular Japanese Last Names (Most Common):

Sato – This is the most common Japanese last name and means “village wisteria.”
Suzuki – Meaning “bell tree,” Suzuki is a popular Japanese last name.
Takahashi – This surname means “high bridge” and is a common Japanese last name.
Tanaka – This surname means “rice field in the middle,” and is a popular Japanese last name.
Watanabe – Meaning “cross the bridge,” Watanabe is a common Japanese last name.
Ito – This surname means “string,” and is a common Japanese last name.
Yamamoto – Meaning “mountain root,” Yamamoto is a popular Japanese last name.
Nakamura – This surname means “middle village,” and is a common Japanese last name.
Kobayashi – Meaning “small forest,” Kobayashi is a popular Japanese last name.
Saito – This surname means “fine wisteria,” and is a common Japanese last name.
Yamada – Meaning “mountain rice paddy,” Yamada is a popular Japanese last name.
Sakamoto – This surname means “slope” or “hillside,” and is a common Japanese last name.

Cool Japanese Last Names

Cool Japanese Last Names:

Akatsuki – Meaning “dawn” or “daybreak,” Akatsuki is a cool and unique Japanese last name.
Enomoto – This surname means “base of the garden” and has a cool and elegant sound.
Fujimoto – Meaning “base of wisteria,” Fujimoto is a cool and unique Japanese last name.
Hattori – This surname means “cloth cutter” and has a cool and unique meaning.
Kuroki – Meaning “black tree,” Kuroki is a cool and unique Japanese last name.
Matsushita – This surname means “under the pine tree,” and has a cool and peaceful sound.
Nagano – Meaning “long field,” Nagano is a cool and unique Japanese last name.
Oshima – This surname means “big island,” and has a cool and adventurous meaning.
Shindo – Meaning “new way,” Shindo is a cool and unique Japanese last name.

Unique Japanese Last Names

Unique Japanese Last Names:

Arisugawa (有栖川) – A unique surname meaning “royal dwelling river.”
Hachiman (八幡) – A surname meaning “eight banners,” often found in the western regions of Japan.
Kaga (加賀) – A surname meaning “additional elegance,” often found in the Hokuriku region of Japan.
Kishi (岸) – A surname meaning “shore,” often found in the Kansai region of Japan.
Kiyomizu (清水) – A surname meaning “clear water,” often found in the Kansai region of Japan.
Nakamatsu (中松) – A surname meaning “middle pine tree,” often found in the western regions of Japan.
Nishimura (西村) – A surname meaning “western village,” often found in western Japan.
Shinoda (篠田) – A surname meaning “bamboo rice field,” often found in eastern Japan.
Sugiyama (杉山) – A surname meaning “cedar mountain,” often found in central and western Japan.
Takeda (武田) – A surname meaning “warrior rice paddy,” often found in central Japan.
Ushijima (牛島) – A surname meaning “cow island,” often found in western Japan.
Yumoto (湯本) – A surname meaning “hot spring source,” often found in the Kansai region of Japan.

Japanese Last Names with Dark Meanings

Japanese Last Names with Dark Meanings:

Akuma (悪魔) – A surname meaning “devil,” often found in anime and manga.
Ayakashi (妖) – A surname meaning “demon,” often found in anime and manga.
Bakumatsu (幕末) – A surname meaning “end of the shogunate,” referring to a dark period of Japanese history.
Gekko (月光) – A surname meaning “moonlight,” often associated with ghosts and the supernatural.
Kuroiwa (黒岩) – A surname meaning “black rock,” often associated with death and mourning.
Kyomizu (京水) – A surname meaning “polluted water,” often associated with the dark side of urban life.
Onikiri (鬼切) – A surname meaning “demon slayer,” often found in Japanese folklore.
Shiraki (白木) – A surname meaning “white tree,” often associated with ghosts and the supernatural.
Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) – A surname meaning “earth spider,” often found in Japanese folklore.
Ushiromiya (右代宮) – A surname meaning “right-side palace,” often associated with the dark side of wealth and power.
Yami (闇) – A surname meaning “darkness,” often found in anime and manga.
Yomotsu (黄泉) – A surname meaning “underworld,” often associated with death and the afterlife.

Rare Japanese Last Names

Rare Japanese Last Names:

Chinen (知念) – A surname meaning “wisdom and peace,” often found in Okinawa.
Endoh (遠藤) – A variant of the more common surname “Endo,” meaning “distant wisteria.”
Hoshino (星野) – A surname meaning “star field,” often found in the Kanto region of Japan.
Iguchi (井口) – A surname meaning “well mouth,” often found in the Kyushu region of Japan.
Kunieda (久根枝) – A rare surname meaning “long branch,” often found in western Japan.
Mizuno (水野) – A common Japanese surname meaning “water fields.”
Ogata (尾形) – An uncommon name meaning “tail shape,” often found in northern Japan.
Tsuji (辻) – A popular last name, also spelled as Juji, meaning “crossroads.”
Yamada (山田) – One of the most common surnames in Japan, it means “mountain rice field.”

Japanese last Names

Uncommon Japanese Last Names

Uncommon Japanese Last Names:

Akahoshi – This surname means “red star,” and is a unique and uncommon Japanese last name.
Endo – Meaning “temple entrance,” Endo is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Goto – This surname means “to go to,” and is a unique and uncommon Japanese last name.
Hirano – Meaning “wide field,” Hirano is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Inoue – This surname means “above the well,” and is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Kadota – Meaning “gate rice paddy,” Kadota is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Matsubara – This surname means “under the pine forest,” and is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Ogawa – Meaning “small river,” Ogawa is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Shibata – This surname means “small field,” and is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Takeda – Meaning “bamboo rice paddy,” Takeda is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Uchida – This surname means “inner rice paddy,” and is an uncommon Japanese last name.
Yamanaka – Meaning “middle of the mountain,” Yamanaka is an uncommon Japanese last name.

Good Japanese Last Names

Good Japanese Last Names:

Abe – This surname means “branch” or “twig,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Aoyama – Meaning “blue mountain,” Aoyama is a good Japanese last name.
Fujii – This surname means “wisteria well,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Honda – Meaning “original rice paddy,” Honda is a good Japanese last name.
Ishida – This surname means “stone field,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Kato – Meaning “village person,” Kato is a good Japanese last name.
Maruyama – This surname means “round mountain,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Nakajima – Meaning “middle island,” Nakajima is a good Japanese last name.
Nishimura – This surname means “west village,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Sakurai – Meaning “cherry blossom village,” Sakurai is a good Japanese last name.
Takada – This surname means “tall rice paddy,” and is a good Japanese last name.
Yoshimoto – Meaning “lucky origin,” Yoshimoto is a good Japanese last name.

Japanese Last Names Meaning Demon

Japanese Last Names Meaning Demon:

Akuma – This surname means “demon,” and has a dark and ominous meaning.
Ibaraki – Meaning “thorny demon,” Ibaraki is a Japanese last name with a demon meaning.
Kijo – This surname means “demon woman,” and has a powerful and mysterious meaning.
Oni – Meaning “demon” or “ogre,” Oni is a Japanese last name with a strong and dark meaning.
Rokuro – This surname means “sixth son of a demon,” and has a unique and intriguing meaning.
Shuten – Meaning “drunken demon,” Shuten is a Japanese last name with a dangerous and wild meaning.
Tengu – This surname means “heavenly dog” or “demon,” and has a powerful and mythical meaning.
Yasha – Meaning “demon” or “monster,” Yasha is a Japanese last name with a fierce and intimidating meaning.
Youkai – This surname means “ghost” or “demon,” and has a spooky and mystical meaning.
Zashiki – Meaning “demon room.”

Japanese Last and First Names

Japanese Last and First Names:

Aiko Nakamura (中村愛子) – meaning “beloved child of the middle village”
Haruki Suzuki (鈴木晴樹) – meaning “clear tree of the bell tree”
Kaori Tanaka (田中香) – meaning “fragrant rice field”
Masumi Sato (佐藤真澄) – meaning “clear reality of help wisteria”
Ren Yamamoto (山本蓮) – meaning “lotus of the mountain base”
Shiori Ito (伊藤詩織) – meaning “weave poetry of the well”
Tatsuo Inoue (井上龍夫) – meaning “dragon man above the well”
Yui Kimura (木村結衣) – meaning “knotted clothing tree village”
Yuto Okamoto (岡本優斗) – meaning “gentle fight of the hill base”
Sakura Arai (新井さくら) – meaning “cherry blossom of the fresh well”
Haruhiro Takahashi (高橋治弘) – meaning “rule broad of the high bridge”
Ayano Ueda (上田綾乃) – meaning “design of the upper rice field”

Pretty Japanese Last Names

Pretty Japanese Last Names:

Akiyama (秋山) – Meaning “autumn mountain”
Fujiwara (藤原) – Meaning “wisteria fields”
Higashiyama (東山) – Meaning “eastern mountain”
Kato (加藤) – Meaning “increase wisteria”
Nakamura (中村) – Meaning “middle village”
Sato (佐藤) – Meaning “helpful wisteria”
Takahashi (高橋) – Meaning “high bridge”
Ueno (上野) – Meaning “upper field”
Yamamoto (山本) – Meaning “base of the mountain”
Yoshida (吉田) – Meaning “lucky rice field”
Izumi (泉) – Meaning “fountain”
Kojima (小島) – Meaning “small island”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Moon

Japanese Last Names Meaning Moon:

Hangetsu (半月) – Meaning “half moon”
Kagetsu (花月) – Meaning “flower moon”
Getsukou (月光) – Meaning “moonlight”
Michibiki (導き) – Meaning “guidance of the moon”
Tsukinami (月波) – Meaning “moon waves”
Tsukikage (月影) – Meaning “moon shadow”
Tsukihana (月花) – Meaning “moon flower”
Tsukikawa (月川) – Meaning “moon river”
Tsukimaru (月丸) – Meaning “moon circle”
Tsukinowa (月輪) – Meaning “moon ring”
Tsukuyomi (月読) – Meaning “moon reading”
Yuzuki (夕月) – Meaning “evening moon”

Japanese last Names

List of Japanese Last Names

List of Japanese Last Names:

Aoki (青木) – meaning “blue tree”
Fujimoto (藤本) – meaning “wisteria base”
Ishikawa (石川) – meaning “stone river”
Kato (加藤) – meaning “add wisteria”
Matsuda (松田) – meaning “pine field”
Nakamura (中村) – meaning “middle village”
Sato (佐藤) – meaning “help wisteria”
Takahashi (高橋) – meaning “high bridge”
Ueda (上田) – meaning “upper rice field”
Watanabe (渡辺) – meaning “cross the boundary”
Yamaguchi (山口) – meaning “mountain entrance”
Yoshida (吉田) – meaning “lucky rice paddy”

Rich Japanese Last Names

Rich Japanese Last Names:

Higashikata (東方) – meaning “eastern direction”
Kujou (九条) – meaning “nine articles”
Maeda (前田) – meaning “in front of the rice field”
Nijimura (虹村) – meaning “rainbow village”
Oda (織田) – meaning “weaving rice paddy”
Saionji (西園寺) – meaning “western garden temple”
Shimazu (島津) – meaning “island harbor”
Tachibana (橘) – meaning “mandarin orange”
Tokugawa (徳川) – meaning “virtuous river”
Toyotomi (豊臣) – meaning “abundant ruler”
Uesugi (上杉) – meaning “upper cedar tree”
Yamanouchi (山内) – meaning “inside the mountain”

Beautiful Japanese Last Names

Beautiful Japanese Last Names:

Aizawa (相沢) – meaning “harmony swamp”
Hanamura (花村) – meaning “flower village”
Harada (原田) – meaning “original rice field”
Hoshino (星野) – meaning “star field”
Inoue (井上) – meaning “above the well”
Kanno (菅野) – meaning “sedge field”
Komatsu (小松) – meaning “small pine tree”
Matsuura (松浦) – meaning “pine seashore”
Nakajima (中島) – meaning “middle island”
Sakura (桜) – meaning “cherry blossom”
Takano (高野) – meaning “high field”
Yumoto (湯元) – meaning “hot spring source”

Japanese Last Names That Start With A

Japanese Last Names That Start With A:

Arai (新井) – Meaning “fresh well”
Akagi (赤木) – Meaning “red tree”
Asano (浅野) – Meaning “shallow field”
Amamiya (雨宮) – Meaning “rain shrine”
Amano (天野) – Meaning “heavenly field”
Abe (阿部) – Meaning “low part”
Aizawa (相沢) – Meaning “together with a swamp”
Adachi (足立) – Meaning “standing on one’s legs”
Ayase (綾瀬) – Meaning “design waves”
Aoki (青木) – Meaning “green tree”
Asada (浅田) – Meaning “shallow rice paddy”
Arakawa (荒川) – Meaning “rough river”

Japanese Last Names That Start With B

Japanese Last Names That Start With B:

Baba (馬場) – Meaning “horse place”
Ban (伴) – Meaning “companion”
Bando (坂東) – Meaning “eastern slope”
Beppu (別府) – Meaning “separate hot springs”
Bessho (別所) – Meaning “separate place”
Bizen (備前) – Meaning “prepared before”
Bito (尾藤) – Meaning “tail wisteria”
Bando (阪東) – Meaning “highland east”
Bando (万渡) – Meaning “ten thousand ferry crossings”
Bunka (文化) – Meaning “culture”
Bunko (文庫) – Meaning “library”
Busujima (毒島) – Meaning “poison island”

Japanese Last Names That Start With C

Japanese Last Names That Start With C:

Chiba (千葉) – meaning “a thousand leaves”
Chinen (知念) – meaning “wise heart”
Chiyoda (千代田) – meaning “a thousand generations of rice paddies”
Chikamatsu (近松) – meaning “near pine tree”
Chino (茅野) – meaning “reed field”
Chisaki (千咲) – meaning “a thousand blossoms”
Chiyoko (千代子) – meaning “eternal child”
Chikaraishi (力石) – meaning “strong stone”
Chijiiwa (千々岩) – meaning “thousand rocks”
Chubachi (中鉢) – meaning “middle bowl”
Chizuru (千鶴) – meaning “a thousand cranes”
Chigira (千頭) – meaning “a thousand heads”

Japanese Last Names That Start With D

Japanese Last Names That Start With D:

Doi (土井) – meaning “earthen well”
Danjou (団城) – meaning “group castle”
Date (伊達) – meaning “cordial”
Deguchi (出口) – meaning “exit”
Domoto (堂本) – meaning “temple base”
Dobashi (土橋) – meaning “earth bridge”
Daisuke (大輔) – meaning “large help”
Daimon (大門) – meaning “large gate”
Dairoku (第六) – meaning “sixth”
Daito (大東) – meaning “large east”
Danno (団野) – meaning “group field”
Danzaki (断崎) – meaning “severed cape”

Japanese Last Names That Start With E

Japanese Last Names That Start With E:

Ebata (江端) – means “riverbank end”
Echigo (越後) – from the historical region of Echigo
Egami (江上) – means “above the river”
Eto (衛藤) – means “defense wisteria”
Endo (遠藤) – means “distant wisteria”
Enomoto (榎本) – means “Japanese elder tree base”
Ebara (江原) – means “river field”
Echizenya (越前屋) – means “Echizen province store”
Edamura (枝村) – means “branch village”
Ezaki (江崎) – means “river cape”
Emoto (江本) – means “river base”
Eri (江里) – means “river village”

Japanese Last Names That Start With F

Japanese Last Names That Start With F:

Fujimoto (藤本) – means “wisteria base”
Fujita (藤田) – means “wisteria rice field”
Fukushima (福島) – means “blessed island”
Fukuda (福田) – means “blessed rice field”
Fukui (福井) – means “blessed well”
Fukumoto (福本) – means “blessed base”
Fujii (藤井) – means “wisteria well”
Fujikawa (藤川) – means “wisteria river”
Fujioka (藤岡) – means “wisteria hill”
Fukuoka (福岡) – means “blessed hill”
Furukawa (古川) – means “old river”
Funakoshi (船越) – means “boat crossing”

Japanese Last Names That Start With G

Japanese Last Names That Start With G:

Goto (後藤) – means “later wisteria”
Gomi (五味) – means “five flavors”
Gotoh (後藤) – means “later wisteria”
Goya (呉屋) – means “Kure store”
Gotoh (五島) – from the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture
Gomi (郷見) – means “village view”
Goto (五島) – from the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture
Goto (呉須) – from the place name Goshu in present-day Aichi Prefecture
Goto (後藤) – means “later wisteria”
Goto (五條) – from the place name Gojo in present-day Nara Prefecture
Gomi (五味) – means “five flavors”
Goto (後藤) – means “later wisteria”

Japanese Last Names That Start With H

Japanese Last Names That Start With H:

Hasegawa (長谷川) – meaning “long valley river”
Hayashi (林) – meaning “woods”
Higashi (東) – meaning “east”
Hirano (平野) – meaning “flat field”
Hoshino (星野) – meaning “star field”
Hotta (堀田) – meaning “moat rice field”
Hyuga (日向) – meaning “sunny place”
Hatakeyama (畠山) – meaning “field mountain”
Hoshikawa (星川) – meaning “star river”
Hamada (浜田) – meaning “beach rice paddy”
Hoshizaki (星崎) – meaning “star cape”
Hatanaka (畑中) – meaning “farm middle”

Japanese Last Names That Start With I

Japanese Last Names That Start With I:

Ishikawa (石川) – meaning “stone river”
Ito (伊藤) – meaning “thread wisteria”
Inoue (井上) – meaning “above the well”
Imai (今井) – meaning “now well”
Iwasaki (岩崎) – meaning “rocky cape”
Iwamoto (岩本) – meaning “rock base”
Ikeuchi (池内) – meaning “inside the pond”
Igarashi (五十嵐) – meaning “fifty storm”
Itagaki (板垣) – meaning “board fence”
Ichikawa (市川) – meaning “city river”
Ikehara (池原) – meaning “pond field”
Iwai (岩井) – meaning “rock well”

Japanese Last Names That Start With J

Japanese Last Names That Start With J:

Jinguji (神宮司) – meaning “shrine keeper”
Jiro (次郎) – meaning “second son”
Jitsukawa (実川) – meaning “real river”
Jingu (神宮) – meaning “shrine”
Jinno (陣野) – meaning “battlefield”
Jokura (城倉) – meaning “castle storehouse”
Jumonji (十文字) – meaning “ten-character”
Jo (城) – meaning “castle”
Junichi (淳一) – meaning “pure one”
Jin (陣) – meaning “camp”
Jirobe (次郎兵衛) – meaning “second son soldier”
Jubei (十兵衛) – meaning “tenth son soldier”

Japanese Last Names That Start With K

Japanese Last Names That Start With K:

Kato (加藤) – means “increase wisteria”
Kobayashi (小林) – means “small forest”
Kimura (木村) – means “tree village”
Kondo (近藤) – means “near wisteria”
Kawai (河合) – means “river combined”
Kikuchi (菊地) – means “chrysanthemum ground”
Kawasaki (川崎) – means “river cape”
Kishi (岸) – means “shore”
Kuroda (黒田) – means “black rice field”
Kudo (工藤) – means “craftsman wisteria”
Kojima (小島) – means “small island”
Kase (加瀬) – means “increase rapids”

Japanese Last Names That Start With L

There are no commonly used Japanese last names that start with the letter “L.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With M

Japanese Last Names That Start With M:

Matsuda (松田) – means “pine tree rice field”
Murakami (村上) – means “village above”
Miyamoto (宮本) – means “shrine base”
Morimoto (森本) – means “forest base”
Matsumoto (松本) – means “pine tree base”
Maeda (前田) – means “in front of the rice field”
Mori (森) – means “forest”
Mizuno (水野) – means “water field”
Masuda (増田) – means “increase rice field”
Matsuoka (松岡) – means “pine tree hill”
Mochizuki (望月) – means “full moon”
Murata (村田) – means “village rice field”

Japanese Last Names That Start With N

Japanese Last Names That Start With N:

Nakamura (中村) – meaning “middle village”
Nishimura (西村) – meaning “west village”
Nagasaki (長崎) – meaning “long cape”
Nakagawa (中川) – meaning “middle river”
Nakanishi (中西) – meaning “middle west”
Nakano (中野) – meaning “middle field”
Nishida (西田) – meaning “west field”
Nishiyama (西山) – meaning “west mountain”
Nishioka (西岡) – meaning “west hill”
Narita (成田) – meaning “becoming rice paddy”
Nakashima (中島) – meaning “middle island”
Nagai (永井) – meaning “eternal well”

Japanese Last Names That Start With O

Japanese Last Names That Start With O:

Oda (織田) – meaning “weaving rice field”
Okada (岡田) – meaning “hill rice paddy”
Ono (小野) – meaning “small field”
Ogawa (小川) – meaning “small river”
Osaki (尾崎) – meaning “tail cape”
Oshima (大島) – meaning “big island”
Ozaki (尾崎) – meaning “tail cape”
Obata (小畑) – meaning “small farm”
Okamoto (岡本) – meaning “hill base”
Ota (太田) – meaning “thick rice paddy”
Ohashi (大橋) – meaning “big bridge”
Oyama (小山) – meaning “small mountain”

Japanese Last Names That Start With P

There are no commonly used Japanese last names that start with the letter “P”. The letter “P” does not exist in the Japanese language, except for loanwords.

Japanese Last Names That Start With Q

Japanese Last Names That Start With Q:

Qiu (丘): This surname means “hill” or “mound.”
Qu (九): This surname means “nine.”
Quan (泉): This surname means “spring” or “fountain.”
Que (雀): This surname means “sparrow.”
Qiao (桥): This surname means “bridge.”
Qian (钱): This surname means “money.”
Qi (齐): This surname means “united” or “equal.”
Qin (秦): This surname refers to the ancient Chinese state of Qin.
Qing (庆): This surname means “celebrate.”
Qiu (仇): This surname means “enemy” or “hate.”
Quan (权): This surname means “power” or “authority.”
Qiang (强): This surname means “strong” or “powerful.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With R

Japanese Last Names That Start With R:

Rokkaku (六角): This surname means “six angles” or “hexagon.”
Ryu (龍): This surname means “dragon.”
Ryukyu (琉球): This surname refers to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
Ryo (涼): This surname means “cool” or “refreshing.”
Rokudaime (六代目): This surname means “sixth generation.”
Rokubei (六兵衛): This surname means “sixth samurai.”
Rokuro (六郎): This surname means “sixth son.”
Rokutaro (六太郎): This surname means “sixth eldest son.”
Roppa (六八): This surname means “six eight” or “sixth of eight siblings.”
Roppo (六方): This surname means “six sides” or “hexagonal.”
Ryota (涼太): This surname means “cool and big.”
Riku (陸): This surname means “land” or “continent.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With S

Japanese Last Names That Start With S:

Sato (佐藤): This is one of the most common Japanese surnames and means “helpful wisteria.”
Suzuki (鈴木): Another common surname that means “bell tree.”
Saito (斎藤): This surname means “temple wisteria.”
Sakamoto (坂本): This surname means “hill origin” or “base of the slope.”
Shimizu (清水): This surname means “clear water.”
Sasaki (佐々木): This surname means “helpful tree.”
Shibata (柴田): This surname means “brushwood rice paddy.”
Sugimoto (杉本): This surname means “cedar tree origin.”
Soga (曽我): This surname means “formerly mine.”
Sugiyama (杉山): This surname means “cedar mountain.”
Soma (相馬): This surname means “horse face.”
Sugawara (菅原): This surname means “sedge plain.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With T

Japanese Last Names That Start With T:

Tanaka (田中) – meaning “middle of the rice field”
Takahashi (高橋) – meaning “high bridge”
Tsuji (辻) – meaning “crossroads”
Takeda (武田) – meaning “military rice paddy”
Takada (高田) – meaning “high rice paddy”
Tachibana (橘) – meaning “mandarin orange”
Toyoda (豊田) – meaning “abundant rice paddy”
Takamura (高村) – meaning “high village”
Tomita (富田) – meaning “wealthy rice paddy”
Tsuchiya (土屋) – meaning “earth house”
Takagi (高木) – meaning “high tree”
Terada (寺田) – meaning “temple rice paddy”

Japanese Last Names That Start With U

Japanese Last Names That Start With U:

Ueda (上田) – meaning “upper rice field”
Uchida (内田) – meaning “inside the rice field”
Ueno (上野) – meaning “upper field”
Uchino (内野) – meaning “inside the field”
Usui (碓井) – meaning “millstone well”
Uesugi (上杉) – meaning “upper cedar tree”
Uno (宇野) – meaning “household field”
Uyeda (敬田) – meaning “respectful rice paddy”
Ushijima (牛島) – meaning “cow island”
Uemura (上村) – meaning “upper village”
Umemoto (梅本) – meaning “plum origin”
Uyehara (上原) – meaning “upper plain”

Japanese Last Names That Start With V

Japanese Last Names That Start With V:

There are no commonly used Japanese last names that start with the letter “V”. The letter “V” does not exist in the Japanese language, except for loanwords.

Japanese Last Names That Start With W

Japanese Last Names That Start With W:

Watanabe (渡辺): This surname means “crossing path” or “going over.”
Wakabayashi (若林): This surname means “young forest.”
Wada (和田): This surname means “peaceful rice field.”
Wakiya (脇屋): This surname means “side house.”
Washio (鷲尾): This surname means “eagle tail.”
Watanuki (綿貫): This surname means “cotton carrier.”
Wakamatsu (若松): This surname means “young pine tree.”
Wakisaka (脇坂): This surname means “side hill.”
Watanuma (渡沼): This surname means “crossing swamp.”
Watanabe (渡邊): This surname means “crossing over the border.”
Watarai (度会): This surname means “meeting place.”
Wada (和田): This surname means “rice field.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With X

Japanese Last Names That Start With X:

There are no Japanese surnames that start with “X.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With Y

Japanese Last Names That Start With Y:

Yamamoto (山本): This surname means “mountain base.”
Yamada (山田): This surname means “mountain rice paddy.”
Yoshida (吉田): This surname means “lucky rice paddy.”
Yamaguchi (山口): This surname means “mountain entrance.”
Yamaoka (山岡): This surname means “mountain hill.”
Yoshino (吉野): This surname means “good field.”
Yokota (横田): This surname means “horizontal rice paddy.”
Yano (矢野): This surname means “arrow field.”
Yoneda (米田): This surname means “rice field.”
Yabuta (薮田): This surname means “bush field.”
Yamashita (山下): This surname means “mountain bottom.”
Yokoyama (横山): This surname means “horizontal mountain.”

Japanese Last Names That Start With Z

Japanese Last Names That Start With Z:

Zaitsu (財津) – meaning “wealthy port”
Zeniya (銭谷) – meaning “money valley”
Zushi (図師) – meaning “skilled illustrator”
Zama (座間) – meaning “sitting space”
Zendo (禅堂) – meaning “Zen temple”
Zettsu (絶津) – meaning “isolated port”
Zamaoka (座間岡) – meaning “sitting hill”
Zato (座頭) – meaning “blind masseur”
Zendoji (禅堂寺) – meaning “Zen temple”
Zennosuke (善之助) – meaning “good helper”
Zaito (材塔) – meaning “material tower”
Zengoro (善五郎) – meaning “good fifth son”

Best Japanese Last Names

Best Japanese Last Names:

Yamamoto (山本) – meaning “base of the mountain”
Suzuki (鈴木) – meaning “bell tree”
Takahashi (高橋) – meaning “high bridge”
Tanaka (田中) – meaning “middle of the rice field”
Watanabe (渡辺) – meaning “near the crossing”
Sato (佐藤) – meaning “helpful person”
Nakamura (中村) – meaning “middle of the village”
Ito (伊藤) – meaning “thread wisteria”
Kato (加藤) – meaning “increase wisteria”
Yoshida (吉田) – meaning “lucky rice paddy”
Abe (阿部) – meaning “shallow inlet”
Hayashi (林) – meaning “forest”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Fire

Japanese Last Names Meaning Fire:

Hinatsu (火夏) – meaning “fire summer”
Hino (火野) – meaning “fire field”
Hojo (焔城) – meaning “flaming castle”
Homura (焔) – meaning “blaze”
Honoka (焔香) – meaning “fire fragrance”
Hinode (火の出) – meaning “rising sun”
Hikaru (光) – meaning “light”
Hikari (光) – meaning “light”
Hibana (火花) – meaning “spark”
Hishinuma (火神沼) – meaning “fire god swamp”
Hioka (火丘) – meaning “fire hill”
Hinata (日向) – meaning “sunny place” or “facing the sun”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Strong

Japanese Last Names Meaning Strong:

Tsuyoshi (強) – meaning “strong.”
Tsuyuki (剛) – meaning “firm” or “strong.”
Takeshi (武) – meaning “warrior” or “strong.”
Tatsuo (達夫) – meaning “man of achievement” or “strong as iron.”
Kiyoshi (清) – meaning “pure” or “strong.”
Kenji (健二) – meaning “healthy and strong.”
Daiki (大輝) – meaning “great radiance” or “big and strong.”
Chikara (力) – meaning “strength” or “power.”
Isao (勲) – meaning “meritorious” or “strong man.”
Jirō (次郎) – meaning “second son” or “strong boy.”
Ryō (良) – meaning “good” or “strong.”
Masaru (勝) – meaning “victorious” or “strong.”

Badass Japanese Last Names

Badass Japanese Last Names:

Kurokawa (黒川) – meaning “black river” or “dark river.”
Onizuka (鬼塚) – meaning “demon hill” or “devil’s mound.”
Saitō (斎藤) – meaning “temple wisteria” or “purification wisteria.”
Oda (織田) – meaning “weaving rice fields” or “rice field with woven pattern.”
Mori (森) – meaning “forest” or “woods.”
Kiryu (桐生) – meaning “paulownia tree life” or “eternal paulownia tree.”
Kagawa (香川) – meaning “fragrant river” or “aromatic river.”
Araki (荒木) – meaning “rough tree” or “wild tree.”
Shimada (島田) – meaning “island rice paddy” or “rice field on an island.”
Ishikawa (石川) – meaning “stone river” or “rocky river.”
Amaya (天谷) – meaning “heavenly valley” or “valley of the gods.”
Kaida (戒田) – meaning “field of discipline” or “field of precepts.”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Water

Japanese Last Names Meaning Water:

Mizuno (水野) – meaning “water field.”
Kato (加藤) – meaning “increase wisteria” or “add wisteria.”
Amamiya (雨宮) – meaning “rainy palace” or “palace of rain.”
Kawaguchi (川口) – meaning “river mouth” or “mouth of a river.”
Minamoto (源) – meaning “source of water” or “origin of water.”
Shibata (柴田) – meaning “brushwood rice field” or “rice field with brushwood.”
Mizushima (水島) – meaning “water island.”
Shiotani (潮谷) – meaning “tidal valley” or “valley of the tide.”
Yamamoto (山本) – meaning “base of the mountain” or “foot of the mountain.”
Shimizu (清水) – meaning “clear water” or “pure water.”
Murakami (村上) – meaning “above the village” or “on the village.”
Tsuji (辻) – meaning “crossroads” or “intersection.”
Hoshi (星) – meaning “star.”
Kurita (栗田) – meaning “chestnut rice field” or “rice field with chestnuts.”
Maeda (前田) – meaning “front rice field” or “rice field in front of the house.”

Short Japanese Last Names

Short Japanese Last Names:

Akiyama – “Autumn Mountain”
Hasegawa – “Long River of the Plain”
Ito – “Thread”
Kato – “Addition”
Kimura – “Tree Village”
Nakamura – “Middle of the Village”
Saito – “West of the Barrier”
Takahashi – “High Bridge”
Tanaka – “Rice Field”
Watanabe – “Crossing the Border”
Yamamoto – “Mountain Origin”
Yoshida – “Lucky Rice Paddy”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Flower

Japanese Last Names Meaning Flower:

Ayame – “Iris”
Fujimoto – “Wisteria Origin”
Hanamura – “Flower Village”
Hanaoka – “Flower Ridge”
Higurashi – “Evening Primrose”
Hibara – “Wildflower Field”
Kikuchi – “Chrysanthemum Earth”
Sakura – “Cherry Blossom”
Tsubaki – “Camellia”
Umebayashi – “Plum Forest”
Yamanaka – “Mountain Blossom”
Yuri – “Lily”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Dragon

Japanese Last Names Meaning Dragon:

Arakawa – “Raging River Dragon”
Bando – “Savage Dragon”
Fujikawa – “Wisteria River Dragon”
Hiryu – “Flying Dragon”
Kaido – “Sea Dragon”
Kiryu – “Paulownia Dragon”
Kobayashi – “Small Forest of Dragons”
Ryuzaki – “Dragon Peninsula”
Saito – “Blue Dragon”
Tatsuoka – “Dragon Hill”
Tatsuki – “Dragon Castle”
Utagawa – “River of the Dragon’s Song”

Long Japanese Last Names

Long Japanese Last Names:

Nakamura (中村) – meaning “middle of the village” or “central village.”
Yamaguchi (山口) – meaning “mountain entrance” or “mountain mouth.”
Saitou (斎藤) – meaning “temple wisteria” or “purification wisteria.”
Fujimoto (藤本) – meaning “wisteria base” or “root of wisteria.”
Takahashi (高橋) – meaning “tall bridge” or “high bridge.”
Matsumoto (松本) – meaning “pine base” or “root of pine.”
Suzuki (鈴木) – meaning “bell tree” or “tree of bells.”
Endou (遠藤) – meaning “distant wisteria” or “far-reaching wisteria.”
Nagasaki (長崎) – meaning “long cape” or “long peninsula.”
Nakajima (中島) – meaning “middle island.”
Yamamoto (山本) – meaning “base of the mountain” or “foot of the mountain.”
Yoshida (吉田) – meaning “lucky field” or “fortunate rice paddy.”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Love

Japanese Last Names Meaning Love:

Aiko (愛子) – meaning “child of love.”
Aikawa (愛川) – meaning “love river.”
Aiuchi (愛内) – meaning “love within.”
Kaori (香り) – meaning “fragrance” or “scent.”
Koiwai (恋石) – meaning “love rock.”
Koizumi (小泉) – meaning “small spring” or “little fountain.”
Manabe (真鍋) – meaning “true pot” or “sincere kettle.”
Nakamichi (中道) – meaning “middle path.”
Natsukawa (夏川) – meaning “summer river.”
Ren (恋) – meaning “love” or “affection.”
Suki (好) – meaning “like” or “fond of.”
Yasui (安井) – meaning “peaceful well” or “tranquil well.”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Sun

Japanese Last Names Meaning Sun:

Hino (日野) – meaning “sun field.”
Hinode (日の出) – meaning “sunrise.”
Asahi (旭) – meaning “rising sun” or “morning sun.”
Taiyou (太陽) – meaning “sun” or “solar.”
Haruhi (春日) – meaning “spring sun.”
Nishihara (西原) – meaning “west plain” or “western field.”
Terashima (寺島) – meaning “temple island.”
Akatsuki (暁) – meaning “dawn” or “daybreak.”
Ritsuko (律子) – meaning “lawful child” or “regulated child.”
Ryuko (陽子) – meaning “sun child.”
Tatsuko (辰子) – meaning “dragon child” or “child of the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac.”
Yoko (陽子) – meaning “sun child.”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Royal

Japanese Last Names Meaning Royal:

Fujiwara – “Wisteria Field”
Hojo – “North Castle”
Kikuchi – “Chrysanthemum Earth”
Konoe – “Court Chamber”
Matsudaira – “Pine Tree Plains”
Nakamura – “Middle of the Village”
Oda – “Small Rice Paddy”
Otomo – “Great Origin”
Sakamoto – “Hill Origin”
Sasaki – “Bamboo Blossom”
Shimazu – “Island Peace”
Tokugawa – “Toku River”

FAQs – Japanese Last Names

What are some Japanese last names?

Some Japanese last names are below along with meanings:

Abe – “Wisteria Branch”
Endo – “Near the Temple”
Fujioka – “Wisteria Hill”
Goto – “Behind the Palace”
Hayashi – “Forest”
Inoue – “Above the Well”
Kondo – “Small Temple”
Maeda – “Forward Rice Field”
Nagai – “Long”
Okada – “Hill Slope”
Sasaki – “Bamboo Blossom”
Yamanaka – “Mountain Middle”

What are rare Japanese last names?

Some rare Japanese last names below with meanings:

Asuka – “Tomorrow’s Fragrance”
Hanai – “Flower Well”
Harukawa – “Spring River”
Kashima – “Deer Island”
Kojima – “Small Island”
Kuramochi – “Storehouse of Chestnuts”
Maruyama – “Round Mountain”
Nakamatsu – “Middle Pine Tree”
Sano – “Low Plain”
Shiono – “Salt Field”
Takasu – “Tall Grass”
Yagi – “Willow Tree”

What are some royal Japanese last names?

Some royal Japanese last names:

Uesugi – Courageous
Tokugawa – Eastern Gate
Minamoto – Tribe of the People
Fujiwara – Flower Field
Hojo – North Citadel
Hachisuka – Eight Suka Trees
Ichijo – One House, One Castle
Saito – Oddly Fortune or Blessing
Oda – Great Field
Asano – Morning Heron

Conclusion – Japanese Last Names

As a culture with a long and distinct history, Japan has developed various unique traditions when it comes to last names.

Many Japanese family names have historical origins, with some being derived from old Japanese words or phrases.

Other than the long-running tradition of familial names, most recently popularized ones also derive from geographical locations or ancestral jobs.

Common characteristics of Japanese last names include being written using the Kanji writing system, which is composed of Chinese characters expressing meaning and sound.

These Kanji characters are usually two or three symbols in length, depending on the name itself.

The first character is typically a single syllable that expresses the surname’s meaning.

The second character often has two syllables, providing a phonetic indication for how the name should be pronounced.

Not only does this method provide subtle clues about each name’s origin but it can also help to distinguish between different families who may have similar surnames and/or pronunciations.

Another interesting feature of Japanese surnames is that they are written in reverse order compared to English surnames.

For example, instead of being written as “Smith John” like in English, Japanese people would write their name as “John Smith” (in Japanese: スミス・ジョン).

This reversed order can also be seen in other languages such as Korean and Chinese where family names are placed first followed by the given name.

Japanese last names often exhibit distinctive features that can help to identify them from other cultures such as India or China where multiple writing systems are used for family names.

While there are similarities between different language cultures when it comes to surnames, each culture has its own unique set of rules for how these family names should be created and used within society – something which makes them both fascinating and distinct at the same time!