Narita first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Narita has been for the last 8 years (from 1978 to 1985) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Narita

A Japanese given name meaning "chaste field".

Popularity of Narita by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Narita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1985, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Narita.

Year Male Count Female Count
1985 0 6
1978 0 6

The history of the first name Narita

The given name Narita has its roots in Japanese culture, with origins dating back to the early medieval period. Derived from the Japanese words "nari" meaning "becoming" and "ta" meaning "field," the name initially referred to fertile agricultural lands.

While no definitive historical texts or religious scriptures directly reference the name Narita, it is believed to have been used as a place name in Japan as early as the 8th century AD. The city of Narita, located in Chiba Prefecture, is one of the earliest recorded instances of the name's usage, with its name likely reflecting the area's rich farmlands.

The earliest known individual to bear the name Narita was Narita Danjō, a Buddhist monk who lived in the 15th century and was instrumental in the construction of the famous Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita City. This temple, dedicated to the Fudo Myo-o deity, quickly became a significant religious and cultural center, further cementing the name's association with the region.

Another notable figure in history with the name Narita was Narita Kumagai, a skilled samurai warrior who fought alongside the famed Minamoto no Yoritomo during the Gempei War in the late 12th century. Kumagai's bravery and loyalty were celebrated in numerous historical accounts and literary works of the era.

In the 19th century, Narita Toragō was a prominent Japanese scholar and educator who played a significant role in the modernization of Japan's education system. His efforts to incorporate Western teaching methods and subjects into traditional Japanese education left a lasting impact on the country's intellectual landscape.

During the Meiji period, Narita Masahide was a renowned artist and printmaker, known for his intricate woodblock prints depicting traditional Japanese landscapes and daily life scenes. His works were highly sought after both domestically and internationally, contributing to the global appreciation of Japanese art.

More recently, in the 20th century, Narita Kazuo was a celebrated Japanese novelist and playwright, whose works often explored themes of existentialism and the human condition. His 1964 novel "The Pornographers" received critical acclaim and cemented his place as one of Japan's most influential literary figures.

While these examples represent a diverse range of individuals spanning centuries, they all share the common thread of the name Narita, a moniker deeply rooted in Japanese history and culture, with echoes of fertile lands and ancient religious traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Narita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Narita, please contact us.

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"Narita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/narita-meaning-and-history/.

"Narita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/narita-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 May, 2025

Narita first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/narita-meaning-and-history/.

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