Find out how popular the last name Higa is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Higa.

Higa, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Higa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Higa in America

Higa is the 8398th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Higa surname appeared 3,940 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Higa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Higa to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Higa

The surname "HIGA" is believed to have originated from the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan, where it is considered a relatively common family name. This region, comprising the southernmost islands of the Japanese archipelago, has a distinct cultural and linguistic heritage that contributes to the uniqueness of many of its surnames.

The name "HIGA" is thought to derive from the Okinawan language, though its precise etymology is uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may have roots in words related to topographical features or occupations, as is often the case with Japanese surnames. Variations in spelling, such as "HEEGA" or "HIIGA," can be found in historical records, reflecting the fluidity of written forms before standardization.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the "Omoro Soshi," a collection of Okinawan poetry and songs dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. This literary work provides valuable insights into the cultural traditions and language of the region during that time period, and the inclusion of the surname "HIGA" suggests its established presence among Okinawan families.

In the 19th century, several notable individuals with the "HIGA" surname emerged. Higa Shunsoku (1822-1859) was a prominent Okinawan scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of traditional Okinawan culture and intellectual thought. Higa Tatsuo (1856-1925), on the other hand, was a revered educator and reformer who played a pivotal role in modernizing Okinawa's educational system.

As Okinawan society underwent changes and assimilated into the broader Japanese culture, the "HIGA" surname gained recognition beyond its regional origins. One prominent figure was Higa Shunjo (1916-1997), a renowned Buddhist philosopher and scholar who helped bridge the gap between traditional Okinawan spirituality and modern philosophical discourse.

In the realm of sports, Higa Kazunori (born 1968) has made a name for himself as a professional baseball player, having played for several teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball league over the course of his career.

While the surname "HIGA" may have humble regional beginnings, its presence in various fields and its perseverance through historical eras have solidified its place as a distinctive Japanese surname with deep Okinawan roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Higa

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Higa.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Higa was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Higa has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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