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

Hirai, 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 Hirai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hirai in America

Hirai is the 31001st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hirai surname appeared 749 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hirai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hirai 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 Hirai

The surname HIRAI originated in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). It is believed to have derived from the Japanese word "hirai," which means "plain" or "level ground." This suggests that the surname may have been initially adopted by families residing in flat or level regions of the country.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HIRAI surname can be found in the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle compiled in the late 13th century. The text mentions a samurai named HIRAI Masatsura, who served under the Kamakura shogunate during the late 12th century.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573 CE), the HIRAI surname gained prominence in the Kawachi province (present-day Osaka Prefecture). Historical records from this era mention a prominent Buddhist monk named HIRAI Shōan, who played a significant role in the reconstruction of the Tōdai-ji temple in Nara following its destruction in a fire in 1567.

In the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the HIRAI surname was associated with various notable figures. One such individual was HIRAI Kinsuke, a renowned artist and calligrapher who lived in the late 17th century. His work, particularly his landscape paintings, were highly acclaimed during his lifetime.

Another notable HIRAI figure was HIRAI Masayoshi (1612-1675), a skilled swordsmith who worked in the service of the Tokugawa shogunate. His swords were prized for their exceptional craftsmanship and are now considered valuable cultural artifacts.

In more recent history, the HIRAI surname has been associated with several influential individuals. HIRAI Taro (1905-1985) was a prominent Japanese diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United States from 1963 to 1966. His contributions to strengthening diplomatic ties between Japan and the US were widely recognized.

HIRAI Kazumasa (1938-2022) was a renowned Japanese architect known for his innovative and sustainable designs. His works, such as the Tokyo City Air Terminal and the Nara Prefectural Library, have received numerous awards and accolades for their unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern architectural principles.

While the HIRAI surname originated in Japan, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the historical roots and significance of this surname remain deeply rooted in Japanese culture and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hirai

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

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 Hirai 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 Hirai 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 Hirai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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