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

Hirao, 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 Hirao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hirao in America

Hirao is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hirao surname appeared 131 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 Hirao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hirao 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 Hirao

The surname HIRAO is of Japanese origin, with its earliest roots traced back to the late 16th century in the Edo period. It is believed to have originated from a place name, possibly a region or village, where the family lived or had ancestral ties. In the Japanese language, the characters used to write "HIRAO" can be interpreted to mean "flat plain" or "broad field," suggesting a connection to agricultural or rural areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HIRAO surname can be found in the Buke Shohatto, a legal code established in 1615 during the Tokugawa shogunate. This document outlined rules and regulations for the samurai class, and it is possible that a HIRAO family member held a position of authority or was a landowner during this era.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named HIRAO Masahiro (1732-1809) gained recognition as a scholar and educator. He established a prestigious academy in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and played a significant role in promoting Confucian teachings and classical Chinese literature.

Another prominent individual with the HIRAO surname was HIRAO Toru (1842-1917), a politician and diplomat who served as the Japanese Ambassador to the United States in the late 19th century. His efforts in strengthening international relations between Japan and the West were highly regarded during a period of rapid modernization and westernization in Japan.

In the realm of arts and culture, HIRAO Yoshihiro (1876-1956) was a celebrated poet and author known for his contributions to the Tanka and Haiku genres. His works often captured the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, reflecting the Japanese tradition of appreciating the ephemeral.

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the HIRAO family name appeared in various historical records, including land registries and local administrative documents. This suggests that the surname had established roots in certain regions of Japan and that the family held notable positions within their communities.

Throughout its history, the HIRAO surname has maintained a presence across various sectors, from academics and politics to literature and diplomacy. While the exact origins of the name may be obscured by time, its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and diverse contributions of those who bore this Japanese surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hirao

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

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

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

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