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

Iwasa, 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 Iwasa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Iwasa in America

Iwasa is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Iwasa surname appeared 165 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 Iwasa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Iwasa 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 Iwasa

The surname Iwasa is of Japanese origin, tracing its roots back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Iwasa district, a small region located in the western part of present-day Kyoto Prefecture. The name itself is derived from the Japanese words "iwa," meaning "rock," and "sa," which can translate to either "foothills" or "village," suggesting that the name may have been associated with a rocky or hilly area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Iwasa surname can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. These records mention an Iwasa family that held a prominent position within the samurai class during this period. However, the exact details of their role and influence remain unclear due to the fragmented nature of the records.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Iwasa name appeared in several local records and manuscripts, particularly those related to the administrative affairs of the Kyoto region. One notable example is the Iwasa Monjo, a collection of documents dating back to the early 18th century, which provides valuable insights into the daily lives and activities of the Iwasa family during that era.

In the 19th century, several individuals bearing the Iwasa surname gained recognition for their contributions to various fields. For instance, Iwasa Matabei (1816-1892) was a renowned woodblock print artist and painter who played a significant role in the development of the ukiyo-e art form. Another notable figure was Iwasa Masami (1851-1923), a prominent educator and philosopher who advocated for educational reforms and the modernization of Japan's school system.

As the 20th century dawned, the Iwasa name continued to make its mark. Iwasa Hiroshi (1920-1999) was a celebrated author and playwright, best known for his works that explored the complexities of human relationships and societal issues. Meanwhile, Iwasa Masahiro (1933-2004) achieved recognition as a respected historian and scholar, specializing in the study of Japanese cultural history and traditions.

One of the most recent and notable individuals with the Iwasa surname is Iwasa Naoko (born 1965), a renowned Japanese actress and singer. She has gained widespread acclaim for her performances in various television dramas, films, and theatrical productions, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.

While the Iwasa surname has its origins in Japan, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its deep-rooted connection to the rocky foothills and villages of ancient Kyoto remains an integral part of its historical significance and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Iwasa

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

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

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

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