Kami
A Japanese surname meaning "god" or "deity".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Kami. That puts it at #65,593 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kami surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#65,593
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
302
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 302 bearers of the surname Kami in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 65593rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kami, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 74.8%. The next largest groups are White (14.2%) and Two or More Races (5.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kami
The surname KAMI has its origins in Japan, dating back to the 8th century CE. It is derived from the ancient Japanese word "kami," which means "god" or "deity" in the Shinto religion. The name was likely bestowed upon individuals who held positions as priests or religious leaders within the Shinto faith.
During the Heian period (794-1185 CE), the KAMI surname appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly those related to religious ceremonies and rituals. One notable example is the Engishiki, a legal code compiled in 927 CE, which mentions individuals with the surname KAMI serving as shrine attendants and officiants.
The earliest recorded instance of the KAMI surname can be traced back to Kami no Hiromichi, a prominent Shinto priest who lived during the late 8th century. He is credited with establishing several shrines and introducing new rituals within the Shinto tradition.
In the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE), the KAMI surname gained prominence among the warrior class, as some members of the samurai clans adopted the name to signify their devotion to the Shinto faith. One such individual was Kami no Masatsura (1170-1252), a skilled swordsman and military strategist who served under the famous shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo.
During the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the KAMI surname was also associated with scholarly pursuits and the study of Japanese literature and poetry. Kami no Mabuchi (1697-1769), a renowned scholar and philosopher, made significant contributions to the interpretation and preservation of ancient Japanese texts.
Another notable figure was Kami no Nobukuni (1825-1898), a statesman and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Meiji Restoration, which saw the transition of Japan from a feudal shogunate to a modern nation-state.
In the realm of arts and culture, Kami no Takeshi (1924-2016) was a highly acclaimed filmmaker and actor, known for his distinctive cinematic style and his exploration of themes related to Japanese identity and traditions.
Throughout its long history, the KAMI surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including religious leaders, warriors, scholars, and artists, all connected by their association with the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of Japan.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kami
Among Census respondents with the surname Kami, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 74.8%. The next largest groups are White (14.2%) and Two or More Races (5.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Kami bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kami surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander74.8%
- White14.2%
- Two or more races5.6%
- Hispanic or Latino4.0%
- Unknown or suppressed1.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kami surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #91,404 | #65,593 | 28.2% |
| Count | 187 | 302 | 61.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.10 | 42.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Kami bearers went from 187 to 302 (+61.5% change). The surname moved up 25,811 positions in the national ranking, going from #91,404 to #65,593.
FAQ
Kami surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kami?
The surname Kami holds position #65,593 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kami surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kami, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 74.8%. The next largest groups are White (14.2%) and Two or More Races (5.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.