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

Kanji, 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 Kanji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanji in America

Kanji is the 63373rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kanji surname appeared 315 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 Kanji.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kanji 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 Kanji

The surname "KANJI" is believed to have originated in Japan during the late 19th century. It is derived from the Japanese word "kanji," which refers to the logographic writing system used in the Japanese language. This writing system was adapted from Chinese characters and has been an integral part of Japanese culture for centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "KANJI" can be traced back to the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan underwent a rapid modernization process and adopted many Western customs, including the use of surnames. It is possible that the surname was initially adopted by individuals who had a strong connection to the traditional Japanese writing system or those who were involved in the study or teaching of kanji.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname "KANJI" was Kanji Ishibashi (1884-1957), a Japanese businessman and industrialist. He founded the Bridgestone Corporation, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, and played a significant role in the development of the Japanese rubber industry.

Another notable figure with the surname "KANJI" was Kanji Tatsuguchi (1880-1924), a Japanese politician and diplomat. He served as the Japanese ambassador to various countries, including China and the United States, and was instrumental in promoting international relations during the early 20th century.

In the field of literature, Kanji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was a renowned Japanese writer and poet. His works, such as "Night on the Galactic Railroad," explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition, and have had a lasting impact on Japanese literature.

The surname "KANJI" can also be found in historical records from the early 20th century, such as government documents and census records. However, it is important to note that the use of surnames in Japan was not widespread until the late 19th century, so earlier records may be limited.

While the surname "KANJI" is relatively uncommon, it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including business, politics, and literature. The name's connection to the traditional Japanese writing system and its adoption during a period of modernization in Japan add to its rich cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanji

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

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

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

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