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

Kawabe, 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 Kawabe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kawabe in America

Kawabe is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kawabe surname appeared 129 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 Kawabe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kawabe 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 Kawabe

The surname Kawabe originated in Japan, with its roots traced back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE). It is believed to be derived from the Japanese words "kawa," meaning river, and "be," referring to a side or bank. This suggests that the name was likely associated with individuals who lived near a riverbank or in a riverside settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kawabe name can be found in the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle compiled in the late 13th century. This work mentions a samurai named Kawabe no Sukemoto, who served under the Kamakura shogunate during the late 12th century.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573 CE), the Kawabe clan became prominent in the Iga region of present-day Mie Prefecture. They were renowned for their skills in ninjutsu, the traditional Japanese art of stealth and espionage. Kawabe Shōgo (1563-1629), a renowned ninja and military strategist, played a significant role in the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

In the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the Kawabe family held influential positions in various domains across Japan. One notable figure was Kawabe Chikaoki (1693-1775), a prominent Confucian scholar and advisor to the Maeda clan of Kaga Domain (present-day Ishikawa Prefecture).

Another prominent individual bearing the Kawabe surname was Kawabe Masatari (1816-1895), a statesman and diplomat who played a crucial role in the modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration. He served as the Imperial Ambassador to Russia and was instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of St. Petersburg in 1875, which established diplomatic relations between Japan and Russia.

In more recent times, Kawabe Sumio (1904-1988) was a renowned Japanese novelist and poet. His works, including the novel "Snow Country," explored themes of loneliness, alienation, and the human condition in modern Japan.

The Kawabe surname has also been associated with notable figures in various fields, such as Kawabe Nobuko (1907-1999), a pioneering Japanese actress and singer, and Kawabe Nobuo (1924-2015), a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

Overall, the surname Kawabe has a rich history that spans centuries, with its origins rooted in the riverine landscapes of ancient Japan. Its bearers have made significant contributions to various aspects of Japanese society, culture, and history, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kawabe

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

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

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

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