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

Kidani, 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 Kidani surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kidani in America

Kidani is the 139757th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kidani surname appeared 110 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kidani.

The history of the last name Kidani

The surname Kidani has its origins in Japan. It is believed to date back to the Heian period (794-1185) when surnames were first used to distinguish among noble families and samurai clans. The name likely originates from a combination of kanji characters; "ki" (木), which means "tree," and "dani" (谷), meaning "valley." Therefore, Kidani can be translated to "Tree Valley," indicative of the geography or nature surrounding the family's origin.

In early historical records, the family name Kidani appears in feudal documents and land registries from regional domains, particularly in areas around modern-day Wakayama Prefecture. The name did not feature prominently in national-level documents such as the Domesday Book in England; instead, it was more localized within Japanese feudal history. This suggests that while the Kidani family was established, they were not at the highest ranks of power but were instead significant within their local regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kidani appears in the Kii Province's local records from the Kamakura period (1185-1333). These records mention Kidani Yoritomo, a minor samurai who served under the Hōjō clan during the Mongol invasions of Japan. He is noted for his role in defending the coastal areas of Kii Province, with documented contributions around 1281.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Kidani name appears in various administrative and census records. For instance, Kidani Satoru, a noted village headman in the mid-17th century, was responsible for managing agricultural production and local disputes in his village in the Kii Domain. Despite his relatively modest status, Satoru's effective leadership established the Kidani name as a respected one within local governance circles.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), as Japan modernized and adopted Western methodologies and record-keeping, the Kidani name continued to appear in public records. Kidani Tatsuya, born in 1875, was an educator and advocate for modernization who contributed to the development of public schooling in rural Wakayama. His efforts in expanding educational opportunities for commoners were recognized posthumously following his death in 1924.

Notably, the early 20th century saw Kidani Hideo emerge as an influential figure in Japanese literature. Born in 1910, Hideo's works often reflected rural life and societal changes during Japan's transition from a feudal society to a modern nation. His most famous novel, written in 1950, captured the essence of village life and was awarded the prestigious Akutagawa Prize.

In the mid-20th century, another significant figure was Kidani Daisuke, born in 1942. He was a pioneering botanist whose research on local plant species contributed to the conservation efforts within his native Wakayama. He worked extensively on cataloging endemic plant species, helping to preserve the natural heritage of the region before his death in 1999.

Throughout history, the Kidani surname has been associated with individuals who played significant roles within their local regions rather than on the national stage. This lineage underscores a heritage rooted in local leadership, education, literature, and environmentalism, reflecting the diverse contributions of the Kidani family across different time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kidani

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kidani 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.

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

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

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