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

Mukai, 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 Mukai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mukai in America

Mukai is the 26243rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mukai surname appeared 931 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 Mukai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mukai 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 Mukai

The surname Mukai is of Japanese origin, with roots tracing back to the late 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the Mukai district in the Niigata Prefecture, located on the western coast of Japan. The name is derived from the Japanese words "mu," meaning "nothing," and "kai," meaning "ocean," potentially referring to the calm, placid waters off the coast of the district.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mukai name can be found in the Kamakura Bakufu records, a historical document compiled during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). These records mention a prominent samurai warrior named Mukai Nobuyuki, who served under the Hojo clan during the 13th century.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Mukai family established themselves as influential landowners and administrators in the Niigata region. Notably, Mukai Genshin (1609-1677), a Confucian scholar and prominent figure in the Tokugawa shogunate, played a significant role in shaping the region's intellectual and cultural landscape.

In the 18th century, Mukai Kyorai (1723-1789), a renowned haiku poet and calligrapher, gained recognition for his exceptional literary and artistic talents. His works are still celebrated and studied by scholars and enthusiasts of traditional Japanese arts.

Another notable figure with the Mukai surname is Mukai Tsugio (1851-1919), a pioneering engineer and educator who played a crucial role in the industrialization and modernization of Japan during the Meiji era. He is remembered for his contributions to the development of Japan's railway system and his efforts in promoting technical education.

In more recent history, Mukai Chiaki (1952-2015) made history as the first Japanese woman to travel to space. She was a renowned astronaut who participated in two Space Shuttle missions, inspiring generations of young Japanese people to pursue careers in science and exploration.

While the surname Mukai may have evolved over time and spread beyond its original geographical origins, its roots in the Niigata Prefecture and its association with the coastal district continue to be a source of pride and cultural significance for those who bear this distinguished name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mukai

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

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

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

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