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

Naka, 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 Naka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Naka in America

Naka is the 78316th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Naka surname appeared 244 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 Naka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Naka 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 Naka

The surname NAKA is believed to have originated in Japan, with its roots dating back to the 8th century. It was initially associated with families residing in the Naka region of present-day Ibaraki Prefecture. The name may have derived from the Japanese word "naka," which translates to "middle" or "center," potentially referring to the geographical location of the area.

One of the earliest known references to the NAKA surname can be found in the Shoku Nihongi, an imperial chronicle compiled in the 8th century. This ancient text mentions individuals with the surname, suggesting its presence during the early years of Japanese history.

In the 12th century, the NAKA name appeared in the Azuma Kagami, a historical record that documented the rise of the Kamakura Shogunate. This implies that families bearing the NAKA surname held a certain level of prominence during that era.

Notable individuals with the NAKA surname include Naka Michikatsu (1446-1515), a renowned samurai and military commander who served under the Hosokawa clan during the Sengoku period. Another prominent figure was Naka Naomasa (1617-1688), a Confucian scholar and advisor to the Tokugawa Shogunate.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the NAKA surname was widespread among various samurai clans and local lords. One such individual was Naka Kanzaemon (1619-1681), a renowned swordsman and martial arts instructor who contributed to the development of kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship).

In the 19th century, Naka Munetō (1836-1894) gained recognition as a prominent educator and philosopher. He played a significant role in modernizing Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration.

As the centuries passed, the NAKA surname continued to be prominent in various fields, including politics, literature, and the arts. Naka Kazunari (1857-1932) was a respected writer and poet, while Naka Kansuke (1888-1974) made his mark as a renowned sculptor and artist.

Throughout its history, the NAKA surname has undergone variations in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting regional dialects and local customs. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient regions of Japan, where families bearing this name have left their mark on the country's rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Naka

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

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

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

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