Nakaji last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Nakaji

A Japanese surname signifying a person from the center or middle district.

Nakaji, 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 Nakaji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nakaji in America

Nakaji is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nakaji surname appeared 127 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 Nakaji.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nakaji 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 133048 134037 -0.74%
Count 127 116 9.05%
Proportion per 100k 0.04 0.04 0.00%

The history of the last name Nakaji

The surname Nakaji originates from Japan and dates back to the 17th century. It is believed to have derived from the Japanese words "naka," meaning "middle" or "center," and "ji," which can refer to a dwelling or residence. Historically, the name was prevalent in the central regions of Japan, particularly in the Kansai area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Nakaji surname can be found in the "Ninbetsu-Chō" (population registers) from the Edo period (1603-1868). These registers were maintained by local authorities to keep track of residents and their occupations. Some entries mention individuals with the Nakaji surname, providing insights into their professions and social status during that time.

In the late 18th century, a notable figure named Nakaji Tōyō (1738-1823) gained recognition as a prominent scholar and poet. He was renowned for his contributions to the study of Japanese literature and his influential works, including the "Tōyō Bunshū" (Collected Works of Tōyō).

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), a military commander named Nakaji Masayoshi (1832-1901) played a significant role in the Boshin War, which led to the establishment of the modern Japanese state. His strategic leadership and bravery on the battlefield earned him respect and recognition.

Another individual of historical significance was Nakaji Sakura (1876-1942), a pioneering educator who advocated for women's education and founded several schools in Tokyo. Her efforts helped pave the way for greater educational opportunities for women in Japan.

In the realm of literature, Nakaji Kiyoko (1903-1988) was a celebrated novelist and poet known for her intimate portrayals of rural life and the struggles of ordinary people. Her works, such as "Nanohana" (Rapeseed Blossoms), garnered critical acclaim and shed light on the experiences of Japan's farming communities.

It is worth noting that the Nakaji surname has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations in Japan. For instance, the town of Nakaji-mura (Nakaji Village) in Fukuoka Prefecture was once a prominent area where individuals bearing this surname resided.

While the Nakaji surname may not have gained widespread international recognition, it has a rich history deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, including literature, education, and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nakaji

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

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 Nakaji was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 14.17% 18
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 67.72% 86
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 16.54% 21
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Nakaji has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 14.17% 9.48% 39.66%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 67.72% 72.41% -6.69%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 16.54% 16.38% 0.97%
Hispanic (S)% (S)% (S)%

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

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

Reference this page

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"Nakaji last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakaji-surname-popularity/.

"Nakaji last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakaji-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Nakaji last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakaji-surname-popularity/.

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