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

Oi, 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 Oi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oi in America

Oi is the 89403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oi surname appeared 207 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 Oi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Oi 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 Oi

The surname "Oi" is believed to have originated in Japan, with its earliest known recorded use dating back to the late 16th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "oi," which translates to "old" or "venerable," and was likely bestowed as a honorific title to respected elders or ancestors.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Oi surname was particularly prominent in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, particularly in the present-day Hiroshima Prefecture. Historical records from this era, such as family registers and local chronicles, contain numerous references to individuals bearing the Oi name.

One notable figure from this time was Oi Masatsuna (1611-1683), a samurai warrior and retainer of the Mori clan, who played a pivotal role in the defense of the Hiroshima Domain during the Siege of Hiroshima in 1638. His bravery and unwavering loyalty earned him widespread recognition and praise.

In the late 19th century, during the Meiji Restoration, the Oi name gained prominence with the rise of Oi Kentaro (1843-1922), a prominent statesman and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.

Another notable individual with the Oi surname was Oi Mitsuharu (1864-1938), a pioneering geologist and seismologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of earthquake mechanisms and the development of seismic monitoring systems in Japan.

In the 20th century, the Oi name was further elevated by Oi Yukio (1899-1986), a renowned architect and urban planner who was instrumental in shaping the modern cityscapes of Tokyo and other major Japanese cities in the post-World War II era.

While the Oi surname has its roots firmly planted in Japan, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and deep cultural ties to Japan remain an integral part of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oi

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

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

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

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