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

Okai, 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 Okai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okai in America

Okai is the 65593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okai surname appeared 302 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 Okai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okai 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 Okai

The surname OKAI has its origins in Japan, tracing back to the late 16th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Japanese word "okai," which means "beach" or "shore." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have resided near coastal areas or been involved in maritime activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the OKAI surname can be found in the Kantō region of central Japan, particularly in the area around present-day Tokyo. Historical records from the Edo period (1603-1868) mention several individuals with this surname who held various positions in local administration and commerce.

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), a notable figure bearing the OKAI surname was Okai Toshitaka (1833-1909), a samurai and political reformer who played a significant role in the modernization of Japan. He served as the governor of Saitama Prefecture and was instrumental in the establishment of the prefectural system.

Another prominent individual with the OKAI surname was Okai Masao (1914-1985), a renowned Japanese sculptor known for his abstract and minimalist works. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces across Japan, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

In the realm of literature, the OKAI surname is associated with Okai Ozamu (1952-2020), a celebrated author and poet who explored themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage in his works. His novel "The Forgotten Ones" received critical acclaim and was translated into several languages.

The OKAI surname also has ties to the world of academia. Okai Kenji (1928-2018) was a respected historian and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, renowned for his extensive research on the Edo period and the social dynamics of early modern Japan.

While the OKAI surname originated in Japan, over time, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to this surname can be traced back to its Japanese roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diverse narratives associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okai

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

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

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

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