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

Okayama, 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 Okayama surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okayama in America

Okayama is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okayama surname appeared 116 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 Okayama.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okayama 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 Okayama

The surname Okayama originates from Japan and its earliest recorded use dates back to the 8th century AD. It is derived from the Japanese words "oka" meaning "hill" and "yama" meaning "mountain", indicating that the name likely originated from a geographic location with hilly or mountainous terrain.

Okayama was historically prevalent in the Okayama Prefecture of western Japan, particularly in the areas around the city of Okayama, which served as a center of regional power during the Edo period (1603-1868). The name can be found in historical records and documents from this era, suggesting its long-standing presence in the region.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Okayama was Okayama Masayoshi, a samurai warrior who lived in the late 16th century. He was known for his loyalty and bravery in service to the Mori clan, a powerful feudal family of the time.

Another notable figure was Okayama Kiyokata, a renowned poet and scholar of the 18th century. Born in 1734 and dying in 1804, he was celebrated for his contributions to the study and preservation of classical Japanese literature and poetry.

In the 19th century, Okayama Nagasuke, born in 1820 and dying in 1891, was a prominent businessman and industrialist. He played a significant role in the modernization and industrialization of Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912).

Okayama Kyozan, born in 1868 and dying in 1936, was a respected Buddhist monk and calligrapher. He was known for his exceptional calligraphic works and his efforts in promoting traditional Japanese arts and culture.

Lastly, Okayama Yoshiko, born in 1904 and dying in 1992, was a renowned author and poet. Her works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, and she was widely celebrated for her unique literary style and poetic voice.

These are just a few examples of individuals bearing the surname Okayama who have left their mark on Japanese history and culture over the centuries. The name's origins and historical significance are deeply rooted in the geography and cultural heritage of Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okayama

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

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

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

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