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

Omi, 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 Omi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Omi in America

Omi is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Omi surname appeared 142 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 Omi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Omi 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 Omi

The surname "Omi" is believed to have originated in Japan, where it first appeared in the late 16th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "omi," which means "beauty" or "beautiful." It was likely initially used as a descriptive surname, given to individuals who were considered particularly attractive or aesthetically pleasing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Omi" can be found in the Edo period records of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. These records mention an Omi family from the Kyoto region, who were renowned for their skill in traditional Japanese arts and crafts.

In the 17th century, a notable figure named Omi Nagatada (1616-1691) gained prominence as a master of the Japanese tea ceremony. He was widely respected for his expertise in the intricate rituals and aesthetics associated with this ancient tradition.

During the Edo period, the name "Omi" also appeared in various literary works and poetry anthologies, often associated with themes of beauty, elegance, and artistic expression.

In the 19th century, a samurai named Omi Toshitsugu (1819-1892) played a significant role in the Boshin War, a conflict that led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule in Japan. Omi fought alongside the forces of the Imperial Court, and his bravery and leadership were celebrated in historical accounts of the time.

Another notable individual with the surname "Omi" was Omi Kanju (1847-1921), a prominent Buddhist scholar and calligrapher who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Japanese cultural heritage.

As Japanese emigration increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname "Omi" began to spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals and families seeking new opportunities abroad.

While the name "Omi" originated in Japan and has a rich cultural significance within the country, it has since become a global surname, with bearers in various nations and communities around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Omi

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

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

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

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