Oshima
A Japanese surname referring to someone who lived on an island.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Oshima. That puts it at #34,185 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Oshima surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#34,185
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
664
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 664 bearers of the surname Oshima in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 34185th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Oshima, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 80.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (9.5%) and White (6.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Oshima
The surname Oshima originated in Japan and dates back several centuries. It is derived from the Japanese words "oshima," meaning "big island" or "great island." This suggests that the name may have originated from families living on or near one of Japan's larger islands, such as Honshu, Kyushu, or Shikoku.
The name Oshima can be traced back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333) in Japan's history. During this time, surnames were becoming more widespread, and families would often adopt names based on their locations, occupations, or physical characteristics. The Oshima name likely emerged from a family residing on a prominent island or coastal area.
Records from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) show the Oshima name appearing in various historical documents and manuscripts. One notable reference is found in the "Taiheiki," a Japanese war chronicle that mentions an Oshima samurai warrior who fought in the Nanboku-chō Wars (1336-1392).
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Oshima surname was Oshima Masayuki (1497-1573), a prominent Daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). He ruled over the Oshima Domain in present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture and was known for his military prowess and loyalty to the Mōri clan.
Another famous bearer of the Oshima name was Oshima Toyo (1627-1705), a renowned Japanese poet and calligrapher during the Edo period (1603-1868). Her poetry and calligraphic works were highly regarded and influential in the literary circles of her time.
In the 19th century, Oshima Shigeru (1819-1876) was a prominent Japanese scholar and translator who played a crucial role in introducing Western science and technology to Japan during the Bakumatsu period (1853-1867).
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Oshima Hiroshi (1858-1914) was a notable military officer who served in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was highly respected for his leadership and strategic abilities.
One of the most influential figures with the Oshima surname in modern times was Oshima Nagisa (1932-2023), a renowned Japanese film director and screenwriter. His works, such as "In the Realm of the Senses" and "Empire of Passion," explored controversial themes and pushed boundaries in Japanese cinema.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Oshima
Among Census respondents with the surname Oshima, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 80.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (9.5%) and White (6.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Oshima bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Oshima surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander80.9%
- Two or more races9.5%
- White6.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Oshima surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #34,185 | #34,185 | 0.0% |
| Count | 664 | 664 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Oshima bearers went from 664 to 664 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #34,185 to #34,185.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Oshima
FAQ
Oshima surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Oshima?
The surname Oshima holds position #34,185 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Oshima surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Oshima, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 80.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (9.5%) and White (6.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.