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

Satori, 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 Satori surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Satori in America

Satori is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Satori surname appeared 143 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 Satori.

We can also compare 2010 data for Satori 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 Satori

The surname SATORI is of Japanese origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient practice of Zen Buddhism. It is believed to have emerged during the Heian period (794-1185 AD) in Japan.

SATORI is derived from the Sanskrit word "सातोरि" (sātori), which means "enlightenment" or "awakening." This term was widely used in Zen Buddhist teachings to describe the state of profound insight and understanding achieved through rigorous meditation and spiritual practice.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname SATORI can be found in the historical records of the Tendai Buddhist sect, which flourished on Mount Hiei near Kyoto during the 9th century. These documents mention a renowned Zen master named Satori Dōgen (1200-1253), who is credited with introducing the Soto school of Zen Buddhism to Japan.

In the 14th century, the SATORI surname gained prominence in the Kamakura region of eastern Japan, where the renowned Zen teacher and calligrapher, Satori Bokuseki (1340-1420), established a prominent Zen monastery. His teachings and artistic works influenced generations of Zen practitioners and artists.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the SATORI surname was associated with a notable family of samurai warriors who served under the Ashikaga shogunate. One of the most famous members of this lineage was Satori Masanori (1513-1578), a skilled swordsman and strategist who played a pivotal role in the battles against the Uesugi clan.

In the realm of Japanese literature, the SATORI surname is closely tied to the celebrated haiku poet, Satori Bashō (1644-1694), whose works are considered masterpieces of the genre. His famous travel memoir, "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), has been widely studied and admired for its profound insights and poetic imagery.

Another notable figure bearing the SATORI surname was Satori Kenkō (1283-1350), a renowned Buddhist monk, essayist, and poet. His seminal work, "Tsurezuregusa" (Essays in Idleness), is a celebrated collection of reflections on life, nature, and the human condition, written in a lyrical and introspective style.

Throughout its history, the SATORI surname has been closely intertwined with the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of Japan, particularly in the realms of Zen Buddhism, literature, and the arts. Its enduring legacy reflects the profound impact of these ancient teachings and practices on Japanese society and thought.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Satori

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

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

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

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