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

Shirai, 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 Shirai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shirai in America

Shirai is the 48347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shirai surname appeared 437 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 Shirai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shirai 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 Shirai

The surname SHIRAI originates from Japan, emerging during the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). It is believed to have derived from the Japanese word "shira," meaning "white," and may have initially referred to someone with fair hair or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the SHIRAI name can be found in the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle of the Kamakura shogunate. This text, compiled in the late 13th century, includes references to several individuals bearing the SHIRAI surname.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573 CE), the SHIRAI name gained prominence in the Kanto region, particularly in the area around present-day Tokyo. Several prominent samurai families adopted the SHIRAI name, including the lords of the Shirai Castle in Musashi Province.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named SHIRAI Kiyotsugu (1530-1593) served as a retainer to the powerful Hojo clan. He played a significant role in the Battle of Mikata ga Hara in 1572, where he fought alongside his lord against the forces of Oda Nobunaga.

During the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the SHIRAI name spread beyond the Kanto region and could be found in various parts of Japan. One noteworthy individual was SHIRAI Gompachi (1637-1668), a legendary outlaw and Robin Hood-like figure whose exploits were widely celebrated in kabuki plays and folk tales.

In the early 19th century, SHIRAI Hiroyuki (1783-1856) was a prominent scholar and educator who played a crucial role in the development of the Shoheiko calligraphy style. His works and teachings had a lasting impact on the art of Japanese calligraphy.

Another significant figure was SHIRAI Teiyu (1854-1933), a renowned painter and lacquer artist of the late Edo and Meiji periods. His intricate designs and innovative techniques earned him acclaim both within Japan and internationally.

It's important to note that while the SHIRAI surname has a rich history, it has also undergone various spelling variations and regional adaptations over time, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes of Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shirai

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

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

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

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