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

Totoro, 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 Totoro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Totoro in America

Totoro is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Totoro surname appeared 131 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 Totoro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Totoro 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 Totoro

The surname TOTORO has its origins in Japan, where it first emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868). Scholars believe the name is derived from the Japanese word "totoro," which refers to a mythical creature resembling a large, furry woodland spirit.

The name TOTORO is thought to have originated in the rural areas of the Tohoku region, particularly in the mountainous prefectures of Miyagi and Iwate. It is speculated that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for individuals who lived in close proximity to forests and were believed to have encountered or been protected by these spiritual beings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name TOTORO can be found in the local records of Sendai City, dating back to the early 18th century. These records mention a family with the surname TOTORO, who were landowners and farmers in the region.

In the late 19th century, a prominent TOTORO figure emerged – Genzaburo TOTORO (1835-1912), a renowned woodcarver and sculptor from Iwate Prefecture. His intricate carvings of traditional Japanese folklore creatures, including the totoro, gained widespread recognition and admiration.

Another notable bearer of the TOTORO surname was Toshiko TOTORO (1890-1975), a celebrated author and poet from Miyagi Prefecture. Her works often drew inspiration from the natural landscapes and folklore of the Tohoku region, frequently featuring references to the mythical totoro creature.

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), a small number of TOTORO families migrated from the Tohoku region to the Tokyo area, where the surname gained some recognition. One such individual was Shintaro TOTORO (1867-1941), a successful businessman and philanthropist who established several schools and charitable organizations in the capital.

Throughout the 20th century, the TOTORO surname remained relatively uncommon outside of its traditional strongholds in the Tohoku region. However, the name gained international recognition in the late 1980s with the release of the acclaimed animated film "My Neighbor Totoro" by Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film's endearing depiction of the totoro character further cemented the name's association with Japanese folklore and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Totoro

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

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

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

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