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

Yamada, 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 Yamada surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamada in America

Yamada is the 7461st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamada surname appeared 4,467 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Yamada.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamada 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 Yamada

The surname Yamada is of Japanese origin, tracing its roots back to the 8th century CE. It is a locational surname, derived from the place name "Yamada," which means "mountain rice field" or "mountain paddy." The name is believed to have originated in the rural areas of Japan, where rice cultivation was a significant agricultural activity.

The earliest recorded instances of the Yamada surname can be found in ancient Japanese texts and records from the Heian period (794-1185 CE). During this time, the use of family names became more widespread among the aristocratic and samurai classes. The Yamada name was likely adopted by families who resided near or owned rice fields located in mountainous regions.

One of the earliest notable figures with the Yamada surname was Yamada Nagamasa (1350-1384), a prominent samurai warrior who served under the Ashikaga shogunate. He played a crucial role in the Nanboku-cho wars, a conflict that lasted from 1336 to 1392, and was known for his bravery and military prowess.

Another renowned individual with the Yamada surname was Yamada Sohen (1627-1707), a Zen Buddhist monk and calligrapher. He was renowned for his mastery of the Japanese calligraphic style and was considered one of the greatest calligraphers of his time.

In the realm of literature, Yamada Bimyo (1868-1910) was a celebrated novelist and poet. He is best known for his works that explored the struggles and complexities of modern Japanese society, such as "Koshoku Gonin Musume" (The Five Women Who Loved Love).

The Yamada surname was also prominent in the world of martial arts. Yamada Isao (1915-1994) was a renowned master of Shotokan karate and is credited with introducing and popularizing the art in the United States. He founded the Japan Karate Association International and trained numerous students worldwide.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Yamada family was known for their involvement in the production of traditional Japanese ceramics. The Yamada kiln, located in the Gifu Prefecture, produced highly prized ceramic wares that were sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

Throughout its history, the Yamada surname has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, artistry, literature, and martial arts. Its widespread presence across Japan reflects the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamada

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

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

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

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