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

Yanagi, 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 Yanagi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanagi in America

Yanagi is the 68345th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanagi surname appeared 288 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 Yanagi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yanagi 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 Yanagi

The surname Yanagi originates from Japan, with its history deeply embedded in the country's culture and language. The name itself means "willow," derived from the Japanese word "yanagi," referring to the willow tree. It is a toponymic surname often associated with locations where willow trees were prevalent. The willow tree holds cultural significance in Japan, symbolizing grace, endurance, and flexibility.

Yanagi is believed to have emerged during the Heian period (794-1185), a time when the use of surnames began to formalize among the aristocracy and samurai class. The surname likely appeared in regions with an abundance of willow trees, such as the Kanto and Kansai areas. The Heian period is noted for its development of literature and record-keeping, although specific records mentioning the Yanagi surname from this time have not survived.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yanagi dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333), where it appears in various family registries and land documents. One notable record is the "Azuma Kagami," a historical chronicle compiled in the late Kamakura period, which mentions a samurai named Yanagi Michiyasu. Michiyasu was a loyal retainer of the Hojo clan, demonstrating the surname's early connection to the samurai class.

Throughout the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Yanagi surname continued to appear in historical documents. Yanagi Munenobu, a samurai warrior born in 1403 and known for his military exploits, served under the Ashikaga Shogunate. His name is mentioned in the "Taiheiki," a historical epic that recounts the events of the Nanbokucho period.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the surname Yanagi became more widespread among common folk as well as samurai. Yanagi Sōetsu, born in 1811, was a notable Confucian scholar and educator. He contributed significantly to the educational reforms of the late Edo period, authoring several important works on philosophy and ethics that impacted Japanese intellectual thought.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), Japan's modernization and the abolition of the samurai class led to further dispersion of families with the Yanagi surname. Yanagi Muneyoshi, often referred to as Yanagi Sōetsu (1889-1961), emerged as a prominent philosopher and founder of the mingei (folk craft) movement. His work in appreciating and preserving traditional Japanese crafts garnered international recognition, linking the surname Yanagi to cultural preservation and arts.

The Yanagi surname, reflective of natural elements and deeply intertwined with Japanese history, continues to be a testament to the country's cultural heritage and the enduring symbolism of the willow tree.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanagi

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

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

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

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