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

Yanagihara, 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 Yanagihara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanagihara in America

Yanagihara is the 73215th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanagihara surname appeared 265 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 Yanagihara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yanagihara 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 Yanagihara

The surname Yanagihara originates from Japan, specifically tracing back to the ancient Heian period (794-1185 AD). The name is principally found in the Kansai region, particularly around Kyoto and Osaka. Yanagihara is derived from the Japanese words "yanagi" meaning "willow" and "hara" meaning "field" or "plain," collectively translating to "willow field." This descriptive surname likely referred to families dwelling near fields where willow trees were abundant.

In historical records, the name Yanagihara appears in various forms, such as Yanagiwara and Yanakihara, reflecting the regional dialects and transcription variations over the centuries. One of the earliest examples of the surname can be found in ancient documents and registries maintained by the imperial court during the Heian period. These records often detailed land ownership, family lineages, and census compilations where nobles and landowners were required to register their familial surnames.

A notable historical figure with this surname is Yanagihara Naruko (1819-1900), also known as Sukeko, who served as a prominent court lady and concubine of Emperor Komei. Her position at the imperial court highlights the name's association with nobility and the upper echelons of Japanese society during this era. Another distinguished person is Yanagihara Sakimitsu (1833-1904), a statesman and politician during the Meiji period, who played a role in modernizing Japan's political institutions.

Throughout Japanese history, the surname Yanagihara appears sporadically in literary and governmental records. For example, in Edo period manuscripts, a man named Yanagihara Shigemasa (1690-1757) is noted as a scholar and poet, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the period. Around the same era, Yanagihara Mitsukuni (1709-1785) became recognized as a samurai warrior renowned for his loyalty and bravery in service to his daimyo.

The Yanagihara lineage spans various aspects of Japanese society, including literature, politics, and the military. Yanagihara Ryohei (1867-1957) was a well-respected artist in the Taisho and early Showa periods, known for his innovative techniques spanning both traditional and Western styles of painting. Finally, Yanagihara Noboru (1871-1959) must be mentioned, an influential diplomat who served in various embassies around the world, playing a crucial role in Japan’s international relations leading up to and during World War II.

The Yanagihara surname encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy within Japan, highlighting contributions across numerous societal fields and reflecting regional and etymological evolution over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanagihara

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

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

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

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