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

Yokoi, 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 Yokoi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yokoi in America

Yokoi is the 67747th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yokoi surname appeared 291 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 Yokoi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yokoi 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 Yokoi

The surname Yokoi is of Japanese origin, traceable back to ancient Japan. The characters comprising "Yokoi" are 幸 (yoko), meaning "happiness" or "good fortune," and 井 (i), meaning "well" as in a water well. The name can be understood as "fortunate well" or "well of happiness," suggesting a historical connection to vital water sources and a sense of prosperity or well-being.

Yokoi was likely first used in regions where the presence of wells played a central role in the community's daily life, possibly in Feudal Japan. The earliest documented instances of the name appear in the Edo period (1603-1868), though it is possible that the name was in use even earlier. Over time, various families adopted the surname Yokoi, and it became relatively widespread in different parts of Japan.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Yokoi is found in the records of local samurai families during the Edo period. Yokoi Shonan (1809-1869) is a notable figure, a samurai and Confucian scholar who played a critical role in advocating for educational and social reform during the late Edo period. His contributions to the modernization of Japan and his dedication to ethical philosophy made him a highly influential figure in Japanese history.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Yokoi Kenji, born in 1925 in Nagoya. He became well-known for his architectural works, which harmonized traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design principles. His innovative structures remain significant in Japan's architectural history.

An interesting historical persona is Yokoi Shoichi (1915-1997), a WWII soldier who was discovered in 1972 in the jungles of Guam, where he had been hiding for nearly three decades after the war ended. His story gained international attention and highlighted themes of loyalty and survival; he later became a national hero in Japan.

Yokoi Kogaku, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a celebrated poet. His haiku and tanka poems captured the subtleties of nature and human emotion, contributing significantly to Japanese literature. His works are still studied in literary circles today.

Finally, Yokoi Tomoko, born in 1947, is a contemporary painter whose works have been exhibited internationally. Her art, often exploring themes of nature and spirituality, draws from traditional Japanese techniques while incorporating modern elements, continuing the legacy of the Yokoi name in the arts.

The name Yokoi, with its rich history and presence across various domains, provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and historical fabric of Japan. Its bearers, from scholars and soldiers to artists and architects, have contributed to the nation's heritage in meaningful ways. The evolution of the surname reflects both tangible and intangible aspects of Japanese society, making it a topic of enduring interest for onomatologists and historians alike.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yokoi

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

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

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

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