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

Yonamine, 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 Yonamine surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yonamine in America

Yonamine is the 52736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yonamine surname appeared 393 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 Yonamine.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yonamine 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 Yonamine

The surname Yonamine originates from Okinawa, Japan, specifically the Ryukyu Islands. This archipelago, with a distinct cultural and historical identity separate from mainland Japan, has uniquely influenced its surnames. The name Yonamine is believed to have roots in the local Ryukyuan language and is indicative of the Okinawan linguistic and cultural heritage. Earliest adopters of the name likely came from the agrarian societies of these islands, with the name denoting origins or places within small farming communities.

Etymologically, "Yona" could be linked to "yonda" (a raised area or a plain) and "mine" meaning summit or peak, combining as a term denoting "the peak of the plain." This geographical linkage suggests that early bearers of the surname might have been associated with elevated lands suitable for farming or were residents of such areas.

Historical references to the name Yonamine remain relatively sparse due to the remote and insular nature of the Ryukyu Kingdom before its annexation by Japan in the late 19th century. Nevertheless, the name appears in various Ryukyuan records, illustrated in old registry documents that predate widespread integration with Japan’s national records. These documents, preserved in local administrative offices, would substantively corroborate the population and genealogy records of Yonamine families.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname is Yonamine Chiru, an Okinawan poet and shamisen player from the late 18th century, whose contributions to Ryukyuan culture are revered. Another notable figure is Yonamine Chokuko, a 19th-century political figure who played a role in local governance during the transition of Okinawa from a sovereign kingdom to a Japanese prefecture.

In the 20th century, Yonamine Katsutaro (1893-1977) gained recognition as a political activist and leader during the tumultuous periods of World War II and the subsequent American occupation. His efforts were instrumental in navigating the complex political landscape of post-war Okinawa.

Yonamine Sadamitsu, an early 20th-century athlete, made significant strides in popularizing Japanese baseball in the United States, thus bridging cultural gaps through sports.

Contemporary historical records and earlier manuscripts continue to trace the Yonamine lineage, underscoring the surname’s resilience and adaptive heritage within Okinawa's evolving cultural landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yonamine

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

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

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

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