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

Yoshikawa, 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 Yoshikawa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshikawa in America

Yoshikawa is the 27331st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshikawa surname appeared 884 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 Yoshikawa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshikawa 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 Yoshikawa

The surname Yoshikawa originates from Japan, with its roots deeply embedded in the country's history and language. The components of the name come from the Japanese words "yoshi," which means "good" or "good fortune," and "kawa," which means "river." This name is indicative of a place near a favorable or auspicious river, a common practice in Japanese surnames which often describe geographical features or conditions.

The Yoshikawa surname is believed to have originated in the Heian period (794-1185), a time when family names started reflecting landownership and governance. Areas like Kyoto and the surrounding regions were significant in this era, providing a potential context for the Yoshikawa family or clan's establishment. The historical characters used for the name "吉河" also bear a straightforward meaning of "lucky river," reinforcing its auspicious connotation.

There are early references to the name in various Japanese chronicles and genealogical records. One of the earliest notable figures was Yoshikawa Kanetomo, born in 1510, who was a samurai of the Sengoku period. His efforts and leadership were well-documented in the historical texts of that era, exemplifying the martial prowess commonly associated with the name in feudal Japan.

In the Edo period, several Yoshikawa families were recognized as part of the samurai class, with notable mentions in records such as the "Bukan," a register of samurai compiled in the later part of this period. Yoshikawa Hiroshi, another prominent figure, served as an advisor to one of the regional lords and was instrumental in the administration of the area. His contributions are detailed in various local histories, cementing the Yoshikawa name in the annals of regional governance.

Moving forward, in the late 19th century, Yoshikawa Eiji, born in 1892, emerged as a celebrated author. His works, such as the serialized novel "Musashi," reflect his profound cultural impact on Japanese literature. His literary achievements brought national recognition to the Yoshikawa name, making it synonymous with literary excellence.

Among the more modern historical figures bearing the name, Yoshikawa Toru, born in 1947, distinguished himself in the academic realm as a professor of Japanese literature. His extensive research and publications on classical Japanese texts have left an enduring scholarly legacy.

Further enriching the historical tapestry of the Yoshikawa surname, Yoshikawa Kōtarō, a notable philosopher born in 1905, contributed significantly to the development of Japanese philosophical thought in the 20th century. His writings explored a wide range of topics from Zen Buddhism to Western philosophy, cementing his status as an intellectual giant.

The surname Yoshikawa, with its blend of favorable connotations and significant historical bearers, encapsulates a rich heritage. From samurais and scholars to authors and advisors, the name has a storied past that reflects the cultural and historical mosaics of Japan. Through various periods and significant figures, Yoshikawa remains a testament to the enduring legacy of familial and geographical history in Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshikawa

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

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

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

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