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

Yoshimi, 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 Yoshimi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshimi in America

Yoshimi is the 136449th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshimi surname appeared 123 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 Yoshimi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshimi 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 Yoshimi

The surname Yoshimi originates from Japan, a country with a rich history of surnames often tied to social status, geographical roots, or occupations. It is believed that the name emerged during the Heian period (794-1185), a time when Japanese society began to stabilize, and family names became more widespread among the samurai and nobility classes.

Yoshimi is derived from two kanji characters: "yoshi" (吉), meaning "good luck" or "fortune," and "mi" (美), meaning "beauty" or "excellent." When combined, the name Yoshimi can be interpreted as "good fortune and beauty" or "excellent luck."

The earliest historical references to the surname Yoshimi can be traced back to ancient Japanese records and documents. One significant manuscript that mentions it is the Kamakura period's religious and administrative texts, reflecting the administrative reforms and family histories of that time. An example can be found in the "Azuma Kagami," a chronological history compiled during the 13th century, which records the activities of influential families, including those with the Yoshimi surname.

An early recorded example of the name Yoshimi is that of Yoshimi Tsunenobu, a samurai warrior who lived during the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. Tsunenobu was born in 1181 and became known for his valiant service under the Minamoto clan, particularly during the Genpei War (1180-1185), which was a pivotal conflict in Japanese history.

Another prominent figure with the surname Yoshimi was Yoshimi Masateru, a scholar and poet from the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Masateru was renowned for his contributions to classical Japanese literature and his expertise in the waka poetry tradition. He was born in 1352 and passed away in 1415, leaving behind a legacy of literary works that are still studied today.

During the Sengoku period (1467-1603), Yoshimi Takamitsu played a significant role as a daimyo (feudal lord) of the Sanuki Province. Takamitsu, born in 1520 and dying in 1574, was a strategic military leader who aligned with the powerful Oda clan. His efforts were pivotal in the unification battles that eventually led to the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), Yoshimi Shigetada emerged as a respected tea master and cultural influencer. Born in 1645, Shigetada was instrumental in the development of the tea ceremony's aesthetics and philosophy. He passed away in 1707, but his contributions to Japanese cultural practices continue to be revered.

Yoshimi Kogoro, a noted botanist from the Meiji era (1868-1912), made significant advancements in the study of Japanese plant species. Born in 1848, he dedicated his life to the classification and conservation of Japan's unique flora until his death in 1910. His research paved the way for modern botanical studies in Japan and worldwide.

The surname Yoshimi, with its historical depth and cultural significance, offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Japanese history and heritage. From samurai warriors to cultural figures and scientists, the Yoshimi family name has been borne by individuals who have made lasting contributions to Japanese society across various periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshimi

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

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

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

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