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

Yoshimoto, 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 Yoshimoto surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshimoto in America

Yoshimoto is the 28241st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshimoto surname appeared 847 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 Yoshimoto.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshimoto 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 Yoshimoto

The surname Yoshimoto has its origins in Japan, where it is written with the kanji characters 吉 (yoshi) meaning "good luck" or "good" and 本 (moto) meaning "origin" or "base." The combination of these characters can be interpreted as "good origin" or "lucky base." The name is thought to have emerged during the Nara period (710-794) or Heian period (794-1185), which were times of significant cultural and social development in Japan.

Yoshimoto is associated with several areas in Japan, notably the Kinki region, including parts of the modern-day Osaka and Kyoto prefectures. Historically, families bearing the name were often landowners or samurai, indicating a certain level of social status. Ancient records and manuscripts from these periods have references to various prominent Yoshimoto family members, indicating their influence and importance.

The oldest recorded instance of the surname Yoshimoto appears in the Heian period, in the Sai-in Monogatari, a collection of tales from the time. Another historical reference appears in the Azuma Kagami, a chronicle from the Kamakura period (1185–1333), where the Yoshimoto clan is documented as having played a role in regional governance and military affairs.

One of the earliest notable figures bearing the surname was Yoshimoto Imagawa (1519–1560), a significant daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period. Known for his political acumen and efforts to expand his domain, he was a key player in the power struggles of the era until his defeat at the Battle of Okehazama.

Another influential individual was Yoshimoto Kogyo (1857–1936), the founder of Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., a company that has grown into a major entertainment conglomerate in Japan. His efforts laid the foundation for modern Japanese comedy and show business, highlighting the adaptability and innovative spirit associated with the name.

In contemporary history, Yoshimoto Banana (born 1964) gained international acclaim as a novelist. Her works, such as "Kitchen," have been translated into multiple languages, bringing recognition to the surname in literary circles worldwide. Her contribution to literature has further cemented the name's association with creativity and cultural significance.

Famous Japanese surgeon Yoshimoto Taketoshi (1897–1970) made considerable advancements in medical sciences, particularly in surgical procedures and education. His contributions to modern medicine earned him numerous accolades and left a lasting impact on the medical community in Japan.

Yoshimoto Naoto (1897–1963), a scholar known for his work in linguistics and classical Japanese literature, made significant contributions to the academic understanding of ancient Japanese texts and language structures. His research has been invaluable in preserving and interpreting Japan's linguistic heritage.

Throughout history, the surname Yoshimoto has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in a variety of fields, from feudal governance and military strategy to modern entertainment, literature, and science. This reflects the adaptability and enduring legacy of the name across different eras and social contexts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshimoto

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

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

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

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