Surname Nakano - Meaning and Origin
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Nakano: What does the surname Nakano mean?
The last name Nakano is an uncommon Japanese surname, believed to have originated in the late 1800s. It is thought to have originated as a toponymic name from a place called Nakano, located in Tokyo. The Nakano surname can be specifically traced to the Shimosato Clan, a prominent samurai family in the 17th century.
The literal meaning of Nakano can be interpreted in several ways. It could be a combination of the Japanese characters 'na' (which means 'Nara', an old city of Japan) and 'kano' (which means 'bay', hence referring to a bay near Nara). Alternatively, the name could be a combination of 'na' (which means 'fields') and 'kano' (which means 'valley', hence referring to a valley of fields).
Some members of the Nakano family have been prominent political figures, military generals, and monks throughout Japanese history. The most noted Nakano is Nakano Takeko, who was a female warrior in the late 1800s; she was sadly killed in the battle of Aizu during the Meiji Restoration.
There is also famous author Nakano Shigeharu, who wrote a famous poem about the importance of cooperation between Japanese citizens. This poem is considered the basis of the Japanese citizen spirit. Similarly, the renowned professor Nakano Hajime held various positions in various educational institutions and was a highly-respected scholar.
Generally speaking, those who bear the Nakano surname are considered to be proud and determined, and tend to be committed to their goals. Their courage, bravery, and loyalty have been praised in Japanese culture, and the name continues to be well-respected.
Order DNA origin analysisNakano: Where does the name Nakano come from?
The last name Nakano is most common in Japan. It is estimated that there are nearly 100,000 people with the last name Nakano living in Japan today.
Outside of Japan, the last name Nakano is relatively uncommon, particularly in Europe and North America. In the United States, for example, there were only about 875 people with the last name Nakano in 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Nakano is a common name among Japanese immigrants who settled in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It can also be found in South and Central America, often among Japanese and Japanese-American families who migrated during World War II.
Interestingly, the last name Nakano is also found in fighters of mixed martial arts, including Mizuto Hirota, a Japanese featherweight fighter, and Naoki Nakano, a Japanese light-heavyweight fighter.
Overall, the last name Nakano is still most commonly found in Japan, but can be found in various parts of the world among Japanese and Japanese-American communities.
Variations of the surname Nakano
Nakano (中野) is one of the most common Japanese surnames, with variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin significantly contributing to the overall Nakano population.
The most common variant for this surname is Nakane (中根). While this variant does not necessarily share the same origin with Nakano, it has become a popular substitute due to its similarity in pronunciation.
Other variants of this surname include Nakanou (中能), Nakanoi (中井), and Nakanoki (中乃木). Each variant is unique but shares a common origin somewhere in Japan.
There are also surnames of similar origin or sound, but the exact lineage trace is not known. These surnames include Nakagawa (中川), Nakai (中井), and Nakazawa (中澤), among others.
Finally, Nakano may also be spelled as nakanō in some instances. It is sometimes used as a romanization for Japanese Kanji, but does not reflect a specific pronunciation.
In conclusion, there are a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Nakano. While the exact linkage or origins of the surnames can be difficult to trace, it is certain that their collective popularity adds to the well-known Nakano population.
Famous people with the name Nakano
- Tomoyuki Nakano: current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Peru.
- Tomohiro Nakano: professional Japanese footballer.
- Sachi Nakano: Japanese actress.
- Nobuyoshi Nakano: Japanese architect, artist, educator and author.
- Yuka Nakano: Japanese actress and singer.
- Toshio Nakano: Japanese voice actor best known for his roles in various anime series.
- Yutaka Nakano: Japanese former professional baseball player and manager.
- Satoshi Nakano: Japanese footballer specializing in midfield play.
- Hiroyuki Nakano: Japanese musician, best known as vocalist and lyricist for the electronic rock band Electric Eel Shock.
- Keiko Nakano: Japanese actress.
- Kyoko Nakano: Japanese television actress and singer.
- Shinji Nakano: Japanese former Formula One driver.
- Yuji Nakano: Japanese video game designer and programmer best known for work on the Ace Combat series.
- Tetsuro Nakano: Japanese former sumo wrestler.
- Koichi Nakano: Japanese politician and former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
- Ken-ichi Nakano: Japanese professional boxer in the flyweight division.
- Ichiro Nakano: Japanese voice actor and narrator.
- Amir Nakano: Israeli football player.
- Seiichi Nakano: Japanese enterprise executive.
- Masaru Nakano: Japanese former professional golfer.