Explore our extensive collection of authentic Japanese surnames. Our database includes over 100 common and unique Japanese family names, each with detailed meanings and cultural context.
Most Common Japanese Surnames
The top Japanese surnames often relate to nature and geography:
- 佐藤 (Satō) - Assistant wisteria - the most common surname
- 鈴木 (Suzuki) - Bell tree - second most common
- 田中 (Tanaka) - Middle of rice field - third most common
- 山田 (Yamada) - Mountain rice field
- 伊藤 (Itō) - That wisteria
Surname Patterns
Japanese surnames often follow patterns based on:
- Geography - 山 (mountain), 田 (rice field), 川 (river)
- Nature - 松 (pine), 桜 (cherry), 花 (flower)
- Directions - 中 (middle), 上 (above), 下 (below)
- Colors - 黒 (black), 白 (white), 赤 (red)
Unique Japanese Surnames
Less common but authentic surnames include:
- 月島 (Tsukishima) - Moon island
- 星 (Hoshi) - Star
- 春山 (Haruyama) - Spring mountain
- 秋田 (Akita) - Autumn rice field
Using Our Surname Generator
Our generator includes over 100 authentic Japanese surnames. Each name includes kanji, pronunciation, and detailed meanings for each character.