Nakayama — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Japanese origin Rank #18,734 in the US 1,465 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#18,734
▼ Down 1704 since 2000
People in the US
1,465
0.5 per 100K people
Origin
Japanese
Japanese

Origin & Meaning of the Nakayama Surname

What does the last name Nakayama mean?

The surname Nakayama carries the meaning "Mountain." It is derived from the Japanese language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,465 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Nakayama ranks as the #18,734 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Nakayama come from?

The Nakayama surname has its roots in Japanese heritage. Names of Japanese origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Nakayama name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Nakayama trace back to Japanese. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Japanese Japanese

Quick Facts

Surname Nakayama
Meaning Mountain
Origin Japanese
Language Japanese
US Rank (2010) #18,734
US Count (2010) 1,465
Per 100K People 0.5
First Letter N

Ethnic Distribution of Nakayama

According to the US Census, the Nakayama surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,465 Americans with the Nakayama last name.

White 5.73%
Hispanic 2.32%
Asian/PI 82.46%
Two+ Races 9.49%
Ethnic distribution of the Nakayama surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White5.73%
Hispanic2.32%
Asian/Pacific Islander82.46%
Two or More Races9.49%

Popularity of Nakayama Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Nakayama surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#17,030
1,538 people
Down 1704
Census 2010
#18,734
1,465 people

The number of Americans with the Nakayama surname decreased by 73 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Nakayama Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Nakayama ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Nakayama

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Nakayama.

Other Japanese Surnames

Explore more surnames with Japanese roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Japanese origin as Nakayama.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nakayama

The surname Nakayama is of Japanese origin. Mountain
The surname Nakayama is ranked #18,734 in the United States with approximately 1,465 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Mountain. The name has Japanese roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Nakayama surname is distributed as: 5.7% White, 82.5% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Nakayama ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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