Surname Nakagawa - Meaning and Origin
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Nakagawa: What does the surname Nakagawa mean?
The Japanese last name Nakagawa (中川) is made up of two characters which translate literally as “in” or “among” and “river” respectively. While the meaning of the name isn’t exact, it is usually taken to denote someone who either lived or worked near, beside, or around a river.
Nakagawa is a fairly common Japanese surname and was traditionally held by many different classes of people. In particular, it could be found among farmers, fishermen, and samurai which acted as the land stewards of agricultural regions.
The origin of the name Nakagawa is believed to date back to the Heian period (794 - 1185) when a powerful clan of samurai by the same name were prominent throughout the Oshu area of northern Japan. This clan then divided and spread, resulting in branches that settled among many other parts of the country.
The popularity of the name has declined throughout the centuries and today there are an estimated 60,000 people with the last name Nakagawa living in Japan. Members of the Nakagawa family have achieved many successes in fields ranging from law and government to medicine, science, and the arts.
While the meaning of the name is likely to stay the same as it did during the Heian period, the spirit of those who held the name may have changed overtime. But, no matter how much time passes, the name Nakagawa will continue to be linked to an ancient and proud samurai heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisNakagawa: Where does the name Nakagawa come from?
The last name Nakagawa is a Japanese surname that is most commonly found throughout Japan today. Given a conservative estimate, millions of people in Japan have the last name Nakagawa. It can also be found among some Japanese diaspora communities, especially in the United States.
The earliest recorded history of the last name Nakagawa includes a branch of the Fujiwara clan in the late 9th century. Historians believe these original bearers were part of the Minamoto clan, an influential group of samurai during this era in Japan. Through records and research, genealogists can trace the origins of the Nakagawa name to the living lineage of this samurai family.
Outside of Japan, the Nakagawa name is most commonly found in the United States where it is estimated there are nearly 12,000 people with the last name. Within the US, there is a strong concentration of families with the last name Nakagawa in the states of California, Washington, New York, and Hawaii.
Whether in Japan or in parts of the diaspora, those with the last name Nakagawa take honour in the rich history and proud tradition associated with the name. With multiple generations of the Nakagawa name still around today, it shows just how resilient and enduring the name is.
Variations of the surname Nakagawa
Nakagawa is a common Japanese surname, with several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from different parts of Japan and can be written in multiple ways including “中川”, “仲川”, “那珂川” and “中河”.
The most common variant is “中川” which is written using two characters meaning “in the middle” and “river”. This spelling of Nakagawa is the most common in Japan.
The second most common variant of the surname Nakagawa is “仲川”. This is written using two characters meaning “middle” and “river”. This spelling is derived from the original kanji spelling and is found primarily in Okinawa and other parts of southern Japan.
The third variant of Nakagawa is “那珂川”, which is written using three characters meaning “what”, “valley”, and “river” respectively. This spelling is primarily found in western parts of Japan and is quite uncommon.
The last variant of the surname Nakagawa is “中河”, which is written using two characters meaning “in the middle” and “river”. This form is primarily found in the Kansai region of Japan, and is a phonetic variation of the original kanji spelling.
Finally, there are several surnames of the same origin as Nakagawa such as Nakaharazawa, Nakahashi, and Nakahata. These are variations of the original kanji spelling of “中川” and are found in different parts of Japan.
Famous people with the name Nakagawa
- Eika Nakagawa: Japanese voice actress and singer
- Haruka Nakagawa: Japanese pop singer
- Hiroki Nakagawa: Japanese baseball player
- Junichi Nakagawa: Japanese artist and sculptor
- Kana Nakagawa: Japanese cosplayer and YouTuber
- Kanna Hashimoto: Japanese actress and singer, stage name is Nakagawa Kanna
- Keiko Nakagawa: Japanese voice actress
- Kosuke Nakagawa: Japanese professional soccer player
- Maria Nakagawa: Japanese singer and model
- Masashi Nakagawa: Japanese director and screenwriter
- Munetaka Nakagawa: Japanese artist
- Takeaki Nakagawa: Japanese actor
- Yuta Nakagawa: Japanese professional soccer player
- Yuto Nakagawa: Japanese professional skateboarder and freestyle BMX rider
- Yuuta Nakagawa: Japanese professional soccer player
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Nakagawa"
03.04.2024
Jamie Nakagawa Boley