Last Name Nishimura

The surname Nishimura is of Japanese origin and has roots in the archipelago of Japan. The name can be translated to mean "west sea (nishi) mountain (mura)", referring to a geographical location. This surname, like many others in Japan, follows the practice of clan names, where families were often named after their geographical origin or occupation. However, it's important to note that the exact ancestry of any individual with this name may vary due to historical migrations and changes in naming conventions over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nishimura

The meaning and origin of the last name Nishimura

The surname Nishimura is of Japanese origin, derived from two components: "Nishi," which means "western" or "sunset" in Japanese, and "Mura," which translates to "village." Historically, the name could have been given to a person who lived in a village located in a western part of Japan, or it may have originated from a family that moved from their original home in the east to settle in the west. The surname Nishimura is one of the most common Japanese surnames and is often found among the population of Japan's Kansai region, which includes cities such as Kyoto and Osaka.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nishimura

The surname Nishimura is predominantly found in Japan, where it originates from and is one of the most common surnames, especially in the Kansai region including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. It also has significant presence in Hokkaido and Okinawa islands. Emigrants bearing this name have dispersed to other parts of the world, particularly North America, with notable concentrations in Hawaii due to early Japanese immigration, and in Canada, especially in British Columbia. In the United States, California, Hawaii, and Washington State have large populations of Nishimura descendants. The surname is also found in South America, notably in Brazil, due to Japanese immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nishimura

The surname Nishimura has various spellings and pronunciations due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Here are some common variations:

1. Nishimura - This is the most common spelling, using the standard Latin alphabet for Japanese names where the family name comes first.
2. Nishimura - A slight variation with an initial capital 'N' and a single 's' in the middle.
3. Nishimurai - Adding an 'i' at the end of the name to indicate that it belongs to a male, although this is not always used outside of Japan.
4. Nishimure - This variation has a different vowel sound for the second syllable, using 'e' instead of 'a'.
5. Nishimori (or Nichimori) - While not exactly the same as Nishimura, it is phonetically similar due to the same characters being used in Japanese but with a different reading.
6. Nishimurah or Nishimura-san - These add an '-h' or an honorific '-san' suffix, which are not part of the base name but are often included when writing names in English.

Famous people with the last name Nishimura

Notable individuals sharing the last name Nishimura include:

1. Tadanori Yokoo (born 1936), a renowned Japanese graphic designer, known for his psychedelic and pop art designs. His work is recognized worldwide and has been exhibited in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

2. Kumiko Nishimura (born 1980), a highly decorated Japanese judoka who won the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She is also a three-time World Judo Championships gold medalist and has been honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

3. Aiko Nishimura (born 1965), a prominent Japanese actress who gained fame for her roles in television dramas like "Tsukigumi" and "Ryusei no Kizuna." She has also won several awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actress.

4. Keisuke Nishimura (born 1982), a Japanese professional footballer who played as a defender for various clubs in Japan and Europe, including Borussia Dortmund. He represented the Japanese national team in the 2006 World Cup and the 2011 Asian Cup.

5. Toshiaki Nishimura (born 1945), a Japanese film director and screenwriter who has directed numerous films since the early 1980s, including "The Great Yokai War" (2005) and "Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage" (1979). His works are known for their unique blending of science fiction, fantasy, and human drama.

Genealogical research on the last name Nishimura

The surname Nishimura originates from Japan and is derived from the Japanese language, meaning "western village" or "west rice field". This family name can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan when a system of hereditary surnames was established. The most prominent Nishimura clans can be found in the Kanto region, particularly around present-day Tokyo.

The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1590, with the samurai family of Nishimura from Mikawa Province (present-day Shizuoka Prefecture). The clan was known for their loyalty and bravery during the Sengoku period and played significant roles in the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate.

Over time, the Nishimura family migrated throughout Japan, adopting various regional customs and traditions. Today, the surname can be found worldwide, with a large concentration of bearers in Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, and the United States, as a result of Japanese immigration. The research on the genealogy of the Nishimura family continues to reveal fascinating insights into their history, culture, and contributions to Japan and beyond.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Nishimura"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends