The surname Ohara has origins in multiple countries. In Japan, it is a relatively common surname and can be traced back to the 16th century during the Edo period (1603-1868). It comes from the place names "Oe" and "Hara," meaning "great field" or "wide plain."
In Irish, the name O'Harra is an Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hAodhar, which means "descendant of Aodhár" (pronounced a-oo-har), with Aodhár being an ancient personal name derived from the Irish word for fire (aodh).
So, depending on the specific family, the surname Ohara can have Japanese or Irish origins.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Ohara
The meaning and origin of the last name Ohara
The surname Ohara is primarily of Japanese origin, deriving from the Japanese language. In Japanese, "Ohara" (大原) is composed of two characters: "ō" (大), meaning large or great, and "hara" (原), meaning field or plain. Thus, Ohara translates roughly to "large field" or "great plain". The name often refers to a place that was once open, flat land, likely used for agricultural purposes. As with many Japanese surnames, the ancestral home of families bearing the Ohara name is historically difficult to trace due to the practice of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192, which forced peasants to adopt hereditary surnames based on their occupations or residence areas. Today, the Ohara surname can be found among the Japanese diaspora around the world.
Geographical distribution of the last name Ohara
The surname Ohara is predominantly found in Japan, with a significant concentration on the island of Honshu, particularly in the Kanto region which includes Tokyo and Yokohama. It also appears frequently in the Tohoku region in the north-eastern part of the country. Smaller clusters of individuals bearing this surname can be found across other regions of Japan as well, reflecting the nation's relatively high degree of internal migration. Beyond Japan, Ohara is present in various diaspora communities around the world, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Peru, and Hawaii. This distribution pattern suggests a historical migration trend from Japan to these regions, with subsequent dispersal within these countries over time.
Variants and spellings of the last name Ohara
The surname Ohara, also spelled as O'Hara, Oharr, O Harah, OHarra, O-Hara, and O'Harra, is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó hÉadhra or Ó Héara which translates to "descendant of Éadhrach" or "descendant of Eochaidh Fionn". Variations in spelling may arise from factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors, and individual preference. Notable people bearing the name include actress Eva Marie Saint and musician Eddie Vedder.
Famous people with the last name Ohara
Notable individuals bearing the surname Ohara include:
1. Miyavi (born Miyavicchi Ohara), a Japanese singer-songwriter and kabuki musician who has gained international fame for his innovative style blending traditional Japanese music with contemporary rock.
2. Yui Ohara, a Japanese voice actress known for her roles in popular anime series such as One Piece, Naruto, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
3. Katsuo Ohara, a Japanese engineer who was instrumental in developing the high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, which has had significant impact on analytical chemistry and pharmaceutical industries.
4. Mika Ohata, a Japanese actress, model, and singer, best known for her roles in films such as "Ichi the Killer" and "The Great Yokai War."
5. Yutaka Ohara, a Japanese actor who achieved fame for his role as Takeshi Kuwabata on the popular Japanese television series "Tengoku Daimaou."
6. Junko Ohara, a Japanese actress and voice actress best known for her roles in various anime and live-action productions, including the video game series "Final Fantasy."
7. Miki Ohara, a Japanese pop idol from the 1980s who achieved success with hits like "Ai wa Katsu" and "Sayonara ga Kizuitara," before transitioning to acting and becoming a stage actress.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, leaving lasting impacts in music, film, engineering, and entertainment.
Genealogical research on the last name Ohara
The Ohara surname originates from Japan and is derived from two Chinese characters: "大" (ō) meaning large or great, and "原" (hara) meaning field or plain. This surname can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD), when the Japanese adopted a system of hereditary surnames based on Chinese models. Over time, the Ohara name spread across Japan, particularly in regions such as Kansai and Tohoku. Notable individuals with the Ohara surname include Ohara Koson, a prominent woodblock print artist during the late Edo period, and Hiroshi Ohara, a Japanese-American film director and screenwriter. Today, the Ohara name is relatively common in Japan, with over 120,000 people bearing this surname as of the most recent census.
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.
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