Last Name Yamaguchi

The surname Yamaguchi is of Japanese origin and is derived from a place name. The characters "山口" (Yamaguchi) literally mean "foot of the mountain," referring to a location near a mountain. This surname was originally given as a topographic name to people who lived in such a place. It has been used as a personal name since the Heian period (794-1185 AD). Yamaguchi is also the name of a prefecture in Japan, located on the western coast of Honshu island.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Yamaguchi

The meaning and origin of the last name Yamaguchi

The surname Yamaguchi is a Japanese name that consists of two characters: "山" (Yama) which means "mountain," and "口" (Kuchi) which means "mouth" or "pass." Together, these characters can be interpreted as "the mountain pass" or "the mouth of the mountain." The surname Yamaguchi originated from a geographical location in Japan, likely referring to a specific mountain pass or valley. It is a common name among Japanese people and has been recorded in history since the Edo period (1603-1868). Like many Japanese names, it does not have a personal connotation but rather serves as a symbolic reference to a place or physical feature.

Geographical distribution of the last name Yamaguchi

The surname Yamaguchi is predominantly found in Japan and is one of the most common surnames in the country. Historically, it originated from the Yamato region, which is now modern-day Nara Prefecture. It is derived from the word "Yama" meaning mountain and "Kuchi" meaning mouth or pass, indicating a location near a mountain pass. The surname has spread across various prefectures in Japan due to historical events such as migrations, wars, and samurai feudalism. Outside of Japan, significant Yamaguchi populations can be found in Brazil, where Japanese immigration was substantial during the early 20th century, and in other countries with a high Japanese immigrant population, such as the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Yamaguchi

The surname Yamaguchi has several variations and spellings due to differences in romanization systems and personal preferences. Some common versions include Yamanouchi, Yama-Guchi, Yama-guti, Yanaguchi, Yanaguichi, Yamanouchy, Yamanouchi, Yamagochi, Yamagutti, and Yanagutti. These variations arise from the original Japanese pronunciation of the name, which is written in kanji as 山口 or 山内. The first kanji, "Yama", means mountain, while the second, "Guchi" or "Nouchi", means mouth or entrance. However, romanization systems such as Hepburn, Nihon-shiki, and Kunrei-shiki, each have their own unique rules for transliterating Japanese characters into Latin script, leading to multiple spellings of the same name.

Famous people with the last name Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a prominent Japanese surname that has produced several notable individuals across various fields. One of the most celebrated figures is Yūko Takahashi, better known as Skylar Fujita, who is an American actress and singer of Japanese descent. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she gained recognition for her role as Kimi in the 2004 film "Napoleon Dynamite". Another famous individual is Hideki Yamaguchi, a Japanese composer known for his classical music compositions. He was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government for his contributions to the field of music. In sports, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi is a renowned boxer who held multiple world championships in different weight classes throughout his career. Lastly, Hideyoshi Yamamoto (also known as Kid Yamamoto), a mixed martial artist with the surname Yamaguchi, was one of the pioneers of Pride Fighting Championships and is considered one of the greatest fighters in Japanese MMA history.

Genealogical research on the last name Yamaguchi

The Yamaguchi surname originates from Japan and is derived from the place name Yamauchi or Yamanouchi, which means "higher fields" in Japanese. The name has been documented since the Heian period (794-1185) and is one of the oldest surnames in Japan. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Yamaguchi clan was one of the most powerful daimyos, or feudal lords, in western Japan. In modern times, the Yamaguchi family has produced numerous notable individuals, including politicians, artists, and scientists. Notable figures with this surname include Kaoru Yamaguchi, a former Prime Minister of Japan, and Ryoichi Yamaguchi, a renowned contemporary artist. The Yamaguchi family is also associated with the Buddhist sect Shingon and has a significant presence in Koyasan, one of Japan's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Yamaguchi"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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