All surnames

Japanese surname

Tanaka

Middle of the rice field

Locational surname

A locational surname, extremely common, describing a home located amid rice paddies.

More Japanese surnames

SatoSuzukiTakahashiWatanabeYamamotoNakamura

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Tanaka mean?

Middle of the rice field. A locational surname, extremely common, describing a home located amid rice paddies.

Is Tanaka a common surname?

Tanaka is a Japanese-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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