Last names / W
Japanese Last Names Starting with W
5 Japanese surnames begin with W, from Wada (εη°) to Watanuki (ζΈ‘ζ). Most describe a place, such as a field, river or hill. Each links to a page with its kanji, reading and meaning.
The most varied is Watanabe, and these names average 3.6 syllables.
| Surname | Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wada | εη° | γγ | harmony + rice field |
| Wakabayashi | ε°ζ | γγγ°γγ | few + grove |
| Wakai | ζΈ‘δΌ | γγγ | transit + meeting |
| Watanabe | ζΈ‘θΎΊ | γγγͺγΉ | transit + environs |
| Watanuki | ζΈ‘ζ | γγγ¬γ | transit + slip out |
Kanji most used in W surnames
These characters appear most often in the surnames above.
| Kanji | Meaning | Readings | Strokes | Seen in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ζΈ‘ | transit, ford, ferry (secondary school) | γγγγ | 12 | Watanuki, Yawata, Watanabe |
| ε | harmony, Japanese style, peace (taught in grade 3) | γ―γγͺγγ«γγγ | 8 | Kazuko, Kazumi, Aeka |
| η° | rice field, rice paddy (taught in grade 1) | γγ³γγ | 5 | Koda, Kida, Toda |
| ε° | few, little (taught in grade 2) | γ·γ§γ¦γγγγγγ | 4 | Wakabayashi |
| ζ | grove, forest (taught in grade 1) | γͺγ³γγ―γγ | 8 | Rinka, Kobayashi, Rinko |
| δΌ | meeting, meet, party (taught in grade 2) | γ«γ€γγ¨γγγγγ€ | 6 | Aiko, Eri, Hisae |
Questions
What is the most common Japanese surname starting with W?
Watanabe (ζΈ‘θΎΊ) can be written in the most ways of the W surnames here. It means: transit + environs.
How long are Japanese surnames starting with W?
They average 3.6 syllables.
What do surnames starting with W usually mean?
Most describe a place, such as a field, river, hill or village. The table lists the literal meaning of each.