Surname Ishida - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'I'
Ishida: What does the surname Ishida mean?
The last name Ishida is a Japanese surname that can be found in many parts of the world. It has its roots in two distinct kanji characters, i and shi. In the Japanese language, “i” means “rock,” and “shi” means “new” or “refreshed.” Together, these two kanji make up the word “ishida,” which literally translates into “refreshed, new rock.”
The name Ishida signifies a strong sense of stability and durability, as these two characters combined represent the strength of a new rock. This last name is based on the idea that a person can move on from their problems and start anew. During times of difficulty, the name Ishida is a reminder of hope, renewal and strength.
Throughout history, the last name Ishida has been associated with loyalty and moral strength. In the 1600’s, a clan of samurai named Ishida fought alongside Tokugawa Ieyasu to unify Japan and eliminate the enemy’s threat. During World War II, the Ishidas in Okinawa showcased bravery and compassion for their allies, even in the face of death.
Today, Ishidas are known to be kind-hearted people with unwavering loyalty and an unstoppable drive to succeed. Common generational characteristics among Ishidas are that of forthrightness, selflessness, and irresistible determination. Not only does “Ishida” portray the individual’s dedication for improvement, but it also reflects a family’s dedication to their values and traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisIshida: Where does the name Ishida come from?
The last name Ishida is generally considered to be a Japanese name. It is still quite common among Japanese people today. It is derived from the Japanese characters for stone (石) and field or rice-paddy (田), meaning someone who cultivated or owned a rocky area.
Ishida is especially common in western Japan, including the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. It is also found in Tokyo and other major cities, as well as the more rural areas of Japan. According to records from 2018, Ishida is the preserve of around 158,000 people in Japan, making it the 391st most common Japanese surname.
In addition, Ishida is relatively common amongst Japanese immigrants abroad, especially in the United States and South America. According to the U.S. Census from 2000, around 2000 people in the United States had the Ishida surname – largely concentrated in California, Hawaii, and New York.
Overall, the last name Ishida is still quite common in Japan, and though less frequent, still somewhat widespread in countries with large Japanese populations.
Variations of the surname Ishida
The surname Ishida is most commonly associated with the Japanese population, although variations of this surname exist in other cultures too. The most widespread spellings of this surname are Ishida, Ishizaki, Ishizuka, Ishizaki, and Ishizumi.
In Japanese, the surname Ishida is written as 石田, where 石 (Ishi) translates to “rock” and 田 (Da) means “field” or “rice paddy.” Variations of this name are says to have come from when the original families had moved to other places, thus leading to different surname spellings.
Ishizaki is the second most popular variant of the surname. Ishizaki is written as 石崎 in Japanese, where 崎 (Zaki) translates to “cape” or “peninsula.” The Ishizaki variation could have derived from families who had settled by a cape or a peninsula in the past, as a reference to the land they lived by.
Ishizuka is the third most common surname for the Ishida family. Ishizuka is written as 石塚 in Japanese, where 塚 (Tsuka) means “hills.” This surname variation could have come from an ancestor that had settled near the hills, suggesting the Ishizuka family was well-known for living in the hilly region.
The fourth most common variant of Ishida surnames is Ishizumi. Ishizumi is written as 石住 in Japanese, where 住 (Zumi) translates to “dwelling.” The Ishizumi family was likely known for their long-term residency in a certain area, and thus, originally have adopted the Ishizumi surname.
Lastly, the Ishikawa variant is the fifth most common variant of the Ishida family. Ishikawa is written as 石川 in Japanese, where 川 (Kawa) translates to “river.” This surname originated from Ishida families who had settled around a river, implying that it was known to flow through the area, giving the family its name.
Famous people with the name Ishida
- Ishida Uryuu: Japanese manga and anime series Bleach character
- Mutsuki Ishida: Japanese professional baseball player
- Akira Ishida: Japanese actor, seiyuu and also a singer
- Naoki Ishida: Japanese animator, character designer, illustrator, manga artist and director
- Kazuki Ishida: Japanese singer and actor
- Yoshihiro Ishida: Japanese mixed martial artist
- Mamoru Ishida: Japanese footballer
- Masataka Ishida: Japanese footballer
- Miyuki Ishida: Japanese actress
- Koji Ishida: Japanese professional wrestler