Surname Taniguchi - Meaning and Origin
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Taniguchi: What does the surname Taniguchi mean?
The last name Taniguchi is derived from the Japanese language and is composed of two elements “tani” and “guchi”. The first element, “tani” translates as “valley” or “valley mouth”, while the second, “guchi” translates as “mouth”. Thus the full translation means “valley mouth”. The Taniguchi surname is most common in Japanese people, with most bearers of the name living in the western regions of Japan.
The Taniguchi surname is thought to have originated many centuries ago with one of the many Japanese clans. This clan was believed to have lived near the entrance of a small valley or “tani” and they were known as the “mouth of the valley” or “taniguchi”. As time went on the surname began to spread through different parts of Japan, as families moved around and started their own clans in different parts of the country.
The name Taniguchi is considered a fairly common Japanese name. Bearers of this surname tend to be strong and compassionate people, who possess a deep connection to their ancestors and are highly respected for their strength and beliefs. They are also great team players, and will often put others before themselves. They are also often seen as reliable, generous, and responsible.
Order DNA origin analysisTaniguchi: Where does the name Taniguchi come from?
The last name Taniguchi is a common surname today in Japan. It is one of the most common surnames in the country, ranking at #415 out of 8,000 surnames. The word “Taniguchi” is composed of two kanji characters: “Tani” meaning “valley” and “Kuchi” meaning “mouth.” This could be interpreted to mean “valley entrance” or “mouth of the valley”.
The Taniguchi surname is most heavily concentrated in the prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama in the Kantō Region of Japan, located in the southeastern corner of Honshu, the main island of Japan.
It is also common in Okinawa, the Southernmost prefecture of Japan. Additionally, there are large Japanese-American populations in Hawaii and California, both of which have notable numbers of the Taniguchi surname.
Because of Japan’s isolationist stance that lasted until the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Taniguchi surname has not had much success outside of Japan. However, the presence of Taniguchis in Japanese-American communities has ensured the name is spread all over the world in some capacity.
Variations of the surname Taniguchi
The surname Taniguchi is a Japanese surname, and is derived from the Japanese phrase meaning 'valley mouth.' There are several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including:
- Taniguzzi
- Tanigutsi
- Tanikechi
- Tagenchi
- Taguchi
- Tagutsi
- Teniguchi
These are all derived from the same Japanese phrase and can be thought of as alternate spellings or variants of the same surname. In some cases, such as Taguchi, the surname may have been changed over time to something more phonetically suitable for other languages.
The surname is also related to the Tajiuchi family, which in turn is derived from the Japanese phrase 'tei-ji,' meaning 'great house.' Similarly, this surname is related to the Tanaka family, which derives from the Japanese phrase 'tanabana,' meaning 'rice field.'
The Taniguchi surname is quite common in Japan and it can also be found in North America, Europe and other parts of the world where many Japanese people have settled. However, it is increasingly rare outside Japan.
Famous people with the name Taniguchi
- Masaharu Taniguchi: a Japanese Buddhist leader, author, and founder of Meishin-no-Ie, a spiritual nationalist movement.
- Masakazu Taniguchi: renowned Japanese photographer and an important member of the Sun Tribe, a group of photographers that standardized photographic techniques used in Japan in the 1930s.
- Kotaro Taniguchi: a Japanese professional racing driver who competes in events such as Super GT, the Super Formula Championship, and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
- Tadayasu Taniguchi: a Japanese ice hockey player who currently plays for Seibu Prince Rabbits of the Asia League Ice Hockey.
- Shin Taniguchi: a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with 81 Produce. He is known for his roles in video games, such as Yugioh Tag Force 4, the Digimon World series, and Dot Hack Outbreak.
- Taketo Taniguchi: a Japanese footballer who plays for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League.
- Shun Taniguchi: a Japanese film actor and television broadcaster. He is best known for his role in the movie ‘Kamikaze Girls’.
- Ayako Taniguchi: a Japanese singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has performed both solo and in various bands.
- Junichi Taniguchi: a Japanese Mixed Martial Artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Ryuichi Taniguchi: Film director who won the Grand Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival for his films "Tears of the Beast", and "Obsession".