is the fourth most common

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

surname. It is typically written with the

kanji are logographic Chinese characters, adapted from Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script, used in the writing of Japanese language, Japanese. They were made a major part of the Japanese writing system during the time of Old Japanese and are ...

for . Less common variants include , , , , and .

People with the surname

*, Japanese musician formerly known as Boku no Lyric no Bōyomi *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese hurdler *, Japanese singer and model, member of girl group MEOVV *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese footballer *

Atsuko Tanaka (disambiguation) Atsuko Tanaka may refer to: *Atsuko Tanaka (animator) (active from 1979), Japanese animator *Atsuko Tanaka (artist) (1932–2005), Japanese avant-garde artist *Atsuko Tanaka (ski jumper) (born 1992), Canadian Olympic ski jumper *Atsuko Tanaka (voic ...

, multiple people *

Ayumi Tanaka Ayumi Tanaka (born 1986) is a Japanese pianist and composer, known for numerous albums with Norwegian and international jazz musicians. Education Tanaka moved to Norway in 2011, and got her education at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, ...

(born 1986), Japanese pianist and composer *, Japanese aikidoka *, Japanese model and actress *, Japanese Buddhist scholar and preacher *, Japanese speed skater *, Japanese playwright and dramatist *, Japanese merchant *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese botanist and mycologist *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese basketball player *Dean Tanaka, the birth name of

Dean Cain Dean George Cain ( né Tanaka; born July 31, 1966) is an American actor. From 1993 to 1997, he played Clark Kent / Superman in the TV series '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman''. Cain was the host of '' Ripley's Believe It or Not! ...

(born 1966), American actor *, Japanese Nordic combined skier * (1901–1980), Japanese police officer and politician *, Japanese anime producer *, Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor *

Elly Tanaka Elly Margaret Tanaka (born 22 August 1965) is a biochemist and Scientific Director at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA) at the Vienna Biocenter, Austria. Tanaka studies the molecular cell biolo ...

(born 1965), biochemist *, Japanese actress and voice actress *

Eugenia Tanaka Eugenia Tanaka (born 9 March 1987 in Kisaran, North Sumatra, Indonesia) is an Indonesian-born Australian badminton player. At the age of fourteen, Tanaka moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she started playing badminton. Tanaka is also a memb ...

(born 1987), Indonesian-born Australian badminton player * Evelyn Tanaka, Canadian politician *, Japanese statesman and educator *, Japanese rugby union player *, Japanese martial artist * Gary A. Tanaka (born 1943), Japanese-American businessman and philanthropist *, Japanese rugby union player *, Japanese general, politician, and Prime Minister of Japan *

Haruko Tanaka Haruko Tanaka (b. Queens, NY 1974, d. 2019) was a Los Angeles–based artist and filmmaker. She was awarded fellowships and residencies at the Japanese American National Museum and the Echo Park Film Center. Tanaka is also part of the psychic duo K ...

, American artist and filmmaker *, Japanese actor *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese composer and arranger *, Japanese golfer *, Japanese novelist * Hideo Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese gymnast *Hime Tanaka (田中ヒメ), Japanese singer and HimeHina

Virtual YouTuber A or is an online entertainer who uses a virtual Avatar (computing), avatar generated using computer graphics. Real-time motion capture software or technology are often—but not always—used to capture movement. The digital trend originated i ...

group *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese composer and musician *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese decathlete *, Japanese video game developer, producer, director and designer *, Japanese high jumper *, Japanese field hockey player *, Japanese figure skater *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese general *

Hisao Tanaka Martin Hisao Tanaka (April 22, 1921 – June 30, 1991) was an American professional wrestler better known as Duke Keomuka. He is the father of wrestler Pat Tanaka and referee Jimmy Tanaka. Biography Because he was a Japanese American in Califo ...

, also known as Martin Tanaka (died 1991), American professional wrestler *, Japanese rangaku scholar, engineer and inventor *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese academic, art historian and curator *, Japanese graphic designer *, Japanese writer *, born Tanaka Jun (1908–1977), Japanese ''Nihonga'' painter *, Japanese field hockey player *

Janice Tanaka Janice Tanaka is a Japanese-American media artist born in Hollywood, California'' ate?' known for making experimental videos. Tanaka is best known for ''Memories from the Department of Amnesia,'' an experimental documentary about the death of h ...

, American artist *

Janis Tanaka Janis Tanaka (born January 9, 1963) is an American musician who has worked as a session bassist and on tour with a number of well-known artists including Pink, Fireball Ministry, Hammers of Misfortune, Stone Fox, and L7. She was also a member o ...

(born 1963), American musician * Jeffrey S. Tanaka (1958–1992), American psychologist and statistician *, Japanese screenwriter *, Japanese mechanical engineer *, Japanese rower * Jun Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese synchronized swimmer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese politician and Prime Minister of Japan *, Japanese voice actor *, oldest verified Japanese person ever *, Japanese composer *, Japanese drifting driver *, Japanese modern pentathlete *, Japanese gymnast *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese politician * Kazuo Tanaka, Japanese engineer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese figure skater *, Japanese politician *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese footballer *

Kenichi Tanaka Kenichi Tanaka is a Japanese mixed martial artist and referee. He competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. Tanaka is one of the earliest Satoru Sayama trainees under Super Tiger Gym, and was the inaugural Shooto Lightweight 65 k ...

, Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese baseball player *

Kenneth K. Tanaka Kenneth Ken'ichi Tanaka (born 1947), also known as Kenshin Tanaka or Ken'ichi Tanaka is a scholar, author, translator and ordained Jōdo Shinshū priest. He is author and editor of many articles and books on modern Buddhism. Biography Tanaka was ...

(born 1947), Japanese-born American Buddhist writer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese field hockey player *, Japanese actress and director *, Japanese swimmer * Kohei Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese chemist * Koichi Tanaka (fighter) (born 1971), Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese footballer and manager *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese singer-songwriter, actor and idol *, Japanese videographer *, Japanese writer and translator *, Japanese boxer *

Kōtarō Tanaka (disambiguation) Kōtarō Tanaka may refer to: *Kōtarō Tanaka (judge) (1890–1974), Japanese jurist, judge of the International Court of Justice, and politician *Kōtarō Tanaka (photographer) (1901–1995), Japanese photographer *Kōtarō Tanaka (actor) (born 1 ...

, multiple people *, Japanese rhythmic gymnast *, Japanese actor *, Japanese manga artist and character designer *

Luana Tanaka Luana Tanaka Ostan (born October 11, 1989) is a Brazilian actress. Biography Luana Tanaka was born in São Paulo, Brazil. She is of Japanese, French and Belgian descent. She gained fame after playing the part of the dekasegi Keiko, in the ...

(born 1989), Brazilian actress *, Japanese long-distance runner * Japanese politician *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese basketball player *, Japanese voice actress * Marcio Tanaka (born 1980), Japanese-Brazilian baseball player *

Marcus Tulio Tanaka is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Born in Brazil, he represented Japan at international level. Club career Born in Palmeira d'Oeste, Brazil to an Italian Brazilian mother and second generation Japanese Brazilian ...

(born 1981) Brazilian-born Japanese footballer *, Japanese tennis player *, Japanese writer * Masahiko Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese baseball player *Masako Tanaka, known as

Mineko Iwasaki is a Japanese businesswoman, author and former geisha. Iwasaki was the most famous geisha in Japan until her sudden retirement at the age of 29. Known for her performances for celebrity and royalty during her geisha life, Iwasaki was the heir ap ...

(born 1949), Japanese ''geisha'' *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese manga artist *, Japanese professional wrestler *, Japanese singer *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese manga artist *, Japanese singer and actress *, Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese badminton player *, Japanese model, television personality and actress *, Japanese judoka *, Japanese volleyball player and coach *, Japanese idol *, Japanese dancer and actor *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese luger *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese announcer *, Japanese handball player * Minoru Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese actress *, Japanese actress *, Japanese feminist and writer *, Japanese cyclist *, Japanese synchronized swimmer *, Japanese fencer *

Naoki Tanaka (disambiguation) Naoki Tanaka may refer to: * Naoki Tanaka (comedian), television presenter and member of the comedy duo "Cocorico" * Naoki Tanaka (footballer) (born 1993), a footballer for Azul Claro Numazu *Naoki Tanaka (politician) is a former Japanese pol ...

, multiple people *, Japanese film director *, Japanese field hockey player *, Japanese former executive director of the International Energy Agency *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese economic botanist *, Japanese aquatic botanist *, Japanese long-distance runner *

Pat Tanaka Patrick Tanaka (born August 5, 1961) is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as one half of Badd Company and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) as one half of The Orien ...

(born 1961), American professional wrestler *

Professor Tanaka Charles J. Kalani Jr. (January 6, 1930 – August 22, 2000) was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, martial artist and actor. He was known by the ring names Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka. He was best know ...

(1930–2000), American professional wrestler *

Paul Tanaka Paul K. Tanaka (born 1959) is an American convicted felon, former politician, and former law enforcement officer who served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department until his conviction in 2016. He was convicted April 4, 2016, in Federal ...

American law enforcement officer and politician *, Japanese painter *, Japanese admiral *, Japanese singer *, Japanese actress and television personality *, Japanese singer and voice actress *, Japanese artistic gymnast *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese actress, television personality and singer *, Japanese writer and artist * Ronald Phillip Tanaka (1944–2007), Japanese-American poet and editor *, Japanese ice hockey player * Ryohei Tanaka (1933–2019), Japanese artist *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese politician *, Japanese general *, Japanese journalist * Sakuji Tanaka, Japanese businessman *

Sara Tanaka Sara Tanaka (born November 21, 1978) is an American physician and former film actress. She is best known for her roles in '' Rushmore'', ''Old School'', and '' Race the Sun''. Biography Tanaka was born in Huntington, New York. Her brother, Al ...

(born 1978), American actress *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese taiko player *, Japanese boxing trainer *, Japanese rower * Shelley Tanaka, Canadian editor, author, translator, and writing teacher *, Japanese ichthyologist and professor of zoology *, Japanese long-distance runner *, Japanese badminton player *, Japanese judoka *, Japanese beach volleyball player *, Japanese samurai and assassin *

Shingai Tanaka Shingai Tanaka (born 1942 in Tottori, Japan – 6 October 2007 in Kyoto) was a Japanese calligrapher who studied under Master Goshin Yasui, becoming one of the country's best shodō artists. He is the author of the book ''Sho, Le calligraphes d ...

(1942–2007), Japanese calligrapher *, Japanese ski jumper *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese footballer and manager *, Japanese general *, Japanese professional wrestler *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese physicist, music theorist, and inventor *, 17th-century Japanese merchant and explorer *, Japanese politician and conservationist *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese politician *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese figure skater *, Japanese screenwriter and playwright *Takashi Tanaka, a.k.a.

Banjō Ginga , sometimes credited as his real name , is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator who was born in Kofu, Yamanashi. Ginga is affiliated with Aoni Production. He is married to voice actress Gara Takashima. Known for his deep baritone voice, ...

(born 1948), Japanese voice actor * Takahiro Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese biathlete *

Tatsuya Tanaka (disambiguation) Tatsuya Tanaka may refer to: * Tatsuya Tanaka (figure skater) (born 1988), Taiwanese figure skater * Tatsuya Tanaka (footballer, born 1982) is a retired Japanese football player who last played for Albirex Niigata. He played for Japan nationa ...

, multiple people *, Japanese motorcycle racer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese anti-nuclear and anti-war activist *, Japanese Paralympic athlete *, Japanese actor * Tetsuya Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people * Togo Tanaka (1916–2009), American journalist and newspaper editor *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese film director * Tommy Tanaka, Guam politician * Tomohiro Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese ice dancer *, Japanese long-distance runner *, Japanese film producer *, Japanese shogi player *, Japanese samurai *, Japanese table tennis player *, Japanese politician *, Japanese composer * Toshiya Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese equestrian *, Japanese diplomat *, Japanese politician *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer * Yasuhiro Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese footballer *

Yasuo Tanaka (disambiguation) Yasuo Tanaka may refer to: *, Japanese novelist and politician *, Japanese astronomer *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese swimmer {{hndis, Tanaka, Yasuo ...

, multiple people *, Japanese artist *, Japanese ice hockey player *, Japanese actor *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese businessman *, Japanese novelist *, Japanese actress *, Japanese table tennis player *, Japanese civil servant and naturalist *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese shogi player *, Japanese comedian *

Yuka Tanaka Yuka Tanaka (born 21 August 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Tanaka competed on the professional tour in the 1990s, reaching a best singles ranking of 319. She featured in the main draw of the 1994 Nichirei International Cha ...

(born 1974), Japanese tennis player * Yuki Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese swimmer * Yukio Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese actress *, Japanese biathlete * Yūsuke Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people

Fictional characters

*Lady Tanaka, is the main antagonist in the movie "The Punisher"(1989) *Tanaka, a character in the manga series ''

Black Butler is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. It has been serialized in Square Enix's manga magazine '' Monthly GFantasy'' since September 2006. The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phan ...

'' *Tanaka, the household servant in ''

Full Moon o Sagashite is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Arina Tanemura. It was serialized in the manga magazine ''Ribon'' from January 2002 to June 2004 and collected in seven ''tankōbon'' volumes. The series was adapted into an anime tele ...

'' *Tanaka, the Usami household butler in ''

Junjo Romantica is a Japanese boys' love manga series by Shungiku Nakamura. It focuses on four storylines: the main couple, which comprises the bulk of the books, and three other male couples that provide ongoing side stories ("Junjo Egoist", "Junjo Terr ...

'' *Tanaka, from ''

Kimi ni Todoke is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Karuho Shiina. It was published by Shueisha in ''Bessatsu Margaret'' from 2005 to 2017 and collected in 30 volumes. The story follows Sawako Kuronuma, a high school girl misunde ...

'' *Tanaka, a character in the light novel series '' Mayoi Neko Overrun'' *Tanaka, from '' Tanaka-kun is Always Listless'' *Mr. Tanaka, from ''

F-Zero GX ''F-Zero GX'' is a 2003 racing game developed by Amusement Vision, a division of Sega, and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It runs on an enhanced version of the game engine used in ''Super Monkey Ball'' (2001). Sega also released an arca ...

'' *Mr. Tanaka, from ''

Sonic X is a Japanese anime television series based on Sega's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' video game series. Produced by TMS Entertainment under partnership with Sega and Sonic Team, and directed by Hajime Kamegaki, ''Sonic X'' initially ran for 52 ep ...

'' *Mr. Tanaka, from the anime ''

Gantz ''Gantz'' (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine ''Weekly Young Jump'' from June 2000 to June 2013, with its chapters collected in 37 vo ...

'' *President Tanaka, from ''

Persona 3 is a 2006 role-playing video game developed by Atlus that is the fourth main installment in the ''Persona (series), Persona'' series, which is part of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise. It was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in ...

'' *Aiko Tanaka from ''

Oyasumi Punpun is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Inio Asano. It was originally serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine ''Weekly Young Sunday'' between 2007 and 2008, and was transferred to ''Weekly Big Comic Spirits'', where it ran f ...

'' *Asuka Tanaka, from ''

Sound! Euphonium is a Japanese novel series written by Ayano Takeda. The story is set in Uji, Kyoto and focuses on the Kitauji High School Music Club, whose concert band is steadily improving thanks to the newly appointed adviser's strict instruction. ...

'' *

David Tanaka David Tanaka is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Takaya Honda. He made his first appearance in the main show during the episode broadcast on 21 September 2016. The character was introduced alongside ...

, a character in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' *Drew Tanaka from The

Heroes of Olympus ''The Heroes of Olympus'' is a pentalogy of fantasy-adventure novels written by American author Rick Riordan. The novels detail a conflict between Greek demigods, Roman demigods, and Gaea. In the fourth book of the series, there is also a fig ...

and The Kane Chronicles *Gundham Tanaka from '' Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair'' *Holly Tanaka, a character in the video Game '' Halo 5: Guardians'' *Ichiro Tanaka, character from '' Medal of Honor: Rising Sun'' *Isuro Tanaka, from the film ''

Major League II ''Major League II'' is a 1994 American sports film, sports comedy film and sequel to the 1989 film ''Major League (film), Major League'' and it is the second installment in the ''Major League'' film series. The film stars most of the same cast ...

'' *Tanaka Kazuya, from ''

School Rumble is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi. It was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga, manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' from October 2002 to July 2008, with its chapters collected in 22 volumes. ...

'' *Ken Tanaka, a character in the television series ''Glee'' *Kida Tanaka, from ''Fear & Hunger 2: Termina'' *Koyuki Tanaka, from '' SBK: Snowboard Kids'' *

Leo Tanaka Leo Tanaka is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Tim Kano. He made his first appearance in the main show during the episode broadcast on 22 September 2016. The character was introduced alongside his t ...

, a character in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' * Opal Tanaka, a Marvel Comics character * Ryūnosuke Tanaka from

Haikyū!! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from February 2012 to July 2020, with its chapters collected in 45 volumes. The story f ...

*Shinichiro Tanaka, from ''

Battle Royale Battle Royale may refer to: * Battle royale, or battle royal, a fight among many combatants ** Battle royal (professional wrestling) Fiction and literature * Battle royale genre, a narrative genre of films, manga, anime and visual novels inspire ...

'' (film, Special Edition) *Shinji Tanaka, from ''Yakuza'' (video game) *Souichirou Tanaka, character from ''

Genshiken is a Japanese manga series by Shimoku Kio about a college club for ''otaku'' (extremely obsessed fans of various media) and their lifestyle. The title is a shortening of the club's official name, , or "The Society for the Study of M ...

'' *Taro Tanaka, from ''

Taro the Space Alien is a manga series created by Yasunari Nagatoshi. In 2000, the manga received the Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga. Viz Media is the licensor of the series in the United States The United States of America (USA), also known ...

'' (''Uchūjin Tanaka Tarō'') *

Tiger Tanaka This is a list of allies of James Bond who appear throughout the film series and novels. MI6 M M is a Rear Admiral of the Royal Navy, and the head of the Secret Intelligence Service. Ian Fleming based the character on a number of peopl ...

, from the James Bond novel and film ''You Only Live Twice'' *Tom Tanaka, from '' Durarara!'' *Lt. Yoshi Tanaka from ''

Magnum, P.I. ''Magnum, P.I.'' is an American crime drama television series starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator (P.I.) living on Oahu, Hawaii. The series ran from December 11, 1980, to May 1, 1988, during its first-run broadcast on ...

'' * Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka, main character of the manga series ''

BECK Beck David Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970), known mononymously as Beck, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame in the early 1990s with his Experimental music, experimental and Lo-fi mus ...

'' *Tricia Tanaka, featured in the episode Tricia Tanaka is Dead from the TV show ''

Lost (2004 TV series) ''Lost'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction Adventure fiction, adventure Drama (film and television), drama television series created by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof that aired on American Broadc ...

References

{{surname Japanese-language surnames

People with the surname

Fictional characters

See also

References