is the fourth most common Japanese surname. It is typically written with the kanji 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 footballer *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese footballer *

Atsuko Tanaka (disambiguation) Atsuko Tanaka may refer to: *Atsuko Tanaka (animator) (active from 1989), Japanese animator *Atsuko Tanaka (artist) (1932–2005), Japanese avant-garde artist *Atsuko Tanaka (ski jumper) (born January 25, 1992) is a Canadian Olympic ski jumper ...

, 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 *, Japanese footballer *Dean Tanaka, the birth name of

Dean Cain Dean George Cain ( 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!'' and ...

(born 1966), American actor *, Japanese Nordic combined skier *, Japanese anime producer *, Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor * Elly Tanaka (born 1965), biochemist *, Japanese actress and voice actress * Eugenia Tanaka (born 1987), Indonesian-born Australian badminton player *, 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 Kr ...

, American artist and filmmaker *, Japanese actor *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese composer and arranger *, Japanese golfer *, Japanese novelist *

Hideo Tanaka (disambiguation) Hideo Tanaka may refer to: *Hideo Tanaka (runner) (born 1909), Japanese Olympic athlete *Hideo Tanaka (director) was a Japanese filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter. He is known for his work in several adaptations of Shinji Wada's manga series Suk ...

, multiple people *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese gymnast *, 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, 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 bassist who has worked as a session musician 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 mechanical engineer *, Japanese rower *

Jun Tanaka (disambiguation) Jun Tanaka may refer to: * Jun Tanaka (poet) (1890–1966), poet in Showa period Japan * Jun Tanaka (footballer) (born 1983), Japanese football player * Jun Tanaka (chef) Jun Tanaka (born 18 November 1971Cowen, Ruth"The Contender"''The Guard ...

, multiple people *, Japanese synchronized swimmer *, Japanese footballer *, 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 Kazuo Tanaka from the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan was named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a 501(c)(3) professional associ ...

, Japanese engineer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese figure skater *, Japanese politician *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese footballer * Kenichi Tanaka, Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese footballer *, 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) Kohei Tanaka may refer to: * Kohei Tanaka (composer), Japanese composer * Kohei Tanaka (footballer), Japanese footballer {{Hndis, name=Tanaka, Kohei ...

, 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 ...

, multiple people *, Japanese rhythmic gymnast *, Japanese actor *, Japanese manga artist and character designer * Luana Tanaka (born 1989), Brazilian actress *, Japanese long-distance runner * Japanese politician *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actress *

Marcio Tanaka Marcio Keizo Tanaka (born June 9, 1980) is a Japanese-Brazilian professional baseball shortstop, who plays for a team in the Japanese Industrial League. He attended Tokyo University of Agriculture and represented Brazil at 2013 World Baseball Cl ...

(born 1980), Japanese-Brazilian baseball player * Marcus Tulio Tanaka (born 1981) Brazilian-born Japanese footballer *, Japanese tennis player *, Japanese writer *

Masahiko Tanaka (disambiguation) Masahiko Tanaka is the name of: *Masahiko Tanaka (born 1954), Japanese voice actor *Masahiko Tanaka (karateka) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate.("S_...,_who_were_known_as_kenjutsu_instructors,_from_the_Nagano_Prefecture.html" ;"title= ...

, multiple people *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *Masako Tanaka, known as Mineko Iwasaki (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 dancer and actor *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese luger *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese announcer *, Japanese handball player *

Minoru Tanaka (disambiguation) Minoru Tanaka may refer to: *, Japanese actor *, Japanese racing driver *, Japanese professional wrestler *, birth name of , Japanese actor *, birth name of , Japanese actor, see Kamen Rider Black RX *Minoru Tanaka, a character from the ''Death No ...

, multiple people *, Japanese actress *, Japanese actress *, Japanese feminist and writer *, Japanese cyclist *, Japanese synchronized swimmer *, Japanese fencer *, Japanese footballer * Naoki Tanaka (disambiguation), 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 (born 1961), American professional wrestler * Professor Tanaka (1930–2000), American professional wrestler *

Paul Tanaka Paul K. Tanaka (born 1959) is an American former politician and a former law-enforcement officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He was convicted April 4, 2016, in Federal Court of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction ...

American law enforcement officer and politician *, 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 Ronald Phillip Tanaka (1944–2007) was a Japanese-American poet and editor. Life He was a ''Sansei'' (a third-generation Japanese-American), born in the Poston War Relocation Center in Arizona in 1944 behind barbed wire. He attended Pomona Coll ...

(1944–2007), Japanese-American poet and editor *, Japanese ice hockey player *

Ryohei Tanaka Ryōhei Tanaka (1933- 2019) was a Japanese artist. He specialised in printmaking, through etching. His works are in several collections, including those of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston The Museum of Fine Arts (often abbreviated as MFA B ...

(born 1933), Japanese artist *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese politician *, Japanese general *, Japanese journalist *

Sakuji Tanaka Sakuji Tanaka was the President of Rotary International. He has served as the Chairman of the Daika Company and President of the National Household Papers Distribution Association of Japan. Tanaka served as the President of Rotary International ...

, 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, ...

(born 1978), American actress *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese taiko player *, Japanese boxing trainer *, Japanese rower *

Shelley Tanaka Shelley Tanaka is a Canadian editor of numerous young adult novels, an author of non-fiction for children, a translator, and a writing teacher. Biography Shelley Tanaka was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She received an Honours bachelor's d ...

, 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, Tottori, Tottori, Japan – 6 October 2007 in Kyoto) was a Japanese people, Japanese calligrapher who studied under Master Goshin Yasui, becoming one of the country's best shodō artists. He is the author of ...

(born 1942), 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 (born 1948), Japanese voice actor *

Takahiro Tanaka (disambiguation) Takahiro Tanaka may refer to: *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese Nordic combined skier {{hndis, Tanaka, Takahiro ...

, 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), Japanese footballer * Tatsuya Tanaka (footballer, born 1992), Japanese footballer {{hndis, Tanaka, ...

, multiple people *, Japanese motorcycle racer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese anti-nuclear and anti-war activist *, Japanese Paralympic athlete *, Japanese actor *

Tetsuya Tanaka (disambiguation) Tetsuya Tanaka may refer to: * Tetsuya Tanaka (racing driver) (born 1965), Japanese racing driver * Tetsuya Tanaka (footballer) (born 1971), Japanese football player {{Hndis, Tanaka, Tetsuya ...

, multiple people *

Togo Tanaka Togo W. Tanaka ( ja, 田中董梧, January 7, 1916 – May 21, 2009) was an American newspaper journalist and editor who reported on the difficult conditions in the Manzanar camp, where he was one of 110,000 Japanese Americans who had been re ...

(1916–2009), American journalist and newspaper editor *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese film director * Tommy Tanaka, Guam politician *

Tomohiro Tanaka (disambiguation) Tomohiro Tanaka may refer to: * Tomohiro Tanaka (footballer) (born 1991), Japanese footballer *Tomohiro Tanaka (mixed martial artist) Tomohiro Tanaka is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight division. Mixed martial art ...

, 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) Toshiya Tanaka may refer to: *Toshiya Tanaka (footballer, born 1984) (田中俊也), Japanese forward * Toshiya Tanaka (footballer, born 1989) (田中俊哉), Japanese forward for Briobecca Urayasu are a Japanese football (soccer) club based ...

, multiple people *, Japanese equestrian *, Japanese diplomat *, Japanese politician *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *

Yasuhiro Tanaka (disambiguation) Yasuhiro Tanaka may refer to: * Yasuhiro Tanaka (baseball) (born 1987), Japanese baseball player *Yasuhiro Tanaka (footballer) (born 1984), Japanese footballer *Yasuhiro Tanaka (swimmer) Yasuhiro Tanaka may refer to: * Yasuhiro Tanaka (baseball) ( ...

, 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 Ch ...

(born 1974), Japanese tennis player *

Yuki Tanaka (disambiguation) Yuki Tanaka is a Japanese volleyball player. Yu(u)ki Tanaka may also refer to: * Yuuki Tanaka is a Japanese former tennis player. On 11 September 2017, Tanaka reached her best singles ranking of world No. 308. On 29 August 2016, she peaked a ...

, multiple people *, Japanese swimmer * Yukio Tanaka (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese actress *, Japanese biathlete *

Yūsuke Tanaka (disambiguation) Yūsuke Tanaka may refer to: * Yusuke Tanaka (footballer, born February 1986) (田中佑昌), Japanese footballer * Yusuke Tanaka (footballer, born April 1986) (田中裕介), Japanese footballer *Yusuke Tanaka (gymnast) is a Japanese gymnast. ...

, 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 ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Monthly GFantasy'' since September 2006. The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the twelve-year-old Ea ...

'' *Tanaka, the household servant in '' Full Moon o Sagashite'' *Tanaka, the Usami household butler in '' Junjo Romantica'' *Tanaka, from '' Kimi ni Todoke'' *Tanaka, a character in the light novel series ''

Mayoi Neko Overrun is a Japanese light novel series by Tomohiro Matsu, with illustrations by Peco. Twelve volumes have been published by Shueisha under their Super Dash Bunko imprint. "Mayoi Neko" translates as "Stray Cats", referring the name of the cafe aroun ...

'' *Tanaka, from '' Tanaka-kun is Always Listless'' *Mr. Tanaka, from ''

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

'' *Mr. Tanaka, from '' Sonic X'' *Mr. Tanaka, from the anime '' Gantz'' *President Tanaka, from '' Persona 3'' *Aiko Tanaka from ''

Oyasumi Punpun is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Inio Asano. It was serialized in Shogakukan's ''Weekly Young Sunday'' between 2007 and 2008. Later in ''Weekly Big Comic Spirits'' from 2008 to 2013, its chapters were collected in thirtee ...

'' *Asuka Tanaka, from '' Sound! Euphonium'' * David Tanaka, a character in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' *Drew Tanaka from The Heroes of Olympus and The

Kane Chronicles ''The Kane Chronicles'' is a trilogy of adventure and Egyptian mythological fiction books written by American author Rick Riordan. The series is set in the same universe as Riordan's other franchises, '' Camp Half-Blood Chronicles'' and ''Magnu ...

*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'' *Tanaka Kazuya, from '' School Rumble'' *Ken Tanaka, a character in the television series ''Glee'' * Leo Tanaka, a character in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' * Mariko Tanaka, from ''Wing Commander'' *

Opal Tanaka Randy O'Brien Blackjack O'Hare Blackjack O'Hare is a fictional anthropomorphic hare in Marvel Comics. The character, created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema, first appeared in ''The Incredible Hulk'' (vol. 2) #271 (May 1982). Blackjack O'Har ...

, a Marvel Comics character * Ryūnosuke Tanaka from Haikyū!! *Shinichiro Tanaka, from '' Battle Royale'' (film, Special Edition) *Shinji Tanaka, from ''Yakuza'' (video game) *Souichirou Tanaka, character from '' Genshiken'' *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 anime and manga, children's manga. Viz Media is the licensor of the series in the United States. The series has not had a ...

'' (''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. Fleming based the character on a number of peop ...

, from the James Bond novel and film ''You Only Live Twice'' *Tom Tanaka, from ''

Durarara! , often shortened to ''DRRR!!'', is a Japanese light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita, with illustrations by Suzuhito Yasuda. ''Durarara!!'' tells the story of a dullahan working as an underworld courier in Ikebukuro, an intern ...

'' *Lt. Yoshi Tanaka from '' Magnum, P.I.'' * Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka, main character of the manga series ''

BECK Beck David Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970) 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 music, lo-fi style, and became ...

References

{{surname Japanese-language surnames

People with the surname

Fictional characters

See also

References