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 the logographic Chinese characters taken from the Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script and 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 ...

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), 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 Elly Margaret Tanaka (born 1965) is a biochemist and senior scientist at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria. Tanaka studies the molecular cell biology of limb and spinal cord regeneration as well as the evolut ...

(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 membe ...

(born 1987), Indonesian-born Australian badminton player *, Japanese statesman and educator *, Japanese rugby union player *, Japanese martial artist *

Gary A. Tanaka Gary A. Tanaka (born June 23, 1943, in Hunt, Idaho) is an American businessman, sportsman and philanthropist who co-founded the investment company Amerindo Investment Advisors in 1979 along with Alberto Vilar. Early life and education Tanaka w ...

(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) 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 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 Californ ...

, 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, 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 Jeffrey Scott Tanaka (1958 November 3, 1992) was an American psychologist and statistician, known for his work in educational psychology, social psychology and various fields of statistics including structural equation modeling. Biography Tana ...

(1958–1992), American psychologist and statistician *, Japanese mechanical engineer *, Japanese rower * Jun Tanaka (disambiguation), 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 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 ...

, Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese baseball player * Kenneth K. Tanaka (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) Koichi Tanaka (born October 20, 1971) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Featherweight division. Mixed martial arts record , - , Win , align=center, 3-11-1 , Manabu Kano , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Deep: Osaka ...

(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), 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 voice actress * Marcio Tanaka (born 1980), Japanese-Brazilian baseball player *

Marcus Tulio Tanaka is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Club career Born in Palmeira d'Oeste, Brazil to an Italian Brazilian mother and second generation Japanese Brazilian father, Tulio moved to Japan at age 15 to complete ...

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

Mineko Iwasaki , birthname , 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 wa ...

(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), multiple people *, Japanese actress *, Japanese actress *, Japanese feminist and writer *, Japanese cyclist *, Japanese synchronized swimmer *, Japanese fencer *, Japanese footballer *

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) (born 1940), a member of the ...

, 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, 1963) is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in the American Wrestling Association as one half of Badd Company and the World Wrestling Federation as one half of The Orient Express. He is the so ...

(born 1961), American professional wrestler *

Professor Tanaka Charles J. Kalani Jr. (January 6, 1930 – August 22, 2000) was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, actor, and martial artist who, in fighting rings, was also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, o ...

(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 Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum o ...

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

, multiple people *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese biathlete * Tatsuya Tanaka (disambiguation), 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 Thomas V. Camacho Tanaka (born August 7, 1940) is a Republican politician from Guam, previous Speaker of the territorial Senate from 1979 to 1983, and previous candidate for the position of Governor of Guam. Biography He was born on August 7, 194 ...

, 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), 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) Yukio Tanaka may refer to: * Yukio Tanaka (baseball) (born 1967), Japanese baseball player * Yukio Tanaka (biwa) is a Japanese biwa player. He studied under the satsuma biwa master Kinshi Tsuruta, whose status he inherited as a leading figure ...

, 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 ''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 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Arina Tanemura. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Shōjo manga, ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Ribon'' from January 2002 to June 2004 and collected in seven ''tankōbon'' volumes. The ...

'' *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 Terro ...

'' *Tanaka, from ''

Kimi ni Todoke is a Japanese '' shōjo'' romance manga by Karuho Shiina. It was published by Shueisha in ''Bessatsu Margaret'' from 2005 to 2017 and collected in 30 ''tankōbon'' volumes. In 2008, it won the Best Shōjo Manga award in the 32nd Annual ...

'' *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 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 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 epis ...

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

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

'' *President Tanaka, from ''

Persona 3 released outside Japan as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3'', is a 2006 role-playing video game developed by Atlus. It is the fourth main installment in the ''Persona'' series, which is part of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise. Atlus orig ...

'' *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 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 Gaia (Roman name Terra). In the fourth book of the series, ...

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 comedy film and sequel to the 1989 film '' Major League'' and it is the second installment in the ''Major League'' film series. The film stars most of the same cast from the original, including Charl ...

'' *Tanaka Kazuya, from ''

School Rumble is a Japanese ''shōnen'' manga series written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi. First serialized in ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' from October 22, 2002 to July 23, 2008, all 345 chapters were later collected in 22 ''tankōbon'' volumes b ...

'' *Ken Tanaka, a character in the television series ''Glee'' *

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'' *

Mariko Tanaka Mariko Tanaka (born 10 January 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American f ...

, from ''Wing Commander'' * 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 ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from February 2012 to July 2020, with its chapters collected in 45 ''tankōbon ...

*Shinichiro Tanaka, from '' Battle Royale'' (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 the lifestyle its members pursue. The title is a shortening of the club's official name, , or "The Society for ...

'' *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 interne ...

'' *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 8, 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) 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