Explore the Family Name Furukawa
The meaning of Furukawa
Japanese: written 古川 ‘old river’. It is found throughout Japan. Bearers are descended from the Minamoto, Nitta, and northern Fujiwara families. A common alternate reading is Kogawa; both are later variants of the ancient name Koga. Some characteristic forenames: Japanese Hiroshi, Kenji, Masaaki, Hideo, Hiroko, Hiroyuki, Kazuo, Shigeru, Takashi, Yasushi, Aiko, Akio.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Furukawa in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Furukawa saw a slight decrease from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 23,411 in popularity and by 2010, it slipped to 24,531 — a change of -4.78%. The count of this surname increased marginally from 1,013 in 2000 to 1,019 in 2010, representing a growth of 0.59%. However, the proportion per 100,000 people decreased by -7.89%, from 0.38 in 2000 to 0.35 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #23,411 | #24,531 | -4.78% |
| Count | 1,013 | 1,019 | 0.59% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.38 | 0.35 | -7.89% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Furukawa
When considering the ethnic identity associated with the surname Furukawa, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts between 2000 and 2010. The majority of individuals with this surname identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, although the percentage dropped slightly from 83.71% in 2000 to 79.00% in 2010. Those identifying with two or more races increased from 7.70% to 8.73%, and those identifying as White rose from 7.21% to 9.52%. The most significant change occurred within the Hispanic demographic, which experienced a substantial increase from 1.18% in 2000 to 2.55% in 2010. However, no individuals with this surname identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 83.71% | 79% | -5.63% |
| White | 7.21% | 9.52% | 32.04% |
| Two or More Races | 7.7% | 8.73% | 13.38% |
| Hispanic | 1.18% | 2.55% | 116.1% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |