Surname · Japanese origin
Watanabe
Meaning
The surname Watanabe means Ferry crossing (渡辺).
Origin
Japanese
Type
toponymic
The origin of the surname Watanabe
Watanabe (渡辺) refers to a river crossing or ferry.
What kind of surname is Watanabe?
Watanabe is a toponymic surname, originally describing where the bearer lived or came from. It belongs to the Japanese naming tradition — you can read how Japanese surnames were formed on our Japanese last names page.
Other Japanese surnames
Other toponymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Watanabe mean?
The surname Watanabe means Ferry crossing (渡辺). Watanabe (渡辺) refers to a river crossing or ferry.
Where does the surname Watanabe come from?
Watanabe is a surname of Japanese origin.
What kind of surname is Watanabe?
Watanabe is a toponymic surname, originally describing where the bearer lived or came from.
What are other Japanese surnames?
Other Japanese surnames include Hashimoto, Hayashi, Ikeda, Inoue, Ishikawa, Ito.