NameCensus.

UK surname

Okai

A Japanese surname derived from the place name "Okai".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Hackney and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Okai is 181 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

181

2016, ranked #20,955

Peak year

2016

181 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016, ranked #20,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Okai surname distribution map

The map shows where the Okai surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Okai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Okai over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1997 modern 70 #30,618
1998 modern 79 #30,080
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 88 #29,056
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 145 #22,253
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 160 #21,296
2008 modern 153 #22,132
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 179 #20,886
2011 modern 159 #22,382
2012 modern 162 #22,078
2013 modern 169 #21,826
2014 modern 176 #21,413
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 181 #20,955

Geography

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Where Okais are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle upon Tyne, Hackney, Islington, Barking and Dagenham and Merton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle upon Tyne 008 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Hackney 014 Hackney
3 Islington 019 Islington
4 Barking and Dagenham 022 Barking and Dagenham
5 Merton 019 Merton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Okai

These lists show first names that appear often with the Okai surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Okai

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Okai, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Okai surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Okai household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Okai is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Okai is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Okai falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Okai is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

This describes the area pattern most associated with Okai, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Okai

The surname OKAI has its origins in Japan, tracing back to the late 16th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Japanese word "okai," which means "beach" or "shore." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have resided near coastal areas or been involved in maritime activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the OKAI surname can be found in the Kantō region of central Japan, particularly in the area around present-day Tokyo. Historical records from the Edo period (1603-1868) mention several individuals with this surname who held various positions in local administration and commerce.

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), a notable figure bearing the OKAI surname was Okai Toshitaka (1833-1909), a samurai and political reformer who played a significant role in the modernization of Japan. He served as the governor of Saitama Prefecture and was instrumental in the establishment of the prefectural system.

Another prominent individual with the OKAI surname was Okai Masao (1914-1985), a renowned Japanese sculptor known for his abstract and minimalist works. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces across Japan, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

In the realm of literature, the OKAI surname is associated with Okai Ozamu (1952-2020), a celebrated author and poet who explored themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage in his works. His novel "The Forgotten Ones" received critical acclaim and was translated into several languages.

The OKAI surname also has ties to the world of academia. Okai Kenji (1928-2018) was a respected historian and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, renowned for his extensive research on the Edo period and the social dynamics of early modern Japan.

While the OKAI surname originated in Japan, over time, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to this surname can be traced back to its Japanese roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diverse narratives associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Okai surname: questions and answers

How common is the Okai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016. That gives Okai a modern rank of #20,955.

What does the Okai surname mean?

A Japanese surname derived from the place name "Okai".

What does the Okai map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Okai bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.