Horie

Horie is a Japanese surname, typically written with the kanji 堀江 and romanized as Horie. The characters mean “moat” (堀) and “river/shore” (江), reflecting a geographic origin tied to land beside water. The name is borne by people across Japan and is relatively common in western regions, though occurrences are reported nationwide.

Etymology and usage: Like many Japanese family names, Horie likely originated from a geographic feature associated with where a family lived. While 堀江 is the standard and most common form for this surname, other kanji combinations may exist that are read as Horie in different contexts, though they are less typical.

Notable individuals: Notable people with the surname include Takafumi Horie (堀江 貴文), a Japanese entrepreneur known for founding the internet company Livedoor and for his subsequent public profile in Japanese business and media. Another bearer is Yui Horie (堀江 由衣), a Japanese voice actress and singer with a wide range of roles in anime and video games.

In fiction and place names: The surname appears in Japanese media and literature and may be encountered in discussions of genealogy or regional naming patterns. As with many surnames, its recognition is partly shaped by prominent individuals and cultural references.

See also: For more on Japanese surnames, its kanji variants, and notable people with similar names, refer to lists of Japanese surnames and biographical directories.