Kataoka

Kataoka is a Japanese surname. The most common kanji representation is 片岡, though other spellings exist in different families. As a toponymic surname, it likely originated from geographic features or place names, a common origin for many Japanese family names. The reading Kataoka is well established in Japanese, and the name is found across the country.

In terms of meaning, the kanji components are often interpreted within the broader context of Japanese place-name formation, with 岡 denoting a hill or high ground and 片 a directional or descriptive element. The exact historical origin can vary by family, and multiple kanji variants may be used by different lineages.

Distribution and usage: Kataoka is a moderately common surname in Japan and is carried by many families across various regions. Like many Japanese surnames, it has spread internationally through migration and diaspora communities. Today, people with the surname appear in Japan and in communities around the world, including North and South America and parts of Europe and Asia where Japanese populations have settled.

Notable bearers and cultural presence: The surname is held by individuals across a range of fields, including academia, business, the arts, sports, and public life in Japan and among international communities. Kataoka also appears as a character name in Japanese media and fiction, reflecting its recognizability as a traditional surname.

Variations: While 片岡 is the standard form, regional or family-specific kanji spellings exist, contributing to a diversity of written forms for the same phonetic surname.