Mizuguchi

Mizuguchi is a Japanese surname. The most common kanji rendering is 水口, which literally means “water” and “mouth” and is typically interpreted as a geographic feature such as a river mouth or the mouth of a watercourse. The name is toponymic in origin, likely given to families living near a waterway’s opening, ford, or other water-related landmarks. It is believed to have arisen in multiple regions of Japan, resulting in several independent lineages sharing the surname.

In romaji, Mizuguchi is the standard transcription, though some families may read the same kanji as Mizukuchi or use other variant readings. The pronunciation follows standard Japanese phonology. Like many Japanese surnames, Mizuguchi may be found across Japan and among Japanese communities abroad, reflecting historical migration and diaspora.

Today, Mizuguchi is carried by individuals in a variety of fields, including science, education, sports, arts, and business. As with other surnames, genealogical details and regional concentrations can vary widely among families. There is no single institution or location universally associated with the name, though some local place names or geographic features that describe water-related terrain may share the same kanji and readings.