Ohkawa

Ohkawa is a Japanese name that can function as both a surname and a place name. The most common kanji representation is 大川, which literally means “great river.” In romanization, Ohkawa is one of several spellings, with variations such as Ōkawa and Okawa reflecting different transliteration systems and readings.

As a surname, Ohkawa occurs among people in Japan and in Japanese communities abroad. Like many Japanese place-based surnames, it likely originated from families living near a notable river, though individual family histories vary and multiple kanji representations are possible.

As a place name, Ohkawa appears in multiple localities across Japan, including neighborhoods and districts within cities or towns. Because kanji readings and spellings can differ, the same place may be rendered in English as Ohkawa, Okawa, or Ōkawa depending on the context.

Related spellings and cognate names include Okawa and Ōkawa, which may refer to different places or families based on the specific kanji and regional usage.

Notable people or institutions bearing the Ohkawa name exist in various fields such as culture, science, and sports, though precise identifications depend on the exact kanji and context used.