Takahashi

Takahashi is a Japanese surname and place name. The most common form of the surname is written with the kanji 高橋, which literally means “high” or “tall” bridge. This combination is read Takahashi and is one of the most frequently encountered surnames in Japan, found across regions and among Japanese communities abroad.

As a toponym, Takahashi appears in multiple locations throughout Japan, where different kanji may be used for place names. In such uses, the term functions as a geographic designation rather than a family name, and it is encountered in towns, neighborhoods, and districts.

The surname Takahashi is associated with numerous individuals across diverse fields, including sports, science, arts, and business. Because of its prevalence, the name is widely recognized within Japan and among Japanese speakers internationally. In fiction and popular culture, Takahashi is a common surname for characters, reflecting its ordinary presence in everyday life.

In romanization, Takahashi is the standard rendering of the name in modern Japanese; alternative spellings are rare and typically arise from nonstandard transliteration or historical contexts. The name often appears in genealogical, genealogical, and demographic references, as well as in biographical and cultural discussions.