Igarashi

Igarashi (五十嵐) is a Japanese surname composed of the elements i (五十; "fifty"), an unwritten subject marker ga (が), and arashi (嵐; "storm"), together meaning "fifty storms". Variant readings include Ikarashi and Isoarashi.

Etymology & Origins

The surname is said to have originated from the Ikarashi River, which flows through central Niigata Prefecture. According to legend, the name Ikarashi derives from the ancient Yamato prince Ikatarashihiko-no-mikoto (五十日足彦命), a pioneer of the region. Another proposed etymology traces it to the Ainu word Inkar-us-i, meaning "overlook-always doing-place", which shares a root with the name of the town of Engaru.

Notable Bearers

Numerous individuals have borne the Igarashi surname across various fields: Arts & Entertainment – Aguri Igarashi (born 1975), manga artist; Daisuke Igarashi (born 1969), manga artist; Hiromi Igarashi (born 1986), voice actress; Hiroyuki Igarashi (born 1969), dancer and choreographer. Sports – Chihiro Igarashi (born 1995), swimmer; Fumio Igarashi (born 1958), figure skater; Haruto Igarashi (born 2002), freestyle skier. Music – Akitoshi Igarashi (born 1932), jazz saxophonist.

Distribution & Variants

Igarashi is a moderately common surname in Japan. Related forms include Ikarashi and Isoarashi, reflecting alternative readings of the same kanji compound.

• Meaning: "fifty storms"
• Origin: Japanese
• Type: Surname
• Regions: Niigata Prefecture and throughout Japan