Watanabe (surname)

Watanabe is a common Japanese surname that means "to cross" or "to navigate." It often refers to families whose ancestors lived near bridges or played roles in transportation and trade routes. The name combines the kanji "渡" (wata), meaning "to cross," and "辺" (be), meaning "area" or "boundary." Watanabe is widely used in Japan and among Japanese communities worldwide, and numerous notable individuals share this surname across various fields such as entertainment, sports, and academia.