Nakanishi (written: 中西 or 仲西) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Akinori Nakanishi (born 1954), the chief designer for Mitsubishi MotorsAlan Nakanishi (born 1940), American politicianChieko Nakanishi (born 1966), Japanese former volleyball playerEisuke Nakanishi (born 1973), former Japanese football defenderEtsuko Nakanishi (born 1977), Japanese drummer or Shonen KnifeHidetoshi Nakanishi (born 1958), Japanese judokaHiroaki Nakanishi (born 1946), the current CEO of HitachiKana Nakanishi (born 1997), member of the Japanese idol group S/mileageKazuo Nakanishi (1922–2003), former leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza syndicateKoji Nakanishi (born 1925), Japanese chemistMachiko Nakanishi (born 1976), Japanese athleteManabu Nakanishi (born 1967), Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestlerMaya Nakanishi (born 1985), Japanese paralympic athleteMitsuo Nakanishi (born 1948), former Japanese sprint canoerMomoe Nakanishi (born 1980), Japanese professional wrestlerNobuaki Nakanishi, Japanese anime directorRei Nakanishi (born 1938), Japanese novelist and songwriterRina Nakanishi (born 1988), former singer for the Japanese idol group AKB48 & former AV idolShigeru Nakanishi (born 1946), Japanese artistShigetada Nakanishi (born 1942), Japanese scientist, a member of the National Academy of SciencesSusumu Nakanishi (born 1929), scholar of Japanese literatureTamaki Nakanishi (born 1976), Japanese voice actressTaeko Nakanishi (born 1931), Japanese voice actressTayuka Nakanishi, Japanese fashion designerTetsuo Nakanishi (born 1969), former Japanese football playerToshio Nakanishi (born 1956), Japanese musician and graphic designerYuko Nakanishi (born 1981) Japanese swimmerYousuke Nakanishi (born 1979), Japanese badminton player