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 Motors
Alan Nakanishi (born 1940), American politician
Chieko Nakanishi (born 1966), Japanese former volleyball player
Eisuke Nakanishi (born 1973), former Japanese football defender
Etsuko Nakanishi (born 1977), Japanese drummer or Shonen Knife
Hidetoshi Nakanishi (born 1958), Japanese judoka
Hiroaki Nakanishi (born 1946), the current CEO of Hitachi
Kana Nakanishi (born 1997), member of the Japanese idol group S/mileage
Kazuo Nakanishi (1922–2003), former leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza syndicate
Koji Nakanishi (born 1925), Japanese chemist
Machiko Nakanishi (born 1976), Japanese athlete
Manabu Nakanishi (born 1967), Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler
Maya Nakanishi (born 1985), Japanese paralympic athlete
Mitsuo Nakanishi (born 1948), former Japanese sprint canoer
Momoe Nakanishi (born 1980), Japanese professional wrestler
Nobuaki Nakanishi, Japanese anime director
Rei Nakanishi (born 1938), Japanese novelist and songwriter
Rina Nakanishi (born 1988), former singer for the Japanese idol group AKB48 & former AV idol
Shigeru Nakanishi (born 1946), Japanese artist
Shigetada Nakanishi (born 1942), Japanese scientist, a member of the National Academy of Sciences
Susumu Nakanishi (born 1929), scholar of Japanese literature
Tamaki Nakanishi (born 1976), Japanese voice actress
Taeko Nakanishi (born 1931), Japanese voice actress
Tayuka Nakanishi, Japanese fashion designer
Tetsuo Nakanishi (born 1969), former Japanese football player
Toshio Nakanishi (born 1956), Japanese musician and graphic designer
Yuko Nakanishi (born 1981) Japanese swimmer
Yousuke Nakanishi (born 1979), Japanese badminton player