Nakao (written: 中尾) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Akira Nakao (born 1942), Japanese actor, TV personality and artist from Kisarazu, ChibaAkira Nakao (boxer) (born 1909), Japanese boxer who competed in the 1932 Summer OlympicsEiichi Nakao (born 1930), Japanese politicianEri Nakao, Japanese voice actressJanine Nakao (born 1987), judoka from USAJutaro Nakao (born 1970), Japanese mixed martial artistKoji Nakao (born 1981), former Japanese football playerKotaro Nakao (born 1969), former Japanese football playerMana Nakao (born 1986), Japanese football playerMie Nakao (born 1946), Japanese actress and singerMiki Nakao (born 1978), former backstroke swimmer from Japan and Olympic medallistRyūsei Nakao (born 1951), Japanese actor, singer, and voice actorSeigo Nakao, head of Japanese Studies at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, United StatesTakayoshi Nakao (born 1956), former Japanese professional baseball playerTakehiko Nakao (born 1956), Japanese civil servant, elected ninth president of the Asian Development Bank in 2013Tomomi Nakao (born 1981), former Japanese volleyball player who played for Ageo MedicsTsuyoshi Nakao (born 1983), former Japanese football playerWendy Egyoku Nakao, the abbott of the Zen Center of Los AngelesYoshihiro Nakao, Japanese semi-retired professional mixed martial artist