Yamada (山田, "mountain ricefield") is the 12th most common Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Arinaga Yamada, retainer of Shimazu clan, son of Yamada Arinobu
Arinobu Yamada (1544–1609), retainer of Shimazu clan
Akira Yamada (1922–2008), philosopher
Eizo Yamada (1889–?), general
Futaro Yamada (1922–2001), author
Hidetaka Yamada (born 1976), badminton player
Isamu Yamada, a.k.a. Knock Yokoyama, comedian, politician
Isuzu Yamada (born 1917), actress
Keiichi Yamada, professional wrestler
Keiko Yamada (born 1972), singer
Keiko Yamada (manga artist), a manga artist
Keisuke Yamada (born 1974), professional wrestler
Koji Yamada, billiards player
Kosaku Yamada (1886–1965), composer
Kiyoshi Yamada, a.k.a. Kiyoshi Hikawa
Mai Yamada, a.k.a. Riona Hazuki
Naoko Yamada (born 1984), animator and director
Yamada Nagamasa (1590–1630), adventurer, governor of a province of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (Thailand)
Otsuzo Yamada (1881–1965), general
Ryosuke Yamada (born 1993), Japanese singer and actor
Seiji Yamada (b. 1966), Japanese ski mountaineer
Seiko Yamada (born 1978), badminton player
Shinya Yamada (born 1970), musician
Takayuki Yamada (born 1983), actor
Takuya Yamada (born 1974), footballer
Tarzan Yamada (born 1962), drifting driver
Toshiyo Yamada (born 1970), Japanese pro-wrestler
Yoji Yamada (born 1931), film director
Yoshimitsu Yamada (born 1938), aikidoka
Yasuo Yamada (1932–1995), a Japanese voice actor
Yoshio Yamada (1873–1958), linguist
Yu Yamada (born 1984), model
Fictional characters:
The Yamadas from the Studio Ghibli movie, My Neighbors the Yamadas
Takashi Yamada
Matsuko Yamada
Noboru Yamada
Nonoko Yamada
Shige Yamada
Pochi Yamada
Yamada (rock), Chiaki Minami's adopted friend in Minami-ke
Aoi Yamada, of Working!!
Ayumi Yamada, of Honey and Clover
Chi Yamada, of Chi's Sweet Home
Hanatarō Yamada, of Bleach
Jubei Yamada, from the game Fatal Fury 2
Kouji Yamada from Shaman King
Miiko Yamada from Kocchi Muite! Miiko
Nina Yamada, from Mamotte! Lollipop
Ryū Yamada of Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
Seiji Yamada, of Sensitive Pornograph
Seina Yamada, of Tenchi Muyo! GXP
Shintaro Yamada (born 1986), of Kanpai!
Taro Yamada, of Dokaben
Taro Yamada, of Yamada Taro Monogatari
Tsuyoshi Yamada, from the Japanese series Densha Otoko
Yamada, of B Gata H Kei
Hifumi Yamada, from the visual novel Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Yamada Hiro from the anime Haré+Guu.
