Jan 06, 2025

Discover the 5 Most Common Chinese Surnames and Their Meanings

What do you want to know when meeting a Chinese person for the first time?

One great way to break the ice is by asking about their name. Like in many cultures, Chinese names are made up of a surname (family name) and a given name.

Knowing a bit about common Chinese surnames can be a simple yet effective way to start a conversation, which may even lead to more meaningful exchanges with your new Chinese friend.

In this post, you’ll learn the basics of Chinese surnames and discover five of the most common ones you’re likely to encounter.

The History of Chinese Surnames

Throughout China’s long history, over 20,000 surnames have been recorded, though today, about 6,000 are still actively used.

A unique feature of Chinese surnames is that most are made up of just one syllable, represented by a single Chinese character. While multi-character surnames do exist, they are quite rare.

One of the most interesting facts is that almost 86% of the population shares just 100 surnames, with the top five, including Wang, Li, Zhang etc, accounting for over 433 million people—around 30% of the population!

Additionally, Chinese surnames have been influenced by the classic text The Hundred Family Surnames (百家姓 bǎi jiā xìng), which was first compiled during the Song dynasty (960–1279) to list the most prominent surnames of the time. Although the list has evolved, its influence on Chinese surname history is undeniable.

Let’s dive into the five surnames you’re most likely to hear.

王 Wang

According to the most recent national census by the Chinese government, 王 (wáng) is the No. 1 most common surname, with over 101.8 million people sharing it. So, it’s highly likely that someone you meet in China will have this surname.

When not used as a surname, 王 means “king.” If you look at the character, the three horizontal lines represent heaven, human life, and Earth, with the vertical line symbolizing the king, who connects these realms.

李 Li/Lee

Chinese surname Li/Lee

Ranking second, 李 (lǐ) is another widely common surname in China, shared by approximately 101.3 million people. The Li family has a rich history, including the founding of the Tang Dynasty, 李淵 (Li Yuan), one of China’s greatest periods.

Depending on the region, this surname appears in various spellings, including Li, Lee, or Lei.

In its non-surname form, 李 means “plum.” The character combines the radical for “tree” (木; mù) with “child” (子; zǐ), evoking the image of a child waiting for a plum to fall from a tree.

張/张 Zhang

Chinese surname Zhang

The surname 張/张 (zhāng) ranks as the third most common surname, with over 95.7 million bearers. The character 張/张 means “to stretch” or “to open,” which could be linked to its historical significance.

Legend has it that the ancestors of the 張/张 surname were skilled archers, which is reflected in the character itself. 張/张 contains the radical for “bow” (弓; gōng), symbolizing the stretching of a bowstring. This surname evokes an image of power, precision, and skill.

黃/黄 Huang

Chinese surname Huang

黃/黄 (huáng) ranks seventh in China, with nearly 34 million people sharing this surname. It is also widely seen in Southeast Asian countries.

Historically, 黃帝/黄帝 (huáng dì), also known as the Yellow Emperor, is a legendary figure considered one of the founding ancestors of Chinese civilization.

In its non-surname usage, 黄 means “yellow,” a color traditionally symbolizing power, royalty, and wealth. In ancient China, only emperors were permitted to wear yellow, as it represented Earth and centrality.

林 Lin

林 (lín) is the 18th most common surname in China but is much more prominent globally, especially in places like Singapore, where it is the second most common Chinese surname. It can also be spelled “Lim” or “Lam,” depending on the region.

This surname is shared across cultures and can also be found in Japanese as Hayashi (林).

When not used as a surname, 林 means “woods” or “forest,” represented by two tree (木; mù) radicals placed side by side, visually depicting a forest.

Chinese surnames carry deep cultural and historical significance, making them more than just identifiers. Whether it’s Wang, Li, Zhang, or another surname, understanding their roots can enrich your connection with Chinese culture and people.

If you’re looking to build stronger personal or business relationships in China or with any other Chinese-speaking communities, having the right Chinese name is key.

Our personalized Chinese name service helps you create a culturally appropriate name that suits your personality and pronunciation. Impress every Chinese person you meet—get your perfect name today!

 

By Chineasy | A Super Chineasian

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