101 Popular Chinese Last Names You will Find Everywhere

While English surnames often reveal a trade (“Smith”) or town (“York”), Chinese last names carry millennia of encoded identity. They are rooted in clan, bloodline, and myth.Today, more than a billion people share just a few hundred surnames. Some trace back to ancient emperors. 

In this guide, we’ll unpack the meanings behind the most common Chinese last names, explain their origins and regional shifts.

What Chinese Last Names Really Mean in China

In Chinese, a last name is called “姓” (xìng). It comes before the given name, not after. This flips the Western naming convention. But there’s a reason for it: in Chinese culture, the family comes before the individual. Your surname reflects your roots, your clan, your shared past. Your given name, or “名” (míng), is yours to shape the future.

Today, Chinese last names are short, often one character. Here are 5 common Chinese last names and what they reveal:

• Li (李) – Means plum. Simple, elegant, and shared by emperors and poets.
  
• Wang (王) – Literally king. A royal name worn by over 100 million people.
  
• Zhang (张) – To stretch a bow. Originated from archers and military lineage.
  
• Liu (刘) – Can mean to kill or axe. Linked to warriors of the Han dynasty.
  
• Chen (陈) – Derived from the ancient State of Chen. Carries a sense of southern heritage.
  

Top 25 Most Common Chinese Last Names and Their Meanings

According to the Ministry of Public Security, over 85% of the Chinese population share just 100 surnames. Five of them: Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu, and Chen belong to more than 400 million people combined. 

Regional dominance:

• Wang leads in the north, especially Hebei and Shandong.
  
• Chen dominates the south, especially Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan.
  
• Li is strong in central regions, like Sichuan and Hunan.
  

Here are the top 25 most common Chinese last names, with their meanings, characters, and pinyin:

Rank	Name (Pinyin)	Character	Meaning	Notes
1	Wang	王	King	Northern dominance
2	Li	李	Plum	Ancient Tang dynasty
3	Zhang	张	Archer	Han military roots
4	Liu	刘	Kill/Axe	Linked to Han founders
5	Chen	陈	Display/Ancient State	Southern heritage
6	Yang	杨	Poplar tree	Associated with generals
7	Huang	黄	Yellow	Often found in Hakka communities
8	Zhao	赵	To surpass	Origin of Zhao state
9	Wu	吴	Martial	Ancient Wu state, rich in culture
10	Zhou	周	Circle/Cycle	Confucian influence
11	Xu	徐	Slowly/Peacefully	Linked to Southern dynasties
12	Sun	孙	Grandchild	Often seen in literature
13	Ma	马	Horse	Muslim Chinese communities (Hui)
14	Zhu	朱	Vermilion/Red	Ming dynasty
15	Hu	胡	Beard/Barbarian	Central Asia ties
16	Guo	郭	City wall	Symbol of protection
17	He	何	Why/What	Confucianist roots
18	Gao	高	High/Tall	Noble lineage
19	Lin	林	Forest	Southern Taiwan and SE Asia
20	Luo	罗	Net/Capture	Hakka regions
21	Zheng	郑	Government	Zheng state origins
22	Liang	梁	Bridge	Guangdong/SE Asian Chinese
23	Xie	谢	Thank	Literary legacy
24	Song	宋	Song dynasty	Philosophical significance
25	Tang	唐	Tang dynasty	Cultural golden age

31 Rare and Unique Chinese Last Names That Tell Ancient Stories

Not all Chinese surnames are shared by millions. Some are quiet relics of history. These are the rare Chinese last names, and each one carries a story unlike any other.

31 Rare or Unique Chinese Last Names with Meaning:

Name	Characters	Meaning	Origin
Ouyang	欧阳	“Elegant sun”	Southern aristocratic lineage
Sima	司马	“Commander of horses”	Military title of nobility
Shangguan	上官	“Upper official”	Tang dynasty elite
Zhuge	诸葛	“All-knowing strategist”	Zhuge Liang’s legacy
Situ	司徒	“Minister of education”	Ancient official post
Gongsun	公孙	“Noble grandson”	Royal descent
Dongfang	东方	“Eastern direction”	Daoist, literary families
Murong	慕容	“Admired countenance”	Xianbei tribe origin
Wanyan	完颜	“Perfect face”	Jurchen royal line (Jin dynasty)
Aixinjueluo	爱新觉罗	“Golden lineage”	Manchu royal surname (Qing dynasty)
Huyan	呼延	“Call extension”	Warrior tribe
Yuchi	尉迟	“Late officer”	Northern dynasties military
Tushan	涂山	“Mountain path”	Mythical origin
Le	乐	“Joy”	Rare one-character name
Ban	班	“Group/Class”	Ban Zhao, first female historian
Linghu	令狐	“Commanding fox”	Noble families, poetic associations
Mi	芈	“Bleating of sheep”	Chu state royal family
Ji	姬	“Concubine/Beauty”	Zhou royal clan
E	鄂	“Hubei region”	Extinct kingdom origin
Rao	饶	“Abundant”	Rare southern name
Si	斯	“This”	Historical officials
Pu	濮	“River name”	Zhou dynasty origin
Niu	牛	“Ox”	Agrarian roots
Xiang	向	“Toward”	Philosophy-linked
Nalan	纳兰	“Accept orchid”	Manchu scholar elite
Luohe	罗赫	“Bright net”	Fictional-modern hybrid name
Shentu	申屠	“Submit official”	Warring States origin
Zengsun	曾孙	“Great grandson”	Genealogical derivative
Qi	祁	“Blessing”	Northern Zhou clan
Fei	费	“Expense/Cost”	Rare due to homophone issues
Miyao	米尧	“Rice + Emperor Yao”	Modern symbolic creation

According to China’s Ministry of Public Security, over 1.1 million people now carry hybrid surnames, combining mother and father’s names. It is an emerging revival trend that breathes new life into rare or custom surnames.

How Chinese Last Names Change Around the World

In diaspora, names often shift through romanization systems (like Wade-Giles or Pinyin), local dialects, or colonial influence. A single Chinese surname might appear six different ways depending on where you are.

19 Chinese Diaspora Surname Variants:

Original	Region	Common Variants
李 (Li)	Mainland	Li, Lee (U.S., Canada, Korea), Lý (Vietnam)
王 (Wang)	Mainland	Wong (Cantonese), Ong (Hokkien), Vong (Cambodia), Vuong (Vietnam)
陈 (Chen)	South China	Chan (Cantonese), Tan (Hokkien), Chin (Hakka), Tran (Vietnam)
林 (Lin)	Fujian/Taiwan	Lim (Philippines), Lam (Cantonese), Lâm (Vietnam)
黄 (Huang)	Guangdong	Wong (Cantonese), Ng (shortened), Hoang (Vietnam)
张 (Zhang)	North/Central	Cheung (HK), Chang (Taiwan), Teo (Hokkien), Truong (Vietnam)
吴 (Wu)	Jiangsu	Ng, Goh, Go, O (Japan/Korea)
何 (He)	Nationwide	Ho (Cantonese), Hà (Vietnam), Heh (SEA)
徐 (Xu)	Jiangnan	Tsui (Cantonese), Soo (Korea)
马 (Ma)	Northwest	Mah (SEA), Ma (Vietnam)
周 (Zhou)	Central	Chou (Wade-Giles), Chow (Cantonese)
胡 (Hu)	North	Woo (Korea), Hồ (Vietnam)
孙 (Sun)	Nationwide	Soon (Malaysia), Tôn (Vietnam)
高 (Gao)	North	Ko (Korea), Cao (Vietnam)
江 (Jiang)	South	Kong, Chiang (Taiwan), Giang (Vietnam)
梁 (Liang)	South	Leung (HK), Lương (Vietnam)
郑 (Zheng)	South	Cheng (Wade-Giles), Tay (SEA), Trịnh (Vietnam)
方 (Fang)	Nationwide	Phương (Vietnam), Fong (Cantonese)
邓 (Deng)	Central	Tang (Wade-Giles), Đặng (Vietnam)

These transformations were adaptive survival tools. Immigration officers, colonial rule, and linguistic gaps all reshaped surnames to fit new norms.

The Origin of Chinese Last Names: 7 Historical Dynasties and Matriarchs

The origin of Chinese last names begins with the Eight Great Xing (姓): Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), Yao (姚), Ying (嬴), Si (姒), Ren (任), Gui (妫), and Zi (子). These surnames were the matrilineal clans of early tribal rulers.

Over 3,000 years, these xing evolved into what we now recognize as traditional Chinese surnames. As society became patrilineal, names like Ji birthed the royal family of the Zhou dynasty, while Ying became the ancestral line of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor. Geography also shaped surnames. For example, names like Chen (陈) and Zhao (赵) came from states conquered or founded during the Warring States period.

Here’s a quick timeline of surname lineage in Chinese history:

Era	Key Development
~2100 BCE (Xia Dynasty)	Use of xing among nobility; matrilineal heritage
~1100 BCE (Zhou Dynasty)	Shift to patrilineal surnames; Ji and Jiang dominate
~770–221 BCE (Spring and Autumn/Warring States)	Clan names evolve from state names (e.g., Zhao, Wei, Qin)
221 BCE (Qin Dynasty)	Surnames become identifiers for tax, census, law
Han–Tang Dynasties	Surname proliferation; link to professions and geography
Ming–Qing Dynasties	Commoners adopt surnames en masse; standardization begins
20th–21st Century	Diaspora and romanization diversify Chinese surname forms

23 Chinese Last Names and Their Poetic Meanings (With Characters)

Below are 23 surnames, each with a poetic interpretation, its Chinese character, and the symbolism behind it.

Name	Character	Pinyin	Poetic Meaning	Symbolism
Li	李	Lǐ	Plum tree in winter	Resilience, nobility
Wang	王	Wáng	The one who wears the crown	Power, stability
Zhang	张	Zhāng	Bow drawn to the sky	Precision, readiness
Liu	刘	Liú	Axe of the dynast	Strength, foundation
Chen	陈	Chén	Ancient lineage laid out	Heritage, memory
Yang	杨	Yáng	Poplar along a river	Flexibility, root
Huang	黄	Huáng	Fields after harvest	Prosperity, warmth
Zhao	赵	Zhào	Light before sunrise	Origin, authority
Wu	吴	Wú	Martial wind on a mountain	Action, motion
Zhou	周	Zhōu	The eternal cycle	Completeness, balance
Lin	林	Lín	Forest of siblings	Fertility, community
Xu	徐	Xú	Step by step	Peace, patience
Sun	孙	Sūn	Line of descendants	Legacy, continuation
Ma	马	Mǎ	Galloping force	Speed, drive
Zhu	朱	Zhū	Red like cinnabar	Life, spirit
Hu	胡	Hú	Wild beard, bold mind	Independence, fire
Guo	郭	The walled city	Guarding heritage	Protection, enclosure
He	何	Hé	The question that opens	Curiosity, humility
Gao	高	Gāo	A tower above	Ambition, vision
Luo	罗	Luó	Net cast wide	Complexity, destiny
Xie	谢	Xiè	Thanks whispered in autumn	Grace, reverence
Song	宋	Sòng	Old dynasty’s echo	Honor, artistry
Tang	唐	Táng	Golden age remembered	Culture, enlightenment

These poetic layers don’t just decorate your name. They breathe inside it.

11 Facts About Chinese Name Order That Will Surprise You

In the West, we say “first name, last name.” In China, it’s the opposite as surname comes first. This flips more than grammar. Actually it reflects how Chinese culture places family above self. The name order says: “Before I was me, I was us.”

Here are 11 facts about Chinese names (first and last) that might surprise you:

1. Surname (姓 xìng) always comes first. Example: Li Wei → Li = family, Wei = given name.
   
2. Given names are often one or two characters. Think: Ming (bright), Xiaoling (little bell).
   
3. In English contexts, many reverse the order. Zhang Yiming becomes Yiming Zhang on LinkedIn.
   
4. All-caps formatting helps clarity. Some write WANG Jing to mark surname clearly.
   
5. Hyphenation is rare. Unlike “Smith-Jones,” double-character surnames stay unified: Ouyang Zhenhua.
   
6. Legal documents may force order flips. Many Chinese passports follow Western order to match global systems.
   
7. Westerners often mistake given names as family names. “Hi, Mr. Yao” (wrong, if Yao is given name).
   
8. Confusion rises with common names. Li Wei could be a dozen people in one city.
   
9. Nicknames often replace given names abroad. “Kevin Li” might hide Li Wenhao.
   
10. Official Chinese ID always keeps surname first. No matter what passport formatting says.
    
11. Cultural respect is tied to correct order. Getting it wrong in formal contexts (like business cards or weddings) can offend.
    

Choosing a Chinese Last Name: 17 Cultural Tips for Non-Native Speakers

 A Chinese surname isn’t a costume. It’s a story. And wearing one carries responsibility.

Here are 17 culturally grounded tips to help non-native speakers select a Chinese last name with care and confidence:

1. Start with meaning. Every name has one. Choose something aligned with who you are or aspire to be.
   
2. Avoid novelty—lean into heritage. If you have East Asian ancestry, trace it. If not, lean into respectful alignment, not reinvention.
   
3. Sound it out. Some surnames are phonetically close to Western names (e.g., Smith → Shi, Young → Yang).
   
4. Don’t just use your first name’s translation. It rarely works. Names are not interchangeable.
   
5. Pick one from the top 100. They’re familiar, respectful, and historically grounded.
   
6. Check tone and pronunciation. Mandarin tones change meaning. Li (plum) ≠ Lì (strength).
   
7. Avoid politically or ethnically sensitive names. Names like Mao, Deng, or names linked to recent history may carry weight.
   
8. Use gender-neutral surnames. All Chinese last names are non-gendered—choose based on meaning, not masculinity.
   
9. Avoid joke names or compound puns. What sounds clever in English may sound awkward—or offensive—in Mandarin.
   
10. If writing fiction, research clan roots. Characters’ surnames should match regional dialect or dynasty.
    
11. Consider diaspora variations. Lee (李), Chan (陈), or Lim (林) might better match your geography.
    
12. Ask a native speaker. Context matters—some names are tied to class, location, or literary weight.
    
13. Be cautious with double-character surnames. Rare names like Ouyang or Zhuge need careful tone pairing.
    
14. Use tools sparingly. Generators are starting points, not finish lines.
    
15. Think about name order. Remember, surname comes first. Li Xiaoming, not Xiaoming Li.
    
16. Respect name day practices. In Chinese tradition, names can be aligned with astrology or numerology.
    
17. Less is more. One character, deep meaning. That’s the sweet spot.
    

Chinese Surnames and Gender: 9 Myths You Should Stop Believing

In the West, names often signal gender. Not so in Chinese culture. Chinese surnames are completely gender-neutral. There’s no such thing as a “male Chinese last name” or a “female surname.” But confusion still runs deep, especially online. Let’s set the record straight.

9 Gender Myths About Chinese Last Names (Debunked)

1. Myth: Some surnames are for men, others for women.
   Truth: All Chinese surnames are unisex. That means used by everyone, regardless of gender.
   
2. Myth: Chinese women take their husband’s surname after marriage.
   Truth: In China, women traditionally keep their maiden name. Always have.
   
3. Myth: You can guess someone’s gender from their surname.
   Truth: Nope. Wang, Li, Zhang are shared equally by men and women.
   
4. Myth: Two-character surnames are more “feminine.”
   Truth: Two-character surnames like Ouyang or Zhuge are noble, not gendered.
   
5. Myth: Chinese kids always take the father’s surname.
   Truth: Usually yes, but modern parents increasingly combine both surnames (e.g., Li-Wang).
   
6. Myth: Gendered meaning exists in the character itself.
   Truth: Surnames like Hu (胡) or Ma (马) have nothing to do with gender traits.
   
7. Myth: If a name ends in “-ng” it must be masculine.
   Truth: That’s just a romanization coincidence (Zhang, Huang, Fang).
   
8. Myth: Western naming customs now dominate Chinese cities.
   Truth: Even in urban China, the surname-first tradition still stands strong.
   
9. Myth: There’s a different set of surnames for men in historical texts.
   Truth: Historical surnames like Ji (姬) or Ying (嬴) applied across genders, despite matrilineal origins.
   

So if you’re searching for male Chinese last names, stop. What you’re really looking for is meaning, not masculinity.

Chinese Last Names in Pop Culture: 13 Examples from Movies and Dramas

Some surnames travel faster than bloodlines through movie screens, song lyrics, and dramas that go viral overnight. These are the popular Chinese last names you hear again and again, because pop culture made them iconic.

13 Chinese Last Names That Dominate Pop Culture:

Surname	Character	Example	Pop Culture Association
Chan	陈 (Chen)	Jackie Chan	Martial arts, global fame
Li	李	Jet Li	Stoicism, speed, legacy
Zhang	张	Zhang Ziyi	Elegance, artistry (Crouching Tiger)
Lin	林	Lin Dan	Power, modern masculinity
Yang	杨	Yang Mi	Beauty, drama queen of modern C-dramas
Wu	吴	Kris Wu	Idol culture, controversy, stardom
Huang	黄	Huang Xiaoming	Romance, wealth, status roles
Zhao	赵	Zhao Liying	Traditional elegance, versatility
Ma	马	Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee)	Korean-Chinese crossover, strength
Liu	刘	Liu Yifei	Disney’s Mulan, ethereal femininity
Gu	顾	Gu Wei (from The Oath of Love)	Stoic love interest archetype
Tang	唐	Tang Yan	Fashionable, resilient female lead
Feng	冯	Feng Shaofeng	Historical epic hero (e.g., The Story of Minglan)

In C-dramas, some surnames have become trope triggers. A character named Gu, for instance, is often rich, emotionally unavailable, and destined for a redemption arc. Too many writers use it, fans joke on Douban and Weibo.

But beyond fiction, real-world celebrities shape perception too. Jackie Chan’s 陈 (Chen) name gave the surname global visibility, even though “Chan” is a Cantonese romanization.

In this way, Chinese popular last names are more than cultural, they’re cinematic. 

Wrap Up

From ancient clans to modern diaspora, Chinese last names hold deep meaning and cultural identity. If you’re tracing your heritage, choosing a name for a story, or simply curious, knowing the origins, meanings, and global evolution of surnames like Li, Wang, Zhang, and Ouyang adds depth to your understanding of Chinese culture. And as you’ve seen, every name, common or rare, tells a story worth remembering. Stay conected to get best last names suggestions world wide.