257 Chinese Last Names (and Meanings)

Chinese last names reflect the linguistic and cultural traditions that began in ancient history. Chinese surnames, written in characters called hanzi, each have meanings based on the characters. We’ve curated a list of China’s most common surnames with meanings and hanzi.

What are Chinese Last Names?

Chinese last names are written in characters called hanzi, a writing system where symbols are used for entire words that can be combined to create more elaborate words and concepts. Every character has a unique sound and meaning, although sounds can change for different dialects. China is not a homogeneous society, and many dialects and cultures are represented in the country. Common themes in Chinese surnames are important traits identified or idealized in ancestors and passed down through generations. Qualities of Chinese last names are their inherent beauty, and the calligraphy used to write names is an art form.

Chinese last names are unique because of the time surnames have been used, with some being established for over 3,000 years. A relatively small number of surnames are used in China today, and many of the most popular have ancient ties. As the Chinese have migrated around the world, so too have their names, which makes them recognizable. For example, common Chinese American last names include Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu, and Chen; unique Chinese American last names include Zheng, Liang, Xie, Liao, and Fang. We have researched these ancient and profound surnames and created a comprehensive list of the most common Chinese surnames with meanings and hanzi for those learning about these last names.

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Top 100 Chinese Last Names

This is our list of the most common last names in China and a great introduction to these surnames. Chinese last names are cultural and familial identifiers which connect individuals to their ancestral roots. Despite the vast population of China, a relatively small number of surnames are shared by a large portion of the population.

Lǐ – Plum – 李
Wáng – King – 王
Zhāng – Archer – 张
Liú – Willow – 刘
Chén – Ancient – 陈
Yáng – Poplar – 杨
Zhào – An ancient state – 赵
Huáng – Emperor – 黄
Zhōu – An ancient state – 周
Wú – An ancient state – 吴
Xú – Slowly – 许
Sūn – Grandson – 孙
Mǎ – Horse – 马
Zhū – Bamboo – 朱
Hú – Lake – 胡
Guō – Country – 郭
Lín – Forest – 林
Hé – River – 何
Gāo – High – 高
Luó – An ancient state – 罗
Liáng – Bridge – 梁
Sòng – Pine tree – 宋
Zhèng – Politic – 郑
Xiè – Thankful – 谢
Hán – An ancient state – 韩
Táng – An ancient state – 唐
Féng – Maple – 冯
Yú – Rain – 于
Dǒng – East – 董
Xiāo – Morning – 肖
Chéng – Honest – 程
Cáo – Grass – 曹
Yuán – Original – 袁
Dèng – Climbing – 邓
Xǔ – Slowly – 徐
Fù – Teacher – 傅
Shěn – Deep – 沈
Zēng – Increasing – 曾
Péng – Big – 彭
Lǚ – Green – 吕
Sū – Grass – 苏
Lú – An ancient state – 卢
Jiǎng – River – 江
Cài – Vegetable – 蔡
Jiǎ – Armor – 贾
Dīng – Nail – 丁
Wèi – Surround – 魏
Xuē – Snow – 薛
Yè – Wild – 叶
Yán – Speech – 严
Pān – Plate – 潘
Dù – Stomach – 杜
Dài – Wear – 戴
Xià – Summer – 夏
Zhōng – Middle – 钟
Wāng – Prince – 汪
Tián – Field – 田
Rén – Man – 任
Jiāng – River – 姜
Fàn – Ordinary – 范
Fāng – Square – 方
Shí – Stone – 石
Yáo – Medicine – 姚
Tán – Beach – 谭
Shèng – Victory – 盛
Zōu – Walk – 邹
Xióng – Bear – 熊
Jīn – Gold – 金
Hǎo – Number – 郝
Kǒng – Empty – 孔
Bái – White – 白
Cuī – Green – 崔
Kāng – Health – 康
Máo – Hair – 毛
Qiū – Autumn – 邱
Qín – Zither – 秦
Shǐ – History – 史
Gù – Drum – 顾
Hóu – Monkey – 侯
Shào – Young – 邵
Mèng – Dream – 孟
Lóng – Dragon – 龙
Wàn – Bend – 万
Duàn – Short – 段
Qián – Money – 钱
Tāng – Soup – 唐
Yǐn – Silver – 尹
Lí – Black – 黎
Yì – Art – 易
Cháng – Long – 常
Wǔ – Military – 武
Qiáo – Skillful – 乔
Lài – Come – 赖
Gōng – Worker – 龚
Wén – Culture – 文
Sīmǎ – Horse handler – 司马
Péi – Coat – 裴
Ōuyáng – Name of a place – 欧阳
Jì – Lucky – 纪
Táo – Peach – 陶

Unique Chinese Last Names

Unique Chinese last names are less common and carry specific regional, historical, or familial significance. These surnames can be linked to particular clans, ancestral stories, or ancient events, providing a distinct identity to the bearers.

Ài – Love – 艾
Bǎi – White – 柏
Bǎilǐ – Hundred Li – 百里
Bèi – Northern – 贝
Dǎng – Helm – 党
Fèi – Fly – 费
Fēng – Phoenix – 冯
Gěng – Plough – 耿
Guān – Pass – 关
Huò – Fire – 霍
Lěng – Cold – 冷
Lóu – Building – 楼
Miē – Destroy – 乜
Mù – Wood – 木
Ní – Mud – 泥
Niè – Conquer – 聂
Níng – Peaceful – 宁
Niú – Cow – 牛
Páng – Huge – 庞
Qī – Rare – 戚
Qú – Curve – 曲
Quán – Spring (water) – 泉
Shā – Sand – 沙
Shī – Stone – 石
Sù – Revive – 苏
Téng – Climb – 滕
Wēn – Gentle – 温
Xí – Double – 熙
Xún – Fast – 寻
Yān – Salt – 严
Yóu – Swim – 游
Yǔ – Rain – 于
Zhòng – Heavy – 仲
Zhuāng – Strong – 庄
Zhuó – Bright – 卓
Zuǒ – Left – 左

Rare Chinese Last Names

China has a large population, but few people bear these rare last names. Despite their scarcity, they hold a special place in Chinese heritage, and symbolize a deep connection to specific lineages and traditions.

Áo – Proud – 敖
Bāo – Treasure – 宝
Bì – Avoid – 辟
Chāng – Sing – 常
Dān – Single – 单
Dōngfāng – East – 东方
Dǔ – Alone – 杜
Guì – Noble – 桂
Hǎi – Sea – 海
Hóng – Red – 洪
Huā – Flower – 花
Hūn – Muddy – 混
Jǐng – Capital – 井
Lìnghú – Divine Tiger – 令狐
Luán – Chaos – 栾
Miáo – Temple – 苗
Mǐn – Sensitive – 闵
Shàn – Mountain – 山
Tǒu – Head – 透
Wū – House – 吴
Xián – Fresh – 鲜
Xiàng – Fragrant – 向
Yī – One – 伊
Yīn – Silver – 印
Yīng – Cherry – 应
Yōng – Brave – 勇
Zhái – Stockade – 翟
Zhēn – Precious – 真
Zhù – Vermilion – 朱

Cool Chinese Last Names

These cool Chinese last names are perfect for those looking to recreate epic Chinese films and historical events. They capture Chinese culture’s essence, and intertwine modern admiration and ancient reverence.

Biān – Edge – 边
Chāo – Surpass – 巢
Dòu – Beans – 豆
Gān – Dry – 甘
Gū – Old – 古
Jī – Record, era – 冀
Jiǎn – Simple – 简
Jìn – Gold – 金
Liǔ – Willow – 刘
Mì – Dense – 密
Nà – Elegant – 纳
Píng – Flat – 平
Rao – Wrap – 饶
Tái – Great – 邰
Tam – Coal or Charcoal – 炭
Tom – Pond or Soup – 汤
Tong – Same – 童
Tsang – Increase or Storehouse – 臧
Wong – Yellow – 黄
Xī – West – 西
Xū – Slowly – 许
Yún – Cloud – 云
Zǎi – Wealth – 宰
Zeng – Increase – 曾

Beautiful Chinese Last Names

The beautiful Chinese last names on this list are works of art. They derive their allure from poetic or nature-inspired meanings, evoking imagery of serene landscapes, elegant flowers, or majestic virtues.

An – Safe – 安
Chiang – River – 蔣
Chiu – Autumn – 秋
Chong – Rushing – 崇
Chun – Spring – 春
Dao – Knife – 刀
Fung – Wind – 风
Ko – Tall – 高
Kwan – Officer – 关
Leong – Bright – 梁
Liao – Distant – 廖
Ling – Soul – 凌
Ruan – Soft – 阮
Tsai – Vegetable – 蔡
Tu – Earth – 屠
Wing – Honor – 荣
Woo – Peace – 吴
Yue – Music – 岳

Uncommon Chinese Last Names

Uncommon Chinese last names have origins in ancient clans, historical events, or lesser-known regions of China, making them less widespread in modern times. Check out these uncommon Chinese surnames.

Cheung – Long – 张
Chin – Gold – 金
Choi – Mountain – 崔
Chou – Ugly – 丑
Chow – Super – 周
Chu – Remove – 朱
Chung – Middle – 钟
Fong – Square – 方
Ho – Good – 何
Hsu – Beard – 许
Hwang – Yellow – 黄
Jung – Middle – 郑
Lam – Blue – 林
Lang – Wolf – 郎
Lau – Flow – 刘
Law – Old – 罗
Leung – Good – 梁
Lim – Forest – 林
Lo – Old – 罗
Ly – Reason – 李
Mai – Wheat – 麦
Ng – Wu – 吴
Pū – Shopkeeper – 朴
Yee – Second – 余

Cute Chinese Last Names

Cute Chinese last names often have delightful, endearing, or light-hearted meanings. They are reminiscent of nature, playful characteristics, and have adorable meanings.

Bo – Waves – 波
Chai – Firewood – 柴
Chi – Pond – 池
Chia – Home – 賈
Ching – Clear – 清
Hsieh – Thank – 謝
Hung – Red – 洪
Juan – Coil – 卷
Kuang – Vast – 匡
Kuo – Extend – 郭
Kwok – Country – 郭
Lei – Thunder – 雷
Lew – Willow – 柳
Ma – Horse – 马
Man – Full – 满
Mei – Plum – 梅
Pan – Hope – 潘
So – Search – 蘇/苏
Suen – Respect – 孫
Sung – Respect, variant of “Song”. – 宋
Ta – Tower – 塔
Tse – Thank – 謝
Tso – Sitting – 左
Tsui – Mouth of a river – 崔
Yeung – Ocean – 楊
Yuen – Source – 袁

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Famous People with Chinese Last Names

Zhang Ziyi, an internationally renowned actress, was born in China in 1979. She has acted in acclaimed films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Memoirs of a Geisha. She has earned prestigious awards and nominations for her work and is consistently ranked highly in the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. Ziyi is a Chinese surname meaning ‘drawing a bow.’

Liu Xiang is considered an icon in China for his athletic prowess. He was born in China in 1983 and is the only man to have ever held these three titles in track and field at once: world champion, Olympic champion, and world record holder for the 110-meter hurdles. Liu is a Chinese surname that means ‘kill.’

Karry Wang, born in China in 1999, is one of China’s wealthiest young adults. He is the leader of a boy band called The Fighting Boys, or TFBoys. His last name is one of China’s most common surnames, and this uncommonly regal surname means ‘king.’

Li Na was born in China in 1982 and is a champion tennis player. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTS) ranked her as the number two tennis player in the world in 2014, and throughout her career, she has won awards, including two Grand Slam singles titles. Her Chinese last name means ‘plum’.

Zhao Liying is a television and singer who has made her mark in Chinese historical dramas. She was born in China in 1987, but many characters she depicts are from hundreds of years ago. The characters in her Chinese surname mean ‘beautiful’ and ‘intelligent.’

References

Information from Wikipedia on Chinese last names was used in the collection of this data.

257 Chinese Last Names