Discover Your Chinese Name

Wáng (Wahng)

King

One of the most common surnames in China.

e.g. Wang Fei (Faye Wong)

Lǐ (Lee)

Plum

Ancient surname; Li Bai was a famous Tang poet.

e.g. Li Bai

Zhāng (Jahng)

To stretch, open

Often associated with the bow (archer).

e.g. Zhang Yimou

Liú (Lyoh)

Originally "axe"; now a major clan name

Liu Bei was a ruler in the Three Kingdoms period.

e.g. Liu Bei

Chén (Chen)

To exhibit; ancient state

Widely used in southern China.

e.g. Chen Yi

Yáng (Yahng)

Poplar tree

A very common surname across China.

e.g. Yang Guifei

Huáng (Hwahng)

Yellow

Associated with the Yellow Emperor (黄帝).

e.g. Huang Di

Zhào (Jow)

State of Zhao

First in the classic Hundred Family Names (Song dynasty).

e.g. Zhao Yun

Zhōu (Joe)

Zhou dynasty; cycle

Royal surname of the Zhou dynasty.

e.g. Zhou Enlai

Wú (Woo)

State of Wu

Ancient state in the Yangtze region.

e.g. Wu Cheng'en

Xú (Shyoo)

Gentle, slow

Common in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

e.g. Xu Xiake

Sūn (Soon)

Grandson

Sun Yat-sen was a key revolutionary.

e.g. Sun Yat-sen

Mǎ (Mah)

Horse

Common among Hui and other groups.

e.g. Ma Huateng

Zhū (Joo)

Vermillion

Surname of the Ming dynasty emperors.

e.g. Zhu Yuanzhang

Hú (Hoo)

Beard; historical term for northern peoples

Widely distributed across China.

e.g. Hu Shi

Guō (Gwor)

Outer wall (of a city)

From the name of an ancient city.

e.g. Guo Moruo

Hé (Her)

What; to carry

Common in Guangdong and Sichuan.

e.g. He Xiangning

Lín (Lin)

Forest

Very common in Fujian and Taiwan.

e.g. Lin Zexu

Luó (Lwor)

Gauze, net

From the ancient state of Luo.

e.g. Luo Guanzhong

Gāo (Gow)

Tall, high

Ancient surname with noble associations.

e.g. Gao Shi