李
Li
Pronounced like: "Lee"
Other Spellings: Lee, Ly, Ri, Lei, Lí
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Li Family Name
Der Nachname Li hat mehrere historische Wurzeln. Eine Hauptlinie geht auf Gao Yao zurück, einen Justizminister während der legendären Herrschaft der Kaiser Yao und Shun; seine Nachkommen verwendeten ursprünglich das Homophon 'Li' (理), was 'Vernunft' oder 'Richter' bedeutet und sich später zum Zeichen für 'Pflaume' entwickelte. Ein weiterer bedeutender Ursprung ist mit Laozi (Li Er) verbunden, dem Begründer des Taoismus. Darüber hinaus verlieh die kaiserliche Familie während der Tang-Dynastie vielen verdienten Beamten ihren Nachnamen, was dessen Verbreitung stark förderte.
What Does the Chinese Surname Li Mean?
Der Nachname 'Li' (李) bedeutet wörtlich 'Pflaume' oder 'Pflaumenbaum'. Im alten Chinesisch setzt sich das Schriftzeichen aus dem Radikal 'Mu' (木), was Holz oder Baum bedeutet, und der Komponente 'Zi' (子), was Kind oder Samen bedeutet, zusammen, was gemeinsam den Reichtum an Früchten und Nachkommen des Pflaumenbaums symbolisiert. Es ist einer der häufigsten und prestigeträchtigsten Nachnamen in China, der oft mit Vitalität, natürlicher Erneuerung und dem blühenden Wachstum eines Clans verbunden wird.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Li
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Lee | English/Korean |
| Ly | Vietnamese |
| Ri | North Korean |
| Lei | Cantonese |
| Lí | Hokkien/Teochew |
Famous People With the Surname Li
1. Laozi (Li Er): Der Begründer des Taoismus und Autor des Tao Te Ching, dessen philosophische Einsichten in den 'Weg' ein Eckpfeiler des östlichen Denkens bleiben.
2. Li Shimin (Kaiser Taizong von Tang): Einer der gefeiertsten Kaiser der chinesischen Geschichte, der durch militärisches Geschick und kluge Staatsführung das goldene Zeitalter der Tang-Dynastie begründete.
3. Li Bai: Ein legendärer Dichter der Tang-Dynastie, bekannt als der 'Dichterunsterbliche', berühmt für seine romantischen und fantasievollen Verse, die die klassische chinesische Literatur prägen.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 李 surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.
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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname Li (李) mean?+
The surname 'Li' (李) literally translates to 'plum' or 'plum tree.' In ancient Chinese, the character is composed of the radical 'Mu' (木), meaning wood or tree, and the component 'Zi' (子), meaning child or seed, which together symbolize the abundance of the plum tree's fruit and offspring. It is one of the most common and prestigious surnames in China, frequently associated with vitality, natural renewal, and the flourishing growth of a clan.
How common is the surname Li?+
The surname Li ranks approximately #1 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 李?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Li. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Lee".
How many Chinese surnames are there?+
Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.
What are the most common Chinese last names?+
The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.
Are Chinese names written surname first?+
Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.
How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+
Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.
What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+
The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.
Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+
Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).
Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+
Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.
What is the oldest Chinese surname?+
The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.
Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+
Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.
How are Chinese last names inherited?+
A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.