Mi

Pronounced like: "Mee"

Other Spellings: Mi, Mei, My, Bi, Mee

Quick Facts

SurnameMi ()
Rank in China#999
Element (Wu Xing)Water
Ancient RootJi (姬)
Origin EraXia Dynasty

Origin and History of the Mi Family Name

Der Nachname Mi stammt primär aus der Xia-Dynastie. Es wird allgemein angenommen, dass er vom Ji-Clan (姬) abstammt. Historische Aufzeichnungen deuten darauf hin, dass Nachkommen der Xia-Royalität in einem Ort namens Mi belehnt wurden und diesen Namen annahmen. Eine andere Linie geht auf antike Beamte zurück, die für die Getreideverwaltung in den frühen dynastischen Perioden verantwortlich waren.

What Does the Chinese Surname Mi Mean?

Der Nachname Mi (糜) bezeichnet buchstäblich gut gekochtes, breiiges Getreide oder Porridge. Historisch gesehen repräsentierte er die Veredelung von landwirtschaftlichen Nutzpflanzen wie Hirse oder Reis in einen weichen Zustand, was Nahrung, Überfluss und die lebensnotwendige Versorgung durch die Erde symbolisiert. Er spiegelt die tiefen landwirtschaftlichen Wurzeln der frühen chinesischen Zivilisation wider.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Mi

VariantPrimary Region
MiPinyin
MeiWade-Giles
MyVietnam
BiHokkien
MeeRomanization

Famous People With the Surname Mi

1. Mi Zhu: Ein prominenter Berater und hochrangiger General von Liu Bei während der späten Han- und Drei-Reiche-Zeit, bekannt für seinen Reichtum und seine Loyalität.

2. Mi Fang: Der jüngere Bruder von Mi Zhu und ein General, der zunächst Liu Bei diente, bevor er während des Konflikts um die Provinz Jing zu Eastern Wu überlief.

3. Lady Mi: Die Frau von Liu Bei und Schwester von Mi Zhu, die in der historischen Literatur für ihre Aufopferung und Tugend während der Schlacht von Changban gefeiert wird.

Clan Motto

Traditional clan mottos for the 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 Mi (糜) mean?+

The surname Mi (糜) literally denotes well-cooked, pulpy grain or porridge. Historically, it represented the refinement of agricultural crops like millet or rice into a soft state, symbolizing nourishment, abundance, and the essential sustenance provided by the earth. It reflects the deep agricultural roots and the importance of food processing in early Chinese civilization.

How common is the surname Mi?+

The surname Mi ranks approximately #999 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 糜?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Mi. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Mee".

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.