Traditional:

Wu

Pronounced like: "Woo"

Other Spellings: Ng, Goh, Ngo, Woo, Gô

Quick Facts

SurnameWu ()
Traditional Form
Rank in China#9
Element (Wu Xing)Wood
Ancient RootJi (姬)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Wu Family Name

Der primäre Ursprung des Nachnamens Wu lässt sich auf das Haus Ji zurückführen, die Herrscherfamilie der Zhou-Dynastie. Die Legende besagt, dass Taibo und Zhongyong, die ältesten Söhne von König Tai von Zhou, erkannten, dass ihr Vater wollte, dass ihr jüngerer Bruder ihm nachfolgt. In einem Akt tiefer kindlicher Pietät flohen sie in die 'barbarischen' südlichen Regionen des Jangtse-Deltas, nahmen lokale Bräuche an und gründeten den Staat Wu. Ihre Nachkommen nahmen schließlich den Staatsnamen als Nachnamen an, um ihr Erbe zu ehren. Ein sekundärer Ursprung stammt vom alten Stamm der Wu-Hui aus der Ära der legendären Yan- und Huang-Kaiser. Zusätzlich wird gesagt, dass einige Zweige vom Volk der Sanmiao abstammen oder den Namen durch ethnische Integration über Jahrtausende hinweg angenommen haben.

What Does the Chinese Surname Wu Mean?

Das Schriftzeichen 'Wu' (吴) in seiner antiken Form stellt eine laut schreiende Person dar, symbolisiert durch einen Mund (口) über einer Person mit geneigtem Kopf (夨). Diese Bildsprache deutet auf einen lauten Ruf oder eine große Ankündigung hin. Im Laufe der Zeit entwickelte sich das Zeichen, um in einigen Kontexten das Konzept von 'groß' oder 'gewaltig' darzustellen, obwohl es am bekanntesten als territoriale Markierung identifiziert wird. Es wurde schließlich der Name des mächtigen Staates Wu während der Frühlings- und Herbstperiode des alten Chinas. Im Kontext der chinesischen Onomastik trägt es ein Erbe von Prestige, das mit den fruchtbaren Gebieten des unteren Jangtse-Flusses und der lebendigen Kultur dieser Region verbunden ist.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Wu

VariantPrimary Region
NgCantonese
GohHokkien/Teochew
NgoHokkien
WooKorean
Vietnamese

Famous People With the Surname Wu

1. Wu Zetian (624–705): Die einzige rechtmäßige weibliche Monarchin in der chinesischen Geschichte, die als Kaiserin der Zhou-Dynastie regierte.

2. Wu Daozi (680–740): Ein legendärer Maler der Tang-Dynastie, der als 'Heiliger der Malerei' für seine meisterhaften Wandbilder und Tuschearbeiten verehrt wird.

3. Wu Sangui (1612–1678): Ein entscheidender General der Ming-Dynastie, der die Tore der Großen Mauer für die Qing-Streitkräfte öffnete und die chinesische Geschichte drastisch veränderte.

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

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.

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