李
Li
Pronounced like: "Lee"
Other Spellings: Lee, Ly, Ri, Lei, Lí
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Li Family Name
Le nom de famille Li a plusieurs racines historiques. Une lignée majeure remonte à Gao Yao, ministre de la Justice sous le règne légendaire des empereurs Yao et Shun ; ses descendants utilisaient à l'origine l'homophone 'Li' (理), signifiant 'raison' ou 'juge', qui a évolué plus tard vers le caractère du 'prunier'. Une autre origine significative est associée à Laozi (Li Er), le fondateur du taoïsme. De plus, sous la dynastie Tang, la famille impériale a partagé son nom avec de nombreux fonctionnaires méritants, augmentant considérablement sa population.
What Does the Chinese Surname Li Mean?
Le nom de famille 'Li' (李) se traduit littéralement par 'prunier' ou 'prune'. En chinois ancien, le caractère est composé du radical 'Mu' (木), signifiant bois ou arbre, et de la composante 'Zi' (子), signifiant enfant ou graine, qui symbolisent ensemble l'abondance des fruits et de la progéniture du prunier. C'est l'un des noms de famille les plus courants et les plus prestigieux en Chine, fréquemment associé à la vitalité, au renouveau naturel et à l'épanouissement d'un clan.
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): Le fondateur du taoïsme et auteur du Tao Te Ching, dont les réflexions philosophiques sur la 'Voie' restent un pilier de la pensée orientale.
2. Li Shimin (Empereur Taizong des Tang): L'un des empereurs les plus célèbres de l'histoire chinoise, il a instauré l'âge d'or de la dynastie Tang par ses prouesses militaires et sa gouvernance avisée.
3. Li Bai: Un poète légendaire de la dynastie Tang, connu sous le nom de 'Poète Immortel', célèbre pour ses vers romantiques et imaginatifs qui définissent la littérature chinoise classique.
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.