吕
Traditional: 呂
Lu
Pronounced like: "Lyu (L-yuh)"
Other Spellings: Lu, Lui, Loo, Loh, Lyu
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Lu Family Name
L'origine principale du nom de famille Lü remonte au légendaire clan Jiang (姜), descendants de l'empereur Yan. Au début de la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux, le roi Wu de Zhou a accordé le territoire de Lü (situé dans l'actuelle Nanyang, province du Henan) aux descendants de Bo Yi, un haut fonctionnaire ayant servi les anciens rois sages Yao et Shun. Bo Yi avait été récompensé par le titre de 'Marquis de Lü' pour ses contributions au royaume. Après l'annexion de l'État, ses descendants ont adopté le nom de leur ancien fief comme nom de famille pour honorer leurs racines nobles. Une origine secondaire implique l'intégration de groupes ethniques minoritaires, tels que le peuple Xianbei sous la dynastie des Wei du Nord, qui a adopté 'Lü' lors de la sinisation.
What Does the Chinese Surname Lu Mean?
Le nom de famille Lü (吕) est riche d'une signification étymologique et symbolique. Historiquement, le caractère représente deux vertèbres spinales reliées entre elles, symbolisant à l'origine la colonne vertébrale d'un être vivant. Cette connotation d'intégrité structurelle et de soutien a évolué au fil du temps. Dans la théorie musicale chinoise ancienne, 'Lü' fait référence aux six tons pairs parmi les douze hauteurs standard, représentant les notes de musique 'yin' ou féminines. De plus, le caractère peut symboliser un tuyau de pitch ou une mesure d'harmonie. En tant que nom de famille, il porte le poids de la dignité ancestrale et le concept d'être un pilier fondamental au sein de la famille et de l'État, reflétant un héritage de stabilité et de force.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Lu
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Lu | Mandarin Pinyin |
| Lui | Cantonese |
| Loo | Hokkien/Teochew |
| Loh | Hokkien |
| Lyu | Standard Pinyin with umlaut |
Famous People With the Surname Lu
1. Lü Bu (mort en 199 ap. J.-C.) : Un général et seigneur de guerre légendaire de la fin de la dynastie des Han orientaux, célèbre pour ses prouesses inégalées en arts martiaux.
2. Impératrice Lü Zhi (241-180 av. J.-C.) : L'épouse de l'empereur Gaozu des Han ; elle fut la première femme à porter le titre d'impératrice dans l'histoire de la Chine.
3. Lü Dongbin (né vers 796 ap. J.-C.) : Un célèbre érudit et poète de la dynastie Tang, vénéré comme l'un des huit immortels de la mythologie taoïste.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 吕 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 Lu (吕) mean?+
The surname Lü (吕) is rich in etymological and symbolic significance. Historically, the character depicts two spinal vertebrae connected together, originally symbolizing the spine or the backbone of a living being. This connotation of structural integrity and support evolved over time. In ancient Chinese music theory, 'Lü' refers to the six even-numbered tones among the twelve standard pitches, representing the 'yin' or feminine musical notes that complement the 'yang' tones. Furthermore, the character can symbolize a pitch-pipe or a measure of harmony. As a surname, it carries the weight of ancestral dignity and the concept of being a foundational pillar within the family and the state, reflecting a legacy of stability, harmony, and strength across generations.
How common is the surname Lu?+
The surname Lu ranks approximately #43 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 吕?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Lu. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Lyu (L-yuh)".
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.