Traditional:

Luo

Pronounced like: "L-waw (rhymes with 'raw' but starts with a brief 'u' sound)"

Other Spellings: Law, Low, Loh, Lo, La

Quick Facts

SurnameLuo ()
Traditional Form
Rank in China#21
Element (Wu Xing)Fire
Ancient RootYun (妘) / Mi (芈)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Luo Family Name

Le nom de famille Luo provient principalement de l'ancien État de Luo, un État vassal pendant la dynastie Zhou. Le peuple Luo descendait du légendaire empereur Zhuanxu via la lignée du nom Yun (妘). Initialement situé dans l'actuelle province du Henan, l'État a ensuite subi la pression de l'expansion de l'État de Chu et a été déplacé à plusieurs reprises, s'installant finalement dans des parties du Hubei et du Hunan. Après l'annexion de l'État de Luo par le Chu pendant la période des Printemps et des Automnes, ses habitants ont adopté le nom de leur État déchu comme nom de famille pour préserver leur héritage culturel. De plus, les archives indiquent que divers groupes ethniques non-Han, tels que les Xianbei, ont adopté ce nom lors de périodes de sinisation.

What Does the Chinese Surname Luo Mean?

Le nom de famille Luo (罗) désignait à l'origine un filet spécialisé utilisé pour attraper les oiseaux. Au sens large, il représente le concept de rassemblement, d'arrangement ou d'encerclement. Au fil du temps, le caractère a évolué pour signifier également la gaze de soie ou un tissu à mailles fines, symbolisant le raffinement, la transparence et la délicatesse. Dans les contextes linguistiques chinois modernes, il apparaît dans des termes liés à la logique et à l'organisation systématique. En tant que nom de famille, il porte un sentiment de prévoyance stratégique et la capacité de saisir les opportunités, reflétant la nature méticuleuse de l'artisanat d'origine. C'est un nom profondément enraciné dans l'histoire agricole et industrielle de la Chine ancienne.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Luo

VariantPrimary Region
LawCantonese
LowHokkien/Teochew
LohHokkien
LoHakka
LaVietnamese

Famous People With the Surname Luo

1. Luo Guanzhong: Un célèbre romancier de la fin de la dynastie Yuan et du début de la dynastie Ming, surtout connu comme l'auteur des 'Trois Royaumes', l'un des quatre grands romans classiques de la littérature chinoise.

2. Luo Ronghuan: Un chef militaire et homme politique de premier plan qui a servi comme l'un des dix maréchaux de l'Armée populaire de libération, jouant un rôle crucial dans la guerre civile chinoise.

3. Luo Jialun: Un éducateur, historien et diplomate influent de la Chine moderne qui a été président de l'Université centrale nationale et l'un des principaux dirigeants du mouvement du 4 mai.

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.

Looking for a Chinese Name with the Surname Luo?

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Luo (罗) mean?+

The surname Luo (罗) originally denoted a specialized net used for catching birds. In a broader sense, it represents the concept of gathering, arranging, or encircling. Over time, the character evolved to also mean silk gauze or a fine-meshed fabric, symbolizing refinement, transparency, and delicacy. In modern Chinese linguistic contexts, it appears in terms related to logic and systematic organization (as in 'Luoji'). As a surname, it carries a sense of strategic foresight and the ability to capture opportunities, reflecting the meticulous nature of the original bird-catching craft. It is a surname deeply rooted in the agricultural and early industrial history of ancient China, representing both the pragmatism of the hunt and the sophistication of textile arts.

How common is the surname Luo?+

The surname Luo ranks approximately #21 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 罗?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Luo. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "L-waw (rhymes with 'raw' but starts with a brief 'u' sound)".

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.