Pu

Pronounced like: "Poo-uh"

Other Spellings: Pu, Po, Poo, Phu, Boku

Quick Facts

SurnamePu ()
Rank in China#999
Element (Wu Xing)Water
Ancient RootJi (姬)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Pu Family Name

Le nom de famille 'Pu' a trois sources historiques primaires. La branche la plus importante descend de la lignée Ji (姬), plus précisément de l'État de Wei pendant la dynastie Zhou. Un prince de Wei reçut en fief la ville de Pu (dans l'actuel Henan), et ses descendants adoptèrent le nom du lieu comme nom de famille. Une deuxième source provient du peuple 'Baipu', un ensemble de tribus ethniques habitant le bassin du fleuve Yangtsé. Lors de l'expansion de l'État de Chu pendant la période des Printemps et Automnes, de nombreux Baipu se sont intégrés à la culture Han et ont adopté 'Pu' comme nom. Une troisième source remonte à l'État de Lu, où les descendants d'un noble nommé Pu Zhou ont établi la lignée. Cette origine multiforme souligne l'intégration des marqueurs géographiques et de la fusion ethnique.

What Does the Chinese Surname Pu Mean?

Le nom de famille 'Pu' est profondément ancré dans l'histoire hydrologique et géographique de la Chine ancienne. Le caractère lui-même est principalement le nom de la 'rivière Pu' (Pú Shuǐ), une voie navigable historique qui coulait autrefois à travers les provinces actuelles du Henan et du Shandong. Étymologiquement, le caractère contient le radical de l'eau (氵), signifiant ses origines fluviales. Historiquement, les familles vivant le long de ses rives ou les fonctionnaires gouvernant la région de Pu ont adopté ce nom. De plus, 'Pu' fait référence aux 'Baipu' (les Cent Pu), une ancienne confédération de diverses tribus ethniques du sud de la Chine. Ainsi, le nom représente un mélange de lignée noble liée à des territoires spécifiques et l'assimilation d'anciens groupes tribaux dans la culture chinoise.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Pu

VariantPrimary Region
PuMainland/Pinyin
PoCantonese/Hong Kong
PooWade-Giles
PhuVietnamese
BokuJapanese Kanji pronunciation

Famous People With the Surname Pu

1. Pu Cunxin : Acteur chinois contemporain et humanitaire très respecté, renommé pour son travail au Théâtre d'art populaire de Pékin et son plaidoyer pour la sensibilisation au SIDA.

2. Pu Wenzi : Érudit et fonctionnaire distingué de la fin de la dynastie Qing, qui a joué un rôle dans les affaires administratives et la préservation littéraire pendant une période de grands changements nationaux.

3. Pu Yuan : Poète célèbre de la dynastie Ming, connu pour son style littéraire sophistiqué et ses contributions au développement culturel de la région de Jiangnan.

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 Pu (濮) mean?+

The surname 'Pu' is deeply rooted in China's ancient hydrological and geographical history. The character itself is primarily the name of the 'Pu River' (Pú Shuǐ), a historic waterway that once flowed through modern-day Henan and Shandong provinces. Etymologically, the character contains the 'water' radical (氵), signifying its riverine origins. Historically, families living along its banks or officials governing the Pu region adopted the name. Additionally, 'Pu' refers to the 'Baipu' (Hundred Pu), an ancient confederation of diverse ethnic tribes in southern China. Thus, the name represents a blend of noble lineage tied to specific territories and the assimilation of ancient tribal groups into the broader Chinese cultural sphere, symbolizing both stability and the fluid nature of historical identity.

How common is the surname Pu?+

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

How do you pronounce the surname 濮?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Pu. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Poo-uh".

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.