吴
Traditional: 吳
Wu
Pronounced like: "Woo"
Other Spellings: Ng, Goh, Ngo, Woo, Gô
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Wu Family Name
L'origine principale du nom de famille Wu remonte à la Maison de Ji, la famille régnante de la dynastie Zhou. La légende raconte que Taibo et Zhongyong, les fils aînés du roi Tai de Zhou, ont réalisé que leur père voulait que leur frère cadet lui succède. Dans un acte de profonde piété filiale, ils se sont enfuis vers les régions méridionales 'barbares' du delta du Yangtze, adoptant les coutumes locales et fondant l'État de Wu. Leurs descendants ont finalement adopté le nom de l'État comme nom de famille pour honorer leur héritage. Une origine secondaire provient de l'ancienne tribu Wu-Hui pendant l'ère des légendaires empereurs Yan et Huang. De plus, certaines branches seraient issues du peuple Sanmiao ou auraient adopté le nom par intégration ethnique au fil des millénaires.
What Does the Chinese Surname Wu Mean?
Le caractère 'Wu' (Wú) dans sa forme ancienne représente une personne criant fort, représentée par une bouche (口) au-dessus d'une personne à la tête inclinée (夨). Cette imagerie suggère un grand cri ou une annonce importante. Au fil du temps, le caractère a évolué pour représenter le concept de 'grand' ou 'vaste' dans certains contextes, bien qu'il soit plus célèbre comme marqueur territorial. Il est finalement devenu le nom du puissant État de Wu pendant la période des Printemps et des Automnes de la Chine ancienne. Dans le contexte de l'onomastique chinoise, il porte un héritage de prestige associé aux terres fertiles du cours inférieur du fleuve Yangtze et à la culture vibrante de cette région.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Wu
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Ng | Cantonese |
| Goh | Hokkien/Teochew |
| Ngo | Hokkien |
| Woo | Korean |
| Gô | Vietnamese |
Famous People With the Surname Wu
1. Wu Zetian (624–705) : La seule souveraine légitime de l'histoire chinoise, qui a régné en tant qu'impératrice de la dynastie Zhou.
2. Wu Daozi (680–740) : Un peintre légendaire de la dynastie Tang, vénéré comme le 'Saint de la peinture' pour ses peintures murales et ses travaux à l'encre.
3. Wu Sangui (1612–1678) : Un général pivot de la dynastie Ming qui a ouvert les portes de la Grande Muraille aux forces Qing, changeant radicalement l'histoire chinoise.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 吴 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 Wu (吴) mean?+
The character 'Wu' (吴) in its ancient form depicts a person shouting loudly, represented by a mouth (口) above a person with a tilted head (夨). This imagery suggests a loud cry or a grand announcement. Over time, the character evolved to represent the concept of 'great' or 'large' in some contexts, though it is most famously identified as a territorial marker. It eventually became the name of the powerful State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. Within the context of Chinese onomastics, it carries a legacy of prestige associated with the fertile lands of the lower Yangtze River and the vibrant culture that emerged from that region.
How common is the surname Wu?+
The surname Wu ranks approximately #9 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 吴?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Wu. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Woo".
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.