Chinese American families brought many last names to the United States. These names come from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other places. Each name has a story. Some names tell about nature. Others talk about jobs or family history.
Knowing these names helps you understand Chinese American culture. You might find your own name here. Or you might learn about a friend’s family. This list shares the most common Chinese American surnames. It explains where they come from and what they mean.
Common Chinese American Last Names (With Meanings)
Here are 30 common Chinese American last names. Each name has a deep meaning. Many come from ancient Chinese words. You will see names that mean gold, river, or peace. Some names sound like English names but are very Chinese. Let us look at each one.
1. Wang
Wang means king or ruler. It is one of the most common surnames in the world. Many Chinese American families with this name came from northern China. The name feels powerful and respected.
2. Li
Li means plum or logic. It is a very old name from the Tang dynasty. People with this name are often seen as smart and elegant. The plum tree is strong and beautiful.
3. Zhang
Zhang means to stretch or open a bow. This name comes from archers in ancient times. It sounds sharp and quick. Many Chinese Americans with this name come from the east coast of China.
4. Liu
Liu means to kill or destroy. But it also means a type of willow tree. The name is famous because of Liu Bei from the Three Kingdoms. It feels brave and natural.
5. Chen
Chen means to exhibit or old. It is a common name in Taiwan and southern China. The name sounds calm and steady. Many Chinese American families with Chen came in the 1800s to build railroads.
6. Yang
Yang means sun or male. It is a very positive name. The sun gives life. People with this name are often cheerful and strong. Yang is also a famous river in China.
7. Huang
Huang means yellow or brilliant. It is the color of the emperor. Many Chinese Americans spell it Wong from Cantonese. The name is rich and bright.
8. Zhao
Zhao means to summon or a type of ancient state. It sounds crisp. The name comes from the Song dynasty. People with Zhao are often leaders.
9. Wu
Wu means military or martial. It is a short name with power. Wu also means a region in China. Many Chinese Americans with this name are from Jiangsu province.
10. Zhou
Zhou means cycle or week. It is also the name of a famous dynasty. The name feels orderly and historic. Zhou families often have long roots in Chinese history.
11. Xu
Xu means empty or slow. But in names it suggests openness. It sounds like a soft breeze. Many Chinese Americans with Xu come from Zhejiang province.
12. Sun
Sun means grandson or sun. It is a simple name with big meaning. Sun Yat-sen was a famous leader. The name feels warm and family-oriented.
13. Ma
Ma means horse. It is a short name that suggests speed and strength. Many Chinese Americans with Ma come from the north where horses were important.
14. Zhu
Zhu means red or vermilion. Red is a lucky color in China. The name sounds bright and lucky. Zhu families often have ties to the southern provinces.
15. Hu
Hu means tiger or beard. Tigers are strong and brave. The name sounds fierce but friendly. Many Chinese Americans with Hu come from Hunan province.
16. Lin
Lin means forest. It is a peaceful name. Many families with Lin are from Fujian province. The name makes you think of trees and nature.
17. Guo
Guo means wall or country. It is a protective name. Guo families often have a sense of duty. The name sounds solid and reliable.
18. He
He means river or peace. Rivers are life-giving. The name flows nicely. Many Chinese Americans with He come from the Yangtze River area.
19. Gao
Gao means tall or high. It is a name that aims for the sky. People with Gao are often ambitious. The name is simple but noble.
20. Luo
Luo means net or gauze. It is a name from the ancient state of Luo. The name sounds gentle. Many Chinese Americans with Luo are from Sichuan province.
21. Liang
Liang means beam or bridge. It suggests support and connection. Liang families often build things. The name is strong and useful.
22. Song
Song means pine tree or to praise. Pine trees are evergreen and strong. The name feels lasting. Song is also a famous dynasty.
23. Zheng
Zheng means upright or correct. It is a name with moral weight. Many Chinese Americans with Zheng are from Henan province. The name sounds honest.
24. Xie
Xie means to thank or a kind of plant. It is a grateful name. Xie families often have a polite manner. The name is common in Fujian and Taiwan.
25. Han
Han means China or cold. It is the name of the largest ethnic group. The name sounds ancient and grand. Many Chinese Americans with Han are proud of their heritage.
26. Tang
Tang means soup or the Tang dynasty. It is a warm name. Tang families often love cooking. The name also means a golden age.
27. Feng
Feng means wind or phoenix. Wind is free. Phoenix is rebirth. The name is poetic and strong. Many Chinese Americans with Feng come from Guangdong province.
28. Cheng
Cheng means to succeed or a city wall. It sounds like achievement. Cheng families often work hard. The name is common in southern China.
29. Deng
Deng means lamp or lantern. Light guides the way. The name is hopeful. Many Chinese Americans with Deng are from Sichuan province.
30. Cai
Cai means vegetables or wealth. It sounds like abundance. The name is lucky. Cai families often have good fortune. It is a common name in Fujian.
Most Popular Chinese American Last Names
These are the top last names you will meet in Chinese American communities. They appear on census lists and phone books. Each one has thousands of families behind it. Here are 35 names that are very common.
- Nguyen
- Tran
- Le
- Pham
- Huynh
- Vu
- Dang
- Bui
- Do
- Ho
- Truong
- Chau
- Duong
- Thai
- Quach
- Lam
- Luong
- Ly
- Ngo
- Trinh
- Vo
- Van
- Mai
- Thach
- Uong
- Cheung
- Chan
- Chow
- Fong
- Kwok
- Lau
- Lee
- Leung
- Lui
- Ma
Rare Chinese American Last Names
Some Chinese American last names are not so common. These names may have only a few families in the US. They often come from small villages or ancient clans. Here are 38 rare but beautiful names.
- Ao
- Bai
- Bao
- Bian
- Cen
- Cha
- Chai
- Chang
- Chao
- Che
- Chi
- Chin
- Chong
- Chui
- Chun
- Cui
- Da
- Dai
- Dan
- Dong
- Du
- Duan
- E
- Fan
- Fang
- Fei
- Fen
- Fu
- Gan
- Gang
- Ge
- Gong
- Gu
- Guan
- Gui
- Guo
- Ha
- Hai
Cantonese Surnames Common In Chinese America
Many early Chinese immigrants came from Guangdong and Hong Kong. They spoke Cantonese. Their last names often have different spellings in English. Here are 33 Cantonese-based last names you will see.
- Chan
- Cheung
- Chiu
- Cho
- Choi
- Chu
- Chung
- Fok
- Fong
- Fung
- Hon
- Hui
- Ip
- Kwan
- Kwok
- Kwong
- Lai
- Lam
- Lau
- Lee
- Leung
- Ling
- Liu
- Lo
- Lok
- Luk
- Lung
- Ma
- Mok
- Ng
- Pang
- Poon
- Shum
Mandarin Surnames Common In Chinese America
Mandarin speakers from Beijing, Shanghai, and other areas have their own set of common last names. These are often seen in pinyin spelling. Here are 32 Mandarin-based surnames.
- Bai
- Cao
- Chen
- Cheng
- Dai
- Deng
- Ding
- Dong
- Fang
- Feng
- Gao
- Gong
- Gu
- Guo
- Han
- Hao
- He
- Hu
- Huang
- Jia
- Jiang
- Jin
- Kang
- Kong
- Lai
- Lei
- Li
- Lian
- Liang
- Liao
- Lin
- Liu
Chinese American Last Names With Nature Themes
Many Chinese last names come from nature. They talk about forests, rivers, animals, and weather. These names are peaceful and beautiful. Here are 36 nature-inspired surnames.
- Lin
- Jiang
- He
- Shan
- Feng
- Lei
- Yun
- Xue
- Shui
- Huo
- Tu
- Shi
- Yu
- Long
- Hu
- Ma
- Niu
- Ji
- Yang
- Mao
- Tao
- Mei
- Lan
- Zhu
- Song
- Bai
- Li
- Tian
- Di
- Ri
- Yue
- Chen
- Xia
- Qiu
- Dong
Short Chinese American Last Names (One Syllable)
Some Chinese American last names are very short. They have only one syllable. These names are easy to say and remember. Here are 40 one-syllable surnames.
- Bai
- Cai
- Cao
- Chi
- Chu
- Cui
- Da
- Dai
- Dan
- Deng
- Di
- Ding
- Dou
- Du
- Duan
- Fan
- Fang
- Fei
- Feng
- Fu
- Gan
- Gao
- Ge
- Geng
- Gong
- Gu
- Guan
- Gui
- Guo
- Hai
- Han
- Hao
- He
- Hong
- Hou
- Hu
- Hua
- Huang
- Huo
- Ji
Surnames Of Chinese American Families From Taiwan
Taiwan has its own mix of last names. Many Taiwanese Americans share these surnames. They often come from Minnan and Hakka origins. Here are 34 Taiwan-origin last names.
- Chen
- Lin
- Huang
- Zhang
- Li
- Wang
- Wu
- Liu
- Tsai
- Yang
- Hsu
- Chu
- Cheng
- Lai
- Ho
- Chiang
- Lo
- Kao
- Su
- Feng
- Tseng
- Yu
- Shih
- Wei
- Yeh
- Tung
- Chou
- Kuo
- Sung
- Hsiao
- Hung
- Chiang
- Huang
- Liao
Historic Chinese American Last Names From Railroads
During the 1860s, many Chinese workers built the transcontinental railroad. Their last names became part of American history. Here are 30 surnames carried by those railroad builders.
- Ah
- Chin
- Chong
- Fong
- Gin
- Goon
- Hing
- Hong
- Jow
- Kee
- King
- Kong
- Kum
- Kwan
- Lee
- Lem
- Ling
- Loo
- Lum
- Ming
- Moy
- Ng
- On
- Quan
- Sing
- Soo
- Tom
- Wing
- Wong
- Yee
Your Journey Into Chinese American Names
Now you know many common Chinese American last names. Each name carries history and culture. You can see how families kept their roots while living in America. These names are not just words. They are stories.
Next time you meet a Chinese American person, think about their last name. It might tell you something about their family’s past. Names connect us all. Keep learning and exploring. There are many more names to discover.
