百家姓
The Hundred Family Surnames
The Hundred Family Surnames (百家姓, Bǎi Jiā Xìng) is a classic Chinese text from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) that lists the most common Chinese surnames. While it actually contains more than 100 surnames, it has traditionally been called the "Hundred Family Surnames" as an expression meaning "all surnames" or "surnames of all families."
Today, these surnames represent approximately 85% of China's population, with the top 100 surnames being the most frequently used. Each surname carries its own unique history and cultural significance.
of China's population uses these surnames
people worldwide share these surnames
years of documented history
Top 100 Chinese Surnames by Frequency
wáng
Meaning: king
lǐ
Meaning: plum
zhāng
Meaning: bow-maker
liú
Meaning: kill
chén
Meaning: ancient
yáng
Meaning: poplar
huáng
Meaning: yellow
zhào
Meaning: beyond
wú
Meaning: wu state
zhōu
Meaning: cycle
xú
Meaning: slowly
sūn
Meaning: grandson
mǎ
Meaning: horse
zhū
Meaning: vermilion
hú
Meaning: beard
guō
Meaning: outer city wall
hé
Meaning: what
lín
Meaning: forest
gāo
Meaning: tall
luó
Meaning: net
zhèng
Meaning: journey
liáng
Meaning: bridge
xiè
Meaning: thank
sòng
Meaning: song dynasty
táng
Meaning: tang dynasty
xǔ
Meaning: allow
dèng
Meaning: ascend
hán
Meaning: korea
féng
Meaning: gallop
cáo
Meaning: manage
péng
Meaning: sound of thunder
zēng
Meaning: already
xiāo
Meaning: resemble
tián
Meaning: field
dǒng
Meaning: supervise
pān
Meaning: water bank
yuán
Meaning: long robe
cài
Meaning: vegetable
jiǎng
Meaning: river
yú
Meaning: remain
yú
Meaning: at
dù
Meaning: stop
yè
Meaning: leaf
chéng
Meaning: rule
wèi
Meaning: great
sū
Meaning: revive
lǚ
Meaning: musical note
dīng
Meaning: male adult
rén
Meaning: responsibility
lú
Meaning: cottage
yáo
Meaning: distant
shěn
Meaning: deep
zhōng
Meaning: bell
jiāng
Meaning: ginger
cuī
Meaning: high mountain
tán
Meaning: speak
lù
Meaning: land
wāng
Meaning: vast
fàn
Meaning: pattern
liào
Meaning: colleague
shí
Meaning: stone
jīn
Meaning: gold
wéi
Meaning: leather
jiǎ
Meaning: merchant
xià
Meaning: summer
fù
Meaning: pay
fāng
Meaning: square
zōu
Meaning: zou state
xióng
Meaning: bear
bái
Meaning: white
mèng
Meaning: first
qín
Meaning: qin state
qiū
Meaning: hill
hóu
Meaning: marquis
jiāng
Meaning: river
yǐn
Meaning: govern
xuē
Meaning: xue state
yán
Meaning: gate
léi
Meaning: thunder
lóng
Meaning: dragon
lí
Meaning: dark
shǐ
Meaning: history
táo
Meaning: pottery
hè
Meaning: congratulate
máo
Meaning: hair
duàn
Meaning: section
hǎo
Meaning: bright
gù
Meaning: look back
gōng
Meaning: respectful
shào
Meaning: shao state
qín
Meaning: deep
wǔ
Meaning: martial
qián
Meaning: money
dài
Meaning: wear
yán
Meaning: strict
mò
Meaning: none
kǒng
Meaning: hole
cháng
Meaning: constant
tāng
Meaning: soup
lài
Meaning: depend on