李
Li
One of the most common Chinese family names.
Romanization: May appear as Li or Lee depending on family and romanization tradition.
Single charactervery common
Most Common Chinese Last Names
Browse widely encountered Chinese surnames with pinyin, romanization notes, and transparent limits on frequency claims.
Quick guide
Start with widely encountered surnames, without treating this as a live ranking
This reference groups familiar Chinese family names for practical browsing. Exact rank changes by source, region, date, and population definition, so the page does not attach unsupported percentages or claim a current official order.
- 01Search 48 surnames in the broad very-common and common editorial groups.
- 02Compare Mandarin pinyin with selected spellings used in overseas communities.
- 03Use the main surname hub for less common and compound family names.
- 04Choose a given name only after checking the complete surname-plus-given-name rhythm.
Surname browser
Search Chinese family names and romanizations
Search by Chinese character, Mandarin pinyin, or a familiar overseas spelling. Frequency labels are broad editorial groupings, not a live population ranking.
王
Wang
A very common surname often used in examples.
Romanization: May appear as Wang or Wong in different Chinese-language communities.
Single charactervery common
张
Zhang
A very common family name with a broad modern feel.
Single charactervery common
刘
Liu
A very common surname; the Mandarin sound is close to lyoh.
Single charactervery common
陈
Chen
A common surname in Mandarin-speaking communities.
Romanization: May appear as Chen, Chan, or Tan depending on language variety and family history.
Single charactervery common
杨
Yang
A familiar surname with a clear pinyin form.
Single charactervery common
赵
Zhao
A classic Chinese family name.
Single charactervery common
黄
Huang
A common surname with multiple romanization traditions.
Romanization: May appear as Huang, Wong, or Ng in different communities.
Single charactervery common
周
Zhou
A common surname with historical and modern use.
Single charactervery common
吴
Wu
A concise common surname.
Single charactervery common
徐
Xu
A common surname; x is pronounced like a soft sh sound in Mandarin pinyin.
Single charactercommon
孙
Sun
A familiar surname also seen in historical names.
Single charactercommon
胡
Hu
A short common surname.
Single charactercommon
朱
Zhu
A familiar surname; zh is a retroflex Mandarin sound.
Single charactercommon
高
Gao
A common surname meaning tall or high as a character.
Single charactercommon
林
Lin
A common surname associated with forest as a character meaning.
Single charactercommon
何
He
A common family name; the pinyin is pronounced closer to huh.
Single charactercommon
郭
Guo
A familiar surname; guo is one rounded syllable.
Single charactercommon
马
Ma
A common surname with a simple one-syllable sound.
Single charactercommon
罗
Luo
A familiar surname; luo is one rounded syllable.
Single charactercommon
梁
Liang
A common surname; liang is one syllable in Mandarin.
Single charactercommon
宋
Song
A familiar surname also associated with historical dynastic naming.
Single charactercommon
郑
Zheng
A common surname; zheng rhymes roughly with jung.
Single charactercommon
谢
Xie
A familiar surname; xie is close to shyeh.
Single charactercommon
01
Frequency needs a source
A statement such as “number one surname” should name its population, date, and source. This page intentionally uses broad labels when that evidence is not attached.
02
Spellings can differ
Li and Lee, Chen and Chan, or Huang and Wong may reflect different language varieties, romanization systems, or family histories.
03
Meaning is secondary
A surname character may have a dictionary or historical meaning, but in a modern full name it primarily marks family identity.
Need a complete name? Continue to the Chinese names browser or the Chinese name generator.