Wu
The origin of the surname Wu
Wu is the character 吳, the name of an ancient southern state.
How Chinese surnames work
Chinese surnames — the “family name” — come first, before the given name, and a relatively small set of names is shared by enormous numbers of people (Wang, Li and Zhang are among the most common surnames on earth). Each is written with a single Chinese character carrying its own meaning, and many trace back thousands of years to ancient clans, states, noble titles or places. The character is the surname, so its meaning is fixed by the specific hanzi.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Wu mean?
The surname Wu means An ancient state (吳). Wu is the character 吳, the name of an ancient southern state.
Where does the surname Wu come from?
Wu is a surname of Chinese origin.
What kind of surname is Wu?
Wu is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Wu in the United States?
Wu is the 683rd most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 45,815 people.