Ly
The origin of the surname Ly
Lý derives from the character 李, “plum”; the Lý dynasty founded Hanoi.
How Vietnamese surnames work
Vietnamese names place the family name first, and a remarkably small set of surnames covers most of the population — Nguyễn alone is borne by roughly two-fifths of all Vietnamese, with Trần and Lê also very widespread, all tied to former ruling dynasties. Because so many people share so few surnames, the given name (which comes last) is the primary way individuals are identified and addressed, and a middle name traditionally added further distinction. Vietnamese surnames are usually written as single syllables.
Variants & spellings
- Lý
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Ly mean?
The surname Ly means Plum (李). Lý derives from the character 李, “plum”; the Lý dynasty founded Hanoi.
Where does the surname Ly come from?
Ly is a surname of Vietnamese origin.
What kind of surname is Ly?
Ly is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Ly in the United States?
Ly ranks #1,421 among U.S. surnames (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 22,990 people.