Le
The origin of the surname Le
Lê derives from the character 黎; the Lê dynasty was Vietnam’s longest-ruling.
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
- Lê
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Le mean?
The surname Le means Dawn, multitude (黎). Lê derives from the character 黎; the Lê dynasty was Vietnam’s longest-ruling.
Where does the surname Le come from?
Le is a surname of Vietnamese origin.
What kind of surname is Le?
Le is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Le in the United States?
Le is the 368th most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 77,453 people.