Meaning and origin
Derived from the ancient Zhou Dynasty, Li symbolizes plum and was used to signify perseverance and resilience. This surname has historical significance, with bearers hailing from various regions and ethnicities within China, making it a prevalent and diverse name across the country.
The longer story
Li is a common Chinese surname that is also widely found among ethnic Chinese communities around the world. The surname Li has a long history, dating back thousands of years to ancient China. It is believed to have originated during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC) and has remained popular throughout the centuries.
The surname Li is written with the Chinese character 李, which is composed of two parts: 木 (mù) meaning "wood" and 子 (zǐ) meaning "child" or "son." The character 李 signifies a tree or wood, which could suggest a connection to nature or the environment.
Li is a multi-ethnic surname found among Han Chinese as well as other minority groups in China, such as the Bai, Hani, and Dai. However, it is most commonly associated with the Han Chinese population due to its prevalence. The meaning and pronunciation of the surname Li can vary depending on the dialect spoken by the bearer. For instance, in Mandarin Chinese, it is pronounced as Lǐ, whereas in Cantonese, it is pronounced as Lei.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#273
Li was the 273rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 111,786 people, about 38 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Li
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Li is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.