Meaning and origin
The last name Wu has its origins in ancient China, with historical records tracing its existence back thousands of years. Derived from the Chinese character "吴", Wu is a common surname that holds significant historical and cultural value. Additionally, the surname Wu has spread beyond China, with diaspora communities embracing the name worldwide. Overall, the last name Wu is deeply rooted in Chinese history and carries with it a sense of heritage and tradition.
The longer story
Wu is a last name that holds significant historical and cultural importance.
The surname Wu is of both imperial and aristocratic origins, with many individuals from noble families bearing this name in historical records.
The original meaning of the Wu last name is associated with military power, strength, and bravery.
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.
Similar spellings
#461
Wu was the 461st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 71,721 people, about 24 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Wu
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Wu 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.