Wu (吴) Surname Meaning & Origin

Wu (吴) is a common Chinese surname. While 吴 has a literal meaning as a character, surnames don’t always reflect personal traits-the character is best read as a family label.

A Chinese surname is both a practical identifier and a cultural marker that connects a person to family history. For the surname Wu (吴), it’s helpful to understand how Chinese surnames generally formed and why the same surname can show up with different spellings.

It’s also common to see one-character surnames like this one paired with one- or two-character given names. For English readers, the key is consistency: decide on one spelling for official documents and use it everywhere.

Many surnames began as the names of ancient states, fiefs, places of origin, or titles held by ancestors. Others developed from clan names, occupations, or honorifics. Over time, migration, administrative records, and local dialects shaped how a surname was written and pronounced.

For most people, the most useful takeaway is how the surname is written, how it’s pronounced in Mandarin, and which English spellings you may encounter.

Mandarin pinyin spelling: Wu. With tone marks: Wú.

Below are example full names combining the surname 吴 with common given-name characters (one-character given names shown for simplicity):
– 吴欣 (Wu Xīn) – joyful.
– 吴伟 (Wu Wěi) – great.
– 吴浩 (Wu Hào) – vast.
– 吴然 (Wu Rán) – so; thus.
– 吴琪 (Wu Qí) – fine jade.
– 吴晨 (Wu Chén) – morning.

Different dialects and romanization systems can produce different spellings for the same surname. Keep the Chinese character (吴) handy to avoid confusion.