伍WuSurname
Wǔ
Wu (伍) means 'five' or 'a unit of five soldiers' and also refers to the ancient state of Wu. It represents order and military organization. The surname is moderately common.
Wǔ
Mainland China · Taiwan
Ng
Guangdong · Hong Kong
Goo
Fujian · Taiwan · SE Asia
Ngu
Meizhou · Taiwan · SE Asia
Population Ranking
#9
Estimated Over 28 million people
Position among top 100 Chinese surnames
Geographic Distribution
Guangdong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang
Five Element Analysis
Wood
growth, vitality, and kindness
Origin & History
The Wu surname originated from the state of Wu (伍国) during the Spring and Autumn period, located in present-day Hubei. It also comes from the Mi (芈) surname of the Chu state, where descendants of officials named Wu were granted the surname.
Surname Evolution
The Wu surname originated from the State of Wu (c. 1200–473 BCE) in the Yangtze River Delta. After the state fell to Yue, its people adopted Wu as their surname. The Wu clan gained immense prestige when Wu Zetian became China's only female emperor (690–705 CE). The surname remains highly concentrated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Commandery
Yanling Commandery (延陵郡) — Modern-day Changzhou area, Jiangsu Province
Hall Title
延陵堂 (Yanling Hall)
Ancestral Hall
Wu Clan Ancestral Hall in Yanling, Jiangsu — Honoring Wu Zixu, the legendary statesman of the State of Wu. The hall preserves ancient ritual vessels and clan genealogies.
Clan Motto & Family Tradition
延陵世泽，让国家风 — The Yanling heritage; the tradition of yielding the throne continues.
Famous People with Surname Wu
Wu Zixu (伍子胥) — famous general and statesman of the Wu state
Wu Tingfang (伍廷芳) — late Qing diplomat and politician
Wu Zhu (伍柱) — contemporary Chinese physicist
Tone Compatibility
Wu (Wǔ) is a 3rd tone (dipping) surname. In Chinese naming, balanced tonal patterns create harmonious-sounding names.
Recommended Patterns
peaceful and bright
bright and grand
ambition that soars
Patterns to Avoid
Each digit is a tone (1=level, 2=rising, 3=dipping, 4=falling). The first is the surname tone; the next two are the given name's tones.
Example Names with Wu
Your Wu Family Legend
Popular Chinese Name Collections
Want Your Own Unique Chinese Name?
Our engine creates personalized names based on your English name and preferred style.
Try the Name Generator→Frequently Asked Questions
What does the surname Wu mean in Chinese?
The surname Wu (伍) means 'five' or 'a unit of five soldiers' and also refers to the ancient state of Wu. It represents order and military organization, as well as the concept of a group or team. The character conveys a sense of structure.
Where does the Wu surname originate from?
The Wu surname originated from the state of Wu (伍国) during the Spring and Autumn period, located in present-day Hubei Province. It also traces back to the legendary figure Wu Zixu (伍子胥), a famous general and statesman. Descendants of his clan adopted Wu as their surname.
Who are some famous people with the surname Wu?
Famous people with the surname Wu include Wu Zixu (伍子胥), a Spring and Autumn period strategist; Wu Song (武松), a fictional hero from 'Water Margin'; and Wu Yi (吴仪), a modern Chinese politician.
What given names go well with the surname Wu?
Given names that pair well with Wu often highlight strength or loyalty, such as 'Qiang' (强, strong) or 'Zhong' (忠, loyal). Names with a numerical or orderly theme like 'Yi' (一, one) can complement the surname's meaning.