李
Lǐ
Rank #2•~95 million
Origin of the Lǐ Surname
The Li surname has a rich history spanning over 4,000 years. Its earliest origin is attributed to Gao Yao, a legendary minister of justice under Emperor Shun. Gao Yao's descendants served as 'Li Guan' (理官, judges), and the surname Li (理) was derived from this title. Later, during the Shang Dynasty, a descendant named Li Zheng fled persecution and survived by eating wild plums (李, also pronounced lǐ). In gratitude, he changed the character of his surname to 李 (plum). The Li family reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), when Li Yuan founded the dynasty and the surname became the imperial family name.
Meaning of 李 (Lǐ)
Meaning
Plum tree. The character combines 木 (wood/tree) and 子 (child/seed), representing the plum tree.
Strokes
7
Radical
木
Five Elements
Wood
Famous People with Last Name Lǐ
1
Li Bai (李白)
Tang Dynasty poet, regarded as one of the greatest poets in Chinese history
2
Li Shimin (李世民)
Emperor Taizong of Tang, one of China's most celebrated emperors
3
Li Qingzhao (李清照)
Song Dynasty poetess, considered the greatest female poet in Chinese literature
4
Li Hongzhang (李鸿章)
Qing Dynasty statesman and diplomat who led modernization efforts
5
Bruce Lee (李小龙)
Martial arts legend and cultural icon who popularized kung fu worldwide
Popular Names with Lǐ
👦 Male Names
李伟 (Lǐ Wěi)Great, mighty
李强 (Lǐ Qiáng)Strong, powerful
李明 (Lǐ Míng)Bright, brilliant
李华 (Lǐ Huá)Splendid, magnificent
李军 (Lǐ Jūn)Army, military
👧 Female Names
李娜 (Lǐ Nà)Graceful, elegant
李静 (Lǐ Jìng)Quiet, serene
李芳 (Lǐ Fāng)Fragrant, virtuous
李敏 (Lǐ Mǐn)Quick, clever
李婷 (Lǐ Tíng)Graceful, slim
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is the Li surname in China?▾
Li (李) is the second most common surname in China with approximately 95 million bearers, accounting for about 7.19% of the population.
What does the Chinese surname Li mean?▾
Li (李) means 'plum tree.' The character is composed of 木 (tree) and 子 (seed/child), literally representing the plum fruit tree.
Was Li a royal surname?▾
Yes, Li was the imperial surname of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), one of China's most prosperous and culturally significant periods.