Surname Li - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Legacy of the Surname 'Li': An Enlightening Journey with iGENEA DNA Test

In a deep dive into my genetic history with iGENEA DNA test, my surname, "Li," reveals a fascinating story embedded in the expansive chronicles of human history. From its origins in the Chinese Han Dynasty to connections with the Mongolic tribes and Japan, the legacy of "Li" turns out far richer and detailed than anticipated with its ancient significance highlighted.

E. Li

Li: What does the surname Li mean?

Li is a common Chinese surname that holds several potential meanings depending on the character used to write it. The most prevalent character for Li (李) in China, signifies a plum or a plum tree. As per ancient tradition, some families were named after their professions or places of residence, suggesting that the original bearers of this name might have lived near or worked with plum trees. Another character for Li (黎) means "black" or "dark", while another one (理) means "reason" or "logic". There are also many other Chinese characters that are romanized as "Li". Additionally, Li is also a Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Li, while it’s a common surname in Vietnam too. In addition, Li could appear as a Jewish or European surname. Regardless of its diverse origins and meanings, the surname generally pertains to a lineage or a family line.

Li: Where does the name Li come from?

The last name Li originates from China and is one of the most common surnames in the country today. The name has a rich history, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty over 3,000 years ago. It is said to have first been adopted as a surname by the descendants of Zhuanxu, one of China's legendary emperors. Over centuries, the name spread across the country and branched out into different households. It is linked to several noble families in Chinese history. Li is also common among overseas Chinese communities around the world. With around 7.9 million people bearing the surname, this equates to approximately 7.9% of China's population, making it the second most common surname in China. Other places with significant concentrations of people with the surname Li include Taiwan, Singapore, and other regions with a significant Chinese diaspora. This surname is also used in Korea (리 or 이) and Vietnam (Lý or Lí).

Variations of the surname Li

The surname Li is of Chinese origin and is among the most common surnames in China. Variants of the surname Li include Lee, Lei, Ly, Lai, and La. The surname can sometimes be spelled as Lei or Ly, which still have the same pronunciation but are less common. Some other variants include Ley and Leigh, although these are more common in English-speaking countries and may not hold the same Chinese origin. As character systems vary, the same surname may have different characters, yielding different spellings when Romanized. The surname Li can hence, be written differently as it gets translated into English. The most common English surname of the same origin is Lee, which is an Anglicization of the Chinese "Li". Lee is one of the most common surnames for Chinese immigrants in Western countries. Despite the different spellings, all these surnames hold the traditional roots of the original surname 'Li'. Furthermore, some surnames that might be of the same origin due to phonetic similarities could include names like Leigh, Ly, and Lye. However, it's notable that the meanings and origin stories for these surnames may vary greatly from the original Li, despite similarities in pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Li

• Li Yuchun: Chinese singer and songwriter
• Li Na: Retired Chinese tennis player
• Li Ka-shing: Hong Kong business magnate
• Li Yundi: Chinese classical pianist
• Li Bai: Chinese poet from the eighth century
• Li Ming: Actor and martial artist
• Li Zongren: Chinese politician
• Li Xiaolong: Former NBA player
• Li Xiang: Chinese tennis player
• Li Zhen: Chinese mathematician
• Li Jiang: Taekwondo Olympic gold medalist
• Li Hongzhi: Founder of Falun Gong
• Li Cunxin: Chinese-Australian ballet dancer
• Li Minghui: Chinese hurdler
• Li Bin: Chinese astronaut
• Li Siguang: Geologist, geographer and academic
• Li Weijian: Chinese politician
• Li Yao: Physicist and engineer
• Li Shaorong: Politician
• Li Baiyan: Chinese actor and film director

Other surnames

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