Discover meanings, origins, and find the perfect Chinese name.

李

Lǐ

Stroke Count: 7

Origin & History

Legend traces its origin to Gao Yao, a minister of justice during the reign of Emperor Shun, who was granted the surname Li for his contributions. It is one of the most common surnames in China and among Chinese communities worldwide.

Meaning & Notes

The character '李' originally means 'plum' or 'plum tree'. As a surname, it carries a sense of history and widespread lineage. It is often associated with resilience and fruitfulness, like the plum tree itself.

Famous People

Bruce Lee (Li Xiaolong) - Martial artist and actor
Li Bai - Famous Tang Dynasty poet
Jet Li (Li Lianjie) - Actor and martial artist

Tags

commonhistoricalnatureplum

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