Most Common Taiwanese Last Names with Meaning

Are you looking for some popular and unique Taiwanese last names? Here, I have shortlisted some Taiwanese last names with their meanings. In Taiwan, citizens can choose their names, and children have the freedom to take up either parent’s surname. It is also quite popular to have a compound last name instead of only one last name. In fact, out of over 5000 last names, there are plenty of unique and popular last names that can be counted among the popular and unique Taiwanese last names of all time.

Taiwanese names play an important role. They are the first identification marker of a person. Typically, a Taiwanese name consists of two to three parts, with family names placed before the given name. Interestingly, a married woman in Taiwan isn’t obliged to change her maiden name after marriage. Unlike the naming system of children in other countries, Taiwanese people tend not to their child after an older relative’s mythological character. Taiwanese people also feature using titles for the respective genders, and it is considered unsuitable to refer to a married woman as ‘Miss’.

Owing to their deep respect for culture, it’s regarded as a great honour to refer to people by their work titles in many Taiwan areas. Out of over 5000 surnames that belong to about 85% of Taiwan’s population, three prevalent ones have been adopted by 20% of the total community: Wang, Li, and Zhang. Ever wondered why there are so few Taiwanese surnames for such a hugely populated country? Its reason may have to do with the old system of carrying last names down through generations which have been used by most people in Taiwan today.

Popular Taiwanese Last Names

Chien

Chien is a popular Taiwanese last name, which is an alternative Romanization of Jian. Moreover, it is the most chief Taiwan last name.

Fong

Taiwan is the origin of the last name Fong. Not only that, but it derives from the Taiwanese form of Feng.

Hsin

The Roman word Xin is the derivative form of Hsin.

Hwang

Korean, and Taiwan are two origins of the surname of Hwang. Not only that, but it comes from Korean form Huang. Moreover, it is also a Chinese transcription.

Ke

Firstly, it is the Taiwan surname, which is very famous at present. The meaning of this last name is “axe handle”.

Kuo

Basically, Guo is the transcription of Kuo.

Lilu

Firstly, Lilu is a surname. Moreover, it lies in Taiwan.

Shieh

This last name is derived from Romanization of Xie, or Shi.

Shih

Shi is the derivative form of the popular last name Shih, in Taiwan. It means “to establish”.

Tae

The last name Tae is Chinese, and Taiwanese originated. Not only that, but it is the Hokkien Romanization form of Zheng.

Tiao

Zhang is the Romanization form of the Taiwanese last name Tiao.

Tsai

Basically, the last name Tsai is coming from Cai. Moreover, it is a common surname.

Tseng

Zeng is another Romanization form of Tseng. However, it lies in Taiwan.

Yueh

Basically, the Taiwanese surname Yueh is derived from Yue.

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Cool and Rare Taiwanese Last Names

Au

“Water meadow”, and “stream” are two meaningful words of the surname Au.

Bai

It is a Mongolian last name, which refers to “white”.

Cai

Basically, “firewood” is the significance of the name Cai. Moreover, Cai is the name of the state of China.

Cheng

The surname Cheng means “law”.  But it has another meaning, and those are “honesty”, “procedure”, and “journey” also.

Dong

“Supervisor”, or “mentor” are two significant words of Dong. However, it is a unique last name.

Eng

Eng is the ancient state of Wu. It implies “to a person who dwells near meadow”.

Fai

Basically, it is a short last name of Taiwan, which indicates “fairy’.

Fan

“An example”, and “a bee”are two significances for Fan. It is a simple last name.

Guan

Guan is a popular last name which means “mountain pass”.

Han

Toponymic is the origin of the surname Han. Moreover, it implies “ancient kingdom of Han”.

Hong

The modern surname Hong means “rainbow”.

Hou

Firstly, “Marquis” is the meaningful word of the last name Hou, in Taiwan.

Ip

Ip is a Taiwanese last name that means “leaf”.

Jiang

“Wild rice” is a significant word for the last name Jiang.

Jin

Basically, Gold” is a significant word for Jin.

Jew

The ethnic last name Jew come from Chou dynasty.

Kong

Basically, “Confucius” is the meaning of Kong, in Taiwan.

Li

Li is the unique title, which refers to “multitude”.

Lei

“Thunder” is the significance of Lei. Moreover, it is a short title.

Ma

The last name Ma indicates “a horse”. It is a shortest last name.

Meng

Basically, “first” is the significance of Meng. Moreover, it is a Chinese surname.

Ngo

“Unexplained” is the perfect meaning of the last name Ngo.

Ou Yang

Ou-Yang is the two-character Taiwanese surname, a word meaning “the bright (south) side of the Ou Mountains.”

Pan

Basically, Pan’s last name comes from a river, which flows into the River Han.

Qiu

“Hills” is a significant word for Qiu.

Ruan

Ruan is a last name which refers to a musical instrument.

Shao

Zhou dynasty is the origin of this last name. It means “pottery”.

Wei

Firstly, Wei is a rare last name in Taiwan. Moreover, it means “soft leather”.

Zhu

The last name Zhu derives from the Zhou dynasty. Not only that, but it suggests a “crimson”.

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Final Words

I hope you like Taiwanese last names. However, if you are interested to know any other country’s names with their meanings, then you can comment to me. I can assure you that I will try to do it to fulfill your request. Please connect with us. Finally, please stay well, healthy and happy also.