Wu is the ninth most common surname in mainland China today, ranking sixth in the "Hundred Surnames". According to statistical data from the "National Citizen Identity Information System" of the Chinese household registration management department, the surname Wu is also the tenth most common. In 1977, Chinese historian Li Dongming published an article on "surnames" in the "Oriental Magazine", pointing out that the surname Wu is one of the ten most common surnames among overseas Chinese.
Some famous people with the surname Wu in history
Wu Qi (c.-381 BC), a military strategist during the Warring States period. He was from Zuo City of the State of Wei (now in the north of Cao County, Shandong Province). He was good at using troops. Initially served as a general of Lu, then as a general of Wei, and later fled to Chu, where he was appointed as the chief minister and led reforms, but was later killed.
Wu Taibo: Born in the 12th century BC, lived to be 91 years old. His father was Gu Gong Chanfu, his second brother Zhong Yong, and his third brother Ji Li. Ji Li's son Chang had a divine sign, and Gu Gong wanted to pass the throne to Ji Li to pass it to Chang. To fulfill their father's wish, Taibo and Zhong Yong went to the southern wilderness, cut their hair and marked their bodies, established the ancient state of Gou Wu, and were followed by over a thousand families. They built the Taibo City and dug the Bo River, spreading Central Plains culture. Confucius said: "Taibo can truly be called a man of the highest virtue, who gave up the world three times, and the people could not find words to praise him!" The descendants of the Wu family regard him as their ancestor. After his death, he was buried on Tie Shan (in Hongshan Town), which is considered the first ancient tomb in southern China.
Wu Daozi: A famous painter of the Tang Dynasty. He was revered by later generations as the "Sage of Painting." His paintings have strong and bold lines, rich in variation, breaking away from the fine brushwork style inherited since ancient times, and developing the art of line drawing. Thus, the figures depicted in his works have a sense of movement and rhythm, and are known as "Wu's robes fluttering in the wind."
Wu Guang: A leader of the peasant uprising at the end of the Qin Dynasty. In 209 BC, he and Chen Sheng led 900 conscripts in a rebellion, establishing the Zhang Chu regime. Later, he was killed by his subordinate Tian Zang under the pretense of Chen Sheng's order.
Wu Cheng'en: (c. 1500 - 1582), courtesy name Ruzhong, pen name Shaoyang Mountain Man, from Huai'an, Jiangsu. Born around the thirteenth year of the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty. He was intelligent and knowledgeable, reading widely, and his poetry and prose were elegant. In the 23rd year of Jiajing, he became a tribute student and was appointed as the assistant magistrate of Changxing County. In the early years of Longqing, he returned to Huai'an and spent his time in poetry and wine. After his death, most of his poems and essays were lost, and his hometown compatriot Qiu Zhenggang compiled them into four volumes of "Shayang Cun Gao" and one volume of "Continuation Gao". He was also skilled in comedy, wrote several books, and was renowned at the time. Especially his book "Journey to the West" is one of the four great novels of the Ming Dynasty and is very popular.
Wu Sangui: (1612-1678), courtesy name Changbai, from Gaoyou, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. During the Chongzhen era, he was stationed at the Shanhai Pass as a general. When Li Zicheng captured the capital, he took Wu Sangui's beloved concubine Chen Yuanyuan, and Wu Sangui then invited the Qing army into the pass, defeated Li Zicheng, and the Qing dynasty thus ruled China. Wu Sangui was granted the title of Pingxi King and stationed in Yunnan. Later, he rebelled against the Qing dynasty, declared himself emperor of Zhou, and died shortly after due to illness.
Wu Dan: (744-825), from Changzhou, Jinling, Tang Dynasty, style name Zhen Cun. He passed the imperial examination in the Zhenyuan era and was appointed as the official in the Secretariat. He successively held positions such as the Assistant Musician and the Palace Inspector. In the fifth year of the Yuanhe era of Emperor Xianzong, he was promoted to the太子舍人 (palace attendant). In the second year of the Changqing era of Emperor Muzong, he was appointed as the Director of the Ministry of Rites and accompanied Han Yu to the town of Zhenzhou to comfort Wang Tingcou. Upon returning, he was appointed as the Counselor for Advice. He eventually reached the position of Counselor for Advice. He was good at poetry.
Wu Bing: (?-approximately 1647), a playwright at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Style name Shi Qu, pen name Canhua Master. From Yixing, Jiangsu. He has five legends, including "Green Peony," collectively known as "Five Works of Canhua Villa."
Wu Li: (1632-1718), a painter at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. Style name Yushan, pen names Mo Jing Dao Ren and Tao Xi Ju Shi. From Changshu, Suzhou. Along with Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui, Wang Yuanqi, and Yun Shouping, he is known as one of the "Six Great Painters of the Qing Dynasty." He also excelled in poetry, with works such as "Mo Jing Shi Chao," "San Ba Ji," "Tao Xi Ji," and "Mo Jing Hua Ba."
Wu Mingdao: (1671-1738), from Guichi, Anhui, style name Fugǔ. Grandson of Wu Yingji. His father Wu Mengjian also lived in seclusion until his death. Mingdao followed his ancestors' and father's ideals, living as a commoner until his death, traveling across half of China. He has works such as "Fugǔ Poems Collection" and "Dianhai Collection."
Wu Jingzi: (1701-1754), a Qing Dynasty novelist. Style name Minxuan, another name Wenmu, from Quanjue, Anhui. He was a scholar. He was recommended for the "Broad Learning and Outstanding Talent" examination but did not attend. From then on, he did not take the imperial examinations. He wrote the novel "The Scholars" and also authored "Wenmu Mountain House Collection."
Wu Qijun: (1789-1847), a Qing Dynasty botanist. Style name Yuezhai, alternative name Yulou Nong. From Gushi, Henan. He passed the imperial examination in the Jiaqing era. He wrote "Long Compilation of the Names and Realities of Plants" (22 volumes) and "Names and Realities of Plants" (38 volumes).
Wu Changshuo: (1844-1927), a modern painter, calligrapher, and seal carver. Originally named Jun, Junqing, style name Cangshuo, Changshi, alternative names Fulu and Kute. From Angi, Zhejiang. He was a graduate of the late Qing Dynasty. He was skilled in calligraphy, especially in the inscription of the Stone Drum, and was particularly adept at seal carving. He co-founded the Xiling Seal Society with his peers and served as its president. He has works such as "Fulu Ji" and "Fulu Seal Collection."
Wu Lengxi: (1919–2002), from Xinhui, Guangdong. Joined the Communist Party of China in April 1938; served as the head of Xinhua News Agency, the secretary of the provincial committee of Guangdong, the vice-chairman of the Central Committee for the Study of Historical Documents, the minister of radio and television, and other important positions such as the honorary chairman of the All-China Journalists Association and the honorary president of the China Radio and Television Association. He was a candidate member of the 11th and 12th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China, a member of the Standing Committee of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th National People's Congress, and a member of the Standing Committee of the 7th and 8th National Committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Wu Zuoren: (November 3, 1908 – April 9, 1997) was a famous Chinese painter, proficient in both oil painting and traditional Chinese painting. His ancestral home was Jing County, Anhui, and he was born in Suzhou, Jiangsu. He was taught by Xu Beihong in his early years and later studied in France, soon transferring to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study oil painting. After returning to China, he long engaged in art education, teaching at the Department of Art of the Central University. He advocated realistic art, emphasized basic training and artistic cultivation. His oil paintings have accurate shapes and harmonious tones, and his portrait paintings focus on depicting the inner world and spiritual appearance of the subject.
Wu Youxun: style name Zhengzhi, a famous physicist and educator. From Yichun, Jiangxi. He was originally the vice-chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, the vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a researcher. He entered Nanjing Higher Normal School in 1916 and graduated from the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry in June 1920. In 1921, he went to the United States for study and received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1925 and remained there as an assistant. He returned to China in 1926. In August 1927, he served as an associate professor and head of the Department of Physics at the National Fourth Central University (renamed Nanjing University in 1949). He made important contributions to the establishment of the Compton effect through systematic and exquisite experiments. He taught at many higher education institutions and cultivated generations of scientific talents. He was an outstanding leader and organizer of China's science cause, playing an active role in promoting the establishment and development of new disciplines in China's science cause.
Famous female stars with the surname Wu
Wu Peici, Wu Chenjun, Wu Qianlian, Wu Xiaoli, Wu Jingyi (Yi Nengjing), Wu Wenxuan, Wu Xin, Wu Junru, Wu Qianlian, Wu Xiaoli, Wu Wenyi (An Yixuan), Wu Yingchun, Wu Xiaomin, Wu Qili, Wu Peisan, Wu Shumin...
Famous male stars with the surname Wu
Wu Qilong, Wu Xiubo, Wu Yifan, Wu Zun, Wu Zongxian, Wu Yanzu, Wu Kequn, Wu Zhenyu, Wu Genglin (Yan Yalun), Wu Yushen, Wu Junyu, Wu Genglin, Wu Yekun, Wu Jiale, Wu Yunfu, Wu Zhuoxi, Wu Qihua, Wu Mengda, Wu Chao, Wu Jianhao, Dennis Wu, Wu Yue, Wu Jialong, Wu Haokang, Wu Dawei...
