Hu

Hu is a common Chinese surname, romanized as Wu in certain contexts. It originates from the Chinese character 胡 (hú), which carries a range of meanings including "beard, whiskers, recklessly, wildly, barbarian." The surname's historical depth reflects its association with the ancient Hu peoples, a term used by the Chinese to refer to various ethnic groups from the north and west, such as the Tatars, whom the Chinese historically considered barbarians.

Etymology and Early Usage

The character 胡 originally denoted the dewlap or skin of an animal and later extended metaphorically to mean "barbarian," due to the beards typical of Central Asian nomads encountered by the Han Chinese. Over time, it became a surname adopted by some of these non-Han groups after they settled in China, as well as by Han Chinese families. The name is borne by both Han and minority ethnic groups in China, with regional concentrations in Henan, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces.

2>

**Meaning:** “Barbarian,” “beard,” “whiskers,” “reckless” **Origin:** Chinese, from the character 胡 **Type:** Surname, among the 20 most common in China **Alternative Romanization:** Wu **Notable Bearers:** Hu Jintao (former leader of China), Hu Shih (scholar)