CHOW
Chow
Origin:
Chow is a surname of Chinese origin that is common amongst individuals of Chinese descent. It is believed to have originated from the Cantonese word "chow", which means "a ship" or "a boat". The name possibly originated as a nickname or occupational name for someone associated with boats or maritime activities.
Distribution:
The surname Chow is mainly found in East Asia, particularly in regions with large populations of Chinese communities, such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. However, due to migration and the global diaspora of Chinese people, the surname is also found in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom.
Notable Individuals:
- Stephen Chow: A renowned Hong Kong actor, director, and producer known for his comedic roles in films such as "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle".
- Anna May Wong (born Wong Liu Tsong): A pioneering Chinese American actress who achieved fame during the silent film era and was the first Chinese American movie star.
- Masayoshi Son (born Son Jeong-ui): A Japanese billionaire entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, who was born to a Zainichi Korean family with the Chow surname.
Surname Variants:
Variants of the surname Chow include Chao, Chau, Zhao (晁), and Zhou (周), reflecting different Romanization methods and regional dialects in the Chinese language.
There are approximately 2,132 people named Chow in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,977th most common surname in Britain. Around 33 in a million people in Britain are named Chow.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: China
Language of origin: Chinese
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Chi
- David
- Kenneth
- Man
- Michael
- Peter
- Philip
- Stephen
- Wai
Female
- Annie
- Charmaine
- Elaine
- Grace
- Joanne
- Kam
- Kim
- Lai
- Mei
- Michelle
- Pui
- Wing
- Yee
- Yuen
- Yuk
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.