FOO

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Encyclopedia Entry: Foo

The British surname 'Foo' is of Chinese or Southeast Asian origin, and is rare in the United Kingdom. It is believed to have been anglicised from various Chinese surnames, such as 'Fu' or 'Hu'. The pronunciation of 'Foo' is similar to the English word 'foo', meaning nonsense or a placeholder word in computer programming jargon, but this is merely coincidental.

It is likely that individuals bearing the surname 'Foo' in the UK are part of the diaspora communities originating from countries such as China, Malaysia, or Singapore. The history of the surname 'Foo' is intertwined with the migration patterns of these communities, often driven by economic opportunities or political circumstances.

As with many surnames of non-British origin, 'Foo' represents the diverse multicultural tapestry of contemporary British society. Its presence in the UK signifies the integration of individuals from different cultural backgrounds, enriching the fabric of British identity. While the surname 'Foo' may evoke curiosity due to its exotic sound, it is a testament to the global connections that shape the UK's population.

There are approximately 587 people named Foo in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around nine in a million people in Britain are named Foo.

Region of origin: Asia

Country of origin: China

Language of origin: Chinese

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Adrian
Andrew
Anthony
David
Gary
James
Jason
Kevin
Lee
Michael
Richard
Robert
Steven

Female

Angelina
Christina
Fay
Fung
Joanne
Joyce
Kim
Maxine
Melisa
Sharon
Sheila
Sonia

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.