LIM
Lim
Origin and Meaning: Lim is a surname of Chinese origin, most commonly found in countries with a large Chinese diaspora population such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The Chinese character 林 (Lín) is often transliterated as "Lim" and means "forest" or "woods".
Distribution and Frequency: In the United Kingdom, the surname Lim is relatively rare compared to more common British surnames. It is most prevalent among the British-Chinese community, particularly those with roots in regions such as Hong Kong or mainland China.
Notable Bearers:
- Jason Lim: A British-Chinese entrepreneur who founded a successful chain of Chinese restaurants in the UK.
- Dr. Mei Ling Lim: A respected academic and researcher in the field of Chinese history and culture, based at a leading British university.
Cultural Significance: The surname Lim carries with it a sense of cultural heritage and connection to Chinese roots, even for those born and raised in the UK. It often reflects a strong sense of family and tradition within the British-Chinese community, with many individuals proud to uphold their Chinese identity through their surname.
Variants and Derivatives: Variants of the surname Lim can include Linn, Lin, Lam, or Limm, depending on transliteration variations and regional dialect influences.
References:
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
- Wong, M. K. (2006). Chinese surnames and the Chinese in Britain. Chinese Librarianship: An International Electronic Journal, (21).
There are approximately 3,986 people named Lim in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,345th most common surname in Britain. Around 61 in a million people in Britain are named Lim.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: China
Language of origin: Chinese
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Chin
- David
- Edward
- Heng
- John
- Jonathan
- Lee
- Michael
- Ming
- Wei
Female
- Bee
- Hui
- Kim
- Kit
- Li
- May
- Mei
- Michelle
- Oon
- Siew
- Soo
- Susan
- Yee