Wu 2 is a Chinese surname written as 武 (wǔ) in Chinese, from the element wǔ meaning "military, martial." This surname is one of several Chinese surnames romanized as 'Wu' but with distinct characters and etymologies. The character 武 is also used in many other East Asian languages but is pronounced differently.
According to historical records, the surname 武 (Wǔ) has various origins. One origin traces back to the descendants of King Wu Ding of the Shang dynasty, whose name included the character 武. Another branch descends from the Zhou dynasty official Wu Wang. Additionally, many people adopted the surname 武 during the Zhou Dynasty as a variant of other surnames or in honor of ancestors with military achievements.
The surname is listed in the Hundred Family Surnames, a classic Chinese text. Today, it remains a common surname in China, especially in regions with strong historical military traditions. Its Vietnamese equivalents are Vũ (a variation) and Võ, preserving the 'military' meaning.
- Meaning: “military, martial”
- Origin: Chinese
- Type: Surname (character 武)
- Usage regions: China, East Asia, Vietnamese diaspora