Find out how popular the first name Fong has been for the last 22 years (from 1980 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Fong by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Fong is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Fong being male.

For the most recent data in 2001, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Fong.

The history of the first name Fong

The name Fong has its origins in the Chinese language and culture, dating back several centuries. It is a romanized spelling of the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese surname 方 (fāng), which means "square" or "direction." The name is believed to have originated in the southern regions of China, particularly in the Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

Fong can be traced back to ancient Chinese literature and historical records, where it appeared as a surname for various families and individuals. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Book of Songs, an anthology of ancient Chinese poetry dating back to the 11th–7th centuries BC.

Throughout Chinese history, several notable figures have borne the name Fong. One such individual was Fong Xiaoru (1357–1402), a renowned Chinese philosopher and poet during the Ming Dynasty. Another prominent Fong was Fong Yingyu (1703–1785), a Qing Dynasty scholar and official who served as the Governor of Guangdong Province.

In the 20th century, Fong Sec (1901–1971) was a prominent Chinese-American author and activist who advocated for Chinese immigrant rights in the United States. Fong Joe Gunn (1913–1972) was a Chinese-American businessman and philanthropist known for his contributions to the Chinese community in San Francisco.

Fong Sai-Yuk (1950–1997) was a Hong Kong martial artist and actor who achieved international fame for his roles in numerous kung fu movies during the 1970s and 1980s. Fong Foo (1918–2001) was a Chinese-American artist and calligrapher who helped preserve and promote traditional Chinese art forms in the United States.

It is worth noting that while the name Fong is primarily associated with Chinese culture, it has also been adopted and used by individuals from other ethnic backgrounds, particularly in regions with significant Chinese diaspora communities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Fong was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fong, please contact us.

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