Find out how popular the first name Ming has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ming by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Ming is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 70% of people named Ming being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ming.

The history of the first name Ming

The name Ming originates from the Chinese language and culture. It is a unisex name that can be used for both males and females. The name Ming traces its roots back to the Chinese word "明" which means "bright" or "brilliant." This character is composed of the radicals for "sun" and "moon," symbolizing the idea of light and clarity.

In ancient Chinese philosophy and literature, the concept of "ming" was often associated with enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding. The name Ming was given to children with the hope that they would grow up to be intelligent, perceptive, and possess a deep understanding of the world around them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ming can be found in the Shijing, also known as the Book of Songs, a collection of ancient Chinese poetry and songs dating back to the early Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 256 BC). In this text, the name Ming was used as a metaphor for clarity and insight.

Throughout Chinese history, several notable figures have borne the name Ming. One of the most prominent was Ming Huang (685 AD - 762 AD), a renowned poet and calligrapher during the Tang Dynasty. His works are celebrated for their beauty and elegance, and he is regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of his time.

Another famous Ming was Ming Shan (1836 AD - 1896 AD), a prominent scholar and reformist during the late Qing Dynasty. He advocated for modernization and educational reforms, and his ideas influenced the subsequent Hundred Days' Reform movement in 1898.

In the realm of martial arts, Ming Zhen (1520 AD - 1595 AD) was a renowned Ming Dynasty general and master of the Shaolin Kung Fu style. He is credited with developing and popularizing many of the techniques and forms still practiced today.

Moving to more recent times, Ming Na Wen (born 1963) is a renowned American actress of Chinese descent. She is best known for her roles in films like Mulan and the hit television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Finally, Ming Wai Lau (born 1951) is a celebrated Hong Kong film director and producer. He has directed numerous critically acclaimed movies and is considered a pioneer of the Hong Kong New Wave cinema movement.

While the name Ming has its roots in ancient Chinese culture, it has transcended its origins and is now used globally, reflecting the diverse and far-reaching influence of Chinese civilization.

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 Ming was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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