Wong first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Wong has been for the last 14 years (from 1981 to 1994) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Wong

A modern Chinese unisex given name meaning "prosperous" or "bright".

Popularity of Wong by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Wong is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1994, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wong.

Year Male Count Female Count
1994 5 0
1991 5 0
1982 6 0
1981 6 0

The history of the first name Wong

The given name Wong has its origins in the Chinese language and culture, dating back several centuries. It is derived from the Chinese character "王," which means "king" or "ruler." This character is deeply rooted in Chinese history and tradition, often associated with royalty, power, and authority.

In ancient China, the name Wong was commonly bestowed upon individuals born into noble or royal families, as it carried a sense of prestige and honor. The earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in historical records and literature from the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), where it was used by members of the imperial family and aristocracy.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Wong was Wong Xizhi, a renowned calligrapher who lived during the Jin Dynasty (265–420 AD). His works are celebrated as masterpieces of Chinese calligraphy and have influenced generations of calligraphers throughout history.

Another prominent individual with the name Wong was Wong Qiqian, a renowned scholar and statesman who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). He was highly respected for his intellectual prowess and contributions to Chinese literature and philosophy.

During the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), the name Wong gained further prominence with the rise of Neo-Confucianism. Wong Shouren, a celebrated Neo-Confucian philosopher and commentator on the Confucian classics, was a prominent figure of this era.

In more recent history, Wong Fei-hung, a famous martial artist and physician who lived during the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), was widely renowned for his mastery of the Hung Gar style of martial arts and his contributions to traditional Chinese medicine.

Wong Kar-wai, a celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker and director, is another notable figure who has carried the name Wong. He is widely acclaimed for his critically acclaimed films, such as "Chungking Express" and "In the Mood for Love," which have garnered international recognition.

While the name Wong has its roots in Chinese culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other Asian communities, particularly in regions with significant Chinese diaspora populations. Regardless of its geographic location, the name continues to carry a sense of regal heritage and cultural significance.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Wong first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/wong-meaning-and-history/.

"Wong first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/wong-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 September, 2025

Wong first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/wong-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.