Have you ever wondered just how many people share your last name?
You might be surprised to learn that some surnames are shared by millions — sometimes tens of millions — of people across a single country or even globally.
Surnames aren’t just names. They tell stories — about our ancestors, where they came from, what they did for a living, or even what kind of people they were.
Let’s take a trip around the world to explore some of the most common surnames, and what they say about the cultures that carry them.
China – Wang (王)
With over 90 million people sharing it, Wang is one of the most common surnames in the world. It literally means “king” — and it’s been around for over 2,000 years. In China, a few surnames like Wang, Li, and Zhang dominate, largely due to ancient dynasties and population patterns.
India – Devi & Kumar
India doesn’t have a single dominant surname, but two stand out: Devi (common for women) and Kumar (for men).
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Devi means “goddess” in Sanskrit.
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Kumar means “prince” or “young man.”
India’s diversity means surnames often reflect region, religion, caste, or clan — making the naming system deeply layered and complex.
United States – Smith
The classic Smith — likely someone in your office, your friend group, or even on your favourite Netflix show. It comes from blacksmith, one of the most important trades in early European societies.
Fun fact: Smith is also the most common surname in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand!
Brazil – Silva
In Brazil, Silva is everywhere — from football players to politicians. Meaning “forest” in Latin, the name was popularized during Portuguese colonization. Today, it’s one of the most recognizable Brazilian surnames.
Russia – Ivanov (Иванов)
Ivanov means “son of Ivan”, much like Johnson or MacIan in other cultures. Russian surnames often come from first names with a suffix that means “son of.” It’s like a built-in family tree.
Japan – Sato (佐藤)
In Japan, surnames often include nature references. Sato roughly translates to “helpful wisteria,” combining samurai-era naming traditions with deep ties to nature and status.
Mexico – Hernández
A classic Spanish patronymic name, Hernández means “son of Hernando.” Like many Latin American surnames, it traces back to Spanish colonization and retains that historic Iberian sound.
South Africa – Nkosi
Nkosi, which means “king” or “chief” in Zulu, is widely used in South Africa. It’s more than just a name — it’s a title of respect and power. In a country with 11 official languages, surnames tell stories of heritage, tribe, and resilience.
Philippines – Dela Cruz
Thanks to centuries of Spanish influence, Dela Cruz (meaning “of the cross”) is one of the most common Filipino surnames. It reflects a blend of Catholic heritage, colonial history, and cultural pride.
South Korea – Kim (김)
Roughly 1 in 5 Koreans has the surname Kim. It’s ancient, noble, and tied to various royal lineages. Despite its frequency, not all Kims are related — the name is shared across many clans with different ancestral origins.
Why are these names so common?
Many surnames became widespread because of:
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Occupations: Smith, Müller, Taylor
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Geography: Silva, Rossi (meaning “red” in Italian)
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Parentage: Ivanov, Hernández
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Tribal/Royal affiliations: Kim, Nkosi, Khan
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Colonial influence: Dela Cruz, García, Rodriguez
Your surname might not seem remarkable on its own — but it’s a small piece of a much bigger puzzle. It links you to history, culture, migration, and memory.
So next time you sign your name, pause for a second. There’s a story behind it — and millions of others just like it.
