Chong

/tʃɔŋ/ proper noun

Definition

A surname of Chinese origin, also spelled 'Zhang' in Mandarin romanization. One of the most common Chinese family names.

Etymology

From Chinese '張' (traditional) or '张' (simplified), originally meaning 'to stretch a bow' or 'to open'. The name likely originated from an ancient Chinese state or from occupational origins related to archery or bow-making.

Kelly Says

Chong/Zhang is so common that it's estimated to be held by over 100 million people worldwide, making it potentially the most populous surname on Earth. The different romanizations (Chong, Chang, Zhang) reflect the various Chinese dialects and romanization systems, showing how the same Chinese character can appear completely different in English.

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