Chang

Chang is a term with multiple uses, most commonly as a surname or given name in East Asia, but also appearing in brand names, geographic names, and cultural terms. The spelling’s meaning and origin depend on language and dialect, so “Chang” can map to different characters or roots.

In Chinese contexts, Chang has appeared as an anglicized form for several surnames and words in historical romanization systems. For example, in Wade-Giles, the surname 张 has sometimes been rendered as Chang, while modern pinyin uses Zhang. Other Chinese surnames may also be rendered Chang in overseas communities. As a result, Chang is found across Chinese, Taiwanese, and other East Asian populations with regional pronunciation differences.

As a surname, Chang occurs among Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and other communities, reflecting a variety of characters and traditions. In many cases, the name’s origin and meaning vary by region and language.

Brand and product uses include Chang Beer, a widely known Thai beer produced by Thai Beverage, whose logo features an elephant. The Thai word chang means elephant, a connection reflected in branding and imagery.

In Nepal and Tibet, chang (sometimes spelled chhaang) refers to a traditional fermented barley beverage, consumed in various Himalayan communities.

In fiction and popular culture, Chang is used as a surname for characters, such as Ben Chang in the television series Community, illustrating its continued presence in contemporary media.