Fong

Fong is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. In Chinese contexts, Fong most often represents the Cantonese romanization of the surname 方. The surname 方 is one of the most common in China, and the Cantonese form Fong is widely used by Chinese communities in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, and in diaspora populations around the world. Because romanization varies by dialect and history, Fong can reflect other surnames in non-Cantonese contexts, such as Fung or Fang in Mandarin-based systems, though these correspondences are not exact and depend on family preference.

The surname Fong carries the meaning of the Chinese character 方, which can denote direction, square, or method, among other senses. As a result, the surname has multiple origins in Chinese genealogies.

In addition to its use as a surname, Fong appears as a given name or part of a given name in some Southeast Asian and Western contexts, typically among families with Chinese heritage. The spelling Fong is also found in fictional works and among international surnames, contributing to its recognition in global media.

Notable individuals with the surname Fong span various fields, including arts, science, sports, and politics, reflecting the surname’s broad diaspora. Variants of the name include Fung and Fang, among others, reflecting different linguistic traditions and migrations.