chong

Chong is a surname of Chinese origin and a given name used by people in Chinese communities and the broader global diaspora. As a romanization, Chong can represent several different Chinese surnames depending on dialect and historical spelling conventions. It is most commonly associated with surnames such as Zhong (钟/鐘) in Mandarin, but it also arises from other characters and regional spellings, including Cantonese and Hokkien transliterations. In Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia and Singapore, Chong is a relatively common spelling among families with Chinese ancestry.

As a given name, Chong appears in various East Asian naming practices, though it is far more commonly encountered as a surname in English-language contexts.

Notable individuals with the surname include Tommy Chong (born 1938), a Canadian-American actor and comedian known for the comedy duo Cheech & Chong. The surname is represented in many countries where Chinese communities have established a presence, and bearers have contributed across fields such as business, arts, science, and public life.

In culture and media, Chong has appeared as a character name or alias in various works, with usage varying by region and genre.

Geographically, Chong may appear as a place name or element in place names in different countries, reflecting local linguistic adaptations. Instances are elective rather than universal and depend on regional naming traditions.

Overall, Chong is a versatile surname and, less commonly, a given name, with a distribution tied to Chinese diaspora communities and their historical migrations.