lam

Lam is a surname and given name that appears in various cultures, particularly among Chinese and Vietnamese communities. In Cantonese-speaking areas, the surname represented by the character 林 is commonly romanized as Lam, while in Mandarin it is usually rendered Lin. In Vietnamese contexts, the surname Lâm is a separate romanization of the same character. Lam also occurs as a given name in some contexts, especially within diaspora communities.

The underlying character 林, meaning "forest," is one of the most common Chinese surnames. As a surname, Lam/Lin/Lâm denotes lineage and heritage rather than a specific personal meaning, and its distribution reflects historical migrations and linguistic patterns. The name is widely found in southern China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, and in communities abroad in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In English usage, Lam also appears in the idiom on the lam, meaning to be in flight from law enforcement. Beyond this, Lam can occur as a personal name in fiction or as part of place names and organizational titles in various languages. Distinctions among Lam, Lin, and Lâm reflect differences in tone, nationality, and orthography rather than separate roots.

See also: Lin, Lâm. The surname Lam, Lin, and Lâm share a common origin in the character 林 but are adapted to different languages and orthographic conventions.