zhu

Zhu is a Chinese surname typically written 朱 or 諸/诸 and pronounced zhū in Mandarin. The character 朱 means vermilion or scarlet, a color long associated with Chinese rituals, art, and branding.

The name has multiple historical origins and is found among many different lineages in China. It is not tied to a single ancestral tale, but rather arose in several places and periods, leading to a wide distribution across northern and southern regions. Over time, descendants of different Zhu lineages consolidated under the common surname.

Notable people with the surname include Zhu Yuanzhang (1368–1398), the founder of the Ming Dynasty, widely known as the Hongwu Emperor. Other prominent figures include the Song philosopher Zhu Xi (1130–1200) and the modern political leader Zhu Rongji. The Yongle Emperor’s personal name was Zhu Di, another well-known bearer of the name. These individuals illustrate the surname’s long historical presence in Chinese politics, philosophy, and governance.

A separate surname written as 諸/诸 (also zhū) exists, though it is much less common today. It shares the same pinyin as 朱 but has distinct origins and usage in historical texts.

In addition to its use as a surname, 朱 is commonly used as a given-name element and as a symbol of the color vermilion in Chinese culture, appearing in literature, art, and branding. In modern times, Zhu remains one of the most widespread Chinese surnames, with bearers across Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and overseas Chinese communities.