100 Chinese Family Names (2 CDs)

This set of 2 CDs feature an excellent selection of 34 stories on the most common Chinese family names.

Throughout most of Chinese history, family names have served sociological functions. Because of their association with the aristocratic elite in their early developments, family names were often used as symbols of nobility. Thus nobles would use their surnames to be able to trace their ancestry and compete for seniority in terms of hereditary rank.

As a result of the importance of family names, rules and traditions regarding family and marriage grew increasingly complex.

Although there are thousands of Chinese family names, the 100 most common surnames, which together make up less than 5% of those in existence, are shared by 85% of the population.

The three most common family names in Mainland China are Li, Wang and Zhang, which make up 7.9%, 7.4% and 7.1% respectively. Together they number close to 300 million and are easily the most common family names in the world.

The CDs can be played at home, in the car, or by a portable CD player, making it a wonderful tool to learn Chinese language and Chinese culture.