Wong is the Jyutping and Yale and Hong Kong romanization of the Chinese surnames Huang (simplified Chinese: 黄; traditional Chinese: 黃) and Wang (Chinese: 王), two ubiquitous Chinese surnames; Wang (Chinese: 汪), another common Chinese surname; and a host of other rare Chinese surnames, including Heng (simplified Chinese: 横; traditional Chinese: 橫), Hong (Chinese: 弘), Hong (simplified Chinese: 闳; traditional Chinese: 閎), and Hong (Chinese: 宏)
Note that, while 汪 could be distinguished by its tone, 黃 (Wong/Huang) and 王 (Wong/Wang) are homophones in Cantonese. To differentiate the two in conversation, 黃 (Wong/Huang) is customarily referred to by native Cantonese speakers as 黃河的黃 (Yellow River Wong), 黃金的黃 (yellow gold Wong), "big belly Wong" (as the character resembles a person with a big belly), or by native Mandarin speakers as "grass-head Wong" (due to its first radical), whereas the 王 (Wong/Wang) is referred as the "three-stroke Wong" (due to its prominent 3 horizontal strokes) or the 'King' Wong (due to its meaning).
Within China, Taiwan names are written using Chinese characters and are currently romanized using the Hanyu Pinyin but previously Wade-Giles was used and many people retain names as such. In Hong Kong and Macau and among the Chinese diaspora abroad, though, many choose to romanize their name according to their regional pronunciation.
Thus, while there is no official tally of "Wongs" inside China or Taiwan, Wong is the 6th most common Chinese name in Singapore, the 3rd most common Chinese name in America, and the most common Chinese name in Ontario, Canada.
Although recent immigration from central and northern China has caused the pinyin romanizations "Wang" and "Huang" to become more common, "Wong" is still by far the most common version in all three locations, just as "Lee" remains more common than "Li".
The history of the romanization "Wong" begins Bianjing (汴京) during the Song dynasty (a noticeable empress Empress Wang (Taizu). Some historical information showed that the name can be traced back to 206 BC–220 AD Han dynasty.
The romanisation "Wong" is also linked with mainland Chinese "Wang (surname)" which has a historical name from Zi in Shang dynasty .
The name is now widely used in Hong Kong and some of the commonwealth countries. Many migrants moved to plan countries, south-east Asia, Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States.
Wong is also a rare English surname derived Old English "Geong" meaning young. However, Young is the more common surname from this origin.[1]
Alice Wong (Alice Siu-Ping Wong, born 1948), Canadian politician
Andrew Wong (Andrew Wong Wang Fat, born 1943), the last president of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during British rule
Anna May Wong (1905–1961), Chinese-American film actress
Barry Wong (Barry Wong Ping-Yiu, 1946–1991), Hong Kong screenwriter, film producer and actor
B.D. Wong (Bradley Darryl Wong, born 1960), actor in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Bob Wong (Robert Charles Wong, born 1941), Canadian cabinet minister
Bosco Wong (Bosco Wong Chung-Chak, born 1980), Hong Kong actor and singer
Brandon Wong, Malaysian actor
Carrie Wong (born 1 January 1994), Singaporean actress
Dayo Wong (Dayo Wong Tze-Wah, born 1960), Hong Kong actor, comedian, singer and screenwriter
Delbert E. Wong (1920–2006), Chinese American judge
Edward Wong, New York Times reporter
Eleanor Wong (Eleanor Wong Yee-lun), Hong Kong pianist
Elizabeth Wong (born 1972), Malaysian politician
Elizabeth Wong (Elizabeth Wong Chien Chi-lien), Hong Kong-born writer and politician
Emme Wong (Emme Wong Yee-Man, born 1981), Hong Kong actress and singer
Felix Wong (Felix Wong Yat-Wah, born 1961), Hong Kong actor
Ferlyn Wong (born February 1, 1992), Singaporean singer and former member of South Korean girl group, Skarf
Freddie Wong (born 1985), American electronic sports player and film maker
Jade Snow Wong (1922–2006), American ceramic artist and writer
Jadin Wong, Hollywood legend and New York City socialite.
James Wong (born 1959), American television producer, writer and film director
Jan Wong (born 1953), Canadian journalist of Chinese ancestry
Joe Wong (comedian), Chinese American comedian
Kenneth Wong, American political scientist
Kirk Wong (Kirk Wong Chi Keung, born 1949), Hong Kong film director and actor
Mario Wong, Jr. (Finance Executive, born May 1969)
Michael Wong (Michael Fitzgerald Wong, born 1965), Chinese-American actor, director, and singer
Natalie Wong (Natalie Kei Ying Wong, born 1976), Hong Kong actress
Pansy Wong (Pansy Yu Fong Wong, born 1955), the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Minister of Women's Affairs, Associate Minister for ACC
Patrick Wong, Canadian politician
Paul Wong (musician) (Paul Wong Koon-Chung, born 1964), Hong Kong singer-songwriter and guitarist
Peter Wong (Australian politician) (born 1942), Australian politician
Peter Wong (sports commentator) (Peter Hing-kwei Wong), Hong Kong sports commentator
Philip Wong (Philip Wong Yu-hong, born 1938), Hong Kong politician
Race Wong (Race Wong Yuen-Ling, born 1982), Hong Kong actress and singer
Raymond Wong Ho-yin (born 1975), Hong Kong actor
Raymond Wong (civil servant) (Raymong Wong Hung-chiu, born 1958), Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Education
Raymond Wong (film presenter) (Raymond Wong Pak-Ming, born 1948), Hong Kong actor, film director, producer and scriptwriter
Raymond Wong (composer) (Raymond Wong Ying-Wah), Hong Kong film score composer
Raymond K. Wong (Raymond Kin Wong, born 1966), Chinese-American novelist, author of The Pacific Between
Roberto Wong (born 1979), Costa Rican footballer
Rosanne Wong (Wong Yuen-Guan, born 1979), Hong Kong actress and singer
Russel Wong (born 1961), Asian photographer
Samuel Wong (born 1962), Hong Kong-born Canadian conductor and ophthalmologist
Sherine Wong (Sherine Wong Sook Ling, born 1979), Miss Malaysia Universe 1998
Susan Wong, Hong Kong singer
Timothy C. Wong (born 1941), Chinese-American sinologist and translator
Tony Wong (Canadian politician) (Tony C. Wong, 1948–2009), parliamentarian from Ontario, Canada
Tyrus Wong (born Wong Gen Yeo, 1910-2016), Chinese-American painter, and muralist
Victor Wong (1927–2001), American actor
Victor Wong (born 1972), Malaysian singer
Willie "Woo Woo" Wong, Chinese-America basketball player
Wong Ah Kiu (1918–2006), Malaysian woman involved in a freedom of religion case
Wong Ah Sat (born approximately 1837–1916) Chinese Australian of historical interest
Wong Chin Hung (born 1982), Hong Kong professional footballer
Wong Choong Hann (born 1977), professional Malaysian badminton player
Wong Chun-chun, Hong Kong actress, and film director
Wong Chun Yue (born 1978), Hong Kong professional footballer
Wong Doc-Fai (born 1948), Chinese martial arts expert
Wong Fei-hung (1847–1924), martial artist, practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, revolutionary and Chinese folk-hero
Wong Jack Man (born c.1940), Chinese martial artist and martial arts teacher
Wong Jeh Shyan (born 1964), CEO of CommerceNet Singapore, environmentalist and high risk Venture Capitalist
Wong Jim (James Wong Jim, 1940–2004), Cantopop lyricist and writer
Wong JingLun (born 1983), Singaporean singer and actor
Wong Ka Keung (born 1964), Hong Kong musician, composer and songwriter
Wong Ka Kui (1962–1993), Hong Kong composer, songwriter, musician and singer, founder of the Hong Kong rock band Beyond
Wong Kam-po (born 1973), Hong Kong racing cyclist
Wong Kan Seng (born 1946), Singaporean politician
Wong Kei-ying (1815–1886), Chinese martial artist and physician
Wong Kew-Lit (born 1971), Malaysian film director and producer
Wong Kwok-kin (born 1952), Hong Kong politician
Wong Kwok-pun (born 1946), Hong Kong poet and translator
Wong Li-Lin (born 1972), Singaporean actress
Wong Mew Choo (born 1983), Malaysian badminton player
Wong Peng Soon (1918–1996), Singaporean badminton player
Wong Shik Ling (1908–1959), Hong Kong Cantonese linguist
Wong Shun Leung (1935–1997), Hong Kong martial arts expert
Wong Sing Chi (born 1957), Hong Kong politician
Wong Ting-kwong (born 1949), Hong Kong politician
Wong Yan Lung (born 1963), Hong Kong barrister and judge
Wong Yiu Fu (born 1981), Hong Kong footballer
Wong Yuk-long (born 1950), Hong Kong Manhua artist
Wong Yuk-man (born 1951), Hong Kong politician and author
Wong Yung-kan (born 1951), Hong Kong politician
Alfonso Wong (王家禧 born 1924), Hong Kong manhua artist
Amy Wong (producer), Hong Kong film producer
Angel Wong Chui Ling, a Hong Kong-born expat in Malaysia-based TV and radio personality, host and columnist.
Dave Wong (Wong Kit, born 1962), Mandopop and Cantopop pop star
David Shou-Yeh Wong, Hong Kong billionaire, finance tycoon and philanthropist
Emily Wong (born 1990), Hong Kong actress and singer
Faye Wong (born 1969), Chinese singer, songwriter, actress and model
Francis Wong, American jazz saxophonist, and flutist
Ivana Wong (Wong Oi Chi, born 1979), Hong Kong singer
Jacky Wong (Jacky Wong Shu Hei, born 1998), Hong Kong child actor
Joey Wong (born 1967), Taiwanese actress
Joseph Wong (Joseph Wong Wing Ping, born 1948), Hong Kong government official
Kolten Wong (Kolten Kaha Wong, born 1990), American Major League Baseball player, currently second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals
Kristina Wong (Kristina Sheryl Wong), American artist, writer and actor
Manfred Wong (Manfred Wong Man-Chun, born 1957), Hong Kong film producer, screenwriter, director and actor
Michael Wong (actor) (born 1965), a Chinese-American actor based in Hong Kong.
Michael Wong (singer) (born 1970), Malaysian singer
Peter Wong (Peter Wong Tung-shun, born 1951), Hong Kong General Manager of HSBC Group
Ricky Wong (Hong Kong businessman) (Ricky Wong Wai Kay, born 1962), Hong Kong entrepreneur
Rosanna Wong (Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, born 1952), Hong Kong social work administrator and politician
Roy Bin Wong, Chinese-American economics historian
Russell Wong (born 1963), American actor and photographer
Teresa Wong, Hong Kong Chinese Erhu player
Vincent Wong (born 1983), Hong Kong actor and singer
Winston Wong (born 1951), Taiwanese businessman and chair of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG)
Wong Chin Foo, Chinese-American journalist
Wong Cho-lam (born 1980), Hong Kong singer and actor
Wang Feifei (王霏霏), Fei is a Chinese singer member part of South Korean girl group Miss A
Wong He (born 1967), Hong Kong actor
Wong Jing, Hong Kong film director, producer, actor, presenter, and screenwriter
Wong Kar-wai (born 1958), Hong Kong film director
Wong Kwok-hing (born 1949), Hong Kong trade unionist
Wong Tin-lam (born 1928), Hong Kong screenwriter, director, and actor
Wayne Wong (born 1981), tennis player from Hong Kong
Pinyin: wēng, wěng (weng1, weng3); Jyutping: jung1; Min Nan POJ: ang
Wong Chin-chu (born 1947), Taiwanese politician
Alan Wong, co-founder of Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Alison Wong (born 1960), New Zealand poet
Amy Wong, fictional Futurama character
Andrea Wong, American Chief Executive Officer and President of Lifetime Networks
Andy Asook Wong, New Zealand actor
Anthony Wong (Anthony Brandon Wong, born 1965), Australian actor
Baim Wong (born 1981), Indonesian actor
Benedict Wong (born 1970), English actor and comedian
Barbara Jean Wong (1924–1999), American actress
Bennet Wong (Bennet Randall Wong, born 1930), Canadian psychiatrist, author and lecturer
Byron Wong (Byron Kent Wong), Canadian music producer and musician
Casanova Wong (Yong-ho Kim, born 1945), Korean martial arts expert and actor
Charlene Wong (born 1966), Canadian figure skater
Christopher Wong, film score composer
Chris Wong Won or Fresh Kid Ice, Trinidadian rapper and singer
Claire Wong, Singaporean actress and writer
Cyril Wong (born 1977), Singaporean poet and writer
David Wong, American author, pen name of John Pargin
David Wong, American professor of philosophy
Debbie Wong, Hong Kong born actress and model
Denise Wong (21st century), Canadian actor
Dick Yin Wong (1920–1978), American lawyer and judge
Eddie Wong, American stuntman and voice actor
Eleanor Wong, Singaporean writer and playwright
Ellen Wong Cambodian Canadian actress
Erasmo Wong, Peruvian-Chinese businessman, founder of the Wong supermarket chain
Esther Wong (1917–2005), Chinese American music promoter
Gwen Wong (Gwen Lipscomb), Filipino-American model and actress
Harry Wong, American educator and author
Howard Wong, American dancer
Jadin Wong (1913–2010), American dancer, actress, comedian
James Wong (footballer) (James Wong Chye Fook, born 1952), Malaysian footballer
James Wong, British ethnobotanist and television presenter
Jo Y. Wong, Canadian professor of mechanical engineering
Joe Wong (American football) (Joseph Hauoli L. Wong, born 1976), American football offensive lineman
Joseph Yu Kai Wong, Canadian medical doctor, founder of The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care
Julia Wong, film editor
Justin Wong, American professional fighting game player
Kailee Wong (born 1976), American football linebacker
Kevin Wong (Kevin Kahn Wong, born 1972), American professional beach volleyball player
Lee Anne Wong, American chef
Leonard Wong, U.S. Army research professor, and author on leadership strategy
Linda Wong (actress) (1951–1987), American adult film actress
Lyen Wong (Milagros Lyen Wong Aseguinolaza, born 1974), German-Cuban fitness athlete
Martha Wong, American politician
Martin Wong (1946–1999), American painter
Mary W. S. Wong, American professor of law
Matt Wong (Matthew Wong, born 1973), former bassist of ska punk band Reel Big Fish
Mike Wong (Michael Anthony Wong, born 1925), American ice hockey forward
Nellie Wong (born 1934), American poet and feminist
Nicole Wong, American deputy general counsel at Google
Norman Wong, American writer
Patty Wong, Peruvian-Chinese model and entertainer
Paul Wong (born 1954), Canadian multimedia artist
Penny Wong (Penelope Ying-yen Wong, born 1968), Australian Senator, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Peter Wong (1932–1998), Canadian politician
Pio Wong (Pio Iowane Wong), Fijian politician
Ricardo Wong (Ricardo Wong Kuoman), Peruvian politician
Ricky Wong (Malaysian businessman) (Ricky Wong Shee Kai, born 1981), Malaysian entrepreneur and philanthropist
Rita Wong (born 1968), Canadian poet
Shawn Wong (born 1949), American professor of English
Stanford Wong (born 1943), pen name of John Ferguson, gambling author
Ted Wong, American martial arts practitioner
Ted Wong (general), US Army General
Terry Wong, Canadian pilot and astronaut
Tien Wong, Australian medical researcher
Tobi Wong (1974-2010), Canadian artist and designer
Victor Wong (1906–1972), American actor
Y. C. Wong (Yau-chun Wong, 1921–2000), Chinese-American architect
Wong Chan Tong, Macau civil servant
Wong Chin Huat, Malaysian political scientist
Wong Chung-Yoh (circa 17th century), Chinese martial arts expert
Wong Fei-lung, Hong Kong actor and action director
Wong How Man (born 1949), Chinese explorer
Wong Kam Kau (born 1978), Hong Kong fencer
Wong Kiew Kit (born 1944), Chinese martial arts expert and writer
Wong Meng Kong (born 1963), Singaporean chess grandmaster
Wong Pei Tty (born 1981), Malaysian badminton player
Wong Sai Hou, Malaysian politician
Wong Sai Kong (born 1978), Malaysian footballer
Wong Tsu (1893–1965), Chinese-American aircraft designer and aviator
