Hong Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Hong /hɔŋ/
Origin: Chinese; Vietnamese
Meaning: Chinese: 'vast' or 'great'; Vietnamese: 'red'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Hong has its roots in Chinese, where it is represented by various characters, each with distinct meanings. One common character for Hong (洪) translates to "flood" or "vast," while another (红) means "red." The name has been used in various forms throughout Chinese history, often associated with strength and prosperity due to its meanings.
The phonetic representation of Hong can be traced back to Middle Chinese, evolving through the centuries as the language developed and diversified into its modern forms. Historically, the name Hong has been borne by notable figures in Chinese history, including scholars and officials during the imperial eras.
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) saw the emergence of many individuals with the name, contributing to literature, governance, and culture. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, reflecting its significance in Chinese society.
Additionally, the character 洪 is associated with the legendary figure of Yu the Great, who is credited with controlling floods and is a symbol of resilience and leadership in Chinese folklore. Culturally, the name Hong carries connotations of auspiciousness and good fortune, often chosen for its positive meanings.
In traditional Chinese culture, red is a color associated with happiness and celebration, further enhancing the name's appeal. The name has also been adapted into various diminutive forms and related names, reflecting familial affection and cultural practices in naming conventions.
Overall, the name Hong encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage, historical significance, and cultural resonance that has endured through the ages.
Famous people named Hong
In this section, you will find notable people named Hong. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Hong who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Hong who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Hong Kong is a city best known for its skyline, vibrant culture, and as a major financial hub.
Hong Jin-young is a singer and television personality best known for her hit songs and appearances on variety shows.
Fictional characters named Hong
The following list of fictional characters named Hong is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Hong Meiling is a fictional character from the Touhou Project video game series. She is a powerful youkai who serves as the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Hong, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Hong. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Hong was first seen in the United States in 1923.
Hong has ranked as high as #1129 nationally, which occurred in 1982, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Hong has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Hong is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Hong was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Hong (2006)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Hong.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1923 | 6 |