Ma (simplified Chinese: 马; traditional Chinese: 馬; pinyin: Mǎ) is a Chinese family name. The surname literally means "horse".[1] As of 2006, it ranks as the 14th most common Chinese surname in mainland China. In 2019 it was the 13th most common surname in mainland China.[2] A 2013 study found it to be the 13th most common, shared by 17,200,000 people or 1.290% of the population, with the province with the most being Henan. It is the 52nd name on the Hundred Family Surnames poem.[3]
Hui Muslims, Salars, Bonan and Dongxiang people commonly adopted Ma as the translation for their surname Mahmud / Muhammad. for e.g. Ma Jian, Ma Benzhai, Ma clique.[4][5][6][7]
During the Ming dynasty, the Zhengde Emperor had a Uyghur concubine with the surname Ma.[8][9]
It is not to be confused with the less common surname Má (麻), which means "hemp."[10]
Notable people
- Ma Zhu or Tian Shang Sheng Mu, the Goddess of the Sea, helper of sailors, and protector of ethnic Chinese in the South and immigrants in Southeast Asia
- King Mu of Zhou, the fifth king of the Zhou dynasty
- Mu Zeng, the native chieftain of Lijiang
- Mazu Daoyi, an influential abbot of the Chan school during the Tang Dynasty
- Ma Yuan (Han dynasty), Chinese military general and politician of the Eastern Han dynasty
- Ma Zhou, Chinese politician who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang dynasty
- Ma He (Mahmud Shams), Chinese admiral and explorer
- Ma Huan, Chinese explorer, translator, and travel writer
- Ma Dong-seok known as Don Lee, American actor
- Ma Tianyu also known Ray Ma, Chinese Mandopop singer and actor of Hui ethnicity
- Ma Wing-shing, Hong Kong manhua artist, writer and publisher
- Ma Jian (writer), Chinese-born British writer
- Ma Haide, American doctor
- Ma Hailong, Chinese Snooker player
- Ma Xuejun, Chinese discus thrower
- Ma Yunwen, Chinese volleyball player
- Ma Yibo, Chinese field hockey player
- Ma Yanhong, Chinese Olympic athlete
- Ma Qinghua, Chinese motorsports racing driver
- Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China
- Ma Xiaowei, former Minister of China's National Health Commission
- Ma Wen, Chinese politician, currently serving as the Chair of the National People's Congress Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee
- Ma Wen-chun, Taiwanese politician
- Ma Xiaohui, erhu player and composer from Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Ma Gui, Chinese martial artist
- Ma Jun, Chinese environmentalist
- Yi Ma, professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley
- Ma Chih-hung, Taiwanese luger
- Ma Yansong, the principal architect and founder of MAD Architects
- Ma Liuming, Chinese painter
- Ma Yashu, Chinese actress
- Ma Yili, Chinese actress
- Ma Li (actress), Chinese actress
- Ma Xinrui, Chinese actress and model
- Ma Sichun, Chinese actress
- Ma Ke (actor), Chinese actor
- Ma Prem Hasya, French-American follower of Rajneesh who served as his personal secretary (or chief of staff)
- Ma Anand Sheela, Indian-Swiss woman who was the spokesperson of the Rajneesh movement (also known as the Osho movement)
- Ma Jianzhong, Chinese official and scholar in the late Qing dynasty
- Ma Anliang (1855–1919), Qing dynasty and National Revolutionary Army (NRA) general
- Mah Bow Tan (Ma Baoshan) (born 1948), Singaporean politician
- Ma Chao (176–222), Shu Han general in the Three Kingdoms period
- Ma Che Kong (born 1974), Hong Kong badminton player
- Ma Ching-chiang (Ma Jingqiang), Republic of China Army general
- Ma Dahan, Dongxiang anti-Qing dynasty rebel
- Ma Dai, Shu Han general in the Three Kingdoms period
- Yusuf Ma Dexin (1794–1874), Qing dynasty Islamic scholar
- Edward Ma, member of the electronica band Glitch Mob
- Henry C. Ma
- Ma Hualong (died 1871), head of the Chinese Sufi order Jahriyya and one of the leaders of the Dungan revolt (1862–77)
- Ma Huateng (born 1971), entrepreneur and founder of Tencent
- Jack Ma (or Ma Yun, born 1964), internet entrepreneur and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group
- Ma Yinchu, Chinese economist
- James Ma (born 1993), Thai actor
- Jeff Ma, former member of the MIT Blackjack Team
- Ma Jianrong, Chinese executive in the textile industry. Chairman of Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited
- Ma Jin (born 1988), badminton player
- Ma Jun (fl. 220–265), Cao Wei mechanical engineer and official in the Three Kingdoms period
- Ma Jun (born c. 1968), environmentalist, non-fiction writer and journalist
- Ma Junren (born 1944), Chinese track and field coach
- Ma Laichi (1681–1766), founder of the Chinese Sufi Khufiyya movement
- Ma Lik (Ma Li) (1952–2007), former Hong Kong Legislative Councillor and chairman of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB)
- Ma Zhong, Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China
- Ma Lin (table tennis), retired Chinese table tennis player and the current Chinese Women's Team Head Coach
- Ma Wenge, Chinese table tennis player
- Ma Yexin, Chinese tennis player
- Ma Linyi (1864–1938), Minister of Education in Gansu province under the Nationalist Government
- Ma Liyan (born 1968), Chinese female long-distance runner
- Ma Zhenxia, Chinese racewalker
- Ma Long (born 1988), table tennis player, ranked first as of March 2013 in the International Table Tennis Federation
- Mary Ma (1952/53–2019), businesswoman
- Ma Mingyu (born 1972), Chinese footballer and national team captain in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
- Ma Mingxin (1719–1781), founder of the Chinese Sufi order Jahriyya
- Ma Ning (referee), Chinese football referee.
- Ma Ning, Chinese Field hockey player
- Ma Qinghua (born 1987), racing driver
- Qingyun Ma (born 1965), Chinese architect
- Ma Qixi (1857–1914), founder of the Xidaotang
- Ma Ruifang (born 1942), author, scholar and professor at Shandong University's School of Literature
- Ma Sanli (1914–2003), comedian
- Shang-keng Ma (1940–1983), Chinese theoretical physicist
- Ma Shaowu (1874–1937), member of the Xinjiang clique in the ROC (1912–49) era
- Ma Shenglin (died 1871), Qing dynasty rebel who participated in the Panthay Rebellion
- Ma Sicong (1912–1987), violinist and composer
- Ma Su (190–228), Shu Han general in the Three Kingdoms period
- Ma Teng (died 211), Eastern Han dynasty warlord
- Ma Liang, official serving under the warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China
- Tzi Ma (Ma Zhi) (born 1962), Chinese American actor
- Ma Wanfu (1849–1934), Dongxiang anti-Qing dynasty rebel and founder of the Yihewani movement
- Ma Weiming (born 1960), Chinese naval engineer
- Ma Xiaochun (born 1964), professional weiqi player
- Ma Xiaonian (born 1945), physician and sexologist
- Ma Xinyi (1821–1870), Qing dynasty official and general
- Ma Yansong (born 1975), architect
- Ma Ying-jeou (Ma Yingjiu) (born 1950), President of the Republic of China
- Yo-Yo Ma (Ma Youyou) (born 1955), French American cellist
- Ma Yuan (14 BC – 49 AD), Eastern Han dynasty general
- Ma Yuan (c. 1160–65 – 1225), Song dynasty painter
- Ma Yuanzhang, a member of the Chinese Sufi order Jahriyya
- Ma Yutao (born 1936), Chinese opera singer and military general
- Ma Zhanhai (died 1932), NRA general who participated in the Sino-Tibetan War
- Ma Zhanshan (1885–1950), NRA general who fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War
- Banharn Silpa-archa (Ma Dexiang) (1932–2016), Prime Minister of Thailand from 1995 to 1996 (archa in Thai means "horse")
- Empress Ma (Han dynasty), empress during the Eastern Han Dynasty
- Empress Ma (Hongwu), Member of the House of Zhu, Hongwu Emperor's wife
- Empress Ma (Jianwen), Jianwen Emperor's wife
- Sima Qian, historian and statesman during the Han Dynasty
- Ma Chia-ling (born 1996), Taiwanese singer and member of AKB48
- Ma clique, in the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China (1912–49) era
- Mokcheon Ma clan, one of the Korean clans
- Sanggok Ma clan, one of the Korean clans
- Hyejong of Goryeo, known as Wang Mu, the second king of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea
- Mu of Balhae, known as King Mu, the second king of the Balhae
- Mu of Baekje, the 30th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea
- Muryeong of Baekje, the 25th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea
- Mah Chonggi, Korean poet
- Ma Kwang-soo, South Korean poet, professor in Korean literature, novelist and essayist
- Ma Jae-yoon, a.k.a Savior (gamer), former professional South Korean e-sports gamer of the real-time strategy game StarCraft
- Ma Jung-kil, South Korean sidearm relief pitcher
- Ma Sang-hoon, South Korean professional footballer
- Ma Hae-young, retired South Korean professional baseball infielder
- Dong Hyun Ma, South Korean mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the UFC's lightweight division.
- Yoo Da-in, born Ma Young-seon, South Korean actress
- Ma Chul-jun, South Korean former footballer and manager
- Ma Bufang (1903–1975)
- Ma Bukang
- Ma Buqing (1901–1977)
- Ma Biao
- Ma Chengxiang (1914–1991)
- Ma Dunjing (1906–1972)
- Ma Dunjing (1910–2003)
- Ma Fulu (1854–1900)
- Ma Fushou
- Ma Fuxiang (1876–1932)
- Ma Fuxing (1864–1924)
- Ma Fuyuan
- Ma Guoliang
- Ma Haiyan (1837–1900)
- Ma Hongbin (1884–1960)
- Ma Hongkui (1892–1970)
- Ma Hushan (1910–1954)
- Ma Jiyuan (1921–2012)
- Ma Lin (1873–1945)
- Ma Qi (1869–1931)
- Ma Qianling (1824–1909)
- Ma Julong
- Ma Sheng-kuei (Ma Shenggui)
- Ma Shouzhen (1548–1604)
- Ma Zhan'ao (1830–1886)
- Ma Zhancang
- Ma Zhongying (fl. 1930s)
- Ma Xizhen
Westernized-style surname
- Bertha Hosang Mah (1896–1959), Canadian student
- Theresa Mah, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives
- Michelle Mah, Korean-American chef
- Leslie Mah, American musician
- Bowinn Ma, Canadian politician
- Fiona Ma (born 1966), American politician and member of the California State Assembly
- Frederick Ma, Chinese businessman from Hong Kong
- Geoffrey Ma (born 1956), judge from Hong Kong, China
- Jack Ma or Ma Yun (born 1964), Chinese business magnate, philanthropist, internet and technology entrepreneur, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group
- Jaeson Ma, American entrepreneur
- James Ma (born 1993), Thai actor
- Jie Ma, traditional Chinese musician
- Kenneth Ma (born 1974), Chinese Canadian actor
- Qingyun Ma (born 1965), Chinese architect
- Sire Ma (born 1987), Chinese actress
- Sora Ma (born 1984), Malaysian born Singaporean actress
- Stanley Ma (born 1950), Canadian-Quebecois businessman of Chinese origin and founder and President of MTY Food Group
- Steve Ma (born 1962), Chinese actor from Taiwan
- Steven Ma (born 1971), Chinese actor and singer
- Tzi Ma (born 1962), Chinese-American character actor
- Wu Ma (1942–2014), Chinese actor, director, producer
- Yo-Yo Ma (born 1955), American cellist
- Victor Ma, Chinese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor
- Remy Ma, American rapper
See also
References
- ^ Ian Jeffries. Political Developments in Contemporary China: A Guide.
Routledge, 23 Jul 2010. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
- ^ "新京报 - 好新闻，无止境".
- ^ K. S. Tom. [1989] (1989). Echoes from Old China: Life, Legends and Lore of the Middle Kingdom. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-1285-9.
- ^ Dru C. Gladney (1996). Muslim Chinese: ethnic nationalism in the People's Republic. Cambridge Massachusetts: Harvard Univ Asia Center. p. 375. ISBN 0-674-59497-5. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ BARRY RUBIN (2000). Guide to Islamist Movements. M.E. Sharpe. p. 79. ISBN 0-7656-1747-1. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ Leif O. Manger (1999). Muslim diversity: local Islam in global contexts. Routledge. p. 132. ISBN 0-7007-1104-X. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ Susan Debra Blum; Lionel M. Jensen (2002). China off center: mapping the margins of the middle kingdom. University of Hawaii Press. p. 121. ISBN 0-8248-2577-2. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ Luther Carrington Goodrich; Zhaoying Fang; Association for Asian Studies. Ming Biographical History Project Committee. (1976). Dictionary of Ming biography, 1368-1644, Volume 2. Columbia University Press. p. 314. ISBN 0-231-03801-1. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ Peter C. Perdue (2005). China marches west: the Qing conquest of Central Eurasia. Harvard University Press. p. 64. ISBN 0-674-01684-X. Retrieved 2011-04-17.
- ^ "Ma Surname Meaning & Ma Family History at Ancestry.com®". www.ancestry.com.
