麻MaSurname
Má
Ma (麻) literally means 'hemp' or 'numb'. As a surname, it is relatively rare and may connote resilience or simplicity. It is also associated with the ancient state of Ma.
Má
Mainland China · Taiwan
Ma
Guangdong · Hong Kong
Ma
Fujian · Taiwan · SE Asia
Ma
Meizhou · Taiwan · SE Asia
Population Ranking
#163
Estimated Under 1 million people
Position among top 100 Chinese surnames
Geographic Distribution
Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong
Five Element Analysis
Water
wisdom, flexibility, and adaptability
Origin & History
The Ma surname originated from the ancient state of Ma (麻) during the Zhou Dynasty. Descendants of the ruling family adopted the state name as their surname. Another origin is from the surname of the legendary figure Ma Shu (麻叔), a descendant of the Yellow Emperor.
Surname Evolution
The Ma surname originated from the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, where an ancestor was given the surname for his expertise in horsemanship. General Ma Yuan of the Eastern Han made the surname famous. The Ma clan spread widely across northwest China.
Commandery
Fufeng Commandery (扶风郡) — Modern-day Baoji area, Shaanxi Province
Hall Title
扶风堂 (Fufeng Hall)
Ancestral Hall
Ma Clan Ancestral Hall in Fufeng, Shaanxi — Honoring General Ma Yuan, known as the 'Wave-Subduing General.' The hall features traditional military relics.
Clan Motto & Family Tradition
扶风世泽，铜柱家风 — The Fufeng heritage; the Bronze Pillar family tradition.
Famous People with Surname Ma
Ma Gui (麻贵) — Ming Dynasty general who fought in the Imjin War
Ma Zhongying (麻忠英) — 20th-century Chinese Muslim warlord
Ma Yifu (麻一福) — Modern Chinese painter known for traditional landscapes
Tone Compatibility
Ma (Má) is a 2nd tone (rising) surname. In Chinese naming, balanced tonal patterns create harmonious-sounding names.
Recommended Patterns
peaceful and secure
vast and auspicious
ambition that soars
Patterns to Avoid
Each digit is a tone (1=level, 2=rising, 3=dipping, 4=falling). The first is the surname tone; the next two are the given name's tones.
Example Names with Ma
Your Ma Family Legend
Popular Chinese Name Collections
Want Your Own Unique Chinese Name?
Our engine creates personalized names based on your English name and preferred style.
Try the Name Generator→Frequently Asked Questions
What does the surname Ma mean in Chinese?
The surname Ma (麻) literally means 'hemp' or 'numb'. As a surname, it is relatively rare and may connote resilience or simplicity. Hemp was used for making cloth and ropes in ancient China, so the surname carries associations with practicality and durability. The character also means 'numb' as in tingling sensation.
Where does the Ma surname originate from?
The Ma surname originated from the ancient state of Ma (麻) during the Zhou Dynasty, located in present-day Hubei province. Descendants of the state's rulers adopted the place name as their surname. Another origin is from the Ma clan, descendants of a noble family who were in charge of hemp cultivation or processing.
Who are some famous people with the surname Ma?
1. Ma Su, a Chinese general of the Shu Han state during the Three Kingdoms period, known for his defeat at the Battle of Jieting. 2. Ma Haide, an American-born Chinese physician who served in the Chinese Red Army. 3. Ma Wen, a Chinese actress known for her role in the film 'The Wandering Earth'.
What given names go well with the surname Ma?
Given names that pair well with Ma often emphasize resilience and simplicity, such as 'Ma Yi' (麻衣, 'hemp clothing') or 'Ma Li' (麻利, 'quick and efficient'). Names with meanings like 'strong', 'practical', or 'numb' (figuratively, unfeeling) can complement the surname. Avoid names that suggest luxury or fragility.