Among Taiwanese and Chinese families from abroad, it is sometimes pronounced and spelled as Lim because many Chinese descendants are part of the Southern Min diaspora that speak Hokkien or Teochew. It is listed th on the Hundred Family Surnames. Within mainland China , it is currently the 18th most common surname. King Zhou of Shang reigned to BC , the last king of the Shang dynasty , had three uncles advising him and his administration. King Zhou was a cruel king, but his three uncles could not persuade him to change his ways.
Failing in their duty to advise the king, Prince Weizi resigned. Prince Jizi faked insanity and was relieved of his post. Only Prince Bi Gan stayed on to continue advising the king to change his ways. This put him in danger of incurring the king's wrath. Prince Bi Gan stayed at the palace for three days and nights to try to persuade the blood-thirsty and immoral king to mend his ways.
The stubborn king would not relent and had Prince Bi Gan arrested for treason. Upon hearing this, his pregnant wife escaped into the forest and went into labor there. King Wu knew about the courageous prime minister Prince Bi Gan and sought his wife and child.
When he found them, he honoured them in respect of Prince Bi Gan. The mother and child were restored to the Shang royal family. In it was the 18th most common surname in mainland China. This is an East Asian name, meaning the surname is stated "before" the given name, though East Asian persons living in Western countries will often put their surname after their given name.
Mandarin and Wu Chinese form:. Southern Min Hokkien or Teochew form:. Eastern Min , Northern Min , and Wu form:. Contents move to sidebar hide.
