Explore the Family Name Bu
The meaning of Bu
1. Norwegian: habitational name from a farm named with Old Norse bú ‘farmstead; livestock’ or búth ‘small house, hut’. 2. Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 卜, meaning ‘astrologer, fortune-teller, diviner’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the post names Bu Ren (卜人) or Bu Shi (卜筮), the title of astrologers who performed divination in ancient China. (ii) borne by descendants of the younger brother of Tai Kang (the 3rd king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC)). (iii) borne by descendants of Teng Shuxiu, a son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). (iv) adopted as a surname by the Xu Bu (須卜) family from the Huns during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). 3. Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 步, meaning ‘steps’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Bu (步), the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted as the surname by the Bu Lu Gen (步鹿根) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). 4. Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 布, meaning ‘cloth’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Bu Zi (布子), an official who lived in the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC), who was noted for his gift of choosing strong horses. (ii) shortened form of the Chinese surname Gu-Bu (姑布). (iii) a surname of the king of the state of Kucha(or Kuche), a Buddhist kingdom in northwestern China during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). (iv) borne by descendants of some refugees at the end of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) who fled to southern China and changed their original surnames to Bu (布) in a wish for a good life with good clothing. 5. Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 補, meaning ‘supplement’ in Chinese: from Bu (補), the name of an ancient state (possibly located in present-day Henan province), annexed by the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). 6. Chinese: Teochew form of the surname 巫, see Wu 4.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Bu in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Bu has significantly increased between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it held the rank of 38,198 and improved to 25,102 in 2010, marking a change of approximately 34.28%. The count of individuals with this surname also showed a substantial increase from 545 in 2000 to 989 in 2010, an increase of around 81.47%. Additionally, the proportion per 100,000 people exhibited an increase from 0.2 in 2000 to 0.34 in 2010, signifying a growth rate of 70%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #38,198 | #25,102 | 34.28% |
| Count | 545 | 989 | 81.47% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.2 | 0.34 | 70% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bu
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Bu is predominantly Asian/Pacific Islander, as observed from the Decennial U.S. Census data. This group's representation increased from 58.90% in 2000 to 62.79% in 2010, a positive shift of about 6.60%. Meanwhile, the representation of White and Black ethnicities decreased by 7.37% and 48.51%, respectively. Hispanic representation saw a minor increase from 17.06% in 2000 to 17.80% in 2010, showing a 4.34% change. No individuals identified as having two or more races or being American Indian and Alaskan Native for either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 58.9% | 62.79% | 6.6% |
| Hispanic | 17.06% | 17.8% | 4.34% |
| White | 16.7% | 15.47% | -7.37% |
| Black | 5.69% | 2.93% | -48.51% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |