Most common surnames in the world primarily originate from China, India, Europe, and North America. Many of these surnames have ancient roots and reflect the cultural, historical, and social characteristics of different regions.
1.Wang (王) — Approx. 107 million bearers
"Wang" is the most common surname globally, particularly in China, where over 107 million people carry this surname. The meaning of "Wang" is "King" or "ruler."
2.Li (李) — Approx. 105 million bearers
In previous years, this surname was the most popular, but now approximately 105 million people have this surname. While it is predominantly found among Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese people, it is also common in nearly every country.
3.García — Approx. 1.5 million bearers
García is the most common surname in Europe, with over 1.65 million people bearing the surname in the region. It is most widespread in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and Latin America.
4.Mohammad (محمد) — Approx. 6 million bearers
Mohammad is the most common surname among Arabs. It is associated with the highly respected figure of Prophet Muhammad in Islamic culture, making it widespread among Muslims worldwide. The name is commonly found in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and many other Arab nations.
5.Smith — Approx. 2 million bearers
According to 2024 statistics, Smith is the most common surname in the United States, with around 2.44 million bearers. This English surname originates from the occupation of blacksmith and is common in the US, Canada, and the UK. It has Anglo-Saxon roots.
6.Devi — Approx. 70 million bearers
In India, the surname Devi is the most common, with over 70 million bearers. It is often linked to religious and cultural traditions. A few years ago, the surname Singh was the most common in India.
7.Mammadov — Approx. 300,000 bearers
In Azerbaijan, the surname Mammadov is carried by approximately 300,000 people. This surname is also one of the most common in Georgia, ranking fifth in the country’s list of most common surnames.
8.Müller — Approx. 1 million bearers
By 2025, Müller will be the most common surname in Germany, meaning "miller" in German. It originates from the occupation of a miller and is widespread in German-speaking countries. In Germany, over 945,000 people bear this surname, or about one in every 85 people.
9.Cohen (כהן) — Approx. 250,000 bearers
In Israel, the surname Cohen is the most common, and it belongs to descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, approximately 252,516 Israelis carry the surname Cohen, which accounts for about 2.52% of the country’s population.
10.Yılmaz — Approx. 1.5 million bearers
In Turkey, the most common surname is Yılmaz. According to statistics, more than 1 million people bear the Yılmaz surname. The meaning of "Yılmaz" is "brave," "courageous," and "fearless."