Chinese surname · rank 388

步

步 is read as bù.

Pinyin

bù

Script forms

Simplified and traditional 步

Basic meaning

step, pace; walk, stroll

Five element

Earth

Origin

Time: Xia-dynasty tradition, c. 2070-1600 BCE

Place: Jin-state Bu fief / Pingyang-Linfen regional tradition; Lu / Qi and Shandong distribution notes in later surname references; Northern Wei Xianbei Bulugen / Bulu clan changed-surname context; Xunyang / Pingyang commandery prestige geography

Origin note

Bu/步 is primarily a fief-name surname, not just the everyday word step. The main traditional account says Bu Yang, from a Jin Xi-lineage branch, held a fief at Bu, and descendants used the place name as their surname. A separate Northern Wei layer records Xianbei compound surnames such as Bulugen or Bulu being changed to the single Han surname Bu. Later history also remembers Jiangdong Bu families such as Bu Zhi, but those are later bearers rather than the origin itself.

Historical figures

Historical figures to enrich

This surname page is ready for a fame-ranked figure list. Later passes can add generals, poets, rulers, artists, scholars and modern public figures with source links.

Sources checked

Wikipedia: Bu/步 surname - Bu Yang fief-name origin, Bulugen changed-surname layer, and Baijiaxing rank context
Zupulu: Bu/步 surname - Yuanhe Xingzuan / Qianfulun-style Bu Yang fief-name account and Bulugen layer
Baijiayoupu: Bu/步 surname encyclopedia - Jin Bu Yang fief and Northern Wei Bulu clan changed-surname layers
D1tools surname page: Bu/步 - Bu Yang, Bulugen, migration, and historical bearer context
Han Dian: Bu/步 - walk, step, measure, and surname character meanings only
Wikisource: Baijiaxing - received Baijiaxing sequence line containing 衡步

步 🔊

Origin note

Historical figures

Historical figures to enrich

Sources checked

步