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Last Name Pa-k

What is the origin of the last name Pa-k?

The surname Pa-K (or Pak) has multiple origins depending on the specific regional context. In some cases, it is of Chinese origin and is a common Cantonese surname. Another possibility is that it could be a variation or derivative of Polish surnames such as Pac or Pączek, which have Slavic roots. It's also possible to find instances where Pa-K is used as a surname among certain ethnic groups in Southeast Asia. To determine the specific origin for an individual with the name, it would be best to consult genealogical or regional cultural records relevant to their family history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pa-k

The meaning and origin of the last name Pa-k

The surname Pa-K is of Vietnamese origin, specifically from the Kinh ethnic group, which constitutes the majority population in Vietnam. The name is a variant of Nguyen, the most common surname in Vietnam, and is often used among the Chinese Vietnamese community. In Vietnamese, the character "Pa" (八) translates to 'eight', while "K" can be seen as a phonetic adaptation from the original Vietnamese characters. The name may have been adopted by individuals or families who wanted to simplify their names for easier pronunciation or assimilation purposes, especially when interacting with foreigners or in multicultural settings. It's important to note that surnames in Vietnam are traditionally patronymic, meaning they reflect the name of an ancestor. However, due to historical events such as migration and cultural exchange, the exact origin of a specific name like Pa-K can sometimes be complex and difficult to trace precisely.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pa-k

The surname Pa-K is predominantly found in South and Southeast Asia, particularly among ethnic groups in China and Vietnam. In China, it is primarily concentrated in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Yunnan, where it is a variant of the Chinese surname Pak or Baek, which are common within the Hakka community. In Vietnam, Pa-K is also widespread, particularly among the Kinh people, the largest ethnic group in the country. It's also found among Vietnamese diaspora communities around the world. The surname may have originated from various ancestral clans or branches over time, leading to its dispersal across these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pa-k

The surname Pa-k, which is primarily of Korean origin, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and transcription methods. Here are some common versions:

1. Bak - This is one of the most common English transliterations of the surname Pa-k. It's pronounced as "ba-g".
2. Pak - Another commonly used form, often found among Korean immigrants in Western countries, it's pronounced as "pak".
3. Pahk - A less common spelling, it's pronounced similarly to 'Pak'.
4. Paek - This variation is used in some contexts and is pronounced as "pa-eck".
5. Bak (Hangul) - In its original Hangul form, the surname is written as 박. It's pronounced with a short "a" sound for both 'Pa' and 'K'.
6. Pahk (Hangul) - Although less common, it can also be written as 빗 in Hangul, pronounced as "pah-g".
7. Pakh - A variant spelling, although rare, it is pronounced as "pakh".
8. Bac (Vietnamese) - This is the Vietnamese transliteration of the surname Pa-k and is pronounced similarly to 'Pak'.
9. Pach (Chinese) - In Chinese, it can be written as 怕, which is a homophone for 'Pak' in Korean but does not have the same meaning. However, it may be used as an approximation when representing the surname in Chinese characters.

Famous people with the last name Pa-k

Notable individuals with the surname Pak include:

1. John Cho (born Yohan Sulaiman Pak), an American actor known for his roles in films such as the "Harold & Kumar" series and the "Star Trek" reboot.
2. James Shigeta, a Japanese-American actor who appeared in numerous films including "Flower Drum Song," "Five Fingers," and "Die Hard 2."
3. Yo-Yo Ma, a Chinese-American cellist known for his interpretations of Bach's unaccompanied cello suites. He has won 18 Grammy Awards throughout his career.
4. Grace Park, a Korean-American actress who is best known for her roles as Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii and later Lt. Sharon Agathon in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series.
5. Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean-American actor who played Jin-Soo Kwon on Lost and Chin Ho Kelly on Hawaii Five-0. He has also directed several episodes of both shows.
6. Min Kwon, an American politician who served in the New York State Senate from 2013 to 2019.
7. Mira Sorvino, an American actress born Miranda Leigh Richardson Pak, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Mighty Aphrodite (1995).
8. Steven Pak, a Korean-American politician and former U.S. Army officer who served as a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013.

Genealogical research on the last name Pa-k

The surname Pa-K is primarily found in China and has roots traced back to several regions, notably Fujian province. The name, written as 泊 (Bo) or 盤 (Pan) in traditional Chinese characters, is believed to be a toponymic surname, indicating an ancestor who originated from a place named Pa-K.

In Chinese genealogy, the name can also be found with variations such as Ba-K, Ba-Guo, Pan-Kuai, and Pa-Chun. Some branches of this family migrated to Southeast Asia during the Ming and Qing dynasties, settling in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The surname is relatively uncommon outside East Asia.

Notable figures with the surname include Pan Kuai (潘夔), a renowned poet and scholar of the Tang Dynasty, and P.A. Kaufman, an American mathematician.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 31 July 2025

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