Liu is the fourth most common surname in Mainland China. It is shared by nearly 70 million people. This is a list of notable people with the Chinese family name Liu.
Historical figures Liu Bang, Founder of the Han dynasty as Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Jiao (King of Chu), the younger brother of Liu Bang and famous scholar Liu Ying, Second Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Heng, Fifth Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Qi, Sixth Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Che, Seventh Emperor of the Han dynasty known for expanding the Han dynasty to its fullest extent and for a long reign of 54 years Liu An (King of Huainan), advisor to his nephew, Emperor Wu of Han. Best known for editing the (139 BCE) Huainanzi compendium of Daoist, Confucianist, and Legalist teachings Liu Sheng (King of Zhongshan), the direct ancestor of the Shu Han emperors, had more than 120 sons Liu Xiang, government official, scholar, and author of who lived during the Han dynasty Liu Fuling, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu He, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Xun, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Shi, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Ao, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Xin, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Kan, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Xin, astronomer, historian, and editor during the Han dynasty Liu Xuan, Emperor Gengshi of the Han dynasty Liu Yan (Xin dynasty), general and older brother of Liu Xiu Liu Xiu, The restorer of the Han dynasty and the founding emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty Liu Dai, politician during the Eastern Han dynasty Liu Du (warlord), warlord and politician during the Eastern Han dynasty Liu Yan (Han dynasty warlord), politician and warlord during the Eastern Han dynasty Liu Biao, warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty Liu Zhuang, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Da, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Zhao, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Hu, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Bao, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Zhi, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Hong, Emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Xie, Last emperor of the Han dynasty Liu Bei (161–223), Founding emperor of Shu Han Liu Shan (207–271), Second emperor of Shu Han Liu Hong, astronomer and mathematician of the Han dynasty Liu Hui, mathematician during The Three Kingdoms period Liu Yan (Shu Han), general during the Three Kingdoms period Liu Ji (Three Kingdoms), official of Eastern Wu Liu Kun, general, poet and musician of the Western Jin Liu Yuan, First emperor of Han Zhao Liu He, Second emperor of Han Zhao Liu Cong, Third emperor of Han Zhao Liu Can, Fourth emperor of Han Zhao Liu Yao, Fifth emperor of Han Zhao Emperor Wu of Liu Song, First emperor of Liu Song Emperor Shao of Liu Song, Second emperor of Liu Song Emperor Wen of Liu Song, Third emperor of Liu Song Empress Liu, Empress of Northern Song Liu Sanjie, folk music singer during the Southern Song dynasty Liu Zhiyuan, Founding emperor of Later Han Liu Chong, Founding emperor of Northern Han Liu Yan, Founding emperor of Southern Han Liu Rengui, chancellor and general of the Tang dynasty Liu Xiangdao, chancellor of the Tang dynasty Liu Ji (general), general of the Tang dynasty Liu Ji (Tang chancellor), chancellor of the Tang dynasty Liu Yan (Tang dynasty), Chinese economist and politician during the Tang dynasty Liu Zhan, chancellor and official of the Tang dynasty Liu Chongwang, chancellor of the Tang dynasty Liu Zhangqing, famous poet and politician Liu Yuxi, famous poet and statesman Liu Kezhuang, famous poet of southern song Liu Xu, chancellor of Later Tang and Later Jin Liu Bingzhong, chancellor of the Yuan dynasty Liu Bowen, famous poet, statesman, strategist and thinker Liu Tongxun, politician of the Qing dynasty Liu Yong, politician and calligrapher of the Qing dynasty Liu Mingchuan, First Governor of Taiwan Liu Ji (politician), (1887–1967), 11th Republic-era mayor of Beijing.
Business Liu Qiangdong, (born 1973), internet entrepreneur and founder of Jd.com Liu Chuanzhi, (born 1944), Chinese businessman and founder of Lenovo Yu Liu (entrepreneur), (born 1986), Chinese entrepreneur Liu Yiqian, (born 1963), autodidact billionaire investor and art collector. Pete Lau (aka Liu Zuohu; born 1975), Chinese entrepreneur and co-founder of OnePlus Betty Liu (born 1973), Executive Vice Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange K. J. Ray Liu (born 1961), Chinese-American scientist, educator, and entrepreneur
Entertainment
General Liu Wen (born 1988), fashion model Liu Wei (artist), Chinese artist Liu Yan (dancer), (born 1982), classical Chinese dancer Sam Liu, American animation producer Wyna Liu, puzzle editor
Actors and actresses Lucy Liu, American actress Liu Yifei, singer/actress Liu Shishi, (born 1987), Chinese actress Jasper Liu, (born 1986), Taiwanese actor, model, and musician Liu Haoran, Chinese actor Liu Tao, (born 1978), Chinese actress Liu Haikuan, (born 1994), Chinese actor Liu Ruilin, (born 1990), Chinese actor Hawick Lau, Chinese actor Liu Tong (actor), (born 1993), Chinese actor and model Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Australian Chinese actress Nina Liu, Australian actress Liu Yun (actress), (born 1982), Chinese actress Carina Lau, (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Andy Lau, Hong Kong actor, singer Liu Ye, (born 1978), Chinese actor Liu Yan (actress), (born 1980), Chinese actress and singer Andrew Lau, Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Liu Yijun (actor), (born 1970), Chinese actor Winnie Lau, (born 1971), Hong Kong singer and actress Annie Liu, (born 1981), Hong Kong actress Esther Liu, (born 1988), Taiwanese actress Lau Kong, (born 1946), Hong Kong actor Jeffrey Lau, (born 1955), Hong Kong director and actor Moon Lau, (born 1989), Hong Kong actress Constance Lau, (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model Vincent Lau, (born 2001), Hong Kong actor Liu Xueyi, (born 1990), Chinese actor Liu Xiaoqing, (born 1955), Chinese actress and businesswoman Liu Kuan-ting, (born 1988), Taiwanese actor Leanne Liu, (born 1959) Hong Kong actress Lau Kar-Leung, (1934–2013), Chinese actor and martial artist Laurence Lau, (born 1954), American actor Sean Lau, (born 1964), Hong Kong actor Damian Lau, (born 1949), Hong Kong actor Tats Lau, Hong Kong actor and musician John Liu (actor), (born 1944), Taiwanese actor and martial artist Tony Liu, (born 1952), Hong Kong actor and martial artist Serena Liu, (1975–2020), Taiwanese dancer and actress Lau Dan, Chinese actor Lau Kar-leung, actor, choreographer and director Dyana Liu, American actress Patricia Liu, Hong Kong actress Gordon Liu, Chinese martial arts film actor Liu Haocun, Chinese actress Dallas Liu, American actor Simu Liu, (born 1989), Chinese-Canadian actor
Members of boy bands Henry Lau, Chinese-Canadian singer, member of Super Junior-M Liu Yangyang (born 2000), Taiwanese singer, member of WayV Liu Yuning, (born 1990), Chinese actor and singer, member of Modern Brothers Liu Yaowen, (born 2005), Chinese actor, dancer and singer, member of Teens In Times (时代少年团)
Members of girl groups Amber Liu (singer) (born 1992), singer and rapper, member of South Korean girl group f(x) (musical group) Liu Yuxin (singer), (born 1997), singer and rapper, member of Chinese girl group The9 Liu Xiening, (born 1996), Chinese singer and dancer and former member of South Korean girl group Gugudan Tasha Low (born 1993), Singaporean singer, former leader of South Korean girl group, Skarf
Musical performers Lexie Liu, Chinese singer, rapper and songwriter Will Liu, Taiwanese singer Liu Wen-cheng, (born 1952), Taiwanese singer and actor Jun Liu, Malaysian choreographer Liu Xijun, (born 1988), Chinese pop singer Liu Liyang, (born 1982), Chinese singer, DJ, producer and actress. Rene Liu, (born 1970), Taiwanese singer-songwriter, actress, director and writer Liu Fang, (born 1974), Chinese–Canadian musician and one of the most prominent pipa players in the world. Liu Chia-chang, (1940 or 1943–2024), Taiwanese songwriter, singer, screenwriter Liu Yuan (musician), (born 1960), one of the two prominent jazz musicians in China Liu Liangmo, (1909–1988), musician and Chinese Christian leader Liu Zhuang (musician), (1932–2011), musician Ji Liu (pianist), (born 1990), Chinese concert pianist Liu Sola, singer, composer, and writer Liu Huan (born 1963), Chinese singer-songwriter Liu Yang (violinist), winner of China's 5th National Violin Competition Bruce Liu (pianist), Canadian pianist
Politicians Liu Wenhui, warlord and PRC politician Liu Yunshan, PRC politician Liu Yandong, PRC politician Liu Shaoqi, PRC politician, former Chinese President Liu Chao-shiuan, Kuomintang politician Liu Chien-sin, Deputy Secretary General to the President of the Republic of China Liu Chih-kung, Deputy Secretary-General of National Security Council of the Republic of China (2010–2012) Liu Pang-yu, Taiwanese politician, Magistrate of Taoyuan County Liu Chih-yun, Deputy International Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of China Liu Ching-chung, Minister of Hakka Affairs Council (2014–2016) Liu Cheng-hung, Magistrate of Miaoli County (2005–2014) Liu Cheng-ying, Magistrate of Lienchiang County Liu I-chou, Chairperson of Central Election Commission of the Republic of China (2015–2017) Liu Kuo-chuan, former Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Commission of the Republic of China Liu Yuh-san, Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China (2005–2007) Liu Huaqing (1916–2011), PRC politician Liu Yu-you, Magistrate of Nantou County (1973–1981) Laurin Liu (born 1990), Canadian politician José María Liu, Taiwan representative to Spain Liu He (politician), (born 1952), Chinese economist and politician Eric Liu, (born 1968), American writer, former Deputy Assistant for the United States Domestic Policy Council Liu Fuzhi, PRC politician Liu Bocheng, PRC military commander Carol Liu (born 1941), American politician John Liu, American politician in NYC Lauren Liu, Canadian politician, the youngest female Member of Parliament in Canadian history Liu Ning, Chinese politician, as Communist Party Secretary of Guangxi 2021 Ted Lieu, United States Congressman from California. Law Hieng Ding, Malaysian politician Liew Chin Tong, Malaysian politician Liew Vui Keong, Malaysian politician Christina Liew, Malaysian politician Robert Lau, Malaysian politician
Religion
Ebit Lew, Malaysian Islamic preacher
Sports Basketball Liu Zhixuan, Chinese basketball player Liu Chuanxing, Chinese basketball player for Australia's Brisbane Bullets Liu Xiaoyu (basketball), Chinese basketball player Liu Wei (basketball), (born 1980) Chinese basketball player
Tennis Amber Liu (tennis), American former professional tennis player Liu Nannan, Chinese tennis player Liu Weijuan, Chinese tennis player Liu Shuhua, Chinese tennis player Liu Yanni, Chinese tennis player Liu Shaozhuo, Chinese tennis player Liu Fangzhou, (born 1995), Chinese tennis player Liu Wanting, Chinese tennis player Liu Siyu, Chinese tennis player Claire Liu, American tennis player Liu Chang (tennis), Chinese tennis player
Volleyball Liu Yanhan, Chinese volleyball player Liu Dan (volleyball), volleyball player Liu Changcheng (volleyball), Chinese volleyball player Liu Libin, Chinese volleyball player Liu Lijuan (sitting volleyball), Chinese Paralympic sitting volleyball Liu Xiaotong, (born 1990), Chinese volleyball player
Figure skating Chaochih Liu, (born 1993), Taiwanese-American figure skater Liu Yan (figure skater), (born 1984), former competitive figure skater Alysa Liu, figure skater, 2025 world champion, 2026 olympic champion Anthony Liu, figure skater Shaolin Sándor Liu, Chinese-Hungarian short track speed skater
Table tennis Liu Shiwen, (born 1991), Chinese table tennis player, five-time World Cup champion Liu Jia, Chinese Austrian table tennis player Juan Liu, American table tennis player Na Liu, British table tennis player Liu Jing (table tennis), (born 1988), Chinese para table tennis player Liu Guoliang, table tennis player
Swimming Liu Jing (swimmer), Chinese swimmer