A surname from the ancient state of Ban, associated with the historian Ban Gu.
Why it scores this way
Easy to say96
Reads the way it looks for an English speaker — no sounds English doesn't have.
Recognised in China48
Outside the top 100 — distinctive, but some people will ask you to repeat or write it.
Easy to write70
10 strokes — a little practice and it flows.
People who carried this name
Ban Gu — Han dynasty historian (32–92), author of the Book of Han.
Ban Chao — Eastern Han dynasty general and diplomat who extended Chinese influence over the Western Regions, earning the title 'Duke Dingyuan' for his achievements.
Ban Zhao — First known female Chinese historian, completed the Book of Han after her brother's death, and authored the influential Admonitions for Women.