Gou

The name Gou is primarily associated with Chinese culture. As a surname, it has several possible origins. One theory suggests it derives from the name of an ancient state called Gou, which existed during the Spring and Autumn period. Another origin points to descendants of Gou Jian, a famous king of the Yue state. As a given name, 'Gou' can have various meanings depending on the specific Chinese characters used, such as 'hook' (钩) or 'ditch/moat' (沟), though these are less common for personal names. It is more frequently encountered as a surname.