Pǔ

Pǔ (朴 or 樸) is a Chinese surname with ancient origins. The character 朴 (pǔ) literally means 'unadorned wood' or 'simple'. It is also associated with the concept of 'Daoist simplicity' or 'the uncarved block' (pu) in Taoist philosophy, representing a state of naturalness and potential. The surname has been in use for centuries, often associated with scholars and philosophers who valued simplicity and natural living.

The surname 朴 is also pronounced 'Park' in Korean and is one of the most common surnames in Korea. While the Chinese character is the same, the historical development and cultural context of the surname in China and Korea have diverged, though they share a common linguistic root in the character's meaning.