2007-02-01 09:33:43 · 21 answers · asked by naterboaster 1 in Sports ➔ Basketball
No., Ming is his first name. Yao is his last name. In Chinese or Japaneese the name is put backwards. His name is Ming Yao. But since he is Chinese they call him Yao Ming. For example if your name is Li Ama, they will call you Ama Li. I'm also Chinese so this is like culture.
2007-02-01 09:38:35 · answer #1 · answered by luckygal1071 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His family name is Yao and his personal name is Ming hence the Yao on his back and not Ming
2007-02-01 17:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by kolawoski 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i actually know this. In China, a name is said backwards. Yao Ming's name in China is Ming Yao, so to be recognized by his homeland, they decided to put his name like they say it.
2007-02-01 17:44:07 · answer #3 · answered by xengold 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. names are usually presented with the last name first. Yao, is the "family" name, and Ming is "given" name.
2007-02-01 17:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by lynnbjohns 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because his real name is Ming Yao.
2007-02-01 17:38:18 · answer #5 · answered by metsgurl716 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No in China your family name is first so to say Yao is his last name
2007-02-01 17:36:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In China the last names appear first in respect to the family. So his first name is Ming.
2007-02-01 17:55:27 · answer #7 · answered by Michael W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oriental names are usually written "last" name first, which would make Yao his surname.
2007-02-01 17:36:31 · answer #8 · answered by dbake50 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in china it is the other way around. so it is ming yao
2007-02-01 17:41:54 · answer #9 · answered by ccubs102004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, it china his real name would be Ming Yao, but now in america, its changes, flip flops
2007-02-01 17:37:11 · answer #10 · answered by ONE COOL GUY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋