How come Yao Ming's jersey says his first name Yao, while everyone else's has their last name?
2007-06-29 01:10:38 · 7 answers · asked by Jiffy 3 in Sports ➔ Basketball
In China, the family name is the spoken/written first. His father's name is Yao Zhiyuan. In the US, Yao is his last name. You'd still call him Yao Ming and not Ming Yao.
2007-06-29 01:28:24 · answer #1 · answered by Da Pho? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably because he is Chinese, and Ming might represent his family more than the individual, Yao. He is the most popular figure in China right now and his importance as an individual party member is more important than a family association in the communist culture.
Ming is also a royal name that goes back to the Ming Dynasty. China is a communist state so he does not have much to say about this. The People's Party probably chose the name Yao to represent the man when he was awarded People's Hero of the year, the year before last. The government of China is very much involved in every aspect of negotiations between the NBA and one of their citizens. Don't be surprised of you see Ji on the jersey of the Chinese player who was drafted this morning, or last night your time, by the Timberwolves. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if they chose a different part of the name.
You have to also consider that Yao's full name might be a more than just Yao Ming. It might be something closer to Yao, son of X and Y, from region Z.
I hope this answer helps more than it confuses.
Added note- I think the answers above, about reversing the first and last names are simply more precise, and if they had been posted when I started answering this question I would not have answered. but I will leave my answer for your amusement.
2007-06-29 08:41:44 · answer #2 · answered by Yahoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Asia, the person's last name is placed first. It's only a cultural difference.
2007-06-29 08:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by mac 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yao is his last name
2007-06-29 08:29:37 · answer #4 · answered by rolsartom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cause he's special like Ichiro from the seatle mariners he also has the 1'st name on he's jersey
2007-06-29 08:15:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My wife is Chinese and tells me Chinese always pronounce last name first and then first name. I've not heard his explanation but pretty sure this is the reason!
2007-06-29 09:06:18 · answer #6 · answered by carlrandolph 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats the way they want it to be! and it looks good! Just imagine when they put "meng" on the jersey!
2007-06-29 08:19:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋