Why does Yao Ming have his first name on his jersey?

[Maxflier]

Why does Yao Ming have his first name on his jersey instead of his last name like everyone else in the league?

[itty01]

i'm pretty sure it's because his name is really ming yao, or at least that's how it is in china. last name first. so here yao is on the back of his jersey. same with ichiro in baseball.

[Roco]

wang zhizhi also has the name wang on his jersey

[Maxflier]

wang zhizhi also has the name wang on his jersey

I hope he doesnt try posting on here,he would rack up the warning points quickly.

[Jay1586]

I hope he doesnt try posting on here,he would rack up the warning points quickly.

Nene Hilario also has his first name on his jersey.

[majik]

Nene Hilario also has his first name on his jersey.

He legally changed his name to Nene, he hasn't got a last name

[ezfranca]

Nene is a nick name. His real name is Maybayner.

here is too common people be called by nickname.

Nene here is the word for Baby ....hehehhe

[Linda]

Why does Yao Ming have his first name on his jersey instead of his last name like everyone else in the league?

Because in Chinese, the first Chinese character(or two) is techinically your "last name" or family name. So in Chinese his name is still pronounced Yao Ming. But his last name or family name is Yao.

[prguy]

Yao is a cool name

[Peach_NYK_3]

Yeah, it's got to be the chinese thing, something about their culture.