Che (name)

Che is a given name and surname of multiple origins and meanings.

• As a Given Name:

  • Korean: It is a relatively uncommon Korean family name, written with the hanja 車.
  • Spanish/Italian: Often a diminutive or nickname for names like José (Spanish) or Giuseppe (Italian), which are the equivalents of Joseph. It is often associated with the historical figure Che Guevara, whose full name was Ernesto "Che" Guevara. In this context, "Che" is an Argentine interjection meaning something akin to "hey," "listen," or "mate."
  • Other Origins: It may occasionally appear as a shortened form of other names, depending on cultural and familial practices.

• As a Surname:

  • Chinese: Che is a less common romanization of several Chinese surnames, most often rendered in Pinyin as Cha (查) or Che (車). The meaning depends on the specific Chinese character used.
  • Korean: As noted above, Che (車) is a Korean surname.
  • Italian: Che can occasionally appear as an Italian surname, likely derived as a shortened or altered form of other names.

The significance and usage of the name "Che" vary greatly depending on its origin and the cultural context in which it is used.