National Gang Day is celebrated on April 6 every year. When you hear about this holiday, it’s easy to assume we are talking about honoring gangs. However, we are talking about nothing other than individuals named Gang on this special day. This name is unique and has its origin rooted in Chinese. Gang is a strong, powerful last and sometimes given name in the region. Gangs are difficult to find, have unwavering principles, and if you have one in your life, you should count yourself lucky.
History of National Gang Day
If you’re looking for a powerful yet exotic name for your new baby boy, look no further than Gang. Today, we are celebrating all the individuals bearing this formidable name around the globe. It’s safe to presume that the majority, if not all, of these people, are from Asia — specifically, China — because that’s where the term originates.
Gang is a surname and, in a few cases, a male-given name with Chinese roots. It is the romanized version of ‘Jiāng’ and simply means ‘strength,’ but can also be translated to ‘powerful,’ ‘unyielding,’ ‘rigid,’ or ‘hard.’ We know, at first sight, some of these qualities aren’t the most attractive to hear, but think of it this way, wouldn’t you like a powerful son that remains resilient and unwavering in his principles? If you do, Gang may just be the best fit for you.
This name appears to be uncommon, although this is not the case among Chinese communities. In Chinese communities worldwide, the surname Gang is surprisingly prevalent. It was previously only used as a last name but is becoming popular as a given name as well.
Its numerous translations vary depending on how it is spelled in Chinese, what dialect is utilized when pronouncing it, and the country in question. A quick example will be its Korean variation which is spelled as ‘Kang’ instead but also translates to ‘strength.’ Gang is also one of the biggest family names in Asia. National Gang Day is observed annually on April 6 to honor all the Gangs worldwide. So be it your given or last name, this holiday is just for you!
National Gang Day timeline
As the Lord General and military representative of the Kingdom of Goguryeo, Kang Yisik is in charge.
Kang Huian is a prominent scholar and painter of the early Choson period.
Kang Sehwag is the mayor of Hansung and the Royal Representative Artist and Calligrapher in the mid-Choson dynasty.
Kang Kyung-wha becomes the first female Foreign Minister of South Korea.
National Gang Day FAQs
Is Kang a common Korean name?
A typical Korean family name is Kang or Gang. According to a census taken in 2000, more than 1.1 million people in South Korea bear this name. In reality, the moniker ‘Kang’ might be any one of five different hanja or Chinese characters.
Are Kiang and Gang the same thing?
Gang is the romanized version of the Chinese surname Jiang. However, Gang is not the only romanized variation of this surname. Other variations include, but are not limited to, Geung, Gung, Chiang, Keung, Keong, and Kiang.
How popular is the last name ‘Gang’ in China?
As of the beginning of the century, it is ranked as the 60th most common last name in China, representing roughly 0.34% of the Han Chinese population.
National Gang Day Activities
Learn the variations
Unlike most English names, the variations of this name are not extensive and can be easily understood. See for yourself by researching and learning all the variations of Gang you can find online. Share your findings with your friends and family, specifically those of Chinese origin, and across social media in honor of #NationalGangDay.
Learn its Chinese symbol
Similar to every other Chinese term, this one has a distinctive symbol. Depending on the word's spelling and variations, this symbol may change. However, ‘Jiang’ or ‘Gang’ might be represented by one or two common symbols. Once you've located them, write them repeatedly until you have a nearly flawless symbol.
See how many you can find
As mentioned earlier, this name is rather common amongst Chinese overseas communities. Today we challenge you to find as many Jiangs, Gangs, or Kangs as you can online. Don’t limit yourself to just public figures, but extend your search to include everyone, and who knows, you might end up making a new friend while you’re at it.
5 Interesting Facts About The Name Gang/Kang
It’s at the top of the popularity list
Kang is the sixth-biggest family name in Korea.
Not so much in America
Gang is not ranked in U.S. births and is not in the top 100 baby boy name chart.
It’s an original
‘Jiang’ or Gang is one of the oldest Chinese surnames and is one of the "Eight Great Xings of High Antiquity.”
Limited variations
The name Jiang or Gang is said to have only about 13 variations.
It featured in a poem
Gang is the 32nd surname documented in the ‘Hundred Family Surnames’ poem written by an unknown author in the Song dynasty era.
Why We Love National Gang Day
It’s Chinese
How often do we get to learn more about non-English names? Not very often, and that’s why we love this holiday because it allows us to discover the Chinese name, Gang.
It’s unexpected
This holiday is what you would least expect. Its name can be very misleading, but therein lies the excitement of this day. We love a good mystery and National Gang Day holds that and more.
It’s a celebration
Today we are celebrating Gangs around the world. Any opportunity to celebrate another individual, let alone millions at a time, is one we should all embrace with pride.
National Gang Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 6 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 6 | Monday |
| 2027 | April 6 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | April 6 | Thursday |
| 2029 | April 6 | Friday |
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