Shi (trad. 時, simp. 时) is a Chinese surname meaning "season" or "time". It is romanized Shih in Wade–Giles, or Si in Cantonese romanization. According to a 2013 study, it was the 187th most common name in China; it was shared by 670,000 people, or 0.05% of the population, with the province with the most people being Henan. It is the 83rd name on the Hundred Family Surnames poem.
Origins
It is said to originate in the Spring and Autumn Period, from Shen Shushi (申叔时), a doctor from the Chu state. Originally pronounced "chi," it later became "shi." Another origin says that the name comes from the lord of Shiyi (时邑).