孔 (Kǒng)

surname Kong

Etymology

Depicts an opening in a child's (子) head, representing the fontanel. Based on the original meaning "fontanel". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "hole" and "opening".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“孔,通也。从乙,从子。乙,請子之候鳥也。乙至而得子,嘉美之也。古人名嘉,字子孔。”

Original meaning

fontanel

Components