“Niang” (Neo): Nyonya Names and Feminine Strength
- Roy Cheong
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 25
If you've watched MediaCorp’s The Little Nyonya, you’ll be familiar with Yue Niang (Guek Neo), the main protagonist played by Jeanette Aw. The upcoming sequel, Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya, introduces more female characters with similar names: Xin Niang (Sim Neo, played by Tasha Low), Xiu Niang (Siew Neo, played by Zoe Tay), Zhu Niang (Choo Neo, played by Chen Liping), and Yin Niang (Gin Neo, played by Sheila Sim).
What do these names have in common?
Yes, the word “Niang 娘” is a typical character used in Nyonya names.
The character “Neo”, also spelled “Neoh” or “Nio”, is the Hokkien version of Niang 娘, often used in names of Nyonyas of Hokkien descent. Hakka Nyonyas also use the character, but it’s written as “Nyong”, reflecting the Khek pronunciation. Interestingly, Teochew and Cantonese Nyonyas don’t follow this naming tradition.
The character Niang 娘 has two meanings: mother and lady. In the context of names, the latter meaning was adopted as a representation of feminity. This practice has ancient roots in Chinese culture before Peranakan Chinese communities were formed. It was mainly present in Southern Chinese groups like the Hokkiens where the tradition was supposedly inherited from earlier Tang and Song dynasties. During those times, women’s names often included Niang 娘, further reinforcing its use in naming conventions.
One of the earliest and most revered figures with the name "Neo" was Lim Bek Neo (林默娘), known today as Ma Cho or Mazu, the "Goddess of the Sea". Born during the Song Dynasty in the 10th century, Ma Cho was an extraordinary young woman from the coastal province of Fujian. As a child, she was known for her wisdom and quiet demeanour, earning the name Bek Neo, meaning "silent lady". She grew up in a fishing village where she displayed a unique spiritual sensitivity and often stood vigil for fishermen, guiding them home during storms. Legends tell of her miraculous rescues at sea, leading to her deification after her untimely death.
Ma Cho’s legacy spread beyond China to Southeast Asia, where her devotion and protection of seafarers resonated with maritime communities, including the Peranakan Chinese. She became an enduring symbol of compassion, courage, and spiritual strength, with temples dedicating to her found in South China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Ma Cho’s influence underscores the reverence for "Neo" as more than a name but as a title of strength and guardianship for those who bear it.
As the Peranakan Chinese settled in Southeast Asia, they preserved this traditional naming style, continuing to use "Neo" in their daughters’ names. Over time, this evolved into a distinct feature of Nyonya identity. A typical Nyonya name follows a three-character structure: the clan surname, the middle name, and "Neo".
Throughout history, several influential Nyonyas carried the name "Neo", embodying strength, resilience, and impact. Their legacies offer valuable insights into the role of "Neo" in shaping both personal and societal identity.
Raden Ayu Tan Peng Nio: A Warrior in Java
Raden Ayu Tan Peng Nio 陳平娘was born in the early 1700s. She was the daughter of General Tan Wan Swee, who fell out with and unsuccessfully rebelled against Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. Following the failed rebellion, her father entrusted Tan Peng Nio to his friend, Lie Beng Goe, an expert in making coffins and martial arts. After the rebellion, Tan Peng Nio fled with Lie to Singapore and later moved to Sunda Kalapa (now Jakarta).
In 1740, the infamous Geger Pacinan massacre occurred, during which the Dutch VOC forces slaughtered the Chinese population. Tan Peng Nio and Lie Beng Goe fled eastwards, reaching Kutowinangun (in present-day Kebumen, Central Java), where they met Kiai Honggoyudho, a weapons expert.
During the 16-year-long war (1741–1757) led by Prince Garendi, Tan Peng Nio reportedly joined 200 soldiers formed by KRAT Kolopaking II to assist in the fight. Like the story of Mulan, she even disguised herself as a male warrior to battle with the enemies. Finally, the war ended in a peace negotiation at Giyanti on February 13, 1755.
Her position as Raden Ayu, a title indicating noble status, granted her substantial authority, and her life reflected the respect and power that Nyonya women could wield in Southeast Asia. Tan Peng Nio’s legacy as a cultural diplomat highlights how "Neo" symbolised not just feminine identity but also the dignity and leadership entrusted to women of the time.
Dr. Lee Choo Neo: Singapore’s First Female Doctor
Fast-forwarding to the early 20th century, Dr. Lee Choo Neo 李珠娘 was Singapore's first female medical doctor. Born in 1895 to merchant Lee Hoon Leong and his second wife, Mak Hup Sin, she was also the aunt of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister. She was educated at Singapore Chinese Girls' School and Raffles Girls' School and became the first Straits Chinese girl to earn the Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1911, having graduated from King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1919. She began her medical career as an assistant surgeon at the General Hospital, overseeing two women's wards.
In 1930, Lee established her own clinic, Lee Dispensary, on Bras Basah Road, specialising in maternity care. Beyond her medical practice, she co-founded the Chinese Ladies' Association of Malaya (later the Chinese Women's Association) in 1915, serving as honorary secretary for many years. The association focused on teaching domestic skills, introducing outdoor sports, sponsoring a rescue home for at-risk women, and raising war funds.
In 1925, Lee was one of three women appointed to the Chinese Marriage Committee, which investigated the need for laws governing Chinese marriage and divorce in the Straits Settlements. The committee's findings, highlighting women's desire to end polygamy, were a precursor to the 1961 Women's Charter that outlawed the practice. Lee passed away on her 53rd birthday, 7 September 1947, and was buried at Bukit Brown Cemetery. In 2014, she was posthumously inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame under the "Health" category.
Amy Khoo Chwee Neo (Venerable Sek Bao Shi): A Leader in Singapore’s Buddhist Community
Amy Khoo Chwee Neo 邱水娘, later known as Venerable Bao Shi, was another influential figure in Singapore’s history. Born to Khoo Guan Chiang and Tan Siew Kee in 1941, Khoo Chwee Neo was educated at CHIJ Katong Convent. After working in the government service for 17 years, she took a spiritual path to become a Buddhist nun that eventually led her to become the President of the Singapore Buddhist Union, a significant position that allowed her to promote Buddhist values and practices in a modernising society. As a female Venerable, she led initiatives to spread Buddhist teachings, fostered community service, and advocated for social welfare.
Under her leadership, the Singapore Buddhist Union expanded its outreach programs, addressing issues such as poverty and education. In 1994, she co-founded Sakyadhita (Daughters of the Buddha) with her friend and an fellow nun, Venerable Sek Bao Tong, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Sakyadhita–NKF Dialysis Centre in 1997. A strong advocate for inter-religious harmony and world peace, she was a life member of the Inter-Religious Organisation and served in various capacities within the Singapore Buddhist Federation, as well as Buddhist-affiliated schools like Manjusri Secondary and Maha Bodhi School. Venerable Bao Shi’s dedication to service and spiritual leadership made her a respected figure in Singapore’s religious landscape, bridging traditional values with contemporary needs. Her journey from her Nyonya background to becoming a spiritual leader illustrates the strength of Neo-named women.
The Evolution and Endurance of "Neo" in Peranakan Culture
These historical figures exemplify the rich legacy and influence of women who bore the "Neo" name. Whether as a goddess, a warrior, a doctor, or a spiritual leader, each woman who carried the essence of "Neo" exemplified feminine strength, resilience, and cultural identity. Their stories reflect how the Peranakan Chinese society upheld the tradition of "Neo" not only as a naming convention but as a symbol of the vital role of women within the family and community.
In modern times, "Neo" remains a cherished element of Nyonya identity, though not every Nyonya bears the name. Families might choose names without "Neo", yet it is the cultural values associated with the name, strength, compassion, and wisdom, that define a true Nyonya. The name "Neo" thus carries a thread of history from ancient China to the shores of Southeast Asia, linking generations of women who have shaped, protected, and advanced their communities. In this way, the legacy of "Neo" endures, a timeless honorific that represents both heritage and hope for the future.
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