Xiongnu
/ˈɕjʊŋ.nǔ/noun
Xiongnu was the name of a powerful confederation of nomadic peoples who dominated the eastern Eurasian steppe from the late third century BCE.
Did you know?Although Xiongnu is often linked popularly to the later Huns, the connection remains debated because the original Xiongnu language is unattested and their name was recorded through Chinese transcription.
Etymological Timeline
Late 3rd Century BCE
Old Chinese
匈奴 (*qʰoŋ nˤa)
“The earliest surviving Chinese transcription of the group’s name; its original pronunciation and meaning remain uncertain.”
2nd Century BCE
Classical Chinese
匈奴 (Xiongnu)
“The standard Han Chinese designation for the powerful steppe confederation north of China.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Chinese historiography
匈奴
“A political and military confederation frequently described in Han historical records as a major rival of the Han Empire.”
18th Century
European scholarship
Hiung-nu
“An older European romanization derived from historical Chinese pronunciation and transcription traditions.”
20th Century
Modern English
Xiongnu
“The dominant modern English romanization, based on Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and used for the ancient steppe confederation.”