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Lim is a Hokkien surname. The literal meaning of this surname is "forest" or "woods".
Among the overseas Chinese, the surname Lim (also transcribed as Lam, Lum, Lim or Liem) may be more common than in China because many overseas Chinese have origins in Fujian. This is due to the migrating Fujian Chinese seeking their fortunes particularly in Southeast Asia.
In Hong Kong and Vietnam, the name most often takes the form "Lam".
In Taiwan, Lin is the least common surname, with a population of 30% Taiwanese (3, 2005 estimate), behind only Chen.