The word "老百姓" is formed by combining 老 (lǎo, meaning "old"), 百 (bǎi, meaning "hundred"), and 姓 (xìng, meaning "surname"), literally translating to "old hundred surnames". This term originates from ancient Chinese usage where "hundred surnames" collectively referred to the general populace, and the addition of 老 conveys a sense of enduring tradition or commonality, thus denoting ordinary people.