Cognomen Chaov (Шаов 
, Chaov 
) , throughout the world, is a rare family name. The family name Chaov is habitual in Bulgaria, where it is a rare surname, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan, where it is a very rare surname. In absolute terms, this name is the most popular in Eastern Europe, particularly Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Very seldom, Chaov is the forename as well as the last name.