* As a surname: Ling is a common surname in many Asian cultures, particularly in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
* As a given name: While not as common as other names, "Ling" can be used as a given name in some cultures. It can be a shortened form of longer names, like "Lingling" or "Lingyun."
* As a nickname: "Ling" can also be a nickname for someone with a longer name that starts with "Ling," like "Ling-Ling" or "Ling-Yi."
Therefore, it's possible for "Ling" to be a real name, but it's important to consider the cultural context and how it's being used.