Ding Yuan (pronunciationⓘ) (died c.26 September 189[2]), courtesy name Jianyang, was a Chinese politician and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

In 188, the Xiuchuge and their Southern Xiongnu allies rebelled in Bing province (并州; present-day Shanxi) and killed the provincial inspector, Zhang Yi (張懿).

Dong Zhuo, a warlord from Liang Province (涼州; present-day western Gansu) who was also summoned by He Jin, arrived in Luoyang ahead of Ding Yuan and defeated the eunuchs, grasping military control of the capital.

Attracted by the gifts and feeling convinced by Li Su, Lü Bu agrees to betray his foster father and defect to Dong Zhuo's side.

That very night, Lü Bu barges into Ding Yuan's tent, decapitates him and brings his head as a present to Dong Zhuo the following day.