Chinese names are an important part of Chinese culture and identity. Unlike Western names, which are usually given at birth and rarely changed, Chinese names can be chosen or changed at different stages of a person’s life. A Chinese name often reflects the values, aspirations, or personality of the individual, and it can be a powerful tool for building relationships and communicating respect.
In this article, we will explore the significance of Chinese names, how to choose a good Chinese name, and the cultural nuances involved in selecting a name. We will also discuss some common types of Chinese names, such as given names and family names, and the meanings behind different Chinese characters.
Whether you are a foreigner living or working in China, or simply interested in learning more about Chinese culture, understanding Chinese names can be a valuable way to connect with the people around you and deepen your understanding of this rich and complex society.
What is the Difference between Chinese Name and Western Name?
A Chinese name and a Western name can differ in several ways:
Structure: A Chinese name usually consists of two or three characters, while a Western name typically consists of a first name, middle name(s), and a last name.
Order: In China, the surname is usually written first, followed by the given name, while in the Western world, the given name is usually written first, followed by the surname.
Meanings: Chinese names often have meanings, which are sometimes related to traditional Chinese culture or beliefs. Western names, on the other hand, are often chosen for their sound or personal significance to the parents.
Gender specificity: Some Chinese names are gender-specific, while most Western names can be used for either gender.
Pronunciation: Chinese names are often pronounced differently in Mandarin Chinese than they are in other languages, while Western names are typically pronounced the same in different countries.
In general, both Chinese and Western names serve as a way to identify individuals, but they may have different cultural and linguistic roots, structures, and meanings.
How Do Chinese Names Work? Surname + Given Name
Chinese names usually consist of two or three characters. The first character of a Chinese name is the surname, which is usually one character and passed down from the father. The remaining characters of a Chinese name are the given name, which is usually one or two characters and chosen by the parents.
Chinese Surnames
Chinese surnames are typically one character in length. The surname is usually written first, followed by the given name.
In Chinese culture, it is customary to address people by their surname followed by their given name. If someone’s name is “Wang Xiaohong”, you can address them as “Miss Wang” or simply “Xiaohong” if you are friends.
Top 10 most common Chinese surnames are:
Wang (王)
Li (李)
Zhang (张)
Liu (刘)
Chen (陈)
Yang (杨)
Huang (黄)
Zhao (赵)
Wu (吴)
Zhou (周)
These are the most common Chinese surnames, in no particular order. It’s important to note that the frequency of these surnames may vary depending on the region within China.
Chinese Given Names
Traditionally, Chinese given names have significant meaning, often relating to nature, moral qualities, or desirable traits. For example, a name meaning “virtuous” reflects the parents’ wishes for the child’s future.
It is also common for Chinese people to have a “nickname” or “milk name” that is used within the family or among close friends. This name is usually a diminutive form of the given name and used as a term of endearment.
In recent years, there has been a trend of parents giving their children names with Western influences, such as names with English sounds or spellings. However, the traditional format and significance of Chinese names remains an important cultural aspect in many families.
Chinese Generation Names
“Chinese generation names” refers to a naming convention used in China where each generation of a family is given a specific name, typically based on the Chinese zodiac. This practice is meant to show family lineage and respect for ancestors, as well as to help distinguish between different generations of family members.
For example, in a given family, the first-born son of a particular generation might be named “Yin,” the second-born son might be named “Mao,” and the third-born son might be named “Chen.” The next generation would start the naming convention over again.
It’s worth noting that this practice is not universally followed in modern China, and its use has declined in recent years, especially in urban areas. Nevertheless, it still has a place in Chinese cultural traditions and is sometimes still used in rural communities or among families that are especially concerned with maintaining their heritage.
Common Chinese Names and Their Meanings
Chinese names often carry cultural, historical, and personal meanings that reflect the values, aspirations, and identities of the individual and their family. They can convey information about the person’s gender, birth order, regional origin, and even the hopes and wishes of their parents.
The choice of name is considered an important decision and can involve consultations with fortune-tellers, ancestral spirits, or experts in Chinese phonetics and character symbolism. The pronunciation and tone of the name may also be influenced by the principles of feng shui, numerology, and astrological cycles.
Chinese names are thus seen as a way of expressing one’s social and spiritual connections and contributing to the continuity and harmony of the community.
Here are some common Chinese given names and their meanings:
家豪 (Jiāháo) – “family hero”
婷婷 (Tíngtíng) – “pretty and graceful”
浩然 (Hàorán) – “mighty and vigorous”
雨婷 (Yǔtíng) – “graceful like the rain”
嘉欣 (Jiāxīn) – “excellent and joyful”
俊杰 (Jùnjié) – “handsome and outstanding”
洁婷 (Jiétíng) – “pure and graceful”
明哲 (Míngzhé) – “wise and intelligent”
美娜 (Měinà) – “beautiful and graceful”
晓东 (Xiǎodōng) – “dawn and east”
Note that there are many variations and possible meanings for Chinese names, and the meanings can also be influenced by the individual characters used to create the name.
90 Popular Chinese Female/Girl Names
Here are 50 popular one-character Chinese given names for females or girls with their meanings:
- 美 (Mei) – Beautiful
- 雨 (Yu) – Rain
- 洁 (Jie) – Clean
- 芳 (Fang) – Fragrant
- 婷 (Ting) – Graceful
- 晶 (Jing) – Sparkling
- 欣 (Xin) – Joyful
- 佳 (Jia) – Good
- 忆 (Yi) – Memory
- 月 (Yue) – Moon
- 珊 (Shan) – Coral
- 娜 (Na) – Graceful
- 萍 (Ping) – Duckweed
- 悦 (Yue) – Delightful
- 静 (Jing) – Quiet
- 璐 (Lu) – Jewel
- 姣 (Jiao) – Beautiful
- 燕 (Yan) – Swallow
- 彤 (Tong) – Red
- 红 (Hong) – Red
- 诗 (Shi) – Poetry
- 琳 (Lin) – Elegant jade
- 怡 (Yi) – Harmony
- 莉 (Li) – Jasmine
- 璇 (Xuan) – A type of jade
- 婉 (Wan) – Graceful
- 丽 (Li) – Beautiful
- 梦 (Meng) – Dream
- 瑶 (Yao) – Precious jade
- 萱 (Xuan) – Wildflowers
- 珍 (Zhen) – Precious
- 芸 (Yun) – Chinese sweetflag
- 爱 (Ai) – Love
- 青 (Qing) – Green/Youth
- 琦 (Qi) – Fine jade
- 蕾 (Lei) – Bud
- 颖 (Ying) – Clever
- 露 (Lu) – Dew
- 珂 (Ke) – Fine jade
- 嫣 (Yan) – Charming
- 柔 (Rou) – Gentle
- 晓 (Xiao) – Dawn
- 瑾 (Jin) – Precious stone
- 茜 (Qian) – Red pigment from a plant
- 心 (Xin) – Heart
- 恬 (Tian) – Peaceful
- 嫦 (Chang) – Name of the Chinese goddess of the moon
- 沁 (Qin) – Enjoy
- 惠 (Hui) – Grace
- 淼 (Miao) – Vast, deep waters
Here are 40 popular two-character Chinese given names for females or girls with their meanings:
- 梦婷 (Mengting) – Dreamy and graceful
- 美玲 (Meiling) – Beautiful and delicate
- 瑞雪 (Ruixue) – Auspicious snow
- 娟娟 (Juanjuan) – Graceful and charming
- 玲玲 (Lingling) – Tinkling and clear
- 雪儿 (Xueer) – Snowy girl
- 美娜 (Meina) – Beautiful and graceful
- 心怡 (Xinyi) – Joyful and contented heart
- 洁琼 (Jieqiong) – Pure and fine
- 紫薇 (Ziwei) – Purple aster flower
- 小雪 (Xiaoxue) – Little snow
- 婷婷 (Tingting) – Slim and graceful
- 珊珊 (Shanshan) – Coral or fine jade
- 瑶瑶 (Yaoyao) – Precious and brilliant
- 心洁 (Xinjie) – Pure at heart
- 佳怡 (Jiayi) – Excellent and joyful
- 婧怡 (Jingyi) – Graceful and joyful
- 紫菱 (Ziling) – Purple water chestnut
- 诗婧 (Shijing) – Poetic and graceful
- 雅婷 (Yating) – Elegant and graceful
- 忆柳 (Yiliu) – Remembering the willow trees
- 婉婷 (Wenting) – Graceful and gentle
- 菁菁 (Jingjing) – Smart and lively
- 婉君 (Wanjun) – Gentle and ladylike
- 玲珑 (Linglong) – Delicate and exquisite
- 瑶琳 (Yaolin) – Precious and delicate
- 语嫣 (Yuyan) – Charming and graceful
- 玲慧 (Linghui) – Tinkling and clever
- 佳莹 (Jiaying) – Excellent and sparkling
- 怡婷 (Yiting) – Joyful and graceful
- 悦心 (Yuexin) – Joyful and contented heart
- 妍妍 (Yanyan) – Graceful and charming
- 静婷 (Jingting) – Quiet and graceful
- 紫琪 (Ziqi) – Purple and refined
- 菲菲 (Feifei) – Fragrant and beautiful
- 梦琪 (Mengqi) – Dreamy and refined
- 春华 (Chunhua) – Spring flower
- 彤彤 (Tongtong) – Red and glowing
- 瑶妮 (Yaoni) – Precious and gentle
- 宁静 (Ningjing) – Quiet and peaceful
90 Popular Chinese Male/Boy Names
Here are 50 popular one-character Chinese given names for males or boys, along with their meanings:
- 涛 (Tao) – Waves
- 晨 (Chen) – Morning
- 智 (Zhi) – Wisdom
- 俊 (Jun) – Handsome
- 伟 (Wei) – Great
- 轩 (Xuan) – Spacious
- 雄 (Xiong) – Heroic
- 宇 (Yu) – Universe
- 仁 (Ren) – Benevolence
- 鹏 (Peng) – Roc, a mythical bird
- 峰 (Feng) – Peak
- 洋 (Yang) – Ocean
- 泽 (Ze) – Blessing
- 虎 (Hu) – Tiger
- 烨 (Ye) – Glorious
- 辰 (Chen) – Morning
- 雄 (Xiong) – Heroic
- 栋 (Dong) – Pillar
- 武 (Wu) – Martial
- 旭 (Xu) – Rising sun
- 炎 (Yan) – Flame
- 昊 (Hao) – Vast
- 博 (Bo) – Broad
- 翔 (Xiang) – Soar
- 帅 (Shuai) – Handsome
- 明 (Ming) – Bright
- 启 (Qi) – Start
- 乐 (Le) – Joyful
- 祥 (Xiang) – Auspicious
- 奇 (Qi) – Unusual
- 亮 (Liang) – Bright
- 华 (Hua) – Magnificent
- 雷 (Lei) – Thunder
- 林 (Lin) – Forest
- 良 (Liang) – Good
- 健 (Jian) – Healthy
- 强 (Qiang) – Strong
- 斌 (Bin) – Refined
- 起 (Qi) – Start
- 信 (Xin) – Trust
- 子 (Zi) – Child
- 峻 (Jun) – Steep
- 靖 (Jing) – Tranquil
- 钧 (Jun) – Heavy
- 焕 (Huan) – Shining
- 丰 (Feng) – Abundant
- 聪 (Cong) – Smart
- 育 (Yu) – Nourish
- 朋 (Peng) – Friend
- 亦 (Yi) – Also
Here are 40 popular two-character Chinese given names for males or boys with their meanings:
- 浩然 (Haoran) – Magnanimous and vigorous
- 航宇 (Hangyu) – Space and universe
- 宇轩 (Yuxuan) – Broad universe
- 子涵 (Zihan) – Child of the sea
- 俊杰 (Junjie) – Handsome and outstanding
- 明轩 (Mingxuan) – Bright and spacious
- 晨阳 (Chenyang) – Morning sun
- 烨华 (Yehua) – Glorious and magnificent
- 泽宇 (Zeyu) – Blessed universe
- 子昂 (Ziang) – Child of the constellation Aquila
- 瑞辰 (Ruichen) – Auspicious morning
- 子轩 (Zixuan) – Child of the spacious universe
- 烨磊 (Yelei) – Glorious and majestic
- 天佑 (Tianyou) – Heaven’s blessings
- 高朗 (Gaolang) – Tall and cheerful
- 飞宇 (Feiyu) – Flying universe
- 瑞鹏 (Ruipeng) – Auspicious and spirited
- 昊然 (Haoran) – Vast and clear
- 博涛 (Botao) – Broad and powerful
- 雨泽 (Yuze) – Rainy blessing
- 嘉懿 (Jiayi) – Auspicious and virtuous
- 天翔 (Tianxiang) – Soaring in the sky
- 烨霖 (Yelin) – Glorious and drizzling
- 俊楠 (Junnan) – Handsome and strong
- 帅帅 (Shuaishuai) – Handsome and stylish
- 子墨 (Zimo) – Child of ink
- 伟祺 (Weiqi) – Great and auspicious
- 俊驰 (Junchi) – Handsome and swift
- 帅阳 (Shuaiyang) – Handsome and sunny
- 翔宇 (Xiangyu) – Soaring universe
- 明杰 (Mingjie) – Bright and outstanding
- 博超 (Bochao) – Broad and superior
- 伟豪 (Weihao) – Great and heroic
- 飞扬 (Feiyang) – Flying high
- 博雅 (Boya) – Broad and elegant
- 智渊 (Zhiyuan) – Wise and knowledgeable
- 炫酷 (Xuanku) – Dazzling and cool
- 荣轩 (Rongxuan) – Glorious and spacious
- 海涛 (Haitao) – Sea waves
- 祺瑞 (Qirui) – Auspicious and lucky
50 Gender-neutral Chinese baby names
Here are 50 popular gender-neutral Chinese baby names:
- 涵 (Han) – Contain
- 晨 (Chen) – Morning
- 风 (Feng) – Wind
- 宇 (Yu) – Space
- 荣 (Rong) – Glory
- 晖 (Hui) – Brightness
- 望 (Wang) – Hope
- 瑞 (Rui) – Auspicious
- 蓉 (Rong) – Hibiscus
- 琪 (Qi) – Fine jade
- 洋 (Yang) – Ocean
- 翔 (Xiang) – Soar
- 欣 (Xin) – Joyful
- 恩 (En) – Grace
- 航 (Hang) – Sail
- 辰 (Chen) – Time
- 瀚 (Han) – Vast
- 昕 (Xin) – Heart
- 晋 (Jin) – Advance
- 潇 (Xiao) – Free and unfettered
- 莹 (Ying) – Bright and lustrous
- 旭 (Xu) – Sunrise
- 岚 (Lan) – Mist
- 韵 (Yun) – Melody
- 奕 (Yi) – Abundant
- 璇 (Xuan) – A type of jade
- 翰 (Han) – Scholarly
- 奇 (Qi) – Unique
- 羽 (Yu) – Feather
- 煜 (Yu) – Radiance
- 昀 (Yun) – Sunlight
- 启 (Qi) – Start
- 睿 (Rui) – Intelligent
- 蕾 (Lei) – Bud
- 澜 (Lan) – Rippling water
- 帆 (Fan) – Sail
- 梓 (Zi) – Catalpa tree
- 鸿 (Hong) – Great, vast
- 曜 (Yao) – Bright
- 霖 (Lin) – Continuous rain
- 峰 (Feng) – Peak
- 炜 (Wei) – Glorious
- 昱 (Yu) – Bright
- 振 (Zhen) – Vigorous
- 琮 (Cong) – Jade vessel
- 艺 (Yi) – Art
- 骏 (Jun) – Steed
- 鹏 (Peng) – Roc, giant bird
- 建 (Jian) – Build
- 赟 (Yun) – Elegant and charming
How to Choose a Good Chinese Name?
Choosing a good Chinese name is an important part of building relationships in Chinese culture. Here are some tips to help you choose a good Chinese name:
- Consider the meaning: Chinese names often have specific meanings, so consider what message you want to convey with your name. You might choose a name that represents your personality, your aspirations, or your values.
- Choose the right characters: Each Chinese character has its own meaning and pronunciation, so it’s important to choose characters that are appropriate for your name. You can work with a native Chinese speaker to choose characters that are both meaningful and sound good together.
- Think about pronunciation: Chinese names can be difficult to pronounce for people who are not familiar with the language, so choose a name that is easy to say and remember. It’s also a good idea to choose a name that sounds good when spoken together with your English name.
- Avoid negative associations: Some Chinese characters have negative connotations or are associated with unlucky events. For example, the character “死” (sǐ) means “death,” so you would want to avoid using this character in your name.
- Consult with a native speaker: If possible, consult with a native Chinese speaker to get feedback on your name choice. They can provide insights into cultural nuances and help you select a name that is appropriate and meaningful.
- Consider the cultural context: Remember that Chinese names often reflect the cultural context in which they are used. If you are studying or working in China, you might want to choose a name that reflects your connection to the country and its culture.
- Choose a name that sounds similar to your English name
Here are three different Chinese name options for you if your name is “Errol Musk”:
爱洛尔·马斯克 (Ài Luò ěr · Mǎ sī kè) – This name keeps the phonetic pronunciation of your first and last name in English, but translates them into Chinese characters that sound similar. The characters chosen for “Ài Luò ěr” carry meanings related to love, elegance, and wisdom, while the characters chosen for “Mǎ sī kè” represent a horse, a star, and science.
伊洛 (Yī Luò) – This name takes the first syllables of your first and last name to create a short and simple name. The characters chosen for “Yī Luò” carry meanings related to comfort, elegance, and beauty.
穆斯克 (Mù sī kè) – This name is based on the phonetic pronunciation of your last name in English. The characters chosen for “Mù sī kè” represent magnificence, stars, and science. This name has a strong and powerful sound, and is easy for native Chinese speakers to remember and pronounce.
Overall, choosing a good Chinese name takes time and consideration. By keeping these tips in mind and consulting with native speakers, you can choose a name that is both meaningful and appropriate for your personal or professional life.
Culture to Know 