Chinese Names

Ah 阿 m & f Chinese
From the Chinese character 阿 (ā), which has no distinct meaning. It is not normally given as a name, but it can be prefixed to another name to make it a diminutive.

Ai 2 爱, 蔼, 愛, 藹 f Chinese
From Chinese 爱 (ài) meaning "love, affection", 蔼 (ǎi) meaning "friendly, lush", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

An 1 安 m & f Chinese, Vietnamese
From Chinese 安 (ān) meaning "peace, quiet" or other characters with a similar pronunciation. As a Vietnamese name, it is derived from Sino-Vietnamese 安 meaning "safe, secure".

Bai 白, 百, 柏 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 白 (bái) meaning "white, pure", 百 (bǎi) meaning "one hundred, many" or 柏 (bǎi) meaning "cypress tree, cedar" (which is usually only masculine). Other Chinese characters can form this name as well. This name was borne in the 8th century by the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai, whose given was 白.

Bao 宝, 褒, 苞, 寶 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 宝 (bǎo) meaning "treasure, jewel, precious, rare", 褒 (bāo) meaning "praise, honour" or 苞 (bāo) meaning "bud" (which is usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters are possible as well.

Bo 2 波 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 波 (bō) meaning "wave", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Chang 昌, 畅, 长, 暢, 長 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 昌 (chāng) meaning "flourish, prosper, good, sunlight" (which is usually only masculine), 畅 (chàng) meaning "smooth, free, unrestrained" or 长 (cháng) meaning "long". Other Chinese characters are also possible.

Chao 超, 潮 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 超 (chāo) meaning "surpass, leap over" (which is usually only masculine), 潮 (cháo) meaning "tide, flow, damp", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Chen 1 晨, 辰 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 晨 (chén) or 辰 (chén), both meaning "morning". The character 辰 also refers to the fifth Earthly Branch (7 AM to 9 AM), which is itself associated with the dragon of the Chinese zodiac. This name can be formed from other characters as well.

Cheng 成, 诚, 誠 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 成 (chéng) meaning "completed, finished, succeeded" or 诚 (chéng) meaning "sincere, honest, true", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Chin 金, 锦, 津, 錦 m & f Chinese
Variant of Jin 1 (using Wade-Giles transcription).

Chun 春 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 春 (chūn) meaning "spring (season)" or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Da 达, 大, 達 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 达 (dá) meaning "achieve, arrive at, intelligent" (which is usually only masculine), 大 (dà) meaning "big, great, vast, high", or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Dong 东, 栋, 東, 棟 m Chinese
From Chinese 东 (dōng) meaning "east", 栋 (dòng) meaning "pillar, beam", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Fang 芳, 方 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 芳 (fāng) meaning "fragrant, virtuous, beautiful" or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Fen 1 芬, 奋, 奮 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 芬 (fēn) meaning "fragrance, aroma, perfume" (which is usually only feminine) or 奋 (fèn) meaning "strive, exert" (usually only masculine). Other Chinese characters are also possible.

Fu 富, 芙, 甫 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 富 (fù) meaning "abundant, rich, wealthy", 芙 (fú) meaning "hibiscus, lotus" or 甫 (fǔ) meaning "begin, man, father", in addition to other characters with a similar pronunciation. A famous bearer was the 8th-century Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, whose given name was 甫.

Gang 刚, 冈, 剛, 岡 m Chinese
From Chinese 刚 (gāng) meaning "hard, rigid, strong", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Guanting 冠廷 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 冠 (guān) meaning "cap, crown, headgear" combined with 廷 (tíng) meaning "court". This name can also be formed from other character combinations.

Guanyu 冠宇 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 冠 (guān) meaning "cap, crown, headgear" combined with 宇 (yǔ) meaning "house, eaves, universe". Other character combinations are possible.

Guiying 桂英 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 桂 (guì) meaning "laurel, cassia, cinnamon" combined with 英 (yīng) meaning "flower, petal, brave, hero". This name can be formed from other character combinations as well.

Guo 国, 國 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 国 (guó) meaning "country" or other Chinese characters pronounced in a similar way.

Hai 海 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 海 (hǎi) meaning "sea, ocean" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Han 汉, 翰, 漢 m Chinese
From Chinese 汉 (hàn) meaning "man", also referring to the Han Chinese people, or 翰 (hàn) meaning "writing, painting". Other characters can form this name as well.

He 河, 和, 荷 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 河 (hé) meaning "river, stream", 和 (hé) meaning "harmony, peace", or 荷 (hé) meaning "lotus, water lily" (which is usually only feminine). Other characters can form this name as well. A famous bearer was the Ming dynasty explorer Zheng He (1371-1433).

Heng 恒, 恆 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 恒 (héng) meaning "constant, persistent", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation. Lui Heng, known as Wen of Han, was a 2nd-century BC emperor of the Han dynasty.

Hong 虹, 红, 弘, 鸿, 宏, 紅, 鴻 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 虹 (hóng) meaning "rainbow", 弘 (hóng) meaning "enlarge, expand, great" (which is usually only masculine) or 鸿 (hóng) meaning "wild swan, great, vast" (also usually only masculine). Other characters can also form this name.

Hua 华, 花, 華 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 华 (huá) meaning "splendid, illustrious, Chinese" or 花 (huā) meaning "flower, blossom" (which is usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters can form this name as well.

Huan 欢, 歡 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 欢 (huān) meaning "happy, pleased", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Huang 煌, 凰 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 煌 (huáng) meaning "bright, shining, luminous" (which is usually only masculine) or 凰 (huáng) meaning "phoenix" (usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters are also possible.

Hui 慧, 辉, 輝 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 慧 (huì) meaning "intelligent, wise" (which is usually only feminine), 辉 (huī) meaning "brightness", besides other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Jia 佳, 家 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 佳 (jiā) meaning "good, auspicious, beautiful", 家 (jiā) meaning "home, family", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Jiahao 家豪 m Chinese
From Chinese 家 (jiā) meaning "home, family" combined with 豪 (háo) meaning "brave, heroic, chivalrous". This name can be formed from other character combinations as well.

Jian 建, 健 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 建 (jiàn) meaning "build, establish", 健 (jiàn) meaning "strong, healthy", or other characters that are pronounced in a similar fashion.

Jiang 江 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 江 (jiāng) meaning "river, Yangtze", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Jianhong 健宏 m Chinese
From Chinese 健 (jiàn) meaning "build, establish" combined with 宏 (hóng) meaning "wide, spacious, great, vast". This name can also be formed from other character combinations.

Jie 杰, 傑 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 杰 (jié) meaning "heroic, outstanding" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Jin 1 金, 锦, 津, 錦 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 金 (jīn) meaning "gold, metal, money", 锦 (jǐn) meaning "tapestry, brocade, embroidered" or 津 (jīn) meaning "ferry". Other Chinese characters can form this name as well.

Jing 静, 精, 晶, 京, 靜 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 静 (jìng) meaning "quiet, still, gentle", 精 (jīng) meaning "essence, spirit", 晶 (jīng) meaning "clear, crystal" or 京 (jīng) meaning "capital city". Other characters can also form this name.

Jingyi 静怡, 靜怡 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 静 (jìng) meaning "quiet, still, gentle" combined with 怡 (yí) meaning "joy, harmony". Other character combinations are possible as well.

Ju 菊, 巨 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 菊 (jú) meaning "chrysanthemum" (which is usually only feminine) or 巨 (jù) meaning "big, enormous" (usually only masculine), besides other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Juan 2 娟 f Chinese
From Chinese 娟 (juān) meaning "beautiful, graceful" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Jun 1 君, 俊, 军, 軍 m & f Chinese, Korean
From Chinese 君 (jūn) meaning "king, ruler", 俊 (jùn) meaning "talented, handsome" (which is usually only masculine) or 军 (jūn) meaning "army" (also usually only masculine). This is also a single-character Korean name, often from the hanja 俊 meaning "talented, handsome". This name can be formed by other characters besides those shown here.

Kai 4 凯, 凱 m Chinese
From Chinese 凯 (kǎi) meaning "triumph, victory, music of triumph", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Kun 坤 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 坤 (kūn) meaning "earth, female", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Lan 1 兰, 岚, 蘭, 嵐 f & m Chinese, Vietnamese
From Chinese 兰 (lán) meaning "orchid, elegant" (which is usually only feminine) or 岚 (lán) meaning "mountain mist". Other Chinese characters can form this name as well. As a Vietnamese name, it is derived from Sino-Vietnamese 蘭 meaning "orchid".

Lei 2 磊, 蕾 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 磊 (lěi) meaning "pile of stones" (which is typically masculine) or 蕾 (lěi) meaning "bud" (typically feminine). Other characters can also form this name.

Li 1 理, 立, 黎, 力, 丽, 麗 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 理 (lǐ) meaning "reason, logic", 立 (lì) meaning "stand, establish", 黎 (lí) meaning "black, dawn", 力 (lì) meaning "power, capability, influence" (which is usually only masculine) or 丽 (lì) meaning "beautiful" (usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters are also possible.

Lian 2 莲, 濂, 廉, 蓮 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 莲 (lián) meaning "lotus, water lily", 濂 (lián) meaning "waterfall", or other Chinese characters that are pronounced similarly.

Lim 林, 琳 m & f Chinese
Hokkien Chinese form of Lin.

Lin 林, 琳 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 林 (lín) meaning "forest" or 琳 (lín) meaning "fine jade, gem". Other characters can also form this name.

Ling 灵, 铃, 靈, 鈴 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 灵 (líng) meaning "spirit, soul", 铃 (líng) meaning "bell, chime", or other Chinese characters that are pronounced similarly.

Long 龙, 隆, 龍 m Chinese, Vietnamese
From Chinese 龙 (lóng) meaning "dragon" or 隆 (lóng) meaning "prosperous, abundant", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Mei 1 美, 梅 f Chinese
From Chinese 美 (měi) meaning "beautiful" or 梅 (méi) meaning "Chinese plum" (species Prunus mume), as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Min 1 敏, 民 m & f Chinese, Korean
From 敏 (mǐn) meaning "quick, clever, sharp", 民 (mín) meaning "people, citizens", or other Chinese/Sino-Korean characters that are pronounced similarly.

Ming 明, 铭, 銘 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 明 (míng) meaning "bright, light, clear" or 铭 (míng) meaning "inscribe, engrave", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Mu 牧, 木, 慕, 穆 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 牧 (mù) meaning "shepherd", 木 (mù) meaning "tree, wood", or other characters with similar pronunciations.

Na 娜 f Chinese
From Chinese 娜 (nà) meaning "elegant, graceful, delicate" or other characters pronounced similarly.

Ning 宁, 寧 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 宁 (níng) meaning "peaceful, calm, serene", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Nuan 暖 f Chinese
From Chinese 暖 (nuǎn) meaning "warm, genial" or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Ping 平 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 平 (píng) meaning "level, even, peaceful". Other characters can also form this name.

Qiang 强, 強 m Chinese
From Chinese 强 (qiáng) meaning "strong, powerful, energetic", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Qing 青, 清 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 青 (qīng) meaning "blue, green, young", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Qiu 秋, 丘 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 秋 (qiū) meaning "autumn", 丘 (qiū) meaning "hill, mound", or other characters with a similar pronunciation. The given name of the philosopher Confucius was 丘.

Rong 荣, 融, 容, 榮 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 荣 (róng) meaning "glory, honour, flourish, prosper", 融 (róng) meaning "fuse, harmonize" or 容 (róng) meaning "appearance, form" (which is usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters can form this name as well.

Ru 儒, 如 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 儒 (rú) meaning "scholar", 如 (rú) meaning "like, as, if", or other characters with similar pronunciations.

Sheng 圣, 胜, 盛, 升, 聖, 勝 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 圣 (shèng) meaning "holy, sacred", 胜 (shèng) meaning "victory", or 盛 (shèng) meaning "abundant, flourishing". Other characters are also possible.

Shi 时, 实, 史, 石, 時, 實 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 时 (shí) meaning "time, era, season", 实 (shí) meaning "real, honest", 史 (shǐ) meaning "history" or 石 (shí) meaning "stone". Other characters can form this name as well.

Shu 淑 f Chinese
From Chinese 淑 (shū) meaning "good, pure, virtuous, charming", besides other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Shufen 淑芬 f Chinese
From Chinese 淑 (shū) meaning "good, pure, virtuous, charming" combined with 芬 (fēn) meaning "fragrance, aroma, perfume". Other character combinations are possible as well.

Shui 水 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 水 (shuǐ) meaning "water", as well as other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Shun 1 顺, 順 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 顺 (shùn) meaning "obey, submit" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Su 2 素, 肃, 肅 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 素 (sù) meaning "plain, simple" or 肃 (sù) meaning "respectful", besides other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Tai 太 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 太 (tài) meaning "very, extreme" or other characters pronounced in a similar way.

Tao 涛, 濤 m Chinese
From Chinese 涛 (tāo) meaning "large waves", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Ting 婷 f Chinese
From Chinese 婷 (tíng) meaning "pretty, graceful", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Tu 图, 圖 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 图 (tú) meaning "chart, map" or other characters with similar pronunciations.

Wei 威, 巍, 伟, 微, 薇, 偉 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 威 (wēi) meaning "power, pomp", 巍 (wēi) meaning "high, lofty, towering" or 伟 (wěi) meaning "great, robust, extraordinary". As a feminine name it can come from 微 (wēi) meaning "small" or 薇 (wēi) meaning "fern". This name can be formed by other Chinese characters besides those shown here.

Wen 文, 雯 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 文 (wén) meaning "literature, culture, writing", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation. A famous bearer was the 2nd-century BC Emperor Wen of Han (posthumous name).

Wu 武, 务, 務 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 武 (wǔ) meaning "military, martial" (which is generally only masculine) or 务 (wù) meaning "affairs, business", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly. This was the name of several Chinese rulers, including the 2nd-century BC emperor Wu of Han (a posthumous name, spelled 武) who expanded the empire and made Confucianism the state philosophy.

Xia 夏, 霞 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 夏 (xià) meaning "summer, great, grand", 霞 (xiá) meaning "rosy clouds", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Xiang 翔, 祥, 湘, 香 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 翔 (xiáng) meaning "soar, glide", 祥 (xiáng) meaning "good luck, good omen", 香 (xiāng) meaning "fragrant" (which is usually only feminine) or 湘 (xiāng), which refers to the Xiang River in southern China. This name can also be formed from other characters.

Xin 鑫, 新, 欣, 馨 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 鑫 (xīn) meaning "wealthy, prosperous" or 新 (xīn) meaning "fresh, new", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Xinyi 欣怡, 心怡 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 欣 (xīn) meaning "happy, joyous, delighted" or 心 (xīn) meaning "heart, mind, soul" combined with 怡 (yí) meaning "joy, harmony". This name can also be formed from other character combinations.

Xiu 秀 f Chinese
From Chinese 秀 (xiù) meaning "luxuriant, beautiful, elegant, outstanding" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Xiulan 秀兰, 秀蘭 f Chinese
From Chinese 秀 (xiù) meaning "luxuriant, beautiful, elegant, outstanding" combined with 兰 (lán) meaning "orchid, elegant". This name can be formed of other character combinations as well.

Xiuying 秀英 f Chinese
From Chinese 秀 (xiù) meaning "luxuriant, beautiful, elegant, outstanding" combined with 英 (yīng) meaning "flower, petal, brave, hero". Other character combinations are possible.

Xue 雪, 学, 學 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 雪 (xuě) meaning "snow" or 学 (xué) meaning "study, learning, school", besides other characters pronounced similarly.

Xun 勋, 迅, 勛 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 勋 (xūn) meaning "meritorious deed, rank" or 迅 (xùn) meaning "fast, sudden", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Ya 雅 f Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Yahui 雅惠 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" combined with 惠 (huì) meaning "favour, benefit". This name can also be formed from other character combinations.

Yaling 雅玲 f Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" combined with 玲 (líng) meaning "tinkling of jade". This name can be formed of other character combinations as well.

Yan 2 艳, 岩, 艷 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 艳 (yàn) meaning "beautiful, gorgeous" (which is usually only feminine) or 岩 (yán) meaning "cliff, rocks", as well as other Chinese characters pronounced in a similar fashion.

Yang 洋, 阳, 陽 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 洋 (yáng) meaning "ocean" or 阳 (yáng) meaning "light, sun, male" (which is typically only masculine), as well as other Chinese characters pronounced similarly.

Yating 雅婷 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" combined with 婷 (tíng) meaning "pretty, graceful". Other character combinations are possible.

Yawen 雅雯 f Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" combined with 雯 (wén) meaning "cloud patterns". This name can be formed of other character combinations as well.

Yazhu 雅筑 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 雅 (yǎ) meaning "elegant, graceful, refined" combined with 筑 (zhù) meaning "lute, zither, build". Other character combinations are also possible.

Yi 宜, 毅, 义, 益, 艺, 怡, 仪, 義, 藝, 儀 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 宜 (yí) meaning "suitable, proper", 毅 (yì) meaning "resolute, decisive, firm", 义 (yì) meaning "justice, righteousness", 益 (yì) meaning "profit, benefit", 怡 (yí) meaning "joy, harmony" (which is usually only feminine) or 仪 (yí) meaning "ceremony, rites" (also usually feminine). Other characters can also form this name.

Yijun 怡君 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 怡 (yí) meaning "joy, harmony" combined with 君 (jūn) meaning "king, ruler". This name can also be formed from other character combinations.

Yin 银, 音, 荫, 銀, 蔭 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 银 (yín) meaning "silver, money", 音 (yīn) meaning "sound, tone" or 荫 (yīn) meaning "shade, shelter, protect", as well as other Chinese characters pronounced similarly.

Ying 英, 颖, 影, 穎 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 英 (yīng) meaning "flower, petal, brave, hero", 颖 (yǐng) meaning "clever", or 影 (yǐng) meaning "image, shadow", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Yong 勇, 永 m & f Chinese, Korean
From Chinese 勇 (yǒng) meaning "brave" or 永 (yǒng) meaning "perpetual, eternal". This can also be a single-character Korean name, for example from the hanja 勇 meaning "brave". It can be formed by other characters besides those listed here.

Yu 玉, 愉, 雨, 宇, 裕 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 玉 (yù) meaning "jade, precious stone, gem", 愉 (yú) meaning "pleasant, delightful" or 雨 (yǔ) meaning "rain". Other characters can form this name as well.

Yuan 元, 原, 媛 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 元 (yuán) meaning "first, origin", 原 (yuán) meaning "source, origin", or 媛 (yuàn) meaning "beautiful woman" (which is usually only feminine). Other characters are also possible.

Yue 越, 月, 悦, 悅 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 越 (yuè) meaning "cross, surpass", also referring to the Yue people, or 月 (yuè) meaning "moon". Other characters can form this name as well.

Yun 云, 允, 雲 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 云 (yún) meaning "cloud" or 允 (yǔn) meaning "allow, consent", as well as other Chinese characters that are pronounced in a similar way.

Zan 赞, 贊 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 赞 (zàn) meaning "help, support", as well as other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Zedong 泽东, 澤東 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 泽 (zé) meaning "moist, grace, brilliance" combined with 东 (dōng) meaning "east", as well as other character combinations. A notable bearer was the founder of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong (1893-1976).

Zhen 珍, 真, 贞, 震, 貞 f & m Chinese
From Chinese 珍 (zhēn) meaning "precious, rare", 真 (zhēn) meaning "real, genuine", 贞 (zhēn) meaning "virtuous, chaste, loyal", or other Chinese characters that are pronounced similarly.

Zheng 正, 政 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 正 (zhèng) meaning "right, proper, correct" or 政 (zhèng) meaning "government", as well as other hanja characters with a similar pronunciation.

Zhi 志, 智 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 志 (zhì) meaning "will, purpose, ambition" or 智 (zhì) meaning "wisdom, intellect", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Zhihao 志豪, 智豪 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 志 (zhì) meaning "will, purpose, ambition" or 智 (zhì) meaning "wisdom, intellect" combined with 豪 (háo) meaning "brave, heroic, chivalrous". Many other character combinations are possible.

Zhong 中, 忠 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 中 (zhōng) meaning "middle" or 忠 (zhōng) meaning "loyalty, devotion". Other characters can form this name as well.

Zhou 舟 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 舟 (zhōu) meaning "boat, ship", in addition to other characters that are pronounced similarly.