Chinese Baby Names
Explore 555 chinese names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Chinese naming is one of the most intentional naming traditions in the world. Each character is chosen for its meaning, tone, and visual balance, and the full name typically tells a three-character story.
A short history
Chinese naming conventions are thousands of years old. The family name comes first (an inheritance from Confucian family-priority ordering), followed by a generational character shared with siblings or cousins, then a personal character chosen to reflect hopes, virtues, or astrological readings.
Naming traditions
Many Chinese families still use a generational name pattern laid down centuries ago: a poem or phrase divides up character-by-character across successive generations, so a cousin in the same generation shares the middle character. Astrological and numerological considerations are common.
Sound and style
Mandarin is tonal (four tones plus a neutral), and tone selection matters in naming. A 'beautiful' name in one tone pattern can feel awkward in another. In international use, tone information is usually lost and the name is read as a simple transliteration.
Fengming
“Song of the phoenix”
Fengming (凤鸣) combines 凤 (fèng), referring to the phoenix, the mythical bird of good fortune and virtue, with 鸣 (míng), meaning 'to cry out' or 'to sing'. The name evokes the legendary cry of the phoenix, symbolizing auspicious beginnings and extraordinary talent.
Fengyu
“Phoenix jade”
Fengyu combines two richly symbolic Chinese characters: feng, the legendary phoenix, and yu, meaning jade. The phoenix in Chinese mythology is a symbol of renewal, virtue, and transformation, whilst jade represents purity, beauty, and moral integrity. Together they create a name of layered meaning, suggesting a person of noble character who embodies both the transformative power of the phoenix and the enduring purity of jade. The name is poetic and aspirational in equal measure.
Fuhua
“Prosperous splendour”
Fuhua (富华) combines 富 (fù), meaning 'wealthy', 'abundant', or 'prosperous', with 华 (huá), meaning 'splendor', 'glory', or 'China'. Together the name expresses a wish for a life of prosperity and brilliance.
Gang
“Steel, firm”
Gang is a Chinese masculine name that uses the character meaning steel or firm, conveying strength, resilience, and unyielding determination. It is a direct, powerful name that reflects values of steadfastness and inner fortitude. The name became particularly popular during periods of industrialisation and modernisation, when steel symbolised national progress and collective strength.
Guang
“Light, broad”
Guang is a Chinese name using the character meaning light, brightness, or broad. It suggests illumination, openness, and generosity of spirit, evoking the image of light spreading outward to encompass all it touches. The name is associated with wisdom, clarity, and an expansive view of the world.
Guanghui
“Vast, far-reaching radiance”
Guanghui (广辉) combines 广 (guǎng), meaning 'vast', 'broad', or 'wide-reaching', with 辉 (huī), meaning 'radiance', 'brilliance', or 'glorious light'. The name projects an image of expansive, far-reaching brilliance.
Guiying
“Noble hero”
Guiying is a Chinese feminine name combining the characters gui, meaning noble, honourable, or precious, and ying, meaning hero, outstanding talent, or blossom. Together they evoke a woman of distinguished courage and high standing. The name is most associated with Mu Guiying, the legendary female general of the Song Dynasty, making it a name with a powerful martial and heroic legacy. It is a classic Chinese name with deep cultural roots and a bold, proud character.
Guizhi
“Noble iris”
Guizhi is a Chinese feminine name combining 'gui', meaning noble, precious, or distinguished, with 'zhi', which can refer to an iris flower or a branch. Together the name evokes a precious flowering branch, suggesting beauty that is both distinguished and naturally refined. The name has a classical, literary quality consistent with traditional Chinese feminine naming conventions, which favoured imagery drawn from flowers, plants, and virtuous qualities. Guizhi also has a notable association with the cinnamon twig used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Guohua
“Nation's splendour”
Guohua is a Chinese given name combining the characters 'guo' meaning nation or country and 'hua' meaning splendid, magnificent, or the finest essence of something. The name suggests someone who embodies the best of their nation, bringing glory and distinction through their character and achievements. It is a name with patriotic resonance, expressing pride in Chinese identity and the hope that the child will uphold or enhance their country's honour.
Guoming
“Bright and enlightened nation”
Guoming (国明) combines 国 (guó), meaning 'nation' or 'country', with 明 (míng), meaning 'bright', 'enlightened', or 'illustrious'. The name expresses a sense of national pride and the aspiration to be a shining light for one's country.
Guoqiang
“Nation's strength”
Guoqiang is composed of two Chinese characters: 'guo' meaning nation or country, and 'qiang' meaning strong or powerful. Together they express a patriotic wish that the child will embody national strength and contribute to the prosperity of their homeland. The name reflects deeply held traditional Chinese values of civic responsibility, collective purpose, and pride in one's country. It was particularly popular during the mid-twentieth century when such sentiments were prominently encouraged, and carries a sense of dignified, purposeful character.
Guoqing
“National celebration”
Guoqing is a Chinese masculine name formed from two characters: guo, meaning nation or country, and qing, meaning celebration or rejoicing. The name is directly associated with Guoqing Jie, China's National Day on 1st October, which celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Children born around National Day are commonly given this name as an expression of patriotic feeling and communal joy. The name carries a sense of pride, belonging, and shared national identity.
Guowei
“Nation's greatness”
Guowei combines the Chinese characters for nation or country and great or mighty. It is a patriotic name suggesting someone who contributes to the greatness and glory of their country. The name reflects the traditional Chinese value of service to the nation and the ideal that an individual's worth is expressed through what they give to their community and country.
Guowen
“National culture and literary refinement”
Guowen (国文) combines 国 (guó), meaning 'nation' or 'country', with 文 (wén), meaning 'culture', 'literature', or 'civil refinement'. The name expresses a patriotic aspiration toward cultural and literary achievement in service of one's nation.
Guoyu
“Nation's boundless cosmos”
Guoyu (国宇) combines 国 (guó), meaning 'nation' or 'country', with 宇 (yǔ), meaning 'universe', 'vast space', or 'domain'. The name conveys the grandeur of a nation with the boundlessness of the cosmos, expressing great ambition and expansive vision.
Guozhong
“Loyal devotion to the nation”
Guozhong (国忠) combines 国 (guó), meaning 'nation' or 'country', with 忠 (zhōng), meaning 'loyalty', 'faithfulness', or 'devotion'. The name expresses the Confucian virtue of patriotic loyalty and unwavering devotion to one's country.
Hai
“Sea, ocean”
Hai uses the Chinese character for sea or ocean, suggesting vastness, depth, and boundless potential. It is a name of tremendous scope, evoking the open waters and the limitless horizon. The character has been a popular choice in Chinese naming for generations, prized for its powerful imagery and auspicious connotations.
Haibo
“ocean wave, boundless energy”
Haibo is composed of 'hai' (海, sea/ocean) and 'bo' (波, wave or 博, broad/abundant). Together the name evokes the image of vast ocean waves, symbolizing boundless energy and an expansive spirit.
Haicheng
“Sea city”
Haicheng combines the Chinese characters for sea and city, or alternatively sea and sincerity. The pairing suggests oceanic depth of character alongside a grounded, honest nature. The name carries a strong, settled quality that evokes both the breadth of the ocean and the solidity of an established place. It is poetic without being fanciful, suggesting someone dependable and far-sighted.
Haifeng
“Sea wind”
Haifeng is a Chinese given name composed of the characters hai (sea, ocean) and feng (wind). Together they evoke the image of a strong, refreshing wind sweeping across the open sea, a vivid natural image suggesting freedom, vitality, and restless energy. The sea wind carries connotations of far horizons, exploration, and the powerful yet invisible forces of nature. It is a poetic name that resonates particularly in coastal regions of China.
Hailong
“sea dragon, oceanic power”
Hailong combines 'hai' (海, sea/ocean) and 'long' (龙, dragon). The name means 'sea dragon' or 'dragon of the ocean,' evoking the legendary creatures of Chinese mythology that rule the waters.
Haiming
“bright sea, far-reaching clarity”
Haiming is formed from 'hai' (海, sea) and 'ming' (明, bright/clear, or 名, renowned). The name can mean 'bright as the sea' or 'famous across the ocean,' suggesting clarity, brilliance, and a far-reaching reputation.
Haiying
“sea flower, outstanding by the ocean”
Haiying combines 'hai' (海, sea) and 'ying' (英, flower/hero/outstanding, or 莺, oriole bird). The name evokes a beautiful sea flower or an outstanding figure rising from the ocean, suggesting grace, beauty, and excellence.
Hanfei
“soaring literary talent”
Hanfei combines 'han' (翰, writing brush/literary talent, or 汉, the Han people/Chinese civilization) and 'fei' (飞, to fly/soaring). The name suggests a literary talent that soars, or a spirit that rises as freely as flight.
Hanlin
“Elegant forest”
Hanlin is a Chinese name combining characters that can be read as conveying elegance, the writing brush, or literary accomplishment, and forest or grove, together evoking an image of refined scholarly beauty, as if a forest of elegant minds or a grove of learning. The name is also directly associated with the Hanlin Academy, the prestigious imperial institution founded during the Tang Dynasty that served as the highest body of scholars in China for over a thousand years. Members of the Hanlin Academy were the most accomplished graduates of the imperial examination system, chosen to advise emperors and draft official documents. The name therefore carries associations of supreme scholarly achievement, cultural refinement, and imperial distinction.
Hanwen
“Chinese literature, cultured writing”
Hanwen combines 'han' (汉, Han Chinese/Chinese civilization, or 翰, literary talent) and 'wen' (文, culture/literature/writing). The name means 'Chinese literature' or 'cultured writing,' emphasizing intellectual refinement and cultural heritage.
Hanxiao
“dawn of literary talent”
Hanxiao combines 'han' (翰, literary talent/writing brush, or 寒, cool/cold) and 'xiao' (晓, dawn/daybreak, or 啸, a long whistle/cry). The most common pairing means 'dawn of literary talent,' evoking first light and the blossoming of knowledge.
Hanyu
“Elegant jade”
Hanyu combines the Chinese characters for elegant or refined and jade or universe. The name suggests cultured preciousness, blending scholarly bearing with the enduring beauty of jade. It carries associations with the great Tang Dynasty writer Han Yu, one of China's foremost prose stylists, lending the name both literary prestige and moral weight.
Hao
“Good, vast, heroic”
Hao embodies meanings of goodness, vastness, and heroic spirit. Depending on the character chosen, it can signify a person of great moral quality, an expansive and generous nature, or someone with the bold courage of a hero. It is a name that speaks to both character and ambition.
Haochen
“Vast morning”
Haochen combines the Chinese character 'hao' meaning vast, great, or boundless, with 'chen' meaning morning or the early hours of the day. Together the name paints a vivid image of a wide, open dawn stretching to the horizon, full of possibility and fresh promise. It suggests a person whose potential is as expansive as the morning sky, and who brings a sense of new beginnings to those around them.
Discover thousands of names in the app
Swipe through names, match with your partner, and find the perfect name together. Privacy-first, always.