Chinese names & surnames with meanings: A complete guide

Ready to meet new people and introduce yourself in Chinese? Then let’s talk about Western and Chinese names in Mandarin!

Learning Mandarin is a little bit different than learning other languages. If you’re learning Spanish or French, then you probably won’t have to think twice about how to introduce yourself in your target language — you’d simply use your given name.

However, names are significantly different in Chinese, so some learners choose to adopt a Chinese name to use when speaking Chinese. That means that you’d be giving yourself a whole new name, which may sound similar to your given name or may be completely different. This can be an exciting opportunity to adopt a new persona, as learning a new language definitely impacts your personality!

But don’t worry, you don’t need to rush into making any major decisions if you’re just starting to learn Mandarin Chinese. You can start with a simple transliteration of your name and pick a more legitimate Chinese name once you feel ready to do so.

In this handy guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Western names in Chinese, and we’ll show you how to choose your own Chinese name!

Table of contents

• Introducing and asking for names in Chinese
  • Chinese name essentials
  • My name is in Chinese
  • What is your name in Chinese
• Learning how to translate a Western name into Chinese
  • Top 100 most common male English names in Chinese
  • Top 100 most common female English names in Chinese
  • Most common Spanish names in Chinese
  • Most common French names in Chinese
  • Most common German names in Chinese
  • Most common Italian names in Chinese
  • Most common Portuguese names in Chinese
  • Most common celebrity names in Chinese
• Understanding the basics of Chinese names
  • Chinese name components
  • Common Chinese family names
  • Common Chinese given names
• How to pronounce Chinese names
  • Understanding pinyin
  • The four tones
  • Chinese name pronunciation tips
• How to choose a Chinese name
• FAQs about Chinese names
• Conclusion

Introducing and asking for names in Chinese

Learning how to introduce yourself in Chinese is one of the first things you’ll want to master. Not only does “my name is” typically come right after saying hello in Chinese, but it’s also an important part of writing emails and doing business in China. Plus, as a learner, you’ll often be in situations where you’ll have to introduce yourself in Chinese, like at the start of the semester or when you visit China to travel, study, or work.

Chinese name essentials

Let’s start by covering the absolute essentials. Chinese names usually consist of a family name followed by a given name, with the family name being mostly just one character and the given name one or two characters. Unlike in the West, a name often holds precedence and is a key part of one’s identity. Chinese names are chosen with careful consideration to convey specific qualities or blessings that families wish upon their children, as names come with deep meanings and aspirations.

When introducing yourself or asking for someone’s name, it’s crucial to recognize the structure and significance of Chinese names. The cultural emphasis on respect and formality means addressing someone properly is extremely important.

How to say first name in Chinese

The first name in Chinese, or given name, is referred to as 名 (míng).

The order of the names is reversed in Chinese, so people would typically mention their first name after stating their family or last names. While introducing yourself by your full name may be seen as cold or formal in the West, that is generally not the case in Chinese, as introducing yourself with your given and family name is very common. However, in more casual contexts, particularly among friends or younger people, introducing yourself with just your given name is acceptable too.

How to say last name in Chinese

The last name in Chinese, or the family name, is called 姓 (xìng).

It holds particular importance in Chinese society, as it often carries the weight of familial heritage and lineage. It precedes the given name in the Chinese naming convention. Because of this, asking for someone’s family name during a formal introduction is especially important, as it highlights respect for one’s family background and heritage. In less formal situations, this level of detail might not be necessary, but it’s always better to err on the side of formality when unsure.

My name is in Chinese

Although introducing yourself in a new language can be stressful the first few times, you’ll have no problem once you learn a handful of phrases to say my name is in Chinese. The good news is that most of your basic characteristics, like your name, nationality, and Chinese zodiac sign won’t change at all, so you can just memorize a few of them and be set!

What is your name in Chinese

Besides learning how to introduce yourself in Chinese, you’ll also want to learn how to ask people for their names. Not only will this allow you to be polite after someone asks for your name in Chinese, but you’ll also be able to make the first move and meet new people! After all, making friends and practicing constantly is one of the best ways to learn Chinese, so don’t be shy!

Learning how to translate a Western name into Chinese

Now that you know how to say your name in Chinese, you might be wondering, “Wait, how do I say my name in Chinese?” Fortunately, you can easily translate your name into Chinese by finding characters that sound similar to your given name. To do this, you have three options:

1. Find characters that are phonetic matches to your name’s syllables.
2. Plug your name into Google Translate to get a quick translation!
3. Find your name in one of our lists below.

Almost all foreign names have a “set” translation into Chinese, which is helpful when speaking about foreign people or fictional characters in Chinese. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio is 莱昂纳多 · 迪卡普里奥 (lái áng nà duō · dí kǎ pǔ lǐ ào) and Harry Potter is 哈利·波特 (hā lì · bō tè).

However, keep in mind that translating names like this into Chinese doesn’t really match local names. It’ll be very evident that it’s a foreign name, so keep this in mind if you’re thinking about choosing your Chinese name. We’ll cover how to pick an authentic Chinese name later in the article, but, for now, let’s dive into our lists of the most common foreign names in Chinese!

Top 100 most common male English names in Chinese

If you have a relatively common English name, then you’ll likely be able to find a direct “translation” into Chinese. You can use one of these if you’ll just be visiting China for a little while or don’t have any long-term plans in China or interacting with Chinese society. If you do plan to live in China or work with Chinese colleagues long-term, however, you can consider creating your own Chinese name from scratch, but more on that later.

Here are the 100 most common male English names in Chinese:

Top 100 most common female English names in Chinese

And here are the most common female English names in Chinese:

Here, you’ll find a cozy list of the 100 most common Spanish names translated into Chinese, maintaining their unique charm and sounding just right in both languages:

Most common French names in Chinese

Let’s take a look at how some of the most popular French names translate into Chinese. The following list aims to maintain the essence of French names while adapting them to Chinese phonetics:

Most common German names in Chinese

Below, you’ll find a list of the top 100 most common German names translated into Chinese, focused on maintaining phonetic resemblance:

Most common Italian names in Chinese

Here are 50 popular Italian names and their phonetic translations into Chinese:

Most common Portuguese names in Chinese

People from Portugal, Brazil, or any other Portuguese-speaking region may find their names on the list below:

Most common celebrity names in Chinese

Speaking about your hobbies and interests is a great way to start a conversation in Chinese with someone you’ve just met. But how do you talk about your favorite singer, actor, politician or sports player in Chinese if you don’t know how to say their names? Fortunately, transliterating celebrity names is quite easy — you’ll get the hang of it very quickly!

Understanding the basics of Chinese names

Understanding Chinese names is essential for appreciating Chinese culture. Chinese names carry deep meanings, so understanding them will help you understand your Chinese friends and colleagues on a much deeper level. Typically, a Chinese name consists of a family name (surname), followed by a given name, with the family name being of paramount importance as it connects individuals to their ancestral lineage.

Chinese name components

These are the typical components of Chinese names:

Family name (surname)

The family name comes first in Chinese names and is usually one character, but can also be two on rare occasions. There are about a hundred common Chinese surnames, so you’ll quickly start recognizing the most common ones (more on that below!). The family name is inherited and shared among family members, indicating lineage and heritage.

Given name

Following the surname is the given name, which usually comprises one or two characters. Parents choose given names extremely carefully, as the characters often carry meaning or virtues they wish upon their child. For instance, names might reflect beauty, strength, intelligence or other desired personality traits. Unlike Western naming traditions, there’s a vast pool of existing names that can be used for given names, allowing for a higher degree of uniqueness and personalization.

Generational name

Some families also incorporate a generational name — a specific character shared by all siblings and cousins of the same generation. This practice, though not universal, highlights the collective identity of the family across generations.

Common Chinese family names

Compared to its vast population, China has a relatively low number of family names, which can be attributed to several factors. First, Chinese surnames are passed down patrilineally, so many families have had the same surname for generations, stemming from ancient clans and familial lines. Then, Confucian philosophy greatly emphasized the importance of family and ancestry in society, leading to the preservation of surnames.

So, learning just a few surnames can help you a great deal in identifying numerous names! Here is a ranked list of the 20 most common Chinese surnames:

Common Chinese given names

Although many Chinese surnames overlap, you won’t meet two Chinese people with the exact same name that often. That’s because given names are chosen to reflect the parents’ varied hopes and aspirations for their children. Consequently, you’ll end up with unique names as each component of each Chinese character is carefully considered, including radicals.

With that said, here are some of the characters that most commonly make it onto Chinese given names:

How to pronounce Chinese names

Pronouncing Chinese names can be challenging for non-native speakers, but understanding the basics of Mandarin pronunciation can help. Here’s a guide to get you started:

Understanding pinyin

Understanding pinyin is the first step towards getting Chinese names right. This is the Romanization system of Chinese, which uses Roman letters to match the sounds of each Chinese character. Each syllable in pinyin roughly corresponds to a syllable in Mandarin Chinese and is composed of:

• Initials: They’re always consonants and represent the beginning of a sound. Not all syllables need to have an initial.
• Finals: They’re generally vowels, but can also include vowel combinations. They represent the ending sound. All syllables must have a final.
• Tone marks: They indicate the tone in which the syllable should be pronounced.

The four tones

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means that the pitch or tone used when a word is spoken can change its meaning. There are four main tones and a neutral tone:

1. First tone: High and level (¯). The tone is steady without rise or fall. Example: mā (妈) - mother.
2. Second tone: Rising, from mid-level to high (´). It sounds somewhat like you’re asking a question. Example: má (麻) - numb.
3. Third tone: Starts mid, dips down, then rises (ˇ). Often, it’s pronounced with a slight fall in casual speech. Example: mǎ (马) - horse
4. Fourth tone: Starts high and ends low (`). It’s a sharp and clear drop in pitch. Example: mà (骂) means "to scold" or "to curse."
5. Neutral tone: Light and quick, without a distinct pitch (_). It’s often used in particles, diminutives, and some single-syllable words to convey a specific meaning or grammatical function. Example: ma (吗) - (question particle).

Chinese name pronunciation tips

While reading the pinyin is massively helpful, some of it isn’t always intuitive for non-Chinese speakers. Especially if your native language is English, some of the syllables will be pronounced vastly differently. Here are some quick tips:

• The c is pronounced like the ts in “bits.”
• The q is pronounced like ch but with the tongue positioned further forward.
• The x resembles sh but also requires the tongue to be more forward.
• The zh is pronounced like the j in “jar.”
• The ch is pronounced like the ch in “chop.”
• The sh is pronounced like the sh in “shush.”
• The r is pronounced somewhat like the s in “pleasure.”
• The i in zi, ci, si sounds close to the i in “sir.”
• The ü sound is similar to the German û or the French u. When ü follows j, q, x or y, it’s written simply as u.
• Uan can be tricky. Think of combining u as in “flute” with an as in “can.”

Additionally, pay close attention to how native speakers pronounce their names. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification from native speakers — most will be happy to help you get their names right!

How to choose a Chinese name

Whether you’re planning to visit China for a few weeks or are thinking about studying or working in the country for long, choosing a Chinese name is one of the first things you should do to integrate into society. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose your Chinese name:

1. Pick an approach

There are two main approaches to choosing a Chinese name:

• Phonetic matching: Find Chinese sounds similar to your own name. Most Western names already have a translation, which you can find above. If you choose to go this route, then simply scroll up to our list of the most common names, find yours and you’re done!
• Meaningful translation: Choose a name based on qualities or elements you identify with. They may sound somewhat similar to your real name or not at all — it’s entirely up to you!

The phonetic matching approach is by far the fastest and most impersonal approach. If you’re planning to live or work in China long-term, going for a meaningful translation that more closely resembles a native Chinese name will be more impressive, as it’ll show that you’ve put some careful thought into your name — just how Chinese parents do with their children’s names.

2. Pick a surname

Chinese surnames are typically in one character. One suggestion is that you can just go with a surname that sounds closest to your own name. For example, if your last name is Jones, you can go with 周 (zhōu) as your surname.

3. Choose your given name

This is where you’ll have to spend some time thinking about what’s important to you. Ideally, you’ll want to combine characters that sound somewhat like your given name and signify values or adjectives that you identify with or would like to manifest for yourself. Of course, this is much easier said than done, but our list of the 100 most common Chinese names above is a great place to start.

4. Consult with native speakers

Asking native speakers for help can be a great way to find name ideas in Chinese. But, whether you decide to come up with the name entirely on your own or seek help, make sure to always confirm with a few native speakers before you settle into your new name. This will help you ensure that your name sounds as natural as possible and also confirm that there aren’t any other meanings or negative connotations that you hadn’t considered.

FAQs about Chinese names

How do you tell first names and last names in Chinese?

In Chinese names, the family name (surname) comes first, followed by the given name. The family name is usually just one syllable, while the given name is typically one or two syllables. For example, in the name "王小明" (wáng xiǎo míng), "王" (wáng) is the surname, and "小明" (xiǎo míng) is the given name.

Are Chinese names gendered?

Yes, Chinese names can be gendered, but not always explicitly. The characters used in given names often have connotations that are considered masculine or feminine. For instance, names containing characters like "芳" (fāng, meaning fragrant) are typically feminine, while names with characters like "刚" (gāng, meaning strong) are usually masculine. However, many names are unisex, depending on the characters used.

Do Chinese people have middle names?

Traditionally, Chinese people don’t have middle names the way Westerners do. The given name consists of one or two characters and is considered a single unit. However, in some families, there is a generational name component shared by all siblings and cousins of the same generation. Although not the same concept as a middle name, this is the closest thing that could resemble it in Chinese names.

Do Chinese women change their names after marriage?

No, Chinese women typically don’t change their surnames after marriage. The practice of keeping one’s maiden name is common and widely accepted in Chinese culture. This tradition emphasizes the importance of one’s lineage and family identity. Both men and women retain their given names and surnames throughout their lives, including after marriage.

It’s a pleasure to meet you!

We’ve covered hundreds of Western names in Chinese along with some of the most common Chinese names out there, so hopefully, you found yours on one of our lists! And if not, then you now have the tools to expertly create your very own Chinese name.

If you enjoyed this guide, make sure to check out the rest of our Chinese blog. We regularly publish tons of helpful guides, like mastering basic Chinese sentence structures and understanding the Chinese New Year.