40 Authentic Chinese Boy Names Recommended by Mandarin Experts
If you’re looking for Chinese boy names to give your newborn son, you may find yourself a bit perplexed if you don’t speak the language. In Chinese names, which syllable is the surname, which one the first name? Foreigners often struggle to understand the system of Chinese names, because it is a little different to the names in the western world. Let us bring it closer to you today and also introduce you to 40 beautiful Chinese boy names for your child to choose from!
Chinese Boy Names – Surnames
In Chinese culture, names consist of a 姓 (xìng)—family name—and a 名 (míng)—given name—. Most Chinese names are made up of three syllables, whereby the first syllable you hear (and write) is the surname. Yes, in Chinese, you call a person by starting from their surname! If your name is Luke Clarke, you will be called Clarke Luke. Keep in mind, Chinese is a monosyllabic language. Each syllable you pronounce has an own character (sign). The surname one cannot be decided on, it is the family name inherited (by the father)! The most common three family names in mainland China are Li (李), Wang (王) and Zhang (张), shared by more than 270 million people. This is because there is only a limited number of surnames available. Many Chinese people simply carry the same surname!
Read more about common Chinese Surnames.
Chinese Boy Names – First Names
Now, let us get to the part of Chinese names you can actually decide on. It is not a must that the name of every Chinese person is trisyllabic, but definitely the norm. But, you will hear the names of some Chinese people only having two syllables (the surname + another syllable chosen).
How do Chinese parents decide on the characters they want to bless their child with? Many factors play a role in the choice of a given name. Firstly, it should have a positive connotation. Chinese names tend to have great meanings and are rich in spirit. Different to surnames, which are shared by many people, the first names of people vary a lot. That is, whilst you encounter many Sarahs, for Chinese people it is rather unlikely to encounter a person whose name has the exact same two syllables like one’s own. However, there are tendencies for certain characters to be chosen more frequently among Chinese names and repeat quite a lot. Some parents choose names according to their hopes for their children, such as Kang (康), healthy, Yong (勇), brave, or Mei (美), beautiful.
Differences when it comes to gender?
Are there differences in gender? Yes and no – whilst in principle characters can be chosen freely regardless of the gender, some characters such as Měi (美) are restricted exclusively to girls, whilst Míng (明) is a character present mainly in names for boys, though it is not true that a girl cannot carry Míng (明) too as one of the syllables in her name. In general, there is no overall rule for this, but there definitely exist some advice for choosing characters appropriately.
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Something to pay attention to
Before we provide you with a list of some wonderful Chinese names to name your baby boy, first you may note two other points: Whilst there exist monosyllabic and disyllabic first names, it is unlikely that names are an actual word already existing. For example, Míngtiān (明天), meaning “tomorrow”, is made up of two powerful signs, Míng (明) – bright – and Tiān (天) – sky/the above – yet people may find it weird to name their child after a word frequently used in everyday life (“tomorrow”), though it may not be excluded, for this name actually was chosen for a main character in a show. Yet, it may likewise be weird to choose Dēng (灯) – lamp- as a syllable in a name, and whilst Cǎoméi (草莓) sounds beautiful, it means “strawberry” and should be excluded, just like you would not name your child Shūcài (蔬菜) – vegetable!
40 Chinese Boy Names Recommended by Mandarin Experts
Finally, let us provide you with some special names for your little boy, whereby we prefer monosyllabic names to disyllabic ones, simply because we believe you could actually combine two single characters yourself that you find to be a perfect match!
One Character Chinese Boy Names
- 1. Bo (博) – broad, abundant
- 2. Feng (风) – wind, peak
- 3. Gui (贵) – valuable, noble
- 4. Hai (海) – sea, ocean
- 5. Jian (健) – healthy, strong
- 6. Lei (雷) – thunder
- 7. Ming (明) – bright, clear
- 8. Peng (鹏) – roc, a mythical bird
- 9. Quan (全) – all, whole
- 10. Rui (锐) – sharp, acute
- 11. Shan (山) – mountain
- 12. Shui (水) – water
- 13. Song (松) – pine tree
- 14. Tao (涛) – wave
- 15. Wei (伟) – great, mighty
- 16. Xing (星) – star
- 17. Yao (耀) – shine, dazzle
- 18. Yue (岳) – mountain peak
- 19. Zhi (志) – ambition, will
- 20. Zhu (竹) – bamboo
Two Characters Chinese Boy Names
- 1. Anming (安明) – peaceful and bright
- 2. Baozhai (宝宅) – precious home
- 3. Chengguang (晨光) – morning light
- 4. Dexing (德兴) – virtuous, thriving
- 5. Enlai (恩来) – favor arriving
- 6. Hongtu(鸿图) – great ambition
- 7. Guangxi (光熙) – light and splendor
- 8. Haoran (浩然) – vast and natural
- 9. Jielun (杰伦) – outstanding discussion
- 10. Kangrui (康瑞) – healthy and auspicious
- 11. Liwei (力威) – powerful and imposing
- 12. Minghao (明浩) – bright and vast
- 13. Ningkai (宁凯) – peaceful and triumphant
- 14. Peizhi (培治) – cultivate and govern
- 15. Qiangwei (强伟) – strong and great
- 16. Ruilin (瑞林) – auspicious forest
- 17. Shilong (世龙) – world dragon
- 18. Tianming (天明) – heavenly brightness
- 19. Weilong (伟龙) – great dragon
- 20. Xinyu (新宇) – new universe/ new world
These names sound really beautiful, don’t you think? If you speak Chinese and have characters you personally like very much but which are not on this list, feel free to go for them, of course! We recommend you first go ahead and consult one of your Chinese friends before choosing the name, however – just to make sure it is not at odds with Chinese boy names.
Trends for Chinese Boy Names
In recent years, trends in Chinese boy names have shifted away from previously popular choices like “梓轩” （Zǐ Xuān）and “梓萱.（Zǐ Xuān）” These names, once favored for their stylish and modern connotations, have been replaced by names that reflect a deeper connection to nature and traditional values. For instance, names such as “沐辰（Mù Chén）,” which can be interpreted as “bathed in morning,” and “瑞泽（Ruì Zé）,” meaning “auspicious and moist,” are becoming more common. In Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, “沐辰” was the most popular name for boys born in 2022. Similarly, in Hangzhou, names like “子屹（Zǐ Yì）,” which suggests stability and strength, and “奕辰（Yì Chén）,” implying a bright and flourishing morning, have topped the charts. These trends indicate a growing preference for names that evoke a sense of natural beauty, strength, and elegance.
Furthermore, the shift towards these new names reflects broader societal changes in China. Parents are increasingly looking for names that are not only unique but also carry positive meanings and attributes. This trend may also be influenced by cultural factors, such as the resurgence of traditional Chinese values and an appreciation for classical literature and nature. As a result, names that were once common are being replaced by those that resonate with contemporary parents’ aspirations for their children, blending modern sensibilities with traditional cultural elements.
Reference: 「2023新生儿名字风向标」
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