{"id":23308,"date":"2024-01-24T20:13:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T12:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/?p=23308"},"modified":"2026-06-01T14:55:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T06:55:32","slug":"ancient-chinese-names","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/ancient-chinese-names-post-23308\/","title":{"rendered":"120+ Ancient Chinese Names and Meanings (Female\/Male\/Boys\/Girls)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-structure-of-ancient-chinese-names\"><\/span>The Structure of Ancient Chinese Names<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/\u7f8e\u591a\u610f\u9762\u8425\u9500\u603b\u7ed3\u62a5\u544a-11-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-1024-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-768-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1.webp\" alt=\"The Structure of Ancient Chinese Names\" class=\"wp-image-57186\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/\u7f8e\u591a\u610f\u9762\u8425\u9500\u603b\u7ed3\u62a5\u544a-11-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-1024-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-768-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1.webp 640w, https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/\u7f8e\u591a\u610f\u9762\u8425\u9500\u603b\u7ed3\u62a5\u544a-11-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-1024-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-768-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1-300x93.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike modern Western names, <strong>ancient Chinese names<\/strong> often had multiple layers. Understanding this structure helps explain historical texts and biographies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main Components of a Traditional Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Component<\/th><th>Chinese Term<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Surname<\/td><td>\u59d3 (X\u00ecng)<\/td><td>Family or clan name<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Given name<\/td><td>\u540d (M\u00edng)<\/td><td>Personal name given at birth<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Courtesy name<\/td><td>\u5b57 (Z\u00ec)<\/td><td>Name used in adulthood<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Art name<\/td><td>\u53f7 (H\u00e0o)<\/td><td>Literary or self-chosen name<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How They Worked Together<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children were called by their <strong>given name<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As adults, especially scholars, they were addressed by their <strong>courtesy name<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Writers and artists often used a <strong>hao<\/strong> as a pen name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"common-ancient-chinese-names-and-their-meanings\"><\/span>Common Ancient Chinese Names and Their Meanings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Popular Name Elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Chinese Character<\/th><th>Pinyin<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><th>Commonly Used In<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u6587<\/td><td>W\u00e9n<\/td><td>Literature, culture, and elegance; symbolizes learning, refinement, and cultural sophistication in scholarly or artistic pursuits.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6b66<\/td><td>W\u01d4<\/td><td>Military, courage, and force; represents strength, bravery, and martial prowess for protection and resilience.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u7389<\/td><td>Y\u00f9<\/td><td>Jade, purity, and preciousness; denotes beauty, flawlessness, and value like esteemed jade, signifying integrity and grace.<\/td><td>Girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5fb7<\/td><td>D\u00e9<\/td><td>Morality, virtue, and character; embodies ethical principles, kindness, and moral excellence for leadership and benevolence.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6dd1<\/td><td>Sh\u016b<\/td><td>Kindness, clarity, and virtuousness; conveys gentleness, purity of heart, and ladylike demeanor in traditional femininity and wisdom.<\/td><td>Girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u82f1<\/td><td>Y\u012bng<\/td><td>Flower and outstanding talent; suggests heroism, brilliance, and floral beauty for exceptional abilities or vibrant spirit.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5fd7<\/td><td>Zh\u00ec<\/td><td>Aspiration, determination, and record; reflects ambition, willpower, and purpose for a focused, goal-oriented life.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5170<\/td><td>L\u00e1n<\/td><td>Orchid, elegance, and nobility; symbolizes grace, fragrance, and high moral standing from the orchid&#8217;s refined beauty in poetry.<\/td><td>Girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u660e<\/td><td>M\u00edng<\/td><td>Brightness and wisdom; implies clarity, intelligence, and enlightenment linked to foresight and moral insight.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b89<\/td><td>\u0100n<\/td><td>Peace and stability; represents tranquility, security, and contentment for calm, harmonious living.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u534e<\/td><td>Hu\u00e1<\/td><td>Splendid and flourishing; denotes magnificence, prosperity, and Chinese heritage for grandeur and cultural pride.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4f1f<\/td><td>W\u011bi<\/td><td>Great and magnificent; conveys grandeur, achievement, and extraordinary qualities to inspire admiration and success.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u7f8e<\/td><td>M\u011bi<\/td><td>Beautiful and fine; embodies aesthetic appeal, goodness, and perfection tied to inner and outer harmony.<\/td><td>Girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5f3a<\/td><td>Qi\u00e1ng<\/td><td>Strong and powerful; suggests vigor, resilience, and capability for physical and mental fortitude.<\/td><td>Boys&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4e3d<\/td><td>L\u00ec<\/td><td>Beautiful and lovely; implies elegance, charm, and radiance for visual splendor and attractiveness.<\/td><td>Girls&#8217; names<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These characters were chosen to express family hopes for the child\u2019s future. Popular ancient names for boys and girls open a window into the values of ancient Chinese society. They transport us to an era rooted in philosophy and ancestry worship. The careful selection of poetic characters with auspicious connotations reveals what people cherished in those times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the Yongle Emperor, whose personal name was Zhu Di, ordered the construction of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/temple-of-heaven-post-61727\/\">Temple of Heaven in Beijing<\/a> in 1420, showing how imperial names, reign titles, and historical monuments are closely connected in Chinese history.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"retention-card-new\" data-lang=\"en\" data-subject=\"CHINESE\" data-btnName=\"Get started free!\" data-subTitle=\"Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!\">\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-l\">\r\n        <div class=\"trustpilot-image\"><\/div>\r\n        <h3><p>Learn <span>authentic Chinese<\/span> from those who live and breathe the culture.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"retention-card-button is-point\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/independent-appointment\/?subject=chinese&amp;l=d232a08b-51de-4a90-b301-47ad0f87f71a&amp;booking_triggerevent=BLOG_DETAIL_MODEL_CTA_BUTTON\" data-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u70b9\u51fb\" data-event=\"C_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" data-expose-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u66dd\u5149\" data-expose-event=\"D_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Get started free!\">\r\n            Get started free!\r\n        <\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-r\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ancient-chinese-names-for-boys-and-meanings\"><\/span>Ancient Chinese Names for Boys and Meanings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Male names in ancient China often emphasized strength, responsibility, and moral character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Chinese Name<\/th><th>Pinyin<\/th><th>Meaning &amp; Origin<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u5b54\u660e<\/td><td>K\u01d2ng M\u00edng<\/td><td>Courtesy name of legendary Three Kingdoms strategist Zhuge Liang, from <em>Records of the Three Kingdoms<\/em>. It means &#8220;infinitely wise and bright&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u7384\u5fb7<\/td><td>Xu\u00e1n D\u00e9<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Liu Bei, Emperor of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;profound great virtue&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4e91\u957f<\/td><td>Y\u00fan Ch\u00e1ng<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Guan Yu, China&#8217;s revered Martial Saint from the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;boundless as the cloud&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b9d\u7389<\/td><td>B\u01ceo Y\u00f9<\/td><td>Core male protagonist of the classic novel <em>Dream of the Red Chamber<\/em>. It means &#8220;treasured jade&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u592a\u767d<\/td><td>T\u00e0i B\u00e1i<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Li Bai, the legendary &#8220;Poet Immortal&#8221; of the Tang Dynasty. It means &#8220;supreme purity and brightness&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b50\u77bb<\/td><td>Z\u01d0 Zh\u0101n<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Su Shi (Su Dongpo), the greatest literary giant of the Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;far-sighted gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5c48\u539f<\/td><td>Q\u016b Yu\u00e1n<\/td><td>Great patriotic poet and founder of Chinese romantic literature, from the Warring States period. It means &#8220;upright and true to origin&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4ef2\u5c3c<\/td><td>Zh\u00f2ng N\u00ed<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Confucius, China&#8217;s greatest philosopher and educator. It means &#8220;enlightened gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b50\u957f<\/td><td>Z\u01d0 Ch\u00e1ng<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Sima Qian, the &#8220;Saint of Historiography&#8221; who wrote <em>Records of the Grand Historian<\/em>. It means &#8220;ambitious far-sighted gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b50\u623f<\/td><td>Z\u01d0 F\u00e1ng<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Zhang Liang, the &#8220;Saint of Strategists&#8221; of the early Han Dynasty. It means &#8220;virtuous gentleman like fine jade&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b5f\u5fb7<\/td><td>M\u00e8ng D\u00e9<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Cao Cao, legendary politician and poet of the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;noble gentleman&#8217;s virtue&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u516c\u747e<\/td><td>G\u014dng J\u01d0n<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Zhou Yu, famous Eastern Wu general of the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;perfect fine jade&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4ef2\u8c0b<\/td><td>Zh\u00f2ng M\u00f3u<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Sun Quan, founding emperor of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;resourceful far-sighted gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6e0a\u660e<\/td><td>Yu\u0101n M\u00edng<\/td><td>Founder of China&#8217;s pastoral poetry school, famous Eastern Jin Dynasty poet. It means &#8220;clear and bright heart&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u9038\u5c11<\/td><td>Y\u00ec Sh\u00e0o<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Wang Xizhi, China&#8217;s &#8220;Saint of Calligraphy&#8221; from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It means &#8220;extraordinary outstanding talent&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b50\u7f8e<\/td><td>Z\u01d0 M\u011bi<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Du Fu, the &#8220;Poet Sage&#8221; of the Tang Dynasty. It means &#8220;perfect gentleman&#8217;s virtue&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5e7c\u5b89<\/td><td>Y\u00f2u \u0100n<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Xin Qiji, greatest bold unconstrained poet and patriotic general of the Southern Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;peaceful original heart&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u52a1\u89c2<\/td><td>W\u00f9 Gu\u0101n<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Lu You, most productive patriotic poet in Chinese history, from the Southern Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;pragmatic far-sighted&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u9000\u4e4b<\/td><td>Tu\u00ec Zh\u012b<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Han Yu, head of the Eight Great Prose Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties. It means &#8220;modest prudent gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6c38\u53d4<\/td><td>Y\u01d2ng Sh\u016b<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Ouyang Xiu, literary leader of the Northern Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;gentleman who keeps his original heart&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4ecb\u752b<\/td><td>Ji\u00e8 F\u01d4<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Wang Anshi, famous reformer and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;upright far-sighted gentleman&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5949\u5b5d<\/td><td>F\u00e8ng Xi\u00e0o<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Guo Jia, top genius strategist under Cao Cao in the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;abide by filial piety and virtue&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u51e4\u96cf<\/td><td>F\u00e8ng Ch\u00fa<\/td><td>Art name of Pang Tong, famous top strategist of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. It means &#8220;young phoenix&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u884c\u8005<\/td><td>X\u00edng Zh\u011b<\/td><td>Art name of Sun Wukong, core protagonist of the classic myth novel <em>Journey to the West<\/em>. It means &#8220;practitioner&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u7384\u5958<\/td><td>Xu\u00e1n Z\u00e0ng<\/td><td>Legendary Tang Dynasty eminent monk, prototype of Tang Monk in <em>Journey to the West<\/em>. It means &#8220;profound Buddhist dharma&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u96ea\u82b9<\/td><td>Xu\u011b Q\u00edn<\/td><td>The author of the classic novel <em>A Dream of the Red Manshions<\/em>. It means &#8220;as pure as snow and as elegant as celery&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u516c\u660e<\/td><td>G\u014dng M\u00edng<\/td><td>Courtesy name of Song Jiang, core protagonist of the classic novel <em>Water Margin<\/em>. It means &#8220;fair and bright&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These <strong>ancient Chinese names<\/strong> were especially common among scholars, officials, and warriors.The emphasis on ambition, courage, skills, and intellect reveals valued masculine traits. The names also have a commanding ring to match the male authority in ancient Chinese society. Even today, their bold imagery empowers boys to dream big and achieve greatness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"317\" height=\"159\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/images-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1.webp\" alt=\"Ancient Chinese Names for Boys and Meanings\" class=\"wp-image-57189\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/images-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1.webp 317w, https:\/\/wp-more.wukongedu.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/images-\u6700\u5927\u5bbd\u5ea6-640-\u6700\u5927\u9ad8\u5ea6-480-1-300x150.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 317px) 100vw, 317px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ancient-chinese-names-for-girls-and-meanings\"><\/span>Ancient Chinese Names for Girls and Meanings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Female names often focused on grace, beauty, virtue, and harmony with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Chinese Name<\/th><th>Pinyin<\/th><th>Meaning &amp; Origin<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u84c1\u84c1<\/td><td>Zh\u0113n Zh\u0113n<\/td><td>From <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>, China&#8217;s earliest poetry anthology. It means &#8220;lush thriving plants&#8221;, symbolizing vitality and hope.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u9759\u59dd<\/td><td>J\u00ecng Sh\u016b<\/td><td>From <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>, the core classic of Chinese poetry. It means &#8220;quiet and beautiful lady&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u9edb\u7389<\/td><td>D\u00e0i Y\u00f9<\/td><td>The iconic heroine of the classic novel <em>Dream of the Red Chamber<\/em>. It means &#8220;indigo jade&#8221;, symbolizing stunning beauty and noble purity.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5b9d\u9497<\/td><td>B\u01ceo Ch\u0101i<\/td><td>The core heroine of the classic novel <em>Dream of the Red Chamber<\/em>. It means &#8220;treasured hairpin&#8221;, symbolizing dignified elegance and wise virtue.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6587\u59ec<\/td><td>W\u00e9n J\u012b<\/td><td>Legendary talented female scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty, recorded in <em>Book of the Later Han<\/em>. It means &#8220;literary lady&#8221;, symbolizing extraordinary talent and fortitude.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6e05\u7167<\/td><td>Q\u012bng Zh\u00e0o<\/td><td>The most renowned female poet in Chinese history, from the Song Dynasty. It means &#8220;clear radiance&#8221;, symbolizing pure nobility and unparalleled literary talent.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u662d\u541b<\/td><td>Zh\u0101o J\u016bn<\/td><td>One of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China, recorded in <em>Book of Han<\/em>. It means &#8220;bright illustrious lady&#8221;, symbolizing noble righteousness and stunning grace.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u82e5\u5170<\/td><td>Ru\u00f2 L\u00e1n<\/td><td>Classic noble female name from <em>The Ballad of Mulan<\/em> and <em>Book of Jin<\/em>. It means &#8220;as graceful as an orchid&#8221;, symbolizing refined virtue and elegant demeanor.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u73ed\u662d<\/td><td>B\u0101n Zh\u0101o<\/td><td>China&#8217;s first female imperial historian, who completed <em>Book of Han<\/em> in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It means &#8220;bright virtue&#8221;, symbolizing profound erudition and rigorous scholarship.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6587\u541b<\/td><td>W\u00e9n J\u016bn<\/td><td>Legendary talented woman of the Western Han Dynasty, recorded in <em>Records of the Grand Historian<\/em>. It means &#8220;literary lady&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6728\u5170<\/td><td>M\u00f9 L\u00e1n<\/td><td>Legendary patriotic heroine of the classic Northern Dynasty poem <em>The Ballad of Mulan<\/em>. It means &#8220;magnolia flower&#8221;, symbolizing unwavering courage and loyal filial piety.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u83ba\u83ba<\/td><td>Y\u012bng Y\u012bng<\/td><td>Heroine of the classic Yuan Dynasty drama <em>Romance of the Western Chamber<\/em>. It means &#8220;oriole&#8221;, symbolizing charming beauty and brave pursuit of true love.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4e3d\u5a18<\/td><td>L\u00ec Ni\u00e1ng<\/td><td>Heroine of the classic Ming Dynasty drama <em>The Peony Pavilion<\/em>. It means &#8220;beautiful lady&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u9053\u97eb<\/td><td>D\u00e0o Y\u00f9n<\/td><td>Famous talented woman of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, recorded in <em>A New Account of the Tales of the World<\/em>. It means &#8220;intelligent profundity&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5a49\u541b<\/td><td>W\u01cen J\u016bn<\/td><td>Classic noble female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;gentle lady&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u8212\u7a88<\/td><td>Sh\u016b Y\u01ceo<\/td><td>Classic poetic name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;graceful and quiet&#8221;, symbolizing elegant posture and demure temperament.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u743c\u534e<\/td><td>Qi\u00f3ng Hu\u00e1<\/td><td>Classic imperial noble female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;brilliant jade&#8221;, symbolizing noble status and pure gentle character.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u4ee4\u4eea<\/td><td>L\u00ecng Y\u00ed<\/td><td>Classic prestigious family female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;noble demeanor&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u60e0\u7136<\/td><td>Hu\u00ec R\u00e1n<\/td><td>Classic scholarly family female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;gentle kindness&#8221;, symbolizing a warm heart and elegant easy-going temperament.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6e05\u5a49<\/td><td>Q\u012bng W\u01cen<\/td><td>Classic noble female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em> and <em>A New Account of the Tales of the World<\/em>. It means &#8220;pure and gentle&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5e7c\u8587<\/td><td>Y\u00f2u W\u0113i<\/td><td>Courtesy name of famous Tang Dynasty female poet Yu Xuanji. It means &#8220;tender fresh herb&#8221;, symbolizing agile character and elegant poetic talent.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u6613\u5b89<\/td><td>Y\u00ec \u0100n<\/td><td>Art name of Song Dynasty female poet Li Qingzhao, from Tao Yuanming&#8217;s classic prose. It means &#8220;peaceful contentment&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u91c7\u82f9<\/td><td>C\u01cei P\u00edng<\/td><td>Classic 2000-year-old female name from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;picking duckweed&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u601d\u9f50<\/td><td>S\u012b Q\u00ed<\/td><td>Classic scholarly family female name from <em>The Analects of Confucius<\/em>. It means &#8220;striving for virtue&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5c0f\u5b9b<\/td><td>Xi\u01ceo W\u01cen<\/td><td>Name of famous late Ming talented woman Dong Xiaowan, from <em>The Book of Songs<\/em>. It means &#8220;gentle and graceful&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u5982\u662f<\/td><td>R\u00fa Sh\u00ec<\/td><td>Name of famous late Ming patriotic talented woman Liu Rushi, from the <em>Diamond Sutra<\/em>. It means &#8220;thusness&#8221;.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These names reflect how <strong>ancient Chinese names<\/strong> for girls highlighted inner qualities as much as appearance.Each name reveals the premium placed on qualities like beauty, talent, grace, and purity for ancient Chinese girls. Their lyrical cadence also reflects aesthetic considerations. These names continue inspiring girls worldwide through their poetic charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"related-naming-guides-resources\"><\/span>Related Naming Guides &amp; Resources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Topic \/ Category<\/th><th>What You Will Learn<\/th><th>Recommended Guide<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Gender-Specific Names (Male)<\/strong><\/td><td>Explore strong, virtuous, and classic masculine names.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/powerful-chinese-male-names-post-52542\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Powerful Chinese Male Names &amp; Meanings<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Gender-Specific Names (Female)<\/strong><\/td><td>Discover elegant, modern, and popular feminine names.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-girl-names-post-42029\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beautiful Chinese Girl Names &amp; Meanings<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Masculine Selections<\/strong><\/td><td>Find character combinations that carry strength and leadership.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-boy-names-post-31371\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chinese Boy Names for Modern Learners<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bicultural Identities<\/strong><\/td><td>Learn how to choose a Western name that aligns with Chinese cultural meanings, or vice versa.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-english-name-post-56206\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chinese English Name Guide &amp; Cross-Cultural Tips<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Heritage &amp; Diaspora<\/strong><\/td><td>Practical tips for Chinese American families looking to balance bilingual naming traditions.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-american-names-post-52008\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chinese American Names: Bridging Two Cultures<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Historical &amp; Traditional<\/strong><\/td><td>Dive into poetic, classical, and dynasty-era naming conventions.<\/td><td>Ancient Chinese Names and Their Historical Origins (This)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Surnames &amp; Roots<\/strong><\/td><td>Learn about ancestral lineages and find the most common family names.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/top-40-most-common-chinese-last-names-and-meanings-post-38200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Most Common Chinese Last Names and Meanings<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nature-Inspired<\/strong><\/td><td>Discover beautiful, botanical-themed names and their symbolic values.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-flower-names-post-52381\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chinese Flower Names and Meanings<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Casual &amp; Endearment<\/strong><\/td><td>Understand how families and close friends use affectionate short names.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-nicknames-post-43117\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Guide to Cute Chinese Nicknames<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>For Pets<\/strong><\/td><td>Find lucky, cute, or traditional names for your feline friend.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/chinese-cat-names-post-52761\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creative Chinese Cat Names and Meanings<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faqs-about-ancient-chinese-names\"><\/span>FAQs about Ancient Chinese Names<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778207717357\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the oldest name in China?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The <strong>&#8220;Eight Great Surnames of Antiquity&#8221;<\/strong> (e.g., <strong>Ji \u59ec, Jiang \u59dc, Ying \u5b34<\/strong>). These date back over 4,000 years. Interestingly, they all contain the &#8220;woman&#8221; radical (<strong>\u5973<\/strong>), pointing to China\u2019s ancient matrilineal roots.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778207753500\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What was China&#8217;s ancient name?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Before &#8220;Zhongguo,&#8221; it was often called <strong>Huaxia (\u534e\u590f)<\/strong>, representing culture and etiquette, or <strong>Shenzhou (\u795e\u5dde)<\/strong>, meaning &#8220;The Divine Land.&#8221;<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778207782577\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the rarest Chinese name?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Surnames that are single numbers (like <strong>Yi \u4e00<\/strong>), directions, or &#8220;unlucky&#8221; words like <strong>Si (\u6b7b &#8211; Death)<\/strong> and <strong>Nan (\u96be &#8211; Difficult)<\/strong> are among the rarest today.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778207930330\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Who are the 4 legendary beauties of China?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">They are icons of beauty known by poetic phrases describing their effect on nature:<br\/><strong>Xi Shi (\u897f\u65bd):<\/strong> &#8220;Sinking Fish&#8221; (Fish forgot to swim).<br\/><strong>Wang Zhaojun (\u738b\u662d\u541b):<\/strong> &#8220;Falling Geese&#8221; (Geese forgot to fly).<br\/><strong>Diaochan (\u8c82\u8749):<\/strong> &#8220;Hiding the Moon&#8221; (The moon hid behind clouds).<br\/><strong>Yang Guifei (\u6768\u8d35\u5983):<\/strong> &#8220;Shaming Flowers&#8221; (Flowers withered in her presence).<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"retention-card-new\" data-lang=\"en\" data-subject=\"CHINESE\" data-btnName=\"Get started free!\" data-subTitle=\"Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!\">\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-l\">\r\n        <div class=\"trustpilot-image\"><\/div>\r\n        <h3><p>Learn <span>authentic Chinese<\/span> from those who live and breathe the culture.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"retention-card-button is-point\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/independent-appointment\/?subject=chinese&amp;l=d232a08b-51de-4a90-b301-47ad0f87f71a&amp;booking_triggerevent=BLOG_DETAIL_MODEL_CTA_BUTTON\" data-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u70b9\u51fb\" data-event=\"C_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" data-expose-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u66dd\u5149\" data-expose-event=\"D_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Get started free!\">\r\n            Get started free!\r\n        <\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-r\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"retention-card-new\" data-lang=\"en\" data-subject=\"CHINESE\" data-btnName=\"Get started free!\" data-subTitle=\"Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!\">\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-l\">\r\n        <div class=\"trustpilot-image\"><\/div>\r\n        <h3><p>Learn <span>authentic Chinese<\/span> from those who live and breathe the culture.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"retention-card-button is-point\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/independent-appointment\/?subject=chinese&amp;l=d232a08b-51de-4a90-b301-47ad0f87f71a&amp;booking_triggerevent=BLOG_DETAIL_MODEL_CTA_BUTTON\" data-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u70b9\u51fb\" data-event=\"C_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" data-expose-buttonname=\"\u7acb\u5373\u9884\u7ea6\u6309\u94ae\u66dd\u5149\" data-expose-event=\"D_Blog_BLOG_DETAIL_MIDDLE_CTA_BUTTON\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Get started free!\">\r\n            Get started free!\r\n        <\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"retention-card-r\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Structure of Ancient Chinese Names Unlike modern Western names, ancient Chinese names often had multiple layers. Understanding this structure helps explain historical texts and biographies. Main Components of a Traditional Name Component Chinese Term Meaning Surname \u59d3 (X\u00ecng) Family or clan name Given name \u540d (M\u00edng) Personal name given at birth Courtesy name \u5b57 (Z\u00ec) Name used in adulthood Art name \u53f7 (H\u00e0o) Literary or self-chosen name How They Worked Together Common Ancient Chinese Names and Their Meanings Popular Name Elements Chinese Character Pinyin Meaning Commonly Used In \u6587 W\u00e9n Literature, culture, and elegance; symbolizes learning, refinement, and cultural sophistication in scholarly or artistic pursuits. Boys&#8217; or girls&#8217; names \u6b66 W\u01d4 Military, courage, and force; represents strength, bravery, and&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":211806801,"featured_media":57185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[134691,135628],"tags":[137177],"class_list":["post-23308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chinese-learning","category-chinese-culture","tag-name-in-chinese"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>120+ Ancient Chinese Names and Meanings (Boys &amp; Girls)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unlock the ancient Chinese names, a gateway to history and culture. 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