100 Chinese Baby Names for Boys and Girls

In Chinese culture, parents have a great responsibility when they choose a name for their baby. The name must be harmonious and the characters must combine in such a way as to bring good luck and prosperity to their child. The characters that make up a person’s name have to be chosen carefully so that they complement each other and follow certain astrological rules.

Chinese names are usually made up of three characters. The family name is the first character, and the remaining two characters are the given name. Sometimes, especially in Mainland China, the given name is just one character. Most Chinese characters have a meaning that can be translated into English, but Chinese names are often not fully translatable.

Traditionally, parents would consult an astrologer to suggest a good name for their baby. Astrological charts determine which of the five elements (gold, wood, water, fire, and earth) are associated with the time of birth. The astrologer chooses a character that combines the elements and harmonizes with the family name. The number of strokes used to draw the Chinese characters is also considered before suggesting names for the child.

Chinese Names for Babies

An
Bo
Bowen
Fen
Juan
Kai
Mei
Meilin
Li
We

Popular Chinese Baby Names for Girls

Single-syllable names are often combined to create a complete concept. Many times the names can be used for both girls and boys.

Ai

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Love, affection or friendly, lush
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 爱, 蔼
Famous Namesakes: Singer Ai Carina Uemura
Peak Popularity: Ai is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Ai is also a popular given name in Japan, and the same character is used.

An

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Peace, quiet
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 安
Peak Popularity: An is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: An is also a Vietnamese given name, with a meaning of safe, secure. It is a common surname in China as well.

An Na

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Peace, quiet and elegant, graceful, delicate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 安納
Peak Popularity: An Na is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Two-syllable given names are common in China. The first syllable is the generation name (based on a generation poem), followed by a given name syllable.

An Ni

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Peace, quiet
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 安旎
Peak Popularity: An Ni has not been in the top 1000 in the U.S.

Bao

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Treasure or bud
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 宝, 苞
Peak Popularity: Bao has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Baozi are small buns with a treasure in the middle.

Bi

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Green jade
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 碧
Peak Popularity: Bi has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Bi is a common Chinese surname.

Caihong

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Colorful, rainbow
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 彩红
Peak Popularity: Cai and Caihong have not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Cai is a common Chinese surname, often Romanized as Chai.

Chun

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Spring season
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 春
Peak Popularity: Chun has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Fen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Perfume, fragrance
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Fēn 芬, Fang 芳, Fenfang
Famous Namesakes: Olympic badminton player Yao Fen, musician Min Xiaofen
Peak Popularity: Fen has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Hai Rong

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Coming from the seas, flourishing, prosperous
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 海榮
Peak Popularity: Hai Rong has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Hua

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Flower, blossom
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 花, Hualing
Peak Popularity: Hua has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Huan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Happy
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 欢, Kwan
Peak Popularity: Huan has not been in the top 1000 in the U.S.

Huang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Phoenix
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 凰, Wong, Hwang, Hwong
Peak Popularity: Huan has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Hui

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Intelligent, wise
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 慧
Famous Namesakes: Actress Zhang Huiwen
Peak Popularity: Hui has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Jìngyi

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Quiet, gentle, joy, harmony
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jìng Yì 靜義, 静怡
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Le Jingyi
Peak Popularity: Jingyi has not been in the top 1000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Jingyi is pronounced "cheeng-ee."

Ju

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Chrysanthemum
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 菊
Famous Namesakes: Olympic archer Choi Hyeon-ju
Peak Popularity: Ju has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Juan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful, graceful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 娟
Peak Popularity: Juan is among the top 200 names for boys in the U.S., reflecting the Spanish name for John rather than a Chinese name for girls. It is a very common female name in China.

Fun Fact: The pronunciation of the Chinese name Juan is "chyehn."

Kun

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Earth, female
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 坤
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Zhao Kun.
Peak Popularity: Kun has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Lan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Orchid, elegant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 兰
Peak Popularity: Lan has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Lei

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Bud
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 蕾
Peak Popularity: Lei has not been in the top 1000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: The Chinese name Lei is pronounced like the Hawaiian flower necklace lei, "lay."

Li

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 丽
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Lin Li.
Peak Popularity: Li has not been in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Fun Fact: The Chinese name Li is pronounced like the English name Lee.

Ling

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Spirit or bell
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 灵, 铃
Famous Namesakes: Olympic badminton champion Gao Ling
Peak Popularity: Ling has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Mei

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful or plum
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美, 梅
Famous Namesakes: Actress Mei Kurokawa
Peak Popularity: Mei has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Mei is often used as a name in manga series.

Mei-hui

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful and wise
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美惠
Peak Popularity: Mei-hui has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. It is a female name in Taiwan.

Meilin

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful forest
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美林
Famous Namesakes: Pop singer Meilin Gray
Peak Popularity: Meilin has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Meiling

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful spirit
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美灵, Mei-Ling, May-ling
Famous Namesakes: Author Meiling Jin, actress Meiling Melançon, First Lady Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek)
Peak Popularity: Meiling has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Na

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Elegant, delicate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 暖
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Wang Na
Peak Popularity: Na has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Ning

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Peaceful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 宁
Famous Namesakes: Taiwanese actress Ding Ning
Peak Popularity: Ning has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Nuan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Warm and genial
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 娜
Peak Popularity: Nuan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Qing

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Blue, green, young
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 青, 清
Famous Namesakes: Olympic figure skater Pang Qing
Peak Popularity: Qing has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Qing is pronounced "cheeng."

Qiuyue

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Autumn moon
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 秋月
Famous Namesakes: Olympic volleyball player Qei Qiuyue
Peak Popularity: Qiuyue has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Shu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Good, virtuous
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 淑
Peak Popularity: Shu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Shufen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Good fragrance
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 淑芬
Peak Popularity: Shufen has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Shu-hui

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Good intelligence
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 淑惠
Peak Popularity: Shu-hui has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Shun

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Obey, submit
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 顺
Peak Popularity: Shun has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Su

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Plain and simple, or respectful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 素, 肃
Peak Popularity: Su has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Wei

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Feminine forms mean small or fern
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 微, 薇
Famous Namesakes: Olympic badminton player Yang Wei
Peak Popularity: Wei has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Wei is pronounced like "way."

Xiu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Luxuriant, elegant, beautiful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 秀
Peak Popularity: Xiu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Xiu is pronounced "shyo" and it is often combined with other names for a two-syllable name.

Xiulan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful orchid
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 秀兰
Peak Popularity: Xiulan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Xiuying

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful flower or petal
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 秀英
Peak Popularity: Xiulan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Xue

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Snow or learning
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雪, 学
Famous Namesakes: Olympic figure skater Shen Xue
Peak Popularity: Xue has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Skater Shen Xue and her husband Zhao Hongbo were the first Chinese pair skating team to win awards such as the World Figure Skating Championship (2002) and a medal at the Olympic Games, including a gold medal in 2010.

Ya

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Elegant, graceful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雅
Peak Popularity: Ya has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Ya can be used in combination with many other single-syllable names.

Yan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Beautiful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 艳
Famous Namesakes: Chinese actress Chen Yanyan, sculptor Chen Yanyin
Peak Popularity: Yan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Ya-ting

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Elegant and graceful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雅婷
Famous Namesakes: Olympic archer Tan Ya-ting
Peak Popularity: Ya-ting has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Yawen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Graceful clouds
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雅雯
Famous Namesakes: Olympic badminton player Zhang Yawen
Peak Popularity: Yawen has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Yawen is an example of combining two single-syllable names.

Yi

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Feminine versions mean joy or ceremony
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 怡, 仪
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Tang Yi
Peak Popularity: Yi has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Yin

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Many meanings including silver, sound, and shelter
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 银, 音, 荫
Peak Popularity: Yin has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Yin is pronounced "een."

Yu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Many meanings including jade, pleasant, and rain
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 玉, 愉, 雨
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Yang Yu
Peak Popularity: Yu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Yun

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Cloud or allow
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 云, 允
Famous Namesakes: Olympic swimmer Nian Yun
Peak Popularity: Yun has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Zhen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Several meanings including precious, real, virtuous
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 珍, 真, 贞
Peak Popularity: Zhen has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Zhen is pronounced "chun."

Popular Chinese Baby Names for Boys

These given names are used singly and in combination. Many of them are also used for girls.

Aiguo

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Love of country
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 爱国
Famous Namesakes: Atmospheric scientist Aiguo Dai
Peak Popularity: Aiguo has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Bai

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Several meanings including white, pure, many, cypress tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 白, 百, 柏
Famous Namesakes: 8th-century poet Li Bai, Chinese communist spy Li Bai
Peak Popularity: Bai has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Bai is pronounced "pie."

Bo

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Ocean wave
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 波
Famous Namesakes: Blues musician Bo Diddley, athlete Bo Jackson
Peak Popularity: Bo has been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. since 1977, with a recent high at 537 in 2020.

Bowen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Abundant, rich, literate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 博文
Famous Namesakes: Chinese football player Huang Bowen
Peak Popularity: Bowen is a newly popular male name in the U.S., debuting in the top 1000 in 2011 and reaching 394 in 2020.

Chang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Several meanings including prosper, good, sunlight, smooth, long
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 昌, 畅, 长
Famous Namesakes: 10th-century emperor Liu Chang of the Southern Han dynasty.
Peak Popularity: Chang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Chao

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Surpass or tide
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 超, 潮
Peak Popularity: Chao has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Chen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Morning
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 晨, 辰
Famous Namesakes: Chinese actor Li Chen
Peak Popularity: Chen has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Cheng

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Finished or sincere
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 成, 诚
Peak Popularity: Cheng has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Chih-Cheng

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Accomplishing your life's goals
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 志成
Peak Popularity: Chih-cheng has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. However, it is a popular male name in Taiwan.

Chia-Hao

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Having a great objective in life
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 家豪
Famous Namesakes: Baseball player Sung Chia-hao
Peak Popularity: Chia-hao has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. However, it is a popular male name in Taiwan.

Chih-Ming

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Having a clear goal in life
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 志明
Famous Namesakes: Scientist Chih-Ming Ho
Peak Popularity: Chih-ming has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Chun-Chieh

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Spring, youthful, life
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 俊傑
Famous Namesakes: Scientist Chun-chieh Wu
Peak Popularity: Chun-chieh has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Da

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Attainment, intelligence, or great, big
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 达, 大
Famous Namesakes: First-century Emperor Zhang of Han (given name Da)
Peak Popularity: Da has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

De

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Virtue
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 德
Peak Popularity: De has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: De is often used in two-character names to add "virtue" to the meaning. For example, Delun (virtuous order), Deming (bright virtue), Dewei (most virtuous), and Deshi (virtuous man).

Dong

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: East, or pillar
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 东, 栋, Donghai (eastern sea)
Famous Namesakes: Olympic trampoline gymnast Dong Dong
Peak Popularity: Dong has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Feng

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Summit
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 东
Peak Popularity: Feng has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Fragrant, virtuous
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 芳, 方
Famous Namesakes: Chinese politician Wang Fang
Peak Popularity: Fang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Multiple, including wealthy, hibiscus, man or father.
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 富, 芙, 甫
Famous Namesakes: Eighth-century poet Du Fu
Peak Popularity: Fu has not been in the top 1000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Du Fu is known as the greatest Chinese poet, the equivalent of Shakespeare. He wrote during the Tang Dynasty. The Du Fu Thatched Cottage is a museum in his honor in Chengdu, China.

Gang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Strong
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 剛
Famous Namesakes: Mathematician Tian Gang
Peak Popularity: Gang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Guo

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Country
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 国
Peak Popularity: Guo has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Guo is used in combination names including Guozhi (ordered government), Guowei (preserving the government), and Guoliang (kind government).

Hai

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Sea
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 海
Famous Namesakes: Vietnamese poet Thanh Hải (pen name of Pham Ba Ngoan)
Peak Popularity: Hai has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Haoran

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Grand in manner
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 浩然 Hao-Ran, Hao Ran
Famous Namesakes: Writer Hao Ran (pen name of Liang Jinguang)
Peak Popularity: Haoran has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Hao-Yu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Grand house
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 浩宇
Peak Popularity: Hao-yu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

He

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: River or harmony
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 河, 和
Famous Namesakes: Explorer Zheng He, first-century Emperor He of Han
Peak Popularity: He has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Zheng He commanded a fleet of ships on treasure expeditions from 1405 to 1433.

Heng

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Constant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 恒
Famous Namesakes: 8th-century Emperor Zuzong of Tang (personal name Li Heng), 10th-century Emperor Zhenzong of Song (personal name Zhao Heng)
Peak Popularity: Heng has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Hong

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Multiple, including rainbow, expand, vast, wild swan
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 虹, 红, 弘, 鸿, 宏
Famous Namesakes: Second-century Emperor Houshao of Han (personal name Liu Hong)
Peak Popularity: Hong has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Jia

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Auspicious, home, family
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 佳, 家
Famous Namesakes: Chinese activist Hu Jia
Peak Popularity: Jia has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Jian

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Build, establish or strong, healthy
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 建, 健
Famous Namesakes: Sixth-century Emperor Wen of Sui (personal name Yang Jian), founder of the Sui Dynasty
Peak Popularity: Jian has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Jian is used in combination names such as Jianguo (building the country), Jianjun (building the army), and Jianyu (building the universe).

Jin

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Gold
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 金, Chin
Peak Popularity: Jin has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Jing

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Several meanings including quiet, spirit, crystal, capital city
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 静, 精, 晶, 京
Famous Namesakes: Mountaineer Xu Jing
Peak Popularity: Jian has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Xu Jing led the first ascent of the last unclimbed peak over 8,000 meters, Shisapangma, in 1964. This peak later claimed the life American climbers Alex Lowe and Dave Bridges.

Kai

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Victory or start
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 凯, 开, 開, 啟
Famous Namesakes: Olympic and World Champion gymnast Zou Kai
Peak Popularity: Kai has been in the top 1,000 boy names in the U.S. since 1979. It had a recent high of 93 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Kai is used as a name in many languages. In Chinese, the meaning of "start" has become a popular one.

Lin

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Forest
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 林, Lim
Peak Popularity: Lin has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Liang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Bright, brilliant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 亮
Peak Popularity: Liang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Ming

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Bright
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 明
Famous Namesakes: Architect I. M. Pei (Ieoh Ming Pei)
Peak Popularity: Ming has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Ping

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Stable, level
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 平
Famous Namesakes: Chinese-American Actor Ping Wu
Peak Popularity: Ping has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Qiang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Strong
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 强
Famous Namesakes: Martial artist Wang Qiang
Peak Popularity: Qiang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Qiu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Autumn, hill
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 秋, 丘
Famous Namesakes: Qiu is the given name of the fifth-century Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Peak Popularity: Qiu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Confucius was one of the most influential thinkers in world history. His philosophy was centered on strong family loyalty and the Golden Rule. It became the state-sanctioned system under the Han Dynasty.

Rong

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Multiple meanings include prosperous, glory, harmonize, and appearance
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 荣, 融, 容
Peak Popularity: Rong has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Shi

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Multiple including generation, honest, history, stone
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 时, 实, 史, 石
Famous Namesakes: Given name of first-century Emperor Yuan of Han and 13th-century Emperor Duanzong of Song
Peak Popularity: Shi has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Tao

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Large waves
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 涛
Famous Namesakes: Singer and actor Huang Zitao (stage name Z.Tao)
Peak Popularity: Tao has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Tao also means the way or path, and is given to the philosophical/religious tradition of Taoism.

Wei

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Greatness
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 伟
Famous Namesakes: Olympic gymnast Yang Wei, businessman Yang Weidong
Peak Popularity: Wei has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Wen

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Literate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 文
Famous Namesakes: Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen, nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee
Peak Popularity: Wen has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Wu

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Military
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 武, Woo
Famous Namesakes: Actor Yung Woo Kwang (Woo on "Survivor")
Peak Popularity: Wu has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Xiang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Soaring like a bird or good luck
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 翔 (soar), 祥 (good luck)
Famous Namesakes: First-century Chinese scholar and poet Liu Xiang
Peak Popularity: Xiang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Xiang may also be a female name, especially using the symbol 香 and meaning of fragrant.

Yang

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Ocean or sunny, male
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 洋, 阳
Famous Namesakes: Actor Yang Yang
Peak Popularity: Yang has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: In addition to being both a given name and family name in China, yang is also one of the two polarities in Chinese philosophy. Yang is the active principle, ascribed being sunny and male.

Ying

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Brave
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 英, Yong
Famous Namesakes: Soccer player Lee Yong
Peak Popularity: Ying has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Yuze

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Rain or friend, pool or brilliance
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雨泽
Famous Namesakes: Soccer player Lee Yong
Peak Popularity: Yuze has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Yuxuan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: High house
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 宇轩
Peak Popularity: Yuxuan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Zihan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Child, tolerate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 子涵
Famous Namesakes: Filmmaker Loo Zihan
Peak Popularity: Zihan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Zixuan

Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Child, high
Alternative Spellings & Variations: 子轩
Peak Popularity: Zixuan has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

2 Sources

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