120+ Ancient Chinese Names and Meanings (Female/Male/Boys/Girls)
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 | 姓 (Xìng) | Family or clan name |
| Given name | 名 (Míng) | Personal name given at birth |
| Courtesy name | 字 (Zì) | Name used in adulthood |
| Art name | 号 (Hào) | Literary or self-chosen name |
How They Worked Together
- Children were called by their given name.
- As adults, especially scholars, they were addressed by their courtesy name.
- Writers and artists often used a hao as a pen name.
Common Ancient Chinese Names and Their Meanings
Popular Name Elements
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Commonly Used In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 文 | Wén | Literature, culture, and elegance; symbolizes learning, refinement, and cultural sophistication in scholarly or artistic pursuits. | Boys’ or girls’ names |
| 武 | Wǔ | Military, courage, and force; represents strength, bravery, and martial prowess for protection and resilience. | Boys’ names |
| 玉 | Yù | Jade, purity, and preciousness; denotes beauty, flawlessness, and value like esteemed jade, signifying integrity and grace. | Girls’ names |
| 德 | Dé | Morality, virtue, and character; embodies ethical principles, kindness, and moral excellence for leadership and benevolence. | Boys’ names |
| 淑 | Shū | Kindness, clarity, and virtuousness; conveys gentleness, purity of heart, and ladylike demeanor in traditional femininity and wisdom. | Girls’ names |
| 英 | Yīng | Flower and outstanding talent; suggests heroism, brilliance, and floral beauty for exceptional abilities or vibrant spirit. | Boys’ or girls’ names |
| 志 | Zhì | Aspiration, determination, and record; reflects ambition, willpower, and purpose for a focused, goal-oriented life. | Boys’ names |
| 兰 | Lán | Orchid, elegance, and nobility; symbolizes grace, fragrance, and high moral standing from the orchid’s refined beauty in poetry. | Girls’ names |
| 明 | Míng | Brightness and wisdom; implies clarity, intelligence, and enlightenment linked to foresight and moral insight. | Boys’ or girls’ names |
| 安 | Ān | Peace and stability; represents tranquility, security, and contentment for calm, harmonious living. | Boys’ or girls’ names |
| 华 | Huá | Splendid and flourishing; denotes magnificence, prosperity, and Chinese heritage for grandeur and cultural pride. | Boys’ or girls’ names |
| 伟 | Wěi | Great and magnificent; conveys grandeur, achievement, and extraordinary qualities to inspire admiration and success. | Boys’ names |
| 美 | Měi | Beautiful and fine; embodies aesthetic appeal, goodness, and perfection tied to inner and outer harmony. | Girls’ names |
| 强 | Qiáng | Strong and powerful; suggests vigor, resilience, and capability for physical and mental fortitude. | Boys’ names |
| 丽 | Lì | Beautiful and lovely; implies elegance, charm, and radiance for visual splendor and attractiveness. | Girls’ names |
These characters were chosen to express family hopes for the child’s 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.
For example, the Yongle Emperor, whose personal name was Zhu Di, ordered the construction of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing in 1420, showing how imperial names, reign titles, and historical monuments are closely connected in Chinese history.
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Male names in ancient China often emphasized strength, responsibility, and moral character.
| Chinese Name | Pinyin | Meaning & Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 孔明 | Kǒng Míng | Courtesy name of legendary Three Kingdoms strategist Zhuge Liang, from Records of the Three Kingdoms. It means “infinitely wise and bright”. |
| 玄德 | Xuán Dé | Courtesy name of Liu Bei, Emperor of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. It means “profound great virtue”. |
| 云长 | Yún Cháng | Courtesy name of Guan Yu, China’s revered Martial Saint from the Three Kingdoms period. It means “boundless as the cloud”. |
| 宝玉 | Bǎo Yù | Core male protagonist of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. It means “treasured jade”. |
| 太白 | Tài Bái | Courtesy name of Li Bai, the legendary “Poet Immortal” of the Tang Dynasty. It means “supreme purity and brightness”. |
| 子瞻 | Zǐ Zhān | Courtesy name of Su Shi (Su Dongpo), the greatest literary giant of the Song Dynasty. It means “far-sighted gentleman”. |
| 屈原 | Qū Yuán | Great patriotic poet and founder of Chinese romantic literature, from the Warring States period. It means “upright and true to origin”. |
| 仲尼 | Zhòng Ní | Courtesy name of Confucius, China’s greatest philosopher and educator. It means “enlightened gentleman”. |
| 子长 | Zǐ Cháng | Courtesy name of Sima Qian, the “Saint of Historiography” who wrote Records of the Grand Historian. It means “ambitious far-sighted gentleman”. |
| 子房 | Zǐ Fáng | Courtesy name of Zhang Liang, the “Saint of Strategists” of the early Han Dynasty. It means “virtuous gentleman like fine jade”. |
| 孟德 | Mèng Dé | Courtesy name of Cao Cao, legendary politician and poet of the Three Kingdoms period. It means “noble gentleman’s virtue”. |
| 公瑾 | Gōng Jǐn | Courtesy name of Zhou Yu, famous Eastern Wu general of the Three Kingdoms period. It means “perfect fine jade”. |
| 仲谋 | Zhòng Móu | Courtesy name of Sun Quan, founding emperor of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period. It means “resourceful far-sighted gentleman”. |
| 渊明 | Yuān Míng | Founder of China’s pastoral poetry school, famous Eastern Jin Dynasty poet. It means “clear and bright heart”. |
| 逸少 | Yì Shào | Courtesy name of Wang Xizhi, China’s “Saint of Calligraphy” from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It means “extraordinary outstanding talent”. |
| 子美 | Zǐ Měi | Courtesy name of Du Fu, the “Poet Sage” of the Tang Dynasty. It means “perfect gentleman’s virtue”. |
| 幼安 | Yòu Ān | Courtesy name of Xin Qiji, greatest bold unconstrained poet and patriotic general of the Southern Song Dynasty. It means “peaceful original heart”. |
| 务观 | Wù Guān | Courtesy name of Lu You, most productive patriotic poet in Chinese history, from the Southern Song Dynasty. It means “pragmatic far-sighted”. |
| 退之 | Tuì Zhī | Courtesy name of Han Yu, head of the Eight Great Prose Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties. It means “modest prudent gentleman”. |
| 永叔 | Yǒng Shū | Courtesy name of Ouyang Xiu, literary leader of the Northern Song Dynasty. It means “gentleman who keeps his original heart”. |
| 介甫 | Jiè Fǔ | Courtesy name of Wang Anshi, famous reformer and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty. It means “upright far-sighted gentleman”. |
| 奉孝 | Fèng Xiào | Courtesy name of Guo Jia, top genius strategist under Cao Cao in the Three Kingdoms period. It means “abide by filial piety and virtue”. |
| 凤雏 | Fèng Chú | Art name of Pang Tong, famous top strategist of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. It means “young phoenix”. |
| 行者 | Xíng Zhě | Art name of Sun Wukong, core protagonist of the classic myth novel Journey to the West. It means “practitioner”. |
| 玄奘 | Xuán Zàng | Legendary Tang Dynasty eminent monk, prototype of Tang Monk in Journey to the West. It means “profound Buddhist dharma”. |
| 雪芹 | Xuě Qín | The author of the classic novel A Dream of the Red Manshions. It means “as pure as snow and as elegant as celery”. |
| 公明 | Gōng Míng | Courtesy name of Song Jiang, core protagonist of the classic novel Water Margin. It means “fair and bright”. |
These ancient Chinese names 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.
Ancient Chinese Names for Girls and Meanings
Female names often focused on grace, beauty, virtue, and harmony with nature.
| Chinese Name | Pinyin | Meaning & Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 蓁蓁 | Zhēn Zhēn | From The Book of Songs, China’s earliest poetry anthology. It means “lush thriving plants”, symbolizing vitality and hope. |
| 静姝 | Jìng Shū | From The Book of Songs, the core classic of Chinese poetry. It means “quiet and beautiful lady”. |
| 黛玉 | Dài Yù | The iconic heroine of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. It means “indigo jade”, symbolizing stunning beauty and noble purity. |
| 宝钗 | Bǎo Chāi | The core heroine of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. It means “treasured hairpin”, symbolizing dignified elegance and wise virtue. |
| 文姬 | Wén Jī | Legendary talented female scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty, recorded in Book of the Later Han. It means “literary lady”, symbolizing extraordinary talent and fortitude. |
| 清照 | Qīng Zhào | The most renowned female poet in Chinese history, from the Song Dynasty. It means “clear radiance”, symbolizing pure nobility and unparalleled literary talent. |
| 昭君 | Zhāo Jūn | One of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China, recorded in Book of Han. It means “bright illustrious lady”, symbolizing noble righteousness and stunning grace. |
| 若兰 | Ruò Lán | Classic noble female name from The Ballad of Mulan and Book of Jin. It means “as graceful as an orchid”, symbolizing refined virtue and elegant demeanor. |
| 班昭 | Bān Zhāo | China’s first female imperial historian, who completed Book of Han in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It means “bright virtue”, symbolizing profound erudition and rigorous scholarship. |
| 文君 | Wén Jūn | Legendary talented woman of the Western Han Dynasty, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian. It means “literary lady”. |
| 木兰 | Mù Lán | Legendary patriotic heroine of the classic Northern Dynasty poem The Ballad of Mulan. It means “magnolia flower”, symbolizing unwavering courage and loyal filial piety. |
| 莺莺 | Yīng Yīng | Heroine of the classic Yuan Dynasty drama Romance of the Western Chamber. It means “oriole”, symbolizing charming beauty and brave pursuit of true love. |
| 丽娘 | Lì Niáng | Heroine of the classic Ming Dynasty drama The Peony Pavilion. It means “beautiful lady”. |
| 道韫 | Dào Yùn | Famous talented woman of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, recorded in A New Account of the Tales of the World. It means “intelligent profundity”. |
| 婉君 | Wǎn Jūn | Classic noble female name from The Book of Songs. It means “gentle lady”. |
| 舒窈 | Shū Yǎo | Classic poetic name from The Book of Songs. It means “graceful and quiet”, symbolizing elegant posture and demure temperament. |
| 琼华 | Qióng Huá | Classic imperial noble female name from The Book of Songs. It means “brilliant jade”, symbolizing noble status and pure gentle character. |
| 令仪 | Lìng Yí | Classic prestigious family female name from The Book of Songs. It means “noble demeanor”. |
| 惠然 | Huì Rán | Classic scholarly family female name from The Book of Songs. It means “gentle kindness”, symbolizing a warm heart and elegant easy-going temperament. |
| 清婉 | Qīng Wǎn | Classic noble female name from The Book of Songs and A New Account of the Tales of the World. It means “pure and gentle”. |
| 幼薇 | Yòu Wēi | Courtesy name of famous Tang Dynasty female poet Yu Xuanji. It means “tender fresh herb”, symbolizing agile character and elegant poetic talent. |
| 易安 | Yì Ān | Art name of Song Dynasty female poet Li Qingzhao, from Tao Yuanming’s classic prose. It means “peaceful contentment”. |
| 采苹 | Cǎi Píng | Classic 2000-year-old female name from The Book of Songs. It means “picking duckweed”. |
| 思齐 | Sī Qí | Classic scholarly family female name from The Analects of Confucius. It means “striving for virtue”. |
| 小宛 | Xiǎo Wǎn | Name of famous late Ming talented woman Dong Xiaowan, from The Book of Songs. It means “gentle and graceful”. |
| 如是 | Rú Shì | Name of famous late Ming patriotic talented woman Liu Rushi, from the Diamond Sutra. It means “thusness”. |
These names reflect how ancient Chinese names 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.
Dive Deeper into Chinese Naming Traditions
Explore our complete collection of guides to find the perfect name for any occasion. From traditional choices to modern blends, discover the rich culture behind Chinese names!
If you have children aged 3-18 who want to learn Chinese systematically and explore the cultural stories behind these names, Wukong Chinese offers professional online courses that help kids master the language while falling in love with Chinese culture.
| Ideal For | Featured Guide |
| Finding authentic given names | Chinese Girl Names • Chinese Boy Names |
| Balancing heritage & identity | Chinese American Names • Chinese English Name |
| Exploring roots & surnames | Ancient Chinese Names (this) • Chinese Last Names |
| Pets, nature & personal creation | Chinese Cat Names • Chinese Flower Names |
| Creating names & everyday use | How to Make a Chinese Name • Chinese Nicknames |
FAQs about Ancient Chinese Names
The “Eight Great Surnames of Antiquity” (e.g., Ji 姬, Jiang 姜, Ying 嬴). These date back over 4,000 years. Interestingly, they all contain the “woman” radical (女), pointing to China’s ancient matrilineal roots.
Before “Zhongguo,” it was often called Huaxia (华夏), representing culture and etiquette, or Shenzhou (神州), meaning “The Divine Land.”
Surnames that are single numbers (like Yi 一), directions, or “unlucky” words like Si (死 – Death) and Nan (难 – Difficult) are among the rarest today.
They are icons of beauty known by poetic phrases describing their effect on nature:
Xi Shi (西施): “Sinking Fish” (Fish forgot to swim).
Wang Zhaojun (王昭君): “Falling Geese” (Geese forgot to fly).
Diaochan (貂蝉): “Hiding the Moon” (The moon hid behind clouds).
Yang Guifei (杨贵妃): “Shaming Flowers” (Flowers withered in her presence).
Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
Get started free!Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
Get started free!
Bella holds a Master’s degree from Yangzhou University and brings 10 years of extensive experience in K-12 Chinese language teaching and research. A published scholar, she has contributed over 10 papers to the field of language and literature. Currently, Bella leads the research and development of WuKong Chinese core courses, where she prioritizes academic rigor alongside student engagement and cognitive development. She is dedicated to building a robust foundation for young learners covering phonetics (Pinyin), characters, idioms, and classical culture while ensuring that advanced courses empower students with comprehensive linguistic mastery and cultural insight.
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