Chinese Name Generator

Discover thousands of authentic Chinese names

China is the only country in the world with a population of more than 1 billion people. The vast majority of the people live in urban areas which makes China's cities among the largest and most populated on Earth.

China has been a global power for centuries. It was at one point one of the most powerful civilizations on Earth. However, it lost its status after being weakened by domestic turmoil and foreign invasions since the 1840s. The industrialization, economic development, and social reforms that have taken place since 1978 have put China back on top as one of the leading countries in the world today.

How do Chinese parents choose names for their children?

When it comes to naming children, Chinese parents are often very strict and want to choose a name that is in accordance with their child’s zodiac. One common tradition is to base the person’s name on the zodiac animal that corresponds to their birth year.

The role of zodiac animals in Chinese names

The zodiac animals are a significant part of Chinese culture. Every year, the people of China celebrate their birthdays according to the animal signs assigned to them. In ancient China, it was not just their birthday that was celebrated but also their other anniversaries like weddings and funerals.

The zodiac animals often determined the job one could have in ancient China because each animal has its own associated profession. For instance, those who were born in the year of the sheep were often farmers while those who were born in the year of the horse became soldiers or warriors.

Today, many Chinese assign their children with zodiac animals because they believe it will bring them good fortune and luck.

What Chinese names appear the most often?

China has a long history of names, but in recent years, the naming system has become more diverse.

A 2013 study by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs found that the most popular names in China are Wang (王), Zhang (张) and Liu (刘). These three names account for about one out of every five people in China.

A brief history of China

China has a long and complicated history that dates back thousands of years to the earliest dynasty that is known, the Xia dynasty. China has developed a rich culture and powerful economy throughout its long and turbulent history, influencing not only its region but the entire world. The Xia dynasty is the oldest dynasty that has been officially recorded, dating back to the 21st century BC. The semi-mythological dynastic period marked the beginning of Chinese culture and history, which included the use of a writing system that would last for more than three thousand years. The Shang dynasty, which began in 1600 BC, followed this era. This dynasty marked a significant transition from the largely semi-nomadic lifestyle of previous centuries to a more organized, urbanized state with a complex culture that included written literature and a well-established political system based on a royal court's clearly defined authority. The Zhou dynasty (1045-256 BC), the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC), and the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) all came and went over the next two thousand years, leaving behind an increasing number of records and artifacts to document their reigns. The Chinese writing system greatly expanded in complexity and usage during these dynasties, which also saw advancements in science and technology. During this time, the cast-iron plow and horse collar, two essential innovations for increasing agricultural productivity, were also developed. The Six Dynasties Era covers the years 220-581 AD. China was divided into a number of distinct states at this time, each with its own government, culture, and economy. Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism emerged as major religions during this peaceful period, which was celebrated for its cultural, religious, and artistic advancements. The Sui period, which lasted from 581-618 AD, was a time of reunification. It had a strong, centralized government and a large program of public works, like building the Grand Canal, which helped trade grow a lot. Due to its impressive military successes and advancements in the arts, religion, and sciences, the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) was regarded as one of China's greatest periods. The Five Dynasties (907-960 AD) and the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD) would come after this. China would use paper money for the first time, as well as gunpowder, during this time. It also reached its cultural and artistic pinnacle with the creation of the first novels and monumental paintings. The Mongolian emperors Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan would establish the Mongolian Yuan dynasty between 1279 and 1368 AD. China was able to expand its economy and culture both domestically and internationally thanks to the Mongols' shrewd and tolerant rule, despite their nomadic warrior culture. The Ming dynasty, which ruled China from 1368 to 1644 AD, brought about significant technological advancements, artistic development, and the creation of the imperial examinations, a civil service system that would have a lasting impact on China. The Manchus invaded and conquered the majority of Chinese territories between the 16th and 17th centuries during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 AD). However, despite this colonial relic, Chinese culture remained robust and resilient, advancing significantly in fields such as politics, philosophy, medicine, and the arts. When a small group of reformers toppled China's Qing dynasty rulers at the end of the 19th century, the modern era of Chinese history began. China has rapidly transformed itself from a predominantly rural, backward agrarian society to a global economic superpower and hub for investment and innovation since then. In conclusion, China has a long and varied history that dates back thousands of years. Chinese culture has remained resilient and ever-expanding, influencing the entire world, from the Xia dynasty all the way through the modernization reforms at the end of the 19th century and beyond.

5 questions to help you come up with Chinese names

1. What Chinese characters are meaningful to you?
2. Do you prefer traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, or a combination of both?
3. Do you want a unisex name?
4. What is the intended character of the individual or entity that will use the name?
5. Do you want to incorporate any other cultures’ elements into the Chinese name?

Can I use the random Chinese names that this tool creates?

Yes you can. The Story Shack claims no copyright on any of these names, but it is of course possible that some of the values this name generator provides are already owned by anyone else, so please make sure to always do your due diligence.

How many ideas can I generate with this Chinese Name Generator?

The Chinese Name Generator can generate thousands of ideas for your project, so feel free to keep clicking and at the end use the handy copy feature to export your Chinese names to a text editor of your choice. Enjoy!

What are good Chinese names?

There's thousands of random Chinese names in this generator. Here are some samples to start:

More on Chinese names across the web

Can't get enough of generating Chinese names? Then continue exploring:

• reedsy.com
• mandarintools.com
• getrealchinesename.com