other names list

Quechua

Iñakapalla Kukuli Nina Chaska Valicha

Urpi (Dove)
Illary (Rainbow)
Tica (Flower)
Saywa
Killa
K’antu (the national flower of Peru) Chaska

Period Chinese

https://web.archive.org/web/20160421190042/https://www.ida.net/users/valerie_lee/Octofoil/ChineseNames/

Historical Feminine Chinese Names with Their Native Characters

translation

bearer as identified in source

dates

ref.

notes

昭

Chao¹

Zhao¹

Chiu¹

ming

Luminous, Illustrious

Pan Chao, historian & authoress

1st C

Giles, sn. Pan Chao

昭

Chao¹

Zhao¹

Chiu¹

ming

Luminous, Illustrious

Wu Chao, (Empress Wu)

625-705

Giles, sn. Wu Hou

昭齊

Chao¹ Ch'i²

Zhao¹ Qi²

Chiu¹ Chai4

tzŭ

Light of Ch'i, Bright Harmony

Yeh Wan-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

1610-1633

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

Ch'i is a surname, but if the surname is meant here, tzŭ meaning is probably tied to family or personal history. This tzŭ is a near homonym with the word 朝氣 zhao¹ qi4 meaning vital/dynamic, which might have influenced the name

昭君

Chao¹ Chun¹

Zhao¹ Jun¹

Chiu¹ Gwan¹

Luminous Lady

Wang Ch'iang

1st C BCE

Giles, sn. Wang Ch'iang

Wang Ch'iang is more commonly known as Chao Chün

朝雲

Chao¹ Yün²

Zhao¹ Yun²

Jiu¹ Wan4

Morning Clouds, Dawn Clouds

Chao Yün, mistress of poet Su Tung P'o

11th C

Giles, sn. Chao Yün and Su Shih

朝雲

Chao¹ Yün²

Zhao¹ Yun²

Jiu¹ Wan4

Morning Clouds, Dawn Clouds

Chao Yün, a waiting woman

undated

Giles, Chao Yün

in context, this woman probably lived in BCE

趙璧

Chao4 Pi4

Zhao4 Bi4

Jiu6 Bik¹

tzŭ

Chao Jade

Chu Te-jung, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1650

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

Name might be based on ancient story in which a jade object is stolen from a possibly fictional country Chao

貞姜

Chên¹ Chiang¹

Zhen¹ Jiang¹

Jing¹ Geung¹

Persevering Chiang

Chên Chiang, wife of Prince Chao of the Ch'u state

5th C BCE

Giles, sn. Chên Chiang

Chiang is the bearer's family name. The woman is legendary, but the legend is based on a real woman.

七襄

Ch'i Hsiang¹

Qi¹ Xiang¹

Chat¹ Seung¹

tzŭ

Seven Assists

Shen T'ien-sun, daughter-in-law of T'u Lung

16th C

G&F;, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung

No reason is identified for this unusual name. It might be based on a line from poetry that has special meaning to family, or on a notable family event.

金蓮

Chin¹ Lien²

Jin¹ Lian²

Gam¹ Lin4

Gold/Golden Lotus

Cheng Chin-lien, a palace maid

c 1491

G&F;, pp 376, 379 sn. Chu Yu-t'ang

Bearer was rumored mother of Emperor Chu Yu-t'ang's eldest son (making the heir illegitimate)

金鑾

Chin¹ Luan²

Jin¹ Luan²

Gam¹ Lyun4

Golden Bells

Golden Bells, daughter of poet Po Chü-i

8th-9th C

Giles, sn. Po Chü-i

清照

Ch'ing¹ Chao4

Qing¹ Zhao4

Ching¹ Jiu³

Clear Reflection, Pure Light

Li Qingzhao, poetess

1084-1147

G&F;, p. 668b sn. Huang O; “Poetry & Ci, ” sn. Li Qingzhao; Levine, sn. Li Qingzhao

情

Ch'ing²

Qing²

Ching4

Love, Grace

Chang Ch'ing, a man who had a feminine name

16th C

G&F;, p. 51 sn. Chang Ch'ou

The biographical sketch explains the name is feminine and that the bearer had it to honor a family patron

景蘭

Ching³ Lan²

Jing³ Lan²

Ging² Laan4

ming

Beautiful Orchid

Shan Ching-lan, wife of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

1605-1676+

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

瓊章

Ch'iung² Chang¹

Qiong² Chang¹

King4 Jeung¹

tzŭ

Jade Elegance

Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

1616-1633

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

瓊英

Ch'iung² Ying¹

Qiong² Ying¹

King4 Ying¹

ming

Jade Flower, Precious Flower

Yu Ch'iung-ying, daughter of Yu Ch'ien

15th C

G&F;, p. 1611b sn. Yu Ch'ien

楚孃

Ch'u³ Niang²

Chu³ Niang²

Cho² Neung4

tzŭ

Clear Lady

Chang Te-hui, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1650

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

春節

Ch'un¹ Chieh²

Chun¹ Jie²

Cheun¹ Jit³

ming

Spring Festival

Hsuan Ch'un-chieh, daughter of Hsuan Ni

15th C

G&F;, p. 616b sn. Hsuan Ni

The Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year celebration. No reason is identified for this apparently unusual name.

蘩

Fan²

Faan4

Artemisia

Lu Fan, first wife of Na-khi king Mu Tseng

16th-17th C

G&F;, p. 1077b sn. Mu Tseng

The name refers to a particular species of Artemisia (a plant). Mu Tseng was Turkic. Apparently his first wife was Chinese, or was given a fully Chinese name.

飛燕

Fei¹ Yen4

Fei¹ Yan4

Fei¹ Yin¹

tzŭ

Flying Swallow

Chao Fei-yen [Zhao Feiyan], dancing girl

d 6 BCE or 1 AD

Giles, sn. Chao Fei-yen; Foster, sn. Zhao Feiyan

Bearer eventually became Emperor’s favorite concubine

鳳姐

Feng² Chieh³

Feng² Jie³

Fung6 Je²

Phoenix Maiden

Fung-chieh

16th C

Chou, p. 117

佛母

Fo² Mu³

Fat¹ Mou5

pseu-donym

Buddha Mother

T'ang Sai-er

fl 1420

G&F;, p. 1251b sn. T'ang Sai-er

T'ang Sai-er called herself Fo-mu while leading a peasant rebellion. Pseudonym might be related to the Buddha Mother Temple

佛女

Fo² Nü3

Fat¹ Neui5

Buddha Girl/Woman, Merciful Woman

Chu Fo-nü, second sister of Chu Yuan-chang

1317-1352

G&F;, p. 881b Li Wen-chung

敷

Fu¹

Apply

Lo Fu, a faithful wife

Han Dynasty (3rd C BCE - 3rd C)

Giles, sn. Lo Fu

Normally a masculine name

合德

Ho² Tê²

Ho² De²

Hap6 Dak¹

tzŭ

Gathers Goodness

Ho-tê, Chao Fei-yen’s sister

1st C BCE

Giles, sn. Chao Fei-yen; Foster, sn. Zhao Feiyan

Apparently an unusual name

湘君

Hsiang¹ Chun¹

Xiang¹ Jun¹

Seung¹ Gwan¹

tzŭ

River Lady

Hsiang Chun, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1606

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

湘靈

Hsiang¹ Ling²

Xiang¹ Ling²

Seung¹ Ling4

tzŭ

River Spirit

T'u Yao-se, daughter of T'u Lung

d before 1605

G&F;, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung

蕭淑

Hsiao¹ Shu4

Xiao¹ Shu4

Siu¹

Reverent & Virtuous

Hsiao Shu, concubine of emperor Li Chih

7th C

Giles, sn. Wu Hou

Name might have been given because it is homophonic with typical Empress names

小小

Hsiao³ Hsiao³

Xiao³ Xiao³

Siu² Siu²

Small

Su Hsiao-hsiao, courtesan

11th C

Giles, sn. Su Hsiao-hsiao

小鸞

Hsiao³ Luan²

Xiao³ Luan²

Siu² Lyun4

ming

Little [Argus] Pheasant

Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

1616-1633

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

小紈

Hsiao³ Wan²

Xiao³ Wan²

Siu² Yun4

ming

Young Wan

Yeh Hsiao-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

b 1613

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

Bearer's older sister's name was 紈紈 Wan² Wan²

小蠻

Hsiao³ Man²

Xiao³ Man²

Siu² Maan4

Very Small, Little Barbarian

Hsiao Man, a concubine of Po Chü-i

8th-9th C

Giles, sn. Hsiao Man and Po Chü-i

小 Hsiao³ is not listed as a surname in any of this author's sources

小娥

Hsiao³ O²

Xiao³ E²

Siu² Ngo4

Diminutive Beauty

Hsieh Hsiao-o

8th-9th C

Giles, sn. Hsieh Hsiao-o

Bearer was famous for avenging her father’s death

修嫣

Hsiu¹ Yen¹

Xiu¹ Yan¹

Sau¹ Yin¹

tzŭ

Cultivates Charm

Ch'i Te-ch'iung, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1606, d 1662

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

秀眉

Hsiu4 Mei²

Xiu4 Mei²

Sau³ Mei4

tzŭ

Elegant Eyebrows

Huang O, poetess wife of scholar-official Yang Shen

1498-1569

G&F;, pp. 667-669 sn. Huang O

Elaborate, painted eyebrows were a lasting fashion in period China.

秀英

Hsiu4 Ying¹

Xiu4 Ying¹

Sau³ Ying¹

Elegant Flower, Luxurious Flower

Hsiu Ying, daughter of Ting I

4th-5th C

Giles, sn. Ts'ai Luan

Ting I was reputed to be a witch. (Chinese people believed in witches, but, unlike Europeans, did not necessarily believe all witches were evil.)

花蕊

Hua¹ Jui³

Hua¹ Rui³

Fa¹ Yeui5

?hao

Flower Bud, Flower Heart

Lady Fei; concubine of Mêng Ch'ang

10th C

Giles, sn. Hua Jui Fu-jen

Hua Jui Fu-jen was a name given to Lady Fei

蕙

Hui4

Wai6

ming

Orchid

Su Hui, who was banished & separated from her husband

4th C

Giles, sn. Su Hui

This name refers to a specific type of marsh orchid.

恵

Hui4

Wai6

Kind, Gracious, Docile

Hsü Hui, concubine of emperor T'ai Tsung

7th C

Giles, sn. Hsü Hui

T'ang T'ai Tsung reigned 627-649

惠姬

Hui4 Chi¹

Hui4 Ji¹

Wai6 Gei¹

tzŭ

Gracious Chi, Obedient Chi, Kind Chi

Pan Chao, historian, author, & a teacher & lady-in-waiting to Empress

1st C

Giles, sn. Pan Chao

2nd character is 1st Emperor’s family name. This personal name apparently indicates she was held in high favor. Emperor, & his family’s power, were long dead by then, although he was still worshipped. His acts do not warrant these descriptors, but they are appropriate for a woman

紅拂

Hung² Fu4

Hong² Fu4

Hung4 Fat¹

tzŭ

Red Flicker

Hung Fu, honorary sister of Chang Chung-chien

7th C

Giles, sn. Hung Fu and Chang Chung-chien

Named Red Flicker for a dyed yak's tail she always carried/wore

紅紅

Hung² Hung²

Hong² Hong²

Hung4 Hung4

Red

Chang Hung-hung, concubine of Wei Ch'ing & musical genius

9th C

Giles, sn. Chang Hung-hung

儀

I²

Yi²

Yi4

ming

Polite

Wang I, daughter of Wang Ao

1467-1517

G&F;, p. 1347b sn. Wang Ao

宜修

I² Hsiu¹

Yi² Xiu¹

Yi4 Sau¹

ming

Suitable Study

Shen I-hsiu, poet & wife of Yeh Shao-yuan

1590-1635

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

Name apparently refers to her scholarship.

意

Yi4

Yi³

Thought-fullness, Thoughtful

Chang I, a man who had a feminine name

16th C

G&F;, p. 51 sn. Chang Ch'ou

The biographical sketch explains the name is feminine and that the bearer had it to honor a family patron

若昭

Jo4 Chao¹

Ruo4 Zhao¹

Yeuk6 Chiu¹

Bright Light, Like a Bright Light

Sung Jo-chao, scholar & authoress

d 825

Giles, sn. Sung Jo-chao

1 of 5 clever sisters. The other 4 became imperial concubines

若蘭

Jo4 Lan²

Ruo4 Lan²

Yeuk6 Laan4

tzŭ

Orchid, Like an Orchid

Su Hui, who was banished & separated from her husband

4th C

Giles, sn. Su Hui

光

Kuang¹

Guang¹

Gwong¹

ming

Light, Glory

Mêng Kuang, wife of Liang Huang

1st C or 10th C

Giles, sn. Mêng Kuang & Liang Hung; Foster, sn. Meng Guang

Same person, discrepant dates (Han vs. Later Han dynasty)

桂

Kuei4

Gui4

Gwai³

ming

Cinnamon

religious lady Wang Tao-chen

1558-1580

G&F;, pp. 1425-1427 sn. Wang Tao-chen

Kuei was childhood name of religious lady Wang Tao-chen

蘭

Lan²

Laan4

ming

Orchid, Graceful

Mu Lan, a favorite concubine of the Prince of Yueh

5th C

Giles, sn. Mu Lan

裏綢

Li³ Ch'ou²

Li³ Chou²

Leui5 Chau4

tzŭ

Inner Silk

Yeh Hsiao-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

b 1613

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

Apparently an unusual name, for which the translation is uncertain.

麗娟

Li4 Chüan¹

Li4 Juan¹

Leui Gyun¹

Graceful & Elegant, Graceful, Elegant

Li Chüan, a favorite concubine of Emperor Wu Ti of Han Dynasty

2nd C BCE

Giles, sn. Li Chüan

麗華

Li4 Hua²

Leui Wa4

ming

Elegant Flower, Graceful Flower

Chang Kuei-fei

6th C

Giles, sn. Chang Li-hua

Chang Li-hua was adult personal name of Chang Kuei-fei

祿珠

Lü4 Chu¹

Lu4 Zhu¹

Luk6 Jyu¹

Green Pearl, Green Jewel

Lü Chu or Green Pearl, concubine to Shih Ch'ung, coveted by Sun Hsiu

d c 300

Giles, sn. Shih Ch'ung

Giles uses a different character, which is not in author’s font, for Lü. Chinese reviewers assured that the character used here is interchangeable with the one Giles used.

倫

Lun²

Leun4

ming

Moral, Ethical

Ma Lun, daughter of Ma Jung & wife of Yuan Wei

2nd C

Giles, sn. Ma Lun

Apparently this character is more typically masculine.

媚生

Mei4 Sheng¹

Mei6 Saang¹

tzŭ

Charming Life

Shan Ching-lan, wife of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

1605-1676+

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

妙音

Miao4 Yin¹

Miu6 Yam¹

ming

Wonderful Sound

Ho Miao-yin, wife of Wang-Wei

d 1377

G&F;, p. 1446a sn. Wang Wei

娘娘

Niang² Niang²

Neung4 Neung4

Lady

Lu Niang-niang, a married woman

c 1518

G&F;, p. 231b sn. Chiang Pin

娥

O²

E²

Ngo4

Good, Beautiful

Chao O, a filial daughter;
Huang O, poetess & wife of Yang Shen

c 150 BCE
1498-1569

Giles, sn. Chao O;
G&F;, pp. 667-669 sn. Huang O

娥姁

O² Hsü1

E² Xu¹

Ngo4 Heui¹

ming

Beautiful & Graceful, Good & Graceful, Beautiful

Lü Hou, consort of emperor Kao Tsu

d 180 BCE

Giles, sn. Lü Hou

O-hsü was a personal name of Lü Hou, an empress

盼盼

P'an4 P'an4

Pan4 Pan4

Paan³ Paan³

Hope, Desirous

P'an-p'an, concubine of Chang Chien-fêng

8th C

Giles, sn. Chang Chien-fêecirc;ng

寶林

Pao³ Lin²

Bao³ Lin²

Bou² Lam4

ming

Valuable Forest, Valuable Collection, Jewel Collection

Yeh Pao-lin, eldest daughter of Yeh Hsien-tsu

1609-1676

G&F;, p. 1570b sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

伯榮

Po² Jung²

Bo² Rong²

Ba³ Wing4

Honored One

Po Jung, daughter of Weng Shêng, who was emperor's foster mother

2nd C

Giles, sn. Yang Chên

Normally a masculine name according to Chinese reviewers

賽金

Sai4 Chin¹

Sai4 Jin¹

Choi³ Gam¹

ming

As Good As Gold

Lu Sai-chin, wife of Wang Wen-lu

1469-1538

G&F;, p. 1449b sn. Wang Wen-lu

Named for a good turn of fortune at time of her birth

賽兒

Sai4 Erh²

Sai4 Er²

Choi³ Yi4

ming

As Good As a Son, Fighting Daughter

T'ang Sai-êrh, serving maid & peasant rebel leader

fl 1420

Giles, sn. T'ang Sai-êrh; G&F;, p. 1251b sn. T'ang Sai-er

Name might refer to a personality trait (she eventually led a peasant rebellion) or was given because she needed to be stronger

少君

Shao4 Chün¹

Shao4 Jun¹

Siu² Gwan¹

Young Lady, Little Lady

Huan Shao-chün, wife of Pao Hsuan

1st C BCE

Giles, sn. Huan Shao-chün

涉

Shê4

She4

Sip³

Involved, Experienced

Chia Shê, concubine of Chao Yün

13th C

Giles, sn. Chao Yün

This character is seldom used today. It's meaning here is uncertain.

淑端

Shu4 Tuan¹

Shu4 Duan¹

Suk¹ Dyun¹

Virtuous Beginning, Virtuous Member

Hsu Shu-tuan, daughter of Grand Secretary Hsu Yu-chen, wife of Chu Yun-ming

1442-1476

G&F;, p. 392b sn. Chu Yun-ming

Appears as shown in several references. However, 2nd character might be a propagated mistake. Modern reviewers think character should be 瑞, Jui4 [Rui4] meaning precious, auspicious (name would mean Virtuous & Precious)

淑貞

Shu4 Cheng¹

Shu4 Zheng¹

Suk¹ Jing¹

ming

Virtuous

Chu Shu-chêng, a poetess

9th C

Giles, sn. Chu Shu-chêng

素

Su4

Sou³

White Silk, Purity

Fan Su, a concubine of Po Chü-i

8th-9th C

Giles, sn. Fan Su & Po Chü-i

弢英

T'ao¹ Ying¹

Tao¹ Ying¹

Tou¹ Ying¹

tzŭ

Covered Flower, Encased Bravery

Ch'i Te-yuan, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1606

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

道韞

Tao³ Yun4

Dao³ Yun4

Dou6 Wan³

Witty (Contains Truth, Contains Reason, Contains Skill)

Tao Yun, niece of Hsieh An & daughter of Hsieh I

4th C

Giles, sn. Tao Yun

Bearer was famous for her wit

燾貞

Tao4 Chen¹

Chou² Zhen¹

Dou6 Jing¹

ming

Shining Virtue

Wang Tao-chen, a religious lady

1558-1580

G&F;, pp. 1425-1427 sn. Wang Tao-chen

道婆

Tao4 P'o²

Dao4 Po²

Dou6 Po4

hao or sobri-quet

Skilled Grandma

Huang Tao P'o, woman who taught art of cotton spinning & weaving

14th C

Giles, sn. Huang Tao P’o

Legend based on true events in which a woman figured heavily. Apparently this woman lived a long time & was popularly known only by this name. This is name by which she is known through history

德眞

Te² Chen¹

De² Zhen¹

Dak¹ Jan¹

Virtuous & True, True Virtue

Chao Te-chen, mother of T'ao Tsung-i

d 1346

G&F;, p. 1269a sn. T'ao Tsung-i

德璚

Te² Ch'iung²

De² Qiong²

Dak¹ Ging4

ming

Virtuous & Precious, Splendid Virtue

Ch'i Te-ch'iung, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1606, d 1662

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

德蕙

Te² Hui4

De² Hui4

Dak¹ Wai6

ming

Virtuous Orchid

Chang Te-hui, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1650

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

德容

Te² Jung²

De² Rong²

Dak¹ Yung4

ming

Virtuous Woman

Chu Te-jung, daughter-in-law of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1650

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

德淵

Te² Yuan¹

De² Yuan¹

Dak¹ Yun¹

ming

Deep Virtue

Ch'i Te-yuan, daughter of Ch'i Ch'eng-han

b before 1606

G&F;, p. 219 sn. Ch'i Ch'eng-han

緹縈

T'i² Ying²

Ti² Ying²

Tai4 Ying4

Red Coil

T'i Ying, heroic daughter of Ch'un-yu I [Yi Qunyu]

c 167 BCE

Giles, sn. T'i Ying; Levine sn. Ti Ying

Name might refer to an event in which she threw herself at the emperor's feet to beg for her father's life

貂蟬

Tiao¹ Ch'an²

Diao¹ Chan²

Diu¹ Sim4

Black Cicada

Tiao Ch'an, singing girl

2nd C

Giles, sn. Tiao Ch'an

A cicada is an insect that makes noises like a cricket (the noises, not the insect). Tiao means martin, sable, mink, & it is a homophone for another character that also means cicada.

天孫

T'ien¹ Sun¹

Tian¹ Sun¹

Tin¹ Syun¹

ming

Blessed Grand-daughter

Shen T'ien-sun, daughter-in-law of T'u Lung

16th C

G&F;, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung

The author found no indication this woman was imperial, but name’s 1st character is atypical for a person who does not have imperial connections.

彩鸞

Ts'ai³ Luan²

Cai³ Luan²

Choi² Lyun4

Colorful [Argus] Pheasant

Ts'ai Luan, daughter of reputed witch Wu Meng

4th-5th C

Giles, sn. Ts'ai Luan

Chinese people believed in witches, but, unlike Europeans, did not necessarily believe all witches were evil.

翠屏

Ts'ui4 P'ing²

Cui4 Ping²

Cheui³ Ping4

Blue Screen, Jade Screen

Han Ts'ui-p'ing, woman released from palace of Emperor Hsi Tsung

9th C

Giles, sn. Han Ts'ui-p'ing

T'ang Hsi Tsung reigned 873-888

杜陵內史

Tu4 Ling² Nei4 Shih³

Du4 Ling² Nei4 Shi³

Dou6 Ling4 Noi6 Si²

hao

Tu-ling [a city] Historian

Tu-ling nei-shih, daughter of Ch'iu Ying, who painted under her hao

16th C

G&F;, p. 257a sn. Ch'iu Ying

This hao is like a government official's title. However, apparently it is appropriate for a painter or writer whose usual subject or place of residence is the indicated city. Bearer was publicly known by this hao, but she most definitely had other, shorter names by which she was called.

紈紈

Wan² Wan²

Yun4 Yun4

ming

Fine Silk

Yeh Wan-wan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

1610-1633

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

宛君

Wan³ Chun¹

Wan³ Jun¹

Yun² Gwan¹

tzŭ

Courteous Lady

Shen I-hsiu, poet & wife of Yeh Shao-yuan

1590-1635

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

2nd character is typically masculine. The name might indicate she was ill or weak and she or her family wanted her to be stronger.

婉兒

Wan³ Erh²

Wan³ Er2

Yun² Yi4

Graceful Child, Graceful Daughter

Wan Erh, daughter of Shang-kuan, concubine of Emperor Chung Tsung

7th-8th C

Giles, sn. 2119 Wan Erh

Possibly a childhood name retained for much longer than is typical

瑤期

Yao² Ch'i¹

Yao² Qi

Yiu4 Kei4

tzŭ

Jade Hope

Yeh Hsiao-luan, daughter of Yeh Shao-yuan

1616-1633

G&F;, p. 1577 sn. Yeh Shao-yuan

瑤瑟

Yao² She4

Yao² Se4

Yiu4 Sat¹

ming

Jade Lute

T'u Yao-se, daughter of T'u Lung

16th C

G&F;, p. 1326a sn. T'u Lung

窅娘

Yao³ Niang²

Yiu² Neung4

Lovely Maiden, Lovely Woman

Yao Niang, concubine of sovereign-poet Li Yu

10th C

Giles, sn. Yao Niang; Frankel

This woman reputedly started foot binding. At least in more modern times, 1st character is more typical of courtesan & prostitute names.

琰

Yen³

Yan³

Yim5

Jewel

Ts'ai Yen [Cai Yan], a kidnapped & ransomed woman

2nd-3rd C

Giles, sn. 1983 Ts'ai Yen; Sun & Ji

Feminine names can refer to jewels, but this character is usually masculine. Bearer is better known as Ts'ai Wen-chi [Cai Wenji], but Wen-chi appears to be a title or rank.

玉環

Yü4 Huan²

Yu4 Huan²

Yuk6 Waan4

ming

Jade Ring, Jade Bracelet

Yang Kuei-fei [Yang Guifei]

d 756

Giles, sn. Yang Kuei-fei; Foster, sn. Yang Guifei

Yü-huan was personal name of Yang Kuei-fei [Yang Guifei]

元珍

Yuan² Chen¹

Yuan² Zhen¹

Yun4 Jan¹

First Treasure, Primary Treasure

Fei Yuan-chen, wife of T'ao Tsung-I, daughter of a general

m c 1341

G&F;, p. 1269b sn. T'ao Tsung-i

月娥

Yueh4 O²

Yue4 E²

Yut6 Ngo4

Moon Beauty

Ting Yueh-o, sister of Ting Ho-nien

d c 1350

G&F;, p. 1288b sn. Ting Ho-nein

雲英

Yün² Ying¹

Yun² Ying¹

Wan4 Ying¹

Cloud Flower

Yün Ying, beloved of P'ei Hang

9th C

Giles, sn. P'ei Hang

The couple is legendary, but the legend is based on a real couple.

Mandarin Chinese Names for Gamers

http://www.jiawen.net/Chinesenames.html

I really do mean Mandarin names**.** I don't actually know much about other forms of Chinese, and for this reason I should give…

An introduction to Chinese and Chinese names ****

Chinese is not a language**.** It is rather a language family, perhaps something like the idea of 'Germanic' or 'Latinate'. The languages of Chinese include Mandarin, Wu, Min, Kejia, Yue, Huizhou, Xiang and Gan (to give their Mandarin names). Kejia is also known as Hakka, Min is also called Hokkien, and Yue is commonly known as Cantonese**.**

These languages are related in that they use basically the same system of writing (characters) and that they derive basically from a similar linguistic source**.** However, their pronunciations and grammars are mutually exclusive, and usually mutually incomprehensible**.** The situation is much like that of German and English, where a native English speaker can read German words most of the time, but will have a hard time putting them together to understand a full sentence, and will probably not know very well how to pronounce the words (unless she or he has studied German, of course). For more on this, see the Wikipedia article on the Chinese languages , in particular the question of whether Chinese is a language or a language family.

I know only Mandarin with any degree of usefulness, and what I will present here is only Mandarin**.** The pronunciations of the names I will give here in Cantonese, Hokkien, etc**.** are mysteries to me.

However, names do generally maintain the same structure in the different Chinese languages, and therefore, while the pronunciations may be different, the ways of using the names and frequency of use will be basically the same**.** Not always, but often. This is much like German has the name "Gerhard" where English has the name "Gerard" or whatever**.**

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A note on transcription ****

Transcription of Mandarin into Latin letters is and always has been a very tricky issue**.** Mandarin and the other Chinese languages do not have a native (phonetic) alphabet as such; even historically, trying to establish the pronunciation of Chinese words in (for example) native-language dictionaries has been a difficult task**.** To make matters worse, Chinese languages often have sounds that do not have easy equivalents in European languages**.** Also, Chinese languages are all tone-based, and transcribing these is difficult at best**.** Historically, the process of transliterating Mandarin (writing Mandarin in another language's script) has always proven to be a headache for those who operate at the interface**.**

Nonetheless, there are systems to transliterate Chinese**.** The system I use to transliterate Mandarin is called Pinyin (full name, Hanyu Pinyin). This is the official transliteration system of the People's Republic of China (PRC, mainland China). Pinyin is also used in Malaysia, Singapore and many, many Mandarin classes the world over**.** The ROC on Taiwan has no really thorough-going transliteration system**.** Many things in the ROC are done in a slipshod manner, and transliteration is one of the worst offenses**.** Most of the world uses Pinyin, and I predict that it will become the standard throughout the world in the future**.**

Some examples of Pinyin (as opposed to other systems) are Beijing, Daoism and Mao Zedong**.** I will not note tones here, as there isn't a very natural way to do it, but I will be glad to provide tones on request**.** Please do not try saying these names to Chinese people without a disclaimer first**!** Words in any Chinese language are often identical save for differences in tone**.** Thus, we get the famous Mandarin sentence 'mama ma ma ma man' (to give it without tone diacritics), or "Mom curses the hemp horse for being slow". There are hordes of other examples, such as two different ways to say 'zonghui' which could either mean "a social club" or "grey-brown". Remember: Mandarin without tones is really pretty meaningless**.**

A side note: the transliterations (if that's what they are) used in many games, for example 2300 AD, are also quite slipshod**.** I suppose it's quite natural to expect some editorial blunders, but I find the tendency of Westerners to lump all problems with Chinese into a basket labeled 'I don't need to understand this' reprehensible, and I think the lack of care with which Westerners treat Chinese transliteration is an unfortunate part of the vicious circle which causes Chinese relations with most Western countries to be as hostile as they are**.**

Please show your respect for Chinese cultures by respecting their languages, and by respecting these names**.**

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A note on pronunciation ****

Pinyin is generally pronounced pretty similar to English, though there are several significant differences

The following are some basics, inspired partially by my

Lonely Planet

guide to Taiwan

Vowels ****

a as the 'a' in "father" – note this – It's not like in "bang"! "Chang" does not rhyme with "bang," but rather with "bong**.**"
ai as the 'i' in "I" or "die"
ao as the 'ow' in "cow"
e as the 'ur' in "blur" (British pronuniciation) or the 'u' in "but"
ei as the 'ay' in "way" or the 'ei' in "weigh"
i as the 'ee' in "meet," BUT after c, ch, r, s, sh, z or zh it sounds like the 'er' in "her" (British pronunciation) or the 'o' in "woman" (American pronunciation)
ian sounds like "yen"
ie as the 'ye' in "yet"
iu as the 'io' in "O solo mio"
o as the 'o' in "or"
ou as the 'oa' in "boat" or 'oe' in "Joe"
u as the 'u' in "flute" (American pronunciation) or 'oo' in "woo" (British) BUT after q, j, x and y, as a German umlauted u
ü as the German umlauted u
ue is difficult, as it doesn't have a very good equivalent in English**.** It's basically an umlauted u followed by an "e" sound, as in "wet**." Pronouncing this is one of the hardest things for students of Mandarin.**
ui as "way"
uo as "war" (British pronunciation)

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Then there's the consonants… These are generally similar to English, save for a few exceptions:

Consonants ****

c as the 'ts' in "bits" or the Russian "tsar"
ch as in English, but with the tongue curled back
j as the 'j' in "Joe" – a hard J, NOT as Dan Rather pronounces it**!**
h a gutteral, as in the Scottish "loch"
q basically like ch, but with the tongue further forward than in English
r as the 's' in "pleasure"
sh as in English, but with the tongue curled back
x basically like sh, but with the tongue further forward than in English
z as the 'ds' in "suds"
zh as the 'j' in "judge" but with the tongue curled back

Therefore, a fonetik spelin of "Qingdao" (a major city in Shandong, famous for its German-like beers) might be 'Ching dow'

Beijing could be spelled 'Bay jeeng'

I won't go on with these spellings, though; they hurt my eyes

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So, then, on to...

The Names ****

Names For People ****

Mandarin personal names do in fact differ a bit between, for example, Taiwan and Beijing

Beijing names tend to have single-character personal names, and different last names are common in Taiwan than in Beijing

However, I'm going to lump them all together as I think the trends are mostly transitory, especially if Taiwan ever gets linked to the Mainland again

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Surnames ****

Mandarin (and Chinese) surnames always go first**.** Or at least they should. Westerners have gotten it confused for a long time, and now, Mandarin-speakers have started putting their surnames last**.** It makes the situation very confusing. It's like one of those "Three's Company" episodes where everybody was saying, "Does he know that I don't know he knows, or does he know that I know he knows that I don't know**?" I knew a guy in grad school whose name was Wang Li.** Or is it Li Wang**?** I'll probably never know, because I never saw the characters written and I never got a straight answer out of him (he was a very shy guy).

Chinese surnames, like English ones, have meaning, but few people pay attention to them or even truly understand what the meaning has to do with the actual name**.** I have noted, where appropriate, interesting things about each name**.** I have also tried to list a number which allows for easy dice-rolling; some of the names are not as common as others, but were included to round out the list**.**

Very Common ****:

Less common ****:

There are many more (the famous "Hundred Surnames," synonymous in Chinese with "the hoi-polloi but these should be sufficient**.**

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Personal Names ****

Chinese personal names are rather different from their English equivalents**.** In English, every name has a meaning, but its meaning is likely rather obscure, and is also likely to be a single noun (as my name, Rachel, means 'lamb' in Herbrew). In Mandarin (and other forms of Chinese) however, the meanings of names are readily apparent, and are also frequently verb phrases or at least adjective-noun phrases**.** Thus, a typical Chinese name might be "Pride of the Country," "Respects the Ancestors" or "Elegant Lotus" in translation**.**

Note that Chinese names often sound ridiculous when translated into English**.** Trust me, our names sound stupid when translated into Chinese as well**.** Mandarin personal names are usually very rigidly either masculine or feminine**.** However, as some names can be androgynous, I will list all the names together with their meanings, which should suggest their general genders**.** I will give only actual combinations here, as there is a danger that someone playing around with a group of possibilities could come up with something that would sound horrendous to Chinese ears and would therefore not occur in reality**.** Do however note that the number of combinations possible is pretty much limitless, though in practice only certain names are common**.**

As with the surnames, above, I have made notes here as appropriate, and have also tried to include a number which allows for easy random generation if needed**.** Not perfectly, though, but if you don't know how to randomly choose a name from a list without resorting to dice, you need to work on some basic skills...

PeaceAnguoPacifies the country, Peaceful countryAnlingPlacid jadeAnmingPeaceful clarityThe NationBaojiaProtects the familyBaozhenTreasureBaozongTreasures the ancestorsBihaiJade seaBimingThe clarity of jadeBohaoCypress heroFortuneChengAccomplishedChenghaoHonest greatnessChengdePerfect virtue, Achieves virtueChongdeWorships virtueChongxuanWorships loftinessDaweiGreatly accomplishedDazhongThe great medianDehuaVirtuous China Note: this is Andy Lau's Mandarin personal name)DeshengVirtuous victoryVirtuous martialityEnlaiFavor comes [Note: this is Zhou Enlai's personal name] PleasantGongmingClear accomplishmentGuolongDragon of the nationGuonanMan of the countryGuoxiongHero of the nationPeacefulHemingPeaceful clarityHongrenGreat humanenessHuifenA wise, sweet smellHuifengWise phoenixHuilingIntelligent jadeJianminEstablishes the peopleJiawenPleasant clouds [Note: this is my Chinese name]Auspicious virtueJingdeRespects virtueJingyuQuiet jadeGraceful

JundeHandsome virtueJunrenHandsome humanenessKailiTriumphant strengthKaipingBegins peaceKanghuaRobust ChinaBeautifulStrongEstablishes virtueLifangBeautiful, sweet smellLilingBeautiful jade [Note: there are many ways to say this same meaning in Mandarin]LirenBeautiful humanenessLizhenBeautiful chastityLizhenBeautiful treasureMeifengBeautiful phoenixMeilunBeautiful relationshipsMeiqueBeautiful sparrowMeizhiBeautiful irisMeizhuBeautiful pearlMindeSensitive virtueMinglongBright dragonMingshengClear victoryMingxiongClear heroMingzhenShining pearlMingzongBright ancestorsPeideCultivates virtue [Note: Often seems to be used for people whose English names are Mike for some reason, the most famous example being Michael Zhang (aka "Chang")]Roc (a great mythical bird) [Note: this is Li Peng's personal name]QiangweiClarityQingdeCelebrates virtueQingguoCelebrates the nationQingrenCelebrates humanenessQingruiClear and auspiciousQiulianAutumn lotusRenlunHumane relationshipsRonghuangProud and sparklingRuiqiAuspicious jadeShihaoHero of the worldShilongDragon of the worldShourenProtects humaneness

ShujuanLadylike graceShuzhenLadylike treasureTianyiA gift from heavenLadylikeWanchengAll-accomplishingWanyingGraceful jadeFull of presence; charismaticWeideGreat virtueWeiguoDefends the nationWeiminGreat PeopleWenlongLiterate dragonWenhuiLiterate wisdomWenxiongLiterate heroMartialWulongMartial dragonWuxiongMartial heroXiangFragrantXiangheAuspicious peaceXianglingAuspicious plumeFilially piousXiaolongLittle dragon [Note: this is Bruce Lee's personal name]XiaopingLittle peace [Note: this is Deng Xiaoping's personal name]XiaozhiFilial wisdomXiaozongFilial to the ancestorsProsperousXinghuaArising ChinaXiuhuaElegant ChinaXiulanElegant orchidMysteriousXuandeProfound virtueYatingCultured femininityYazhenCultured treasureEagleVictoriousYoushengProtects lifeYuhuiJade wisdomCloudsYutingFemininity of jadeZedongLustrous East [Note: this is Mao Zedong's personal name]ZeminFavor of the Masses [Note: this is Jiang Zemin's personal name]ZhengdeUpright virtueZongxianWisdom of the ancestors

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Names for Ships ****

SF gamers love starships, and I'm no exception**.** And those starships need realistic names, right?

Chinese ship names tend to be pretty boring**.** They often resemble personal names quite strongly, as a matter of fact, though they also sometimes use place names or slogans**.** As with personal names, the immediacy of the meanings of Chinese names when translated into English means that they sometimes sound a little silly**.** Okay, not just a little. Remember, though, that English names also mean something, we're just not directly conscious of the meanings most of the time (except with British ship names), and Chinese people think names like "Cook," "Baker" and "Smith" are pretty goofy, too**.**

Oh, and before I get into it – the standard suffix for ship names is hao, similar to the English S.S. (though of course S.S. is a prefix). Hao means something like "number" or "mark," and is used for both civilian and military vessels**.** Thus, the USS Enterprise is called the Qiye Hao in Mandarin**.**

Naming conventions: Ships of a single class often have similar names**.** For example, all the PRC frigates of one class may bear the names of mountains; ROC ships tend to share a single character, usually the last, with the others of their class; the Star Line ferries in Hong Kong all have names with the word xingstar") in them**.** This is similar to English schemes, especially Royal Navy schemes in which all ships of a single class have names beginning with, for example, L. Therefore, I will suggest names for whole classes, rather than single vessels**.** When choosing the name scheme for a class, you should probably consider what sort of function the class will serve and choose appropriately; a naming scheme based on mountains would be good for military vessels, while a naming scheme based on harmony might be good for commercial vessels**.**

Note that these names would be easily applied to weapon systems, as well**.**

Also note that I have given simple titles to each class**.** However, in real Chinese, the ships in a class will usually be named after the first ship in the class, so don't take the class name suggestions too seriously**.** When a class' naming scheme is such that all ships in the class share a single character, the class will typically be called the "X-character class," with the word "character" being zi**.** Thus, the Da (Grand) class is called, in Chinese, the "Da-character (Dazi) class**." I have included the zi in class names where appropriate.**

Dazi (Grand) class **DatongGrand togethernessDahanGrand ChinaDafengGrand peakDawanGrand multitudeDagangGrand ridgeFengzi (Wind) class **ShenfengDivine wind, i.e., KamikazeDongfengEast windHaifengSea-windTaifengTyphoonWeifengGreat windHongfengGrand windDefengWind of virtueShengfengVictorious windShunfengFavorable windJifengAuspicious windQingfengClear windYangfengOcean windHaishi (Sealion) class **HaishiSealionHainiaoSeabirdHaiyingSea hawkHaihuSeatigerHai'ouSeagullHailongSea dragonHaipengSea RocHaiyanSea swallowHaibaoSea leopardHaitunDolphinHaifuSea duckHaiheSea craneHaixiangWalrusHaihuSea swanHaidanSea urchinHaifengSea phoenixHezi (Harmony – different character than the below) class **Great harmony – note this is the Yamato's name in the Chinese readingMingheBright harmonyPeaceful HarmonyZhengheHarmony of Zheng [i.**e., a place-name]Hezi (Togetherness – different character than the above) class **HequnTogetherness with the massesHezhongJoining with loyaltyHeshengAscension togetherHeshouLongevity togetherHechunJoining with youthfulnessHegongEffort togetherHechuanJoining with the riversHemaoFlourishing togetherHezhenJoining with preciousnessHechaoTogetherness with the currentJiangzi (River) class ****First group (all proper names, thus no translation necessary ****):ChangjiangYangtzeJinjiangJin riverZhujiangPearl RiverHeilongjiangBlack Dragon RiverJinshajiangGolden Sand RiverXinjiangXinjiangGaojiangQingjiangTongjiangXiaojiangYuanjiangFengjiangZengjiang

Second group :JiangyuanPrimacy of the riverJiangzhenPreciousness of the riverJiangkunKun [a mythical great fish] of the riverJiangliProfit of the riverJiangpingTranquility of the riverJiang'anPeace of the riverJiangtongConnection of the riverJianggongConsolidation of the riverJiangguStability of the riverLongzi (Dragon) class WulongMartial dragonWenlongCultured dragonHualongDragon of ChinaYunlongCloud dragonTianlongHeavenly dragonXinglongAscending dragonGuolongDragon of the NationCailongRainbow dragonHailongSea dragonXinglongStar dragonJilongAuspicious dragonTenglongCoiling dragonGulongAncient dragonWanglongRegal dragonBiaolongStorm dragonMeizi (Beauty) class MeizhenBeautiful pearlMeisongBeautiful songMeipingBeautiful peaceMeileBeautiful pleasureMeihongBeautiful greatnessMeifengBeautiful phoenixMeilingBeautiful jadeShanzi (Mountain) class TaishanMt. TaiHuangshanMt. HuangDiaobaoshanPillbox MountainEmeishanMt.** EmeiHengshanMt**.** HengHuashanMt**.** HuaSongshanMt**.** SongAnshanSaddle MountainYangmingshanMt**.** YangmingShengzi (Victory) class **DeshengMoral VictoryWeishengCommanding VictoryWushengMartial victoryYishengDutiful VictoryYongshengBrave victoryGongshengCommon victoryRenshengHumane victoryZhengshengRighteous victoryShunshengSmooth victoryTaizi (Greatness) class ****TaikangGreat healthTaipingGreat peaceTaiheGreat harmonyTaicangGreat capacityTaihuGrand lakeTaizhaoGrand illumination

Xingzi (Star) class MingxingBright star WuxingMartial starGuangxingBright starFuxingAuspicious starLongxingDragon starRongxingProud star JiuxingEternal starQiuxingSaviorYangzi (Positive force, positive energy, sunshine) class ChaoyangFacing the light FengyangPhoenix yangHaiyangYang of the seaLanyangOrchid yangHuayangPositive force of the Chinese peopleHanyangSunshine of ChinaQingyangCelebrating positive forceKunyangSunshine on Mt. KunYueyang[Name of a city]Guiyang[Name of a city]LuoyangNanyang[Name of a city]Shenyang[Name of a city]Anyang[Name of a historical city, capital of several dynasties]Xianyang[Name of the capital city of the Qin dynasty]ZhengyangRighteous yangFuyangWealthy yangJianyangEstablishing yangDeyangMoral yangKaiyangBeginning with positive forceTaiyangGreat positive force, also "Sunshine"Yingzi (Bravery) class **YinghaoBrave heroismYingdeBrave virtueYingshanBrave mountainYinghuiBrave wisdomYongzi (Eternal) class **YongchuanEternal river YongshanEternally goodYongchengEternal bulwarkYongjiEternal aidYongrenEternally humaneYongsuiEternally peacefulYongfengEternal plentyYongjiaEternally benevolentYongdingEternal resolutenessYongshunEternally piousYongyangEternally positiveYongciEternal kindnessYongguEternally steadfastYongdeEternal moralityZhongzi (Median, aka China) class **** ZhongdingSacrificial vessel of the Middle ZhongjianEstablishment of the Median ZhongjiMedian fundament ZhongxunTraining of the Median ZhonglianPractice of the Median ZhongguangShining light of the Median ZhongqiBeginning of the Median ZhongshengVictory of the Median ZhongchengRigor of the Median ZhongqiangStrength of the Median ZhongzhiGoverning of the Median ZhongmingBrightness of the Median ZhongbangAlliance of the Median ZhongheHarmony of the Median ZhongpingPeace of the Median")

Names for Organizations ****

Organizations, such as companies or schools, tend to have names which strongly resemble personal names

In some cases, they actually are personal names – the names of their founders, for example

However, they do tend to have strong tendencies towards specific types of names

For example, companies often have names reminiscent of profit, money or gold, while schools tend to have names which talk about study, learning or morality

These tendecies are far from absolute, though. Many schools are simply named after their locations, for example

Below are some ideas for organizations, based on type

I got many of them from the Taibei phone book, so even if they sound really silly, there's a good chance they're real

I especially like the ones about the universe.

General company names ****

Mandarin Translation

Mandarin Translation 1 Anshun Peaceful smoothness 26 2 Anshan Peaceful mountain 27 3 Baicheng Hundred accomplishments 28 4 29 5 30 6 31 7 Baolai Treasure comes 32 8 33 9 Baosheng Precious victory 34 10 35 11 Dacheng Grand accomplishments 36 12 37 13 38 14 Hongguo Grand nation 39 Xinghai Sea of stars 15 40 16 Hongxin Vast profits 41 17 42 18 43 19 44 Yongcheng Ever-successful 20 Lihong Profitable rainbow 45 Youde Friendly virtue 21 Lianxin Allied trust 46 Yucheng Universal city 22 47 Yuxin Profits of the universe 23 48 Yuzhou Axis of the universe (this is a real name

) 24 49 Zhicheng Intent on success 25 Mingtai Bright grandeur 50 Zhide Perfectly moral

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Schools Well, that's about it

Of course, there are many more names that can be used, and of course there are always alternate pronunciations of the above (for different kinds of Chinese, for example)

This page will probably always be under construction

Sorry, but I unfortunately don't get paid to update this page

Legal notes & disclaimers ****

Due to various problems I've had with the way people use this page, a couple notes are in order here**.**

First, these notes are put up in the interest of spreading knowledge of Chinese names, but that does not mean that this page is free for you to use in any way you see fit**.** You may use the names presented on this page for your personal and non-profit use, but you may not republish these pages in any way without my express permission**.**

Second, I have gotten a lot of people writing to me asking to explain the meaning of their adopted daughter's name or whatever else**.** Sorry, but I cannot tell you what a Chinese name means unless you can provide me with the characters**.** Determining meaning from transcription alone, even with tone diacritics, is extremely difficult**.** I can guess, but if you take names seriously, as I do, you should go about determining their meaning in a serious way**.** If you do have the characters, send a picture of them to me in .gif format and I will tell you what they mean when I can get around to it**.** If you want suggestions for names and/or characters, I suggest you go to the people who arranged your adoption first**.** I can suggest names, but I cannot then be held responsible for any unfortunate puns, incorrect usages or whatever other errors occur due to my lack of knowledge of Chinese**.** Take this as notice. Requests for the meaning of Chinese names without useful transcription or characters will not be answered**.**

Third, I've recently been getting a spate of people asking me to translate their names into Chinese so they can get tattoos**.** Sorry, but I won't help you in this matter. Tattoos can be cool, but I think that very few people who want to get their names tattooed in Chinese really care about Chinese culture**.** It's just another fad, and one that promotes cultural misunderstandings at that**.** Here are a couple articles that show how stupid and dangerous getting Chinese tats can be**.** It is possible to have intelligent, interesting Chinese characters tattooed, but it's very, very likely that whatever you're getting written on your body is dumb**.** Why take the chance**?**

I guess that's what happens when you get famous – you have to start making disclaimers**.** Feh**.**

Please give me any feedback you may have at rachelk6@hotmail.com , or through my personal account (the address of which I prefer not to put up on the Web so as to avoid spam).

Nahuatl Names

https://web.archive.org/web/20160322130910/http://www.mexica-movement.org/timexihcah/nahuatl.htm

"Aztec" is a name conjured up by Europeans. We never called ourselves Aztecs. The Spaniards never called us Aztecs.

Our name is Mexica (Meh-sheeh-kah).

Aztec refers to our people when they lived in Aztlan. In Aztlan it would have been right to have used that word. But in the 16th century, "Aztec" was a word that was no longer used because all the people who came from Aztlan now called themselves Mexica, Tlaxcallan, Texcoco, Tlacopan, or any other of the names of the cities in which they lived.

On Taking A Nahuatl Name

Keep the following things in mind:

Know at least the basic history, theology, Nahuatl language and heritage of our people before you take on a Nahuatl name; so that when you take a Nahuatl name or give one to your child you will be able to pronounce the name properly, know the meaning, history, and reason for giving your child that Nahuatl name.
The main reason for taking off your Spanish or English name or giving one to your child, and taking on a 100% Nican Tlaca (Indigenous) name, should be that you are doing an ethnic correction to yourself or to your child.

You are not Spanish or English. You want to stop being false to yourself and to the world.

You should go through legal means to achieve this: social security cards, drivers licence, credit cards, etc. You are only kidding yourself if you say that you don't need "Legal" recognition. This "legal thing" can be done with minimal expense if you have few assets and you are young or it can be a little more involved if you own a home and have to tell everyone at work that this is your Nahuatl name (your only name) from now on. You have liberated yourself from European control over your name.

The next big reason for changing your name to a Nahuatl (or other indigenous Anahuac) name is that it makes a statement: I am Nican Tlaca (Indigenous) and I am proud. This is who I was before the Europeans, who I am and who I will always be.
Once having permanently taken on a Nahuatl name, it makes takes you on a road to being a warrior for your people. That means that you will be dealing with the identity, history, and heritage of our people on a daily basis. You will be forced to explain yourself, defend your people, attack the enemies of our people, educate everyone, and let the world know that you are fighting for your identity as a Nican Tlaca (of the Indigenous race of this continent), as a Mexica (our last great civilization), as part of the Anahuac ("North American"/Northern Western Hemisphere) Nation.

And of course you will know what Nican Tlaca, Mexica, and Anahuac Nation is (see bottom of this page).

This should not be a thing of play acting or of part-time being "Indian". There is no such thing as a name you use only for rituals or when you "hang out with Mexicas" and then you return to your European name. That is dishonoring our ancestors and a sacrilege upon The Creator.
Many of our people dishonor (unknowingly) our ancestors by taking first names that are inappropriate and sacrilegious (Ometeotl, Tonatzin,Tonatiuh, Malinche, etc) or names that mix Nahuatl with Spanish names (Hernando Cortez Quetzalcoatl or Xochitl Santa Ana), this would be equivalent to being Jewish and naming your son Adolf Ben Gurion or Jacob Hitler.

Keep in mind the different types of names you can take:

There are a few options:

a) A ONE WORD NAME, no surname. You would use it twice in order to satisfy European occuppier legal requirements (Mazatl Mazatl or Tochtli Tochtli).

b) A NAME THAT TRANSLATES A MEANING. Such as Yolotl Aztecatl which means "heart of an Aztec" or more metaphorically the name Cueponi Tlacatl, which has the sense of Blossoming or blooming person (not a literal meaning, but the sense of the meaning).

c) A CALENDAR NAME. This would of course be done eliminating all the superstition associated with the astrological contents of the calendar. These names would use a name based on our calendar birth names (Ome Tochtli, Ce Mazatl, etc). In this case you can use this link to get a Calendar name based on the birth date: MEXICA CALENDAR dates

d) A HEROE'S NAME. This would be someone like Citlalmina (female) or Cuauhtemoc (male).

e) DEDICATION NAME. This would be a name that would serve as a sort of last name (we had no such thing as a last name or surname). This also means that the person is never addressed by this name only nor does the person carry this name only. This sort of name shows dedication to The Creator in one of the many Manifestations and Aspects that The Creator is known under. Possibilities are Xochitl Tonantzin, Ce Acatl Coatlicue, Tlacaelel Xochipilli, Olin Tonatiuh, or any of the other endless combinations. But Ometeotl as a part of the name, or the only name is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND SACRILEGE. Never just Tonantzin, Tonatiuh, etc. A dedication name only shows what that person has dedicated their lives to: One of the many names of Ometeotl (but never the actual name of Ometeotl), Ometeotl is Our Creator, who in the many names makes up the totality of the Material and Spirit of The Universe.

f) COMBINED NAME using reasons b through e in some combined form such as the three word name Naui (the number Four) Xolotl (Dedication name) Ilhuicamina (Hero name) or a two word name such as Olin (meaning Movement) Quetzalcoatl (Dedication name).

Nahuatl Pronunciation

How to pronounce words in Nahuatl:

TL: at the end of a word should just pronounce the T—the L should be silent.

Hu : should be pronounced as a W.

LL: should NOT be pronounced as a Spanish double L, use the English pronunciation of LL.

X: should be pronounced as SH. MEXICA is MeSHika.

THE LIST OF NAHUATL NAMES

PRIMARY NAME SEX MEANING / SIGNIFICANCE Achcauhtli M/F Leader Acolmixtli M Ahuiliztli M/F Joy Amoxtli M/F Book Atl M/F Water Camaxtli M Chalchiuitl F Emerald Chicahua M/F Strong Chimalli M Shield Chipahua M/F Clean Citlalli M/F Star Citlalmina F Greatest of our female Heroes Coaxoch F Serpent Flower Coyotl M Coyote Cozamalotl F Rainbow Coszcatl F Jewel Cualli M/F Good Cuauhtemoc M Descending Eagle/Last Mexica Emperor Cuetlachtli M Wolf Cuicatl F Song Etalpalli M/F Wing Eztli M/F Blood Huemac M Toltec Ruler Huitzilihuitl M Hummingbird feather Huitzilin M Hummingbird Ichtaca M/F Secret Icnoyotl M/F Friendship Ilhicamina M He Shoots Arrows at the Sky/A Great Mexica king Ilhuitl M/F Day Ihuicatl M/F Sky Itotia M/F Dance Itztli M Obsidian (Knife) Ixtli M/F Face Malinalxochitl F Grass Flower Milintica M He is waving /Fire Mecatl M/F Rope/ Lineage Meztli M/F Moon Nahuatl M/F Four Waters /Nahuatl Language Necalli M Battle Nenetl F Doll Nezahualcoyotl M Fasting Coyote /Texcoco Ruler Nezahualpilli M Prince Who Fasts / A Great Texcoco Ruler Nochtli M/F Prickly Pear Fruit Nopaltzin M Cactus / King Ohtli M/F Road Patli M/F Medicine Quetzalxochitl F Precious Flower / Queen Tenoch M/F Prickly-peared fruit (root name of Tenochtitlan) Tezcacoatl M Reflecting Serpent / King Tlalli F Earth Tlacaelel M Greatest of our male Heroes Tlachinolli M/F Fire Tlazopilli M Precious Noble Toltecatl M/F Artist Xipil M/F Noble of the Fire Xipilli M Jeweled Prince Xiuhcoatl M/F Fire Serpent / weapon of destruction Xihuitl M/F Year Xochitl F Flower Yolotli M/F Heart Yaotl M/F Warrior Yayauhqui M/F Black Smoking Mirror

DEDICATION NAMES (Second or final part of name, Never First or only name) DEDICATION NAME SEX MEANING / SIGNIFICANCE Achcauhtli M/F Leader Tonatiuh M He Comes Shining Sun Tonatzin F Our Mother (Earth) Huehueteotl M/F Sacred Fire Xiuhtecutli M/F Turquoise Lord/ Cosmic Fire - Time Tlaloc M/F Water Tezcatlipoca M/F Quetzalcoatl M/F Huitzilopochtli M/F Mictlan M/F Mictlantecuhtli M/F Ehecatl M/F Xolotl M Xochipill M Flower Prince Xochiquetzal F Cihuacoatl F Coatlicue F

CALENDAR NAMES and OTHER NAMES TO SERVE AS LAST or FIRST NAMES

DEDICATION NAME MEANING / SIGNIFICANCE Cipactli aligator representing the primeval material of the universe Mazatl deer Tochtli rabbit Ocelotl jaguar Olin movement Naui Atl Four Water Naui Ocelotl Four Jaguar Naui Ehecatl Four Wind Naui Quiahuitl Four Rain of Fire Pochtecatl Merchant Toltecatl Artist Macehualli The People Pipiltin Noble Tecuhtli Knight

Mexican(Nahuatl Names) male/female

http://archive.worldhistoria.com/mexicannahuatl-names-male-female_topic9095.html

I was looking for Mayan and Incan names but I didnt find any, but does anybody know if the ancient Mexicans or "middle age" Mexicans had last names? because it sucks that we dont have our last names. Is Xiomara Nahuatl? I thought that their was no letter r in Nahuatl.

Mexican(Nahuatl)- names for girls

AHUILIZTLI: unisexual name meaning "joy."

AMOXTLI: unisexual name meaning "book."

ATL: unisexual name meaning "water."

CHALCHIUITL: emerald

CHICAHUA: unisexual name meaning "strong."

CHIPAHUA: unisexual name meaning "clean."

CITLALI: unisexual name meaning "star."

CITLALMINA: greatest of our female heroes.

CENTEHUA: only one

CIHUATON: little woman

CITLALMINA: arrow stars (meteorites)

COAXOCH: serpent flower

COSZCATL: jewel

COZAMALOTL: rainbow

CUALLI: unisexual name meaning "good."

CUICATL: song

ELEUIA: unisexual name meaning "wish."

ELOXOCHITL: magnolia

ETALPALLI: unisexual name meaning "wing."

EZTLI: unisexual name meaning "blood."

ICHTACA: unisexual name meaning "secret."

ICNOYOTL: unisexual name meaning "friendship."

ILHUITL: unisexual name meaning "day."

ITOTIA: unisexual name meaning "dance."

IUITL: unisexual name meaning "feather."

IXCATZIN: like cotton

IXTLI: unisexual name meaning "face."

IZEL: unique

MAHUIZOH: male or female name meaning "glorious person."

MALINALXOCHITL: grass flower

MANAUIA: unisexual name meaning "defend."

MECATL: unisexual name meaning "rope" or "lineage."

MEZTLI: unisexual name meaning "moon."

MIYAOAXOCHITL: maize tassel flower

MIZQUIXAUAL: Mesquite face paint

MOMOZTLI: unisexual name meaning "altar."

MOYOLEHUANI: unisexual name meaning "enamored one."

NAHUATL: unisexual name meaning "four waters." Also the Nahuatl language.

NECAHUAL: survivor; left behind

NELLI: male or female name meaning "truth."

NENETL: doll

NOCHTLI: unisexual name meaning "prickly pear fruit."

NOXOCHICOZTLI: my necklace of flowers

OHTLI: unisexual name meaning "road."

PAPAN: flag

PATLI: unisexual name meaning "medicine."

QUETZALXOCHITL: precious flower; queen

TEICUIH: younger sister

TENOCH: unisexual name; meaning unknown

TEOXIHUITL: unisexual name meaning "turquoise" or "precious and divine."

TEPIN: little one

TEUICUI: younger sister

TEYACAPAN: first born

TLACHINOLLI: unisexual name meaning "fire."

TLACO: middle-born

TLACOEHUA: middle one

TLACOTL: Osier twig

TLALLI: earth

TLANEXTLI: male or female name meaning "radiance, brilliance, majesty or splendor."

TLAZOHTZIN: one who is loved

TLEXICTLI: unisexual name meaning "fire navel."

TOLTECATL: unisexual name meaning "artist."

TONALNAN: mother of light

XIHUITL: unisexual name meaning "year" or " comet."

XILOXOCH: Calliandra

XIOMARA: meaning unknown

XIPIL: unisexual name meaning "noble of the fire."

XIUHCOATL: unisexual name meaning "fire serpent" or "weapon of destruction."

XIUHTONAL: precious light

XOCHICOTZIN: little necklace of flowers

XOCHIQUETZAL: most beautiful flower; plumed flower

XOCHITL: flower

XOCHIYOTL: heart of a gentle flower

XOCO: youngest sister

XOCOYOTL: youngest child

YAOTL: unisexual name meaning "war" or "warrior."

YAYAUHQUI: unisexual name meaning "black smoking mirror."

YOLIHUANI: source of life

YOLOXOCHITL: flower of the heart

YOLTZIN: small heart

YOLOTLI: unisexual name meaning "heart."

YOLYAMANITZIN: male or female name meaning "just" or "tender and considerate person."

ZELTZIN: delicate

Mexian (Nahuatl)-Names for males

ACHCAUHTLI: unisexual name meaning "leader."

ACOLMIXTLI: meaning unknown

AHUILIZTLI: unisexual name meaning "joy."

AMOXTLI: unisexual name meaning "book."

ATL: unisexual name meaning "water."

CHICAHUA: unisexual name meaning "strong."

CHIMALLI: shield

CHIPAHUA: unisexual name meaning "clean."

CIPACTLI: crocodile

CITLALI: unisexual name meaning "star."

COATL: snake

COYOTL: coyote

CUALLI: unisexual name meaning "good."

CUAUHTEMOC: descending eagle; also name of last Mexica emperor

CUETLACHTLI: wolf

CUETZPALLI: lizard

CUIXTLI: kite

EHECATL: wind serpent

ELEUIA: unisexual name meaning "wish."

ETALPALLI: unisexual name meaning "wing."

EZTLI: unisexual name meaning "blood."

HUEMAC: name of a Toltec king

HUITZILIHUITL: pen of a hummingbird

HUITZILLI: hummingbird

ICCAUHTLI: younger brother

ICHTACA: unisexual name meaning "secret."

ICNOYOTL: unisexual name meaning "friendship."

IHUICATL: unisexual name meaning "sky."

ILHICAMINA: he shoots arrows at the sky; also name of a great Mexica king

ILHUITL: unisexual name meaning "day."

ITOTIA: unisexual name meaning "dance."

ITZTLI: obsidian; obsidian knife

IUITL: unisexual name meaning "feather."

IXTLI: unisexual name meaning "face."

MAHUIZOH: male or female name meaning "glorious person."

MANAUIA: unisexual name meaning "defend."

MATLAL: dark green; net

MATLALIHUITL: blue-green feather

MAZATL: deer

MECATL: unisexual name meaning "rope" or "lineage."

MEZTLI: unisexual name meaning "moon."

MILINTICA: he is waving; fire

MOMOZTLI: unisexual name meaning "altar."

MOYOLEHUANI: unisexual name meaning "enamored one."

NAHUATL: unisexual name meaning "four waters." Also the Nahuatl language.

NAMACUIX: king

NATLALIHUITL: blue-green feather or purple feather

NECALLI: battle

NECUAMETL: king

NELLI: male or female name meaning "truth."

NEZAHUALCOYOTL: fasting coyote; also name of a Texcoco king

NEZAHUALPILLI: a prince who fasts; also name of a Texcoco king

NOCHEHUATL: consistent

NOCHTLI: unisexual name meaning "prickly pear fruit."

NOPALTZIN: cactus; king

OHTLI: unisexual name meaning "road."

OLLIN: movement

PATLI: unisexual name meaning "medicine."

QUAUHTLI: eagle

TENOCH: unisexual name; meaning unknown

TEOXIHUITL: unisexual name meaning "turquoise" or "precious and divine."

TEPILTZIN: priveleged son

TEZCACOATL: reflecting serpent; king

TLACAELEL: diligent person

TLACELEL: greatest of our male heroes

TLACHINOLLI: unisexual name meaning "fire."

TLANEXTIC: the light of dawn

TLANEXTLI: male or female name meaning "radiance, brilliance, majesty or splendor."

TLAZOHTLALONI: masculine form of Tlazohtzin, meaning "one who is loved."

TLAZOPILLI: precious noble

TLEXICTLI: unisexual name meaning "fire navel."

TLILPOTONQUI: feathered in black

TOCHTLI: rabbit

TOLTECATL: unisexual name meaning "artist."

TONAUAC: the one that possesses light

TOTOTL: bird

UEMAN: venerable time

UETZCAYOTL: the essence of light

XICOHTENCATL: angry bumblebee

XIHUITL: unisexual name meaning "year" or "comet."

XIPIL: unisexual name meaning "noble of the fire."

XIPILLI: jeweled prince

XIUHCOATL: unisexual name meaning "fire serpent" or "weapon of destruction."

XOCHIPEPE: flower-gatherer

XOCHITL: flower

YAOTL: unisexual name meaning "war" or "warrior."

YAYAUHQUI: unisexual name meaning "black smoking mirror."

YOLOTLI: unisexual name meaning "heart."

YOLYAMANITZIN: male or female name meaning "just" or "tender and considerate person."

ZIPACTONAL: harmonic light

ZOLIN: quaIL

Edited by ITZOCELOTL

Russian

There are 3 ways people in Russia address each other, and they denote different levels of formality, and the relationship between the speakers. You should know this stuff if you wanna write anything that includes Russian people talking to each other, because if you get it wrong, it will be, alternatively, hilarious or cringe-worthy**.** I have seen soo much of this in fanfic it’s not funny anymore**.** So read up y’all**!**

1. Name + Patronymic.

A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a surname based on the given name of one’s father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor**.** (thank you, Wikipedia!) A patronymic is not a middle name. Russian people don’t have middle names, period**.** But we all have patronymics!

Use: formal

Used towards: your teacher, your big boss, a senior citizen with whom you don’t have a close relationship (say, your classmate’s grandma), your doctor, any kind of professor or scholar when you address them formally, a client when you’re in the service industry/work with people (not always, but very often).

Example: Ivan Petrovich, Sergey Vladimirovich, Anna Anatolyevna, Maria Sergeevna, etc

Things that happen:

Student: Ivan Petrovich, could I consult you on my essay after class**?**

Teacher: Sure, Sasha, I’ll be in the classroom till 3**.**

Things that don’t happen:

Student: Ivan, when are you gonna grade our tests**?**

Teacher: Tomorrow, Alexander!

Remember: patronymics are gendered, they’ll have different endings for male and female names**!** The best way to figure out how to make a patronymic out of any given name is to go and ask a Russian speaker**.**

2. Name.

I’m talking about the full form of a name here, because there’s also a short form and that’s the next one**.**

Use: semi-formal

Used towards: if you’re an adult - towards any other adult with whom you are in an equal position but don’t have a close relationship; a colleague with whom you’re not close; a business partner; your boss if you’re close to them on the corporate ladder; another adult you just met and with whom you’re making friends with but you’re not close yet (not always though, but often); basically in any kind od setting where someone’s your equal but you’re not close**.** Teenagers/youngsters and children don’t really do this inbetween themselves, preferring the informality of short names**.** When people use full names, it means the relationship between them is formal in its nature, not really close or based on friendship**.**

Example: Vladimir, Pyotr, Alexander, Anna, Nadezhda, Valentina, Ivan, Natalya, Mikhail, etc

Things that happen:

Businessman 1: I think the business lunch went pretty well, don’t you, Alexey**?**

Businessman 2: I believe so, Mikhail, if things keep going this way, we’ll get some solid funding for our joined project**.**

Things that don’t happen:

Classmate 1: Hey, Mikhail, pass me the history textbook**!**

Classmate 2: Sure thing, Boris**!**

Friend 1: What do you say, Anatoly, wanna hit a few bars tonight, get a few beers**?**

Friend 2: Sure thing, Dmitry, it’s been a while since I got hammered last time**!** A good fuck afterwards would be awesome, too.

Remember: if two people are close in an informal setting, they’re not gonna do this**.** This is the number one mistake they make in movies**.** Siblings and close friends and people who are meant to be friendly and close to each other don’t bloody do this in modern Russian**.** Unless it’s for laughs or something.

3. Short name.

This is the one people get wrong often too, because the world generally seems to be uninformed about the existence of short names in Russian**.** And when people do know, they have serious difficulties telling short names for girls from short names for boys, or making a short name out of the full version correctly**.** The best way to figure this out is to ASK A RUSSIAN, y’all**.**

Use: informal

Used towards: your peers, buddies, friends, classmates, siblings, relatives, children and teenagers regardless of the speaker’s age, sometimes young adults too if they’re very young-looking and the other person is older**.** (I’m 22 and all my teachers use my short name, so does my dentist, my friends’ parents, etc**.** Note the difference: if I go to a bank, I will only be addressed by name+patronymic by the workers there, regardless of my baby face, because that’s a formal setting**.) It’s also acceptable to use short names towards people much lower than you on the corporate ladder, sometimes: bosses often use short names for their secretaries, but not always, it really depends.** Small children use short name + uncle/auntie to talk about any adult (this is sort of similar to Japanese).

Exaple (Full name - short name): Vladimir - Vova/Volodya, Mikhail - Misha, Evgeny/Evgenia - Zhenya, Nadezhda - Nadya, Ekaterina - Katya, Alexander/Alexandra - Sasha, Dmitry - Dima, Sergey - Seryozha, Maria - Masha, Natalya - Natasha, Ivan - Vanya, etc**.**

Things that happen:

Classmate 1: Morning, Katya**!** Ready for the test?

Classmate 2: Morning! Not sure about that one, Nadya, got any cribs to share**?**

Boss: Masha, could you please make me a cup of strong coffee**?** No sugar**.**

Secretary: Yes, Evgenya Pavlovna, it’ll only be a minute**.**

Things that don’t happen:

Teacher: Your last test was awful, Kostya, when are you going to start trying harder**?**

Student: I’ll try harder next time, Vanya, I’m really sorry**.** Please don’t fail me**?**

Remember: It can be very hard to guess if a short name is a boy or girl name if you don’t know, because they have similar endings, and that confuses people**.** Some short names are unisex, because they’re short forms for male and female versions of the same name, like Sasha or Zhenya**.** If you only know the short name, you will most likely fail at figuring out the full name if you don’t already know it, and vice versa**.** The best way to figure out the short form of a name is to ASK A RUSSIAN, seriously**.** Or a Russian speaker with a good vocabulary. Someone who already knows**.**

Also note: Russian is VERY creative with suffixes and diminutives, so a single name can have 3 or 4 short versions which get fluffier and fluffier**.** Example:

Nadezhda -> Nadya -> Nadyusha -> Nadyushen’ka**.** (my name)

Ivan -> Vanya -> Vanyusha, Vanechka -> Vanyushen’ka (the last one is so fluffy noone but your grandma would ever use it)

The last version is UBER fluffy**.** The third one is what my ex used to call me and what my close Russian friends call me to show tenderness/love/affection, same with my parents, and even my teacher calls me that but only due to our very close relationship**.** It’s not the fluffiest but still mighty fluffy.

NB for ficwriters: using names correctly is an A+ way to show contrast in relationships, or a contrast between a formal setting and a private setting**.** Especially if you’re writing m/m, use the fluffy versions SPARINGLY if you wanna convey a serious atmosphere (even in a cracky one, people aren’t gonna use them all the time either), but figure out the right moment to use them, when you wanna show a hurricane of affection/emotions and extreme tenderness, and you’ll hit your Russian readers right in the heart (for example, character A is returning from a war all wounded but alive, and character B is running towards them, hugging them and crying). But don’t try to make the fluffy versions yourself, just find someone and ask**!** Ask me, I’m always here.

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