Chinese Name Generator
Meet your Chinese name, one combination at a time — keep the ones you love, translate your own name sound by sound, or build it character by character. Every combination shows real pinyin, real meanings, pronunciation and a calligraphy preview.
A Chinese name is a gift, not a costume: take your time, and ask a Chinese-speaking friend before using it formally.
A name to consider
Drawn from real lines of classic Chinese poetry — shuffle freely and keep what speaks to you.
Shuffling characters for you…
A Chinese given name is built, not picked. Each character carries its own meaning — but the meaning that matters can be one only you know. Search any pinyin sound or English word, or browse a theme — then pick one or two characters (tap again — in the pool or on a slot — to remove) and send your combination to the name card.
Type a name or pick a meaning above, choose an option, then style your card and download it.
Add a family name (optional)
In Chinese the family name comes first: family name + given name, like Wang + Ming = Wang Ming.
Examples — familiar names, sound by sound
These cards match a familiar name by its sound (like David → 戴维). Tap one to load it onto the canvas, follow the per-character links to see what each character means, or type your own name in the box above.
How it works
1. Type a name or pick a meaning
Enter your first name — common spellings and nicknames are matched automatically (Dave finds David). Or choose a quality you love, like grace, courage or wisdom.
2. Choose the characters
Compare each option with its pinyin and honest meanings. Add a family name if you like — leave it out, transliterate your own, or pick one of 70+ common Chinese family names, including compound ones like Ouyang.
3. Style it, hear it, keep it
Set the calligraphy style, ink color and vertical layout, listen to the pronunciation, and download a clean PNG of your personal name card.
About Chinese names
The family name comes first. In Chinese, Wang Ming is Mr. Wang, called by his full name — family name first, then the given name. If you add a family name above, it will always lead.
Sound or meaning — both are real. There are two classic ways to get a Chinese name: transliteration, matching the sound (Michael → 迈克尔), and semantic naming, matching the meaning (grace → 雅涵). Sound keeps your name recognizable; meaning gives it poetry.
Every character is a word. Unlike the alphabet, each Chinese character carries its own meaning and can stand alone: 雅 means elegant, 涵 means deep water and to hold. That is why every option here shows per-character links — choose characters you would be happy to explain.
Take care, then make it yours. A name is a gift, so be curious and careful: check the meanings, listen to the pronunciation, and ask a Chinese-speaking friend before using it officially. And if a character matters enough for ink, double-check it with the Tattoo Designer too.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Yes – completely free, no account, no email, no sign-up. The generator runs in your browser, and your name is never uploaded or stored.
How does it work?
Two ways. Type your English name and we transliterate it sound by sound, the way the name is commonly written in Chinese (Michael → 迈克尔). Or pick a meaning – grace, courage, wisdom – and browse curated two-character names, each with pinyin and real character meanings.
Is this my official or legal name?
No – think of it as a cultural name: a gift rather than a document. An official name change is a legal process with its own rules. Use this one to introduce yourself, to study, or for art, but not as ID.
How do I hear the pronunciation?
Every name card has a speaker button – tap it to hear clear Mandarin audio (with your browser's built-in voice as a backup). You can also play individual characters. Say your name out loud a few times; a name you can pronounce is a name you can use.
What does each character mean?
Every character links to its full dictionary entry on Zidian, with stroke order, meanings, example sentences and audio. A name like 雅涵 combines 雅 (“elegant”) and 涵 (“deep, to hold”) – check both halves so you know exactly what you are carrying.
Can I print my name to practice writing it?
Yes – open the Character Practice Sheets, type your name, and print a grid sheet with stroke order. Writing your own Chinese name is the quickest way to make it feel like yours.
Can I use the name for a tattoo or artwork?
You can. For a polished design, take it to the Tattoo Designer to preview calligraphy styles and export a clean PNG. Before anything permanent, ask a native speaker to check the characters – a tattoo lasts forever.
Which surnames can I add?
Three options: leave the surname out (very common), transliterate your own family name (Smith → 史密斯), or pick one of 70+ common Chinese surnames, single or compound (Wang, Ouyang). In Chinese the family name comes first: 王 + 明 = 王明.
How were the Chinese characters chosen?
By hand. Every transliteration and every name in the meaning themes was curated and checked against our dictionary – real characters in everyday or classical use, no rare or awkward picks. The From Poetry names come from public-domain classics (the Book of Songs, Tang poetry, the Songs of Chu) with English translations.
My name is not listed – what can I do?
The transliteration table covers the hundred most common names, and common spellings and nicknames are matched automatically (Dave finds David). If yours truly is not there, try the meaning mode – choose the quality you would like your name to carry, and it becomes personal.
Keep exploring
Tattoo Designer
If a character matters enough for ink, design it properly: calligraphy fonts, vertical or mirrored layout, and a clean PNG for your artist.
Character Practice Sheets
Type your new name and print writing grids with stroke order — the fastest way to make it feel like yours.
Chinese Dictionary
Look up all 14,000+ characters: stroke order, example words, audio and full meanings — exactly what every character link above opens.
All Learning Tools
Pinyin charts, HSK word lists, quiz games and more — the full toolkit to go from your own name to actually reading Chinese.