In Chinese culture, it’s common practice for parents to seek the advice of an astrologer to help find the perfect name for a baby. Astrological charts are drafted so that parents can use them as a framework to choose a name that is harmonious with the family name. By using the time of birth, an astrologer can determine which of the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth to incorporate into the name. In general, Chinese baby names consist of three characters. The family name is the first, and the remaining two are given. While some names are typically given to boys, many of them are popular for girls as well.
Additionally, the way Chinese characters are formed, like spelling, is also scrutinized. The good news is that after all of that effort, parents can rest assured that they’ve made the right naming choice. China is huge and many languages and cultures thrive in the country. The most widely spoken languages are Mandarin and Cantonese. Let’s take a look at popular baby names for boys in China and their meanings.
25. Bowen
Bowen has been the fourth most popular name for boys in China since 2010. It’s also gained traction in the US becoming the 431st most popular name for boys in 2018. The name means “abundant, rich, literature.”
24. Zixuan
The most common given name for boys in China since 2010 is Zixuan. The name means “child, high.”
23. Aiguo
Dr. Aiguo Dai is a Chinese-American scientist and professor at SUNY who studies the effects of climate change on the Atmosphere. The name Aiguo means “love of country.”
22. Yuze
In China, Yuze has been the 8th most common name for boys since 2010. Yuze means “rain or friend, pool or brilliance.”
21. Liang
In 2019, Ellen DeGeneres caught on to the viral sensation 3-year-old Liang Liang from Linyi in eastern China. Billed as the “King of Rythym” Liang can really dance! The name Liang means “bright, brilliant.”
20. Qiu
Philosopher, Confucius‘s given name, Qui means “autumn, hill.” Confucius was born in the 5th-century, but the name is still thriving in China. The philosopher was one of the most influential thinkers in world history and conceived the “golden rule.”
19. Hao-Yu
Hao-Yu does crack the top 1000 names for boys in the US, but in China, it’s the 2nd most popular name! The name means “grand house.”
18. Chen
Chinese actor and director Li Chen is a beloved entertainer who was nominated for an International Emmy Award in 2009. The name Chen means “morning.”
17. Hong
Second-century Emperor Houshao of Han’s personal name was Liu Hong. Hong has many, many different meanings including “rainbow, expand, vast, wild swan.”
16. Jin
An extremely popular name in China, Jin means “gold.” While the name doesn’t enjoy the same favor in the US, it’s the 8th most popular name in China.
15. Kai
Kai is a name that’s found in many cultures and languages. In China, the name means “start.” In the US, the name has been in the top 1000 since 1979 and it peaked at 113 in 2018. Gymnast Zou Kai is a five-time Olympic champion.
14. Ming
Architect behind the Louvre Pyramid, I. M. Pei‘s given name was Ming. The name means “bright” and it’s the 6th most popular name in China.
13. Fu
The Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu, China honors the famed poet, Du Fu. Fu has a variety of meanings that include “including wealthy, hibiscus, man, father.”
12. Gang
Celebrated mathematician and professor emeritus at Princeton University, Tian Gang has a fantastic name. The name Gang means “strong.”
11. Shi
Shi was the given name of first-century Emperor Yuan of Han and 13th-century Emperor Duanzong of Song. Shi can have multiple meanings that include “generation, honest, history, stone.”
10. Bai
Bai is another name with fascinating meanings including “white, pure, many, cypress tree.” Poet Li Bai was acclaimed during his life in the eighth-century and is considered a genius today.
9. He
Explorer Zheng He was an influential treasure-hunter in the 15th-century who commanded an entire fleet of ships. The name He means “river, harmony.”
8. Jian
Jian means “build, establish, strong, healthy.” Jian is a popular name for boys in China that’s often used as a compound name to impart the meaning of building and growth. For instance, Jianguo means “building the country” and Jianyu means “building the universe.”
7. Fen
Fen has many variations including the popular Fang, which is the 16th most popular name in China. The name has a romantic meaning, “perfume.”
6. Xiang
Xiang means “soaring like a bird, good luck” which makes Olympic Gold Medalist Liu Xiang‘s name very appropriate. One of China’s most cherished athletes and a cultural icon, Liu Xiang scored China’s first gold in men’s track and field ever.
5. Rong
Rong is one of the most popular names in China, especially when attributing the meaning “prosperous” to the name.” In addition, the name can mean “glory, harmonize, appearance.”
4. Heng
Heng belonged to two emperors in Chinese history whose personal names were Li Heng and Zhao Heng. We especially love the meaning of this name, “constant.”
3. De
Like Jian, De is another name that’s used as a compound. It connotes “virtue.” Delun means “virtuous order” and Deshi means “virtuous man.”
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2. Chih-Ming
Chih-Ming is a very popular name in China and the second most popular name in Tawain. The name means “having a clear goal in life” which you can’t argue with.
1. Tao
Tao means “large waves.” The name can also mean “way, path” and is related to the Chinese philosophy, Taoism. Performer Huang Zitao is a popular musician and actor in China and he’s known simply as “Tao” or “Z. Tao.”
There you go! 25 popular baby names for boys in China with beautiful meanings.
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