Choosing a Chinese Name: 10 Popular Chinese Male Names & Their Meanings

Choosing a name in China is a meaningful tradition, as names often reflect deep cultural significance and the aspirations parents hold for their children.

Last week, we explored 10 beautiful female names, now let’s dive into some of the most popular male names in China and uncover their meanings.

Gender Differences in Chinese Names

01. Masculine vs. Feminine Characters

Boy names in Chinese often feature characters that convey strength, power, or virtue. In contrast, girl names tend to include graceful, elegant, or nature-inspired characters.

Here are some characters commonly used for male names:

• 勇 (yǒng) – brave;
• 强 (qiáng) – strong;
• 豪 (háo) – heroic, grand;
• 龙 (lóng) – dragon, symbolizing power;
• 杰 (jié) – outstanding, remarkable.

02. Double Characters vs. Single Characters

👧 Traditionally, girls’ names are more likely to use reduplicated characters, reflecting beauty and elegance:

• 丽丽 Lìlì
• 婷婷 Tíngtíng

👦 On the other hand, boy names are often single-character or two-character names that convey strength and depth.

10 Male Names and Their Meanings | Popular Chinese Boy Names

01. 伟杰 Weijie – Outstanding Chinese Boy Name

伟杰 Wěijié suggests someone who is a great person or leader, outstanding in their abilities and accomplishments.

02. 天宇 Tianyu – Visionary Chinese Boy Name

天宇 Tiānyǔ symbolizes a person with lofty aspirations and a wide, visionary view of the world.

03. 浩然 Haoran – Virtuous Chinese Boy Name

浩然 Hàorán implies a person with great strength and character, someone who is both vast in influence and virtuous.

04. 梓轩 Zixuan – Aesthetic Chinese Boy Name

梓轩 Zǐxuān combines natural strength and beauty, suggesting someone who is both resilient and refined.

05. 伟龙 Weilong – Powerful Chinese Boy Name

伟龙 Wěilóng, which translates to “great dragon”, symbolizes someone with great potential, strength, and influence, as well as the wisdom and power of a dragon.

06. 明浩 Minghao – Bright Chinese Boy Name

明浩 Mínghào implies a person who is both intellectually sharp and capable of achieving grand things.

07. 博文 Bowen – Intelligent Chinese Boy Name

博文 Bówén translates to “broad knowledge”. This name suggests someone who is well-read, intelligent, and cultured, with a wide range of knowledge and interests.

08. 力威 Liwei – Strong Chinese Boy Name

力威 Lìwēi symbolizes a person who is not only strong and capable but also carries a sense of authority and respect.

09. 康瑞 Kangrui – Auspicious Chinese Boy Name

康瑞 Kāngruì embodies a person who is not only blessed with good health and vitality but also attracts good luck and positive outcomes.

10. 俊朗 Junlang – Vibrant Chinese Boy Name

俊朗 Jùnlǎng suggests a person who is not only physically attractive but also has a bright, clear, and vibrant personality.

Chinese Male Celebrities Names

Here are four famous male Chinese people, their names in Chinese, and the meanings behind their names:

✨ Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan is a legendary actor, martial artist, and film producer, known worldwide for his unique blend of comedy and action in films.

• 成 (chéng) – to succeed
• 龙 (lóng) – dragon

✨ Jay Chou

Jay Chou (周杰伦 Zhōu Jiélún) is a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, and music producer. His poetic lyrics and unique style have made him a cultural icon across Asia and beyond.

• 周 (zhōu) – circumference; around
• 杰 (jié) – outstanding; heroic
• 伦 (lún) – ethic; order

✨ Jet Li

李连杰 (Lǐ Liánjié) – a renowned martial artist and actor, famous for his roles in action films such as “Hero” and “The Forbidden Kingdom”.

• 李 (lǐ) – plum; a common surname in China,
  symbolizing beauty and resilience
• 连 (lián) – to connect; to link
• 杰 (jié) – outstanding; heroic

✨ Wong Kar-wai

Wong Kar-wai is a highly influential and renowned film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his famous works like “In the Mood for Love” and “Blossoms Shanghai”.

• 王 (wáng) – king
• 家 (jiā) – family; home
• 卫 (wèi) – to guard; to defend

Take it Further!

Explore the Chinese names and share 10 beautiful Chinese female names along with their meanings, pronunciation and cultural significance