Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
A type of basket or container made from woven bamboo strips, often
A type of fragrant wood or sandalwood; used in Buddhist contexts and classical literature to refer to aromatic trees.
A type of tree, possibly referring to a thorny shrub or small; also used in ancient texts to describe a hedge or fence made
A type of ancient wooden vehicle component or wooden implement; obscure character with limited usage.
Shape, form, appearance; sample, model, pattern; kind, type.
nucleus, kernel, core; to examine, verify; atomic nucleus
root; foundation; base
A type of tree; also used in the name of a historical site, 栺支宫 (Yizhigong).
A type of ancient divination board or instrument used in Chinese geomancy; a tool for feng shui calculations.
Pattern, standard, style; to investigate, to study; to resist, to fight
to plant; to grow; to cultivate
Luan — a type of tree (Koelreuteria paniculata, goldenrain tree); a surname; also refers to a decorative bell on a carriage in ancient times.
Beam, crossbeam — the main horizontal support member in traditional Chinese wooden
fierce, cruel, tyrannical; name of the last ruler of the Xia dynasty, known for his; outstanding, heroic (in some contexts)
Purlin — a horizontal beam in architecture supporting rafters; also refers to a crossbar or girder in construction.
Cassia, osmanthus; laurel; cinnamon
Peach — a fruit tree; the peach fruit; associated with longevity and immortality in Chinese culture
wooden frame; shuttle of a loom; also used in the term 'areca palm' (桄榔)
Mast — the upright spar or pole that supports the sails on; also refers to flagpoles.
Frame — refers to a physical frame, framework, or border; also used metaphorically for constraints or limits.
An ancient character meaning 'a type of tree' or 'a plant name'; rare in modern usage.
Table, desk; case, file, record; legal case
Eucalyptus — refers to eucalyptus trees; also used historically as a variant form for 案 meaning table, desk,
A wooden ring or halter for leading cattle; a nose ring for animals; also used in some place names.
A type of tree, specifically the Chinese pear-leaved crabapple (Malus asiatica); also refers to a kind of fine-grained wood used in ancient times.
Table — a piece of furniture with a flat top and one
A type of tree; hollow tree; empty, hollow (archaic usage).
Fetters, shackles; to restrain, to confine; a type of leg-irons used in ancient China.
A type of ancient tree; a rare surname; also appears in some ancient place names.
Tung tree, Paulownia — a deciduous tree native to China, valued for; often used metaphorically in names to symbolize nobility, resilience, and auspiciousness.
Mulberry — refers to the mulberry tree; used in words related to sericulture (silk production); also appears in place names.
Ancient form of 桑 (sāng), meaning mulberry tree; used in names and classical texts.
pillar, post; a type of tree (Chinese hackberry); steady, firm
Tangerine, orange — a type of citrus fruit; also refers to the color orange.
Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum); also refers to the wax tree or varnish tree.
A rare character meaning 'blood' or 'bloodshed', primarily used in historical or
Duò — an ancient term for the base of a tree; also used in some historical place names.
A variant form of 槌, meaning a mallet, hammer, or club; a tool for pounding or striking.
A type of ancient vessel or container; also refers to a type of tree or wood.
To press, squeeze, or oppress; also refers to a torture instrument used to crush fingers.
A character used in Japanese place names and personal names; in Chinese, it's a rare variant character with limited usage.
Cherry tree; cherry blossom (Japanese kanji for 'sakura').
Japanese kokuji (国字) character meaning 'ship mast' or 'flagpole'; used in Japanese place names and surnames.
Willow tree; a variant form of the character 柳 (liǔ).
Scaffold, framework, support structure; also refers to a shelf or rack for storage.
Fork of a tree; branch; twig
oar; paddle; to bend
Hardwood; a type of strong, durable wood; used in classical texts to refer to pillars or supports
file, record, grade, shelf, crosspiece; refers to documents, archives, or a level/grade in a system.
Alder tree — a type of deciduous tree in the birch family,
Bridge — a structure built to span physical obstacles such as bodies
Birch tree — refers to various species of birch trees, known for
Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis); a type of evergreen tree; also refers to a coffin made of juniper wood in ancient times.
oar, paddle — a tool used for rowing or propelling a boat
stake, pile, post; a measure word for events or matters (especially in business or disputes).
A type of tree, possibly referring to a specific species in Chinese; also used in some place names.
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata); also refers to the tree genus Cyathea (tree ferns).
Sand — refers to the Chinese flowering crabapple (Malus halliana), a type
Eaves — the overhanging edge of a roof; also refers to a type of tree or a rafter.
Cup, goblet — an ancient term for a drinking vessel, particularly one
Practical guidance for evaluating characters by radical, stroke balance, and cultural resonance.
Radicals group characters by their core semantic or structural elements. When you filter by radical, you surface characters that share meaning cues and writing patterns, making it easier to shortlist options with aligned symbolism.
Most parents stay within 6–16 strokes so signatures remain elegant and readable. Avoid extremes—overly complex forms slow writing, while ultra-simple characters may feel plain next to a more expressive partner character.
Chinese characters themselves are largely gender-neutral. Perceived gender comes from imagery and cultural associations, so review meanings and radicals together to find characters that match the tone you want.