Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
A type of small apple or crabapple, specifically referring to the Chinese
Simple, unadorned, plain, honest; original meaning refers to unprocessed wood.
Eaves — the projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof; also refers to the brim of a hat or any similar protruding
Defensive weapon — refers to a large wooden beam or log used; also refers to a battering ram.
Ancient variant of 風 (wind); also used in names to represent a gentle breeze or natural phenomenon.
A type of tree, specifically referring to the Chinese juniper or a; also used in ancient texts for certain aromatic woods.
File, record, archive; grade, level; crosspiece, crossbar
The wooden part of a waterwheel; a type of tree; used in classical texts.
A type of wild pear tree (Pyrus calleryana); also refers to the fruit of this tree.
Chinese cork tree (Phellodendron amurense); a type of tree whose bark is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
A variant form of 枰, meaning a type of tree (possibly referring; also used in some names.
A rare, archaic character meaning 'to measure' or 'to gauge'; also used as a variant form of other characters.
An obsolete or variant form of 楚 (chǔ), meaning 'clear', 'neat', 'painful',
To whip; to flog; a rod or whip used for punishment or driving animals.
Chinese juniper; refers to certain species of cypress trees; historically used in names and classical references.
Oar — a long pole with a broad blade at one end,
A type of oak tree; also refers to a parasitic plant (mistletoe); sometimes used in ancient texts.
Catalpa tree — a type of deciduous tree native to East Asia,; historically used to make coffins and musical instruments.
A wooden frame for straightening arrows; a lamp stand or lamp; to correct or rectify.
Zhai — an ancient term referring to a type of tree (possibly; also used in historical names and places.
To examine, inspect, check; to investigate; to review
Mast — the tall vertical spar on a sailing ship that supports
Unknown or extremely rare character; possibly a variant form or obscure character not in standard dictionaries.
To moor a boat to the shore; to tie up a boat at the bank.
Biao — a signpost, marker, or tablet; also refers to a type of tree used for making such markers.
A type of small basket or container, often made of bamboo or; also refers to a type of ancient vessel.
Mango — refers to the mango fruit, particularly in Taiwanese and Southern
Ridgepole — the main horizontal beam supporting a roof structure in traditional
A variant form of the character 櫟 (simplified: 栎), meaning oak tree; also used in place names.
Sassafras — a type of deciduous tree in the Lauraceae family, native
Lemon — refers to the lemon fruit and tree; also used in words related to citrus fruits and sometimes metaphorically for
A type of tree with silver-colored bark; silver birch or similar tree.
Tao — refers to a legendary fierce beast; a block of wood; ignorant, obstinate
Table, desk, counter — refers to furniture for working, dining, or displaying; also used for service counters in shops.
A type of tree, specifically the Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus), known
Ancient variant form of 棋 (qí), meaning 'chess', 'game piece', or 'board
Large tree; ancient name for a type of large tree or timber.
Betel nut — refers to the areca nut, often used in the; also appears in the name of the city Penang (Malaysia).
An ancient name for a type of tree, possibly birch or similar; also appears in historical texts and place names.
Fringe flower — refers to plants in the Loropetalum genus, particularly Chinese
A type of ancient vessel or container; also used in the term 檶耳 which refers to a kind of
A type of ancient tool used for twisting silk threads; also refers to a type of tree (possibly a variant of 檷木).
Lemon — refers to the lemon fruit and tree; also used in words for lemonade and related citrus products.
檹 — a type of tree; used in ancient texts to describe trees with drooping branches; also appears in classical Chinese literature.
A type of tree, specifically referring to the Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis); also used in some proper names.
Threshold; railing; bar
Ridgepole — the main beam supporting a roof in traditional Chinese architecture; also used metaphorically for something essential or foundational.
A type of soft, flexible wood; a type of tree with soft wood; a type of jujube tree.
Qǐng — refers to ramie, a flowering plant of the nettle family; also called China grass.
Mulberry tree — specifically refers to the mountain mulberry or wild mulberry
Qi — an ancient term for a type of chessboard or gaming; also appears as a variant form of 棋 (qí), meaning chess or
An archaic variant of 蜜 (mì), meaning honey; also used in 櫁柑 (mìgān), a type of citrus fruit.
Oar, scull; to row a boat; archaic variant of 棹.
Cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe; counter (in a bank, shop); also refers to a type of furniture for storage.
Chun — an archaic Chinese character referring to a type of tree,
A type of tree, possibly referring to a species of oak or; also used in ancient texts for a type of wood used in
Kui — refers to the handle of the Big Dipper constellation; used in names to signify guidance, leadership, or celestial influence.
An ancient term for a type of tree or wood; possibly referring to a specific hardwood species used in ancient times.
Stool, bench — a piece of furniture for sitting, typically without a
Cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe — a piece of furniture with shelves, drawers, or
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.