Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
Japanese variant of 閣 (gé) meaning 'pavilion', 'tower', 'cabinet', or 'chamber'; used primarily in Japanese contexts.
A type of ancient wooden partition or screen; a wooden structure used for separation in buildings.
A wooden mallet or club used for breaking up clods of earth; an ancient agricultural tool similar to a hoe or mattock.
Wooden block or base; chopping block; stump
A kind of tree; a shelf or board; a measure word for certain objects
A type of oak tree, specifically referring to the Chinese cork oak
A variant form of 蘽, meaning a climbing vine or creeper plant; also used in ancient texts to refer to a type of plant
Wine vessel; ancient type of wine container with decorative patterns; also used to describe something ornate or decorated.
A variant form of the character 薩 (Sà), used primarily in Buddhist
Oar — a long pole with a broad blade at one end,; also refers to a turret or shield on ancient warships.
An ancient name for a type of tree; a rare character with limited usage in modern Chinese.
To gather, collect, assemble; to pile up, accumulate; to store up provisions.
A type of tree, possibly referring to a specific species of oak; also used in historical names.
An ancient character referring to a type of wood or wooden implement; obscure and rarely used in modern Chinese.
Hui — an archaic term for a wooden pestle or mallet; also refers to a type of wooden tool used for pounding or
A deciduous tree, possibly referring to a specific type of oak or; also described as withered or having no leaves.
Palm — refers to palm trees, particularly the windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei),
comb; to comb; to dress the hair
A quiver for arrows; a case or bag for holding weapons or tools; to store or contain.
Du — a box, case, casket; to enclose, to contain; also refers to a coffin.
Citron — refers to the citron fruit (Citrus medica); specifically used in the name of Buddha's hand citron (佛手柑).
Oak tree (Quercus spp.); a type of deciduous tree; also used in place names
A type of fragrant wood or plant mentioned in ancient Chinese texts,
Chopsticks; also an ancient term for writing tablets or tallies used in official
A variant form of 藪 (sǒu), meaning a marsh, swamp, or wetland; a place where plants or animals gather; by extension, a gathering place or den.
A type of plant, specifically referring to the lotus root or water; also used in some place names.
Jian — a character primarily used in personal names, particularly in Japanese; refers to a type of tree or wood.
A character used in Japanese names, particularly female names; not standard in Chinese.
Zhu — refers to the Chinese evergreen chinquapin tree (Castanopsis sclerophylla), a
Chinese pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis); also refers to the capital or bracket in traditional Chinese architecture.
Eaves — the overhanging edge of a roof; also refers to a corridor or veranda under such eaves.
Manger, feeding trough; horse stall; specifically refers to a manger for horses or cattle.
Zhu — an ancient term for a wooden peg or stake; used in classical texts, particularly in the name of the legendary figure
Chen — coffin; catalpa tree (used for making coffins in ancient times).
A wooden peg or pin used to secure something; a wooden bolt or latch.
A type of tree with large, spreading branches; also refers to a kind of flowering plant.
A type of ancient tree (possibly referring to a specific hardwood species); used in historical texts for certain types of wood.
Huai — refers to the Chinese parasol tree (Firmiana simplex), also known; used in classical literature and place names.
nie4 — yeast, leaven, ferment; to sprout, bud; metaphorically refers to descendants or offspring
A type of tree, specifically referring to the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora).
Cage; coop; pen
Loose, slack; not tight; also used in Buddhist texts.
Qiao — an archaic variant of 樵 (qiáo), meaning to gather firewood; a woodcutter; firewood.
A type of tree, specifically referring to the cork oak or related; also used in the name of a specific tree species.
Gui — a rare character used in Japanese names, specifically in the
Zelkova — a type of deciduous tree in the elm family, native
Tall and luxuriant appearance of trees; used in classical Chinese to describe lush foliage.
Lattice window; window frame; carved or patterned window grille.
Cherry — refers to cherry trees, cherry blossoms, and cherries as fruit; often associated with beauty, transience, and spring in East Asian cultures.
A wooden wedge or peg used to fill a gap; a type of ancient architectural bracket; also refers to a type of tree.
To straighten wood by steaming and bending; ancient form of 檃 meaning a tool for straightening bent wood; to correct or amend.
Citron, pomelo — a type of citrus fruit (Citrus medica); also refers to a type of tree.
A rare character referring to a type of tree or wood, possibly
Xiang — refers to the fragrant wood of the sandalwood tree; also used to describe fragrant materials or fragrant wood in general.
A variant form of the character 农 (nóng), meaning agriculture, farming, or; also used as a surname.
Rafter — a structural beam in traditional Chinese architecture that supports the; also refers to small rafters or purlins.
Ancient name for a comet; also refers to the sandalwood tree (sandalwood).
Railing, fence, balustrade; column in a table or publication; section or column in newspapers/magazines.
Zelkova tree — a type of deciduous tree native to East Asia,
Raft; boat made by lashing together logs or bamboo; also refers to oars or paddles used for steering.
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.