Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
Ten thousand; a great number; myriad
A type of ancient carriage; a surname; also used in ancient texts to refer to a specific type of
A type of plant or herb; an ancient term for a specific plant species.
A type of plant; also refers to a type of grass or herb; used in classical texts and place names.
A type of plant; historically used to refer to a specific herb or plant species, though
Daylily — a flowering plant (Hemerocallis fulva) known for its edible flowers; in Chinese culture, it symbolizes motherly love and is used to represent
A type of plant, possibly referring to a specific herb or flower; variant form of 萱 (xuān), which refers to the daylily plant.
Nan — an ancient name for a type of plant; used in historical texts and place names.
Ce — a type of medicinal plant; specifically refers to aconite or monkshood in traditional Chinese medicine.
Lettuce — refers to edible leafy vegetables, particularly lettuce varieties.
Spring — an archaic character referring to springtime; also used in ancient texts as a variant or component in other
A small boat; also refers to a type of tree or shrub.
Cornelian cherry; refers to the fruit of the Cornus officinalis plant, used in traditional
A type of plant, specifically the 'knotweed' or 'smartweed' (Polygonum aviculare); also used in the name of a traditional Chinese medicinal herb.
A type of plant; an ancient term for a medicinal herb; also used in names.
A type of plant or herb; an ancient character used in names and texts, though rare in modern
Calyx — the outermost whorl of a flower, typically green and leaf-like,; sepals collectively.
fall; drop; descend
A character used in personal names, particularly female names, conveying meanings of; also appears in some plant names.
Lush, luxuriant growth of vegetation; thriving plant life.
A type of fragrant plant; specifically refers to a kind of mint or aromatic herb used in
Ginger — refers to the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale); also used in some personal names.
A plant name; used in ancient texts and personal names.
Yesterday; the day before; refers to the recent past.
To rely on; to depend on; to use as a cushion or mat.
Pickled vegetables; salted or fermented vegetables; a type of preserved food in Chinese cuisine.
Bao — luxuriant growth; to preserve; to nurture
Aromatic herb — refers to a fragrant plant, specifically Perilla frutescens (紫苏),
A type of plant; specifically refers to the cocklebur plant (Xanthium strumarium), a weed with burred
Leaf; foliage; page (of a book)
Thatched hut; small cottage; rustic dwelling, often used in classical literature to refer to a simple,
A type of plant; specifically refers to a kind of fragrant grass or herb mentioned in
A type of fragrant grass or herb; also refers to wild ginger (Asarum).
A type of perennial weed with white flowers and creeping rhizomes, often
Humulus — refers to the hop plant (Humulus lupulus) used in brewing; also refers to Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) and related climbing plants.
Lush, abundant growth of plants; refers to dense, flourishing vegetation.
Lush, abundant vegetation; flourishing growth of plants; used in classical Chinese to describe profuse foliage.
feng — refers to a type of turnip or radish; specifically the kohlrabi or turnip cabbage.
Red — refers to the herb Polygonum orientale, commonly known as prince's
A type of aquatic plant, specifically water spinach or water amaranth; also refers to a type of edible aquatic vegetable.
A type of plant, specifically referring to a kind of water plant
Ancient variant of 荇 (xìng), referring to a type of water plant
A type of plant, specifically referring to the tuckahoe or Indian bread; also used in botanical terminology.
To show, to manifest; to write, to compose; famous, prominent
To clear land for cultivation; to reclaim wasteland; also refers to land that has been left fallow for one year.
A plant name, specifically referring to Celosia argentea, an annual herb used
Mulberry fruit — refers specifically to the fruit of the mulberry tree,
Ge — kudzu vine; a type of climbing plant; also used as a surname
Used exclusively in the word 'Smilax China' (金刚葜), a type of medicinal
A type of plant, possibly referring to a specific herb or weed; also appears in some ancient texts as a plant name.
A type of medicinal herb, specifically referring to the Chinese motherwort plant
Luxuriant, flourishing (of plants); lush growth; also refers to the imperial palace.
Ginseng — refers to the medicinal plant ginseng (Panax ginseng), known for
Grape — refers to the grape plant or its fruit; used in words related to grapes and wine.
Cover, lid; to cover, to conceal; approximately, about
Dong — a Chinese surname; to supervise, manage, or direct; also refers to the Dong ethnic group in China.
To wrap; to bind; to tie up (especially with grass, straw, or plant materials).
A type of plant, specifically the Chinese chaste tree (Vitex negundo); historically used in traditional medicine.
Reed — a tall, slender-leaved plant of the grass family that grows; also used metaphorically for something common or fragile.
A type of plant, specifically the rhizome of the Chinese atractylodes (苍术); also refers to the flower bud or inflorescence of certain plants.
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.