Browse meaningful Chinese characters for names — pronunciations, core meanings, radicals, stroke counts, and structure.
mole cricket; a type of insect; used metaphorically for something insignificant or lowly.
Chūn — refers to stink bugs, shield bugs, and other insects in; a type of hemipteran insect known for its shield-like shape and defensive
Salamander — refers to amphibians of the order Caudata, particularly newts and
Fly — refers to various types of flies, particularly houseflies or similar; used in compounds related to flies or fly-like creatures.
Cicada — refers to a type of insect, specifically the autumn cicada,
A rare character meaning to retreat, withdraw, or recede; also used in some dialects for 'to fade' or 'to disappear'.
Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects; also appears in the name for cockroach.
Crab — specifically refers to crabs, often used in compound words for
A type of spiral-shelled aquatic snail, often referring to river snails or
Hydroid — refers to hydroid polyps, small aquatic animals related to jellyfish; often appears in biological terms.
A type of hairy caterpillar or hairy insect; sometimes refers to small insects with bristles.
A type of ant; also refers to a kind of locust or grasshopper.
Salamander — a type of amphibian, often referring to newts or salamanders
Wasp — refers to various types of wasps, particularly ichneumon wasps or
A type of marine bivalve mollusk; specifically refers to a kind of clam or oyster, often mentioned in
Earwig — refers to insects of the order Dermaptera, characterized by pincer-like
A type of insect, specifically a kind of small beetle or weevil
To melt, fuse, blend; to circulate (money); harmonious integration
Rong — archaic or rare character meaning to blend, merge, or harmonize; often used interchangeably with 融.
Ant — refers to ants; specifically used in the term 螏蟍, an ancient name for a type
A type of black insect, specifically referring to a black caterpillar or
A rare character referring to a type of dragon or a mythical; also used in ancient texts to describe a majestic or powerful appearance.
A type of insect; specifically refers to a kind of small beetle or weevil.
A type of small cicada with a square head and broad forehead; used metaphorically to describe beautiful women's foreheads.
A kind of snail; a type of mollusk.
Tick — a small arachnid parasite that feeds on the blood of; can transmit diseases.
A type of small crab; a hermit crab.
A type of cicada; refers to a small species of cicada in Chinese literature.
Ant — refers to ants, small social insects known for their industriousness
Insect-eaten, worm-eaten; decayed, rotten; to bore through
Able, capable; archaic term meaning 'to be able to', similar to 能 but rarely
A legendary creature or mythical beast; appears in classical texts referring to a type of dragon or serpent.
A type of insect pest, specifically referring to grubs or larvae that
Ghost, demon, monster — refers to supernatural spirits or malevolent entities in
Ant — a small social insect that lives in organized colonies; also used to refer to ants in general.
Moth larva; refers to various types of destructive insect larvae that bore into plants,
Echiura — a phylum of marine animals commonly known as spoon worms; also refers to the sea cucumber in some regional contexts.
Mosquito — refers to various biting insects of the family Culicidae.
Firefly — a type of luminous insect; also refers to phosphorescent light or glow.
Teng — a mythical flying serpent or dragon in Chinese mythology; also refers to a type of legendary steed.
Ancient wine vessel; a type of ritual bronze vessel used in ancient China for holding
A variant form of 苍蝇 (cāngying), meaning 'fly' (the insect).
A type of venomous snake; also used in the name of a specific snake species (螦蛇).
Ancient character meaning a type of sea creature or marine organism; rarely used in modern Chinese.
Mite — refers to tiny arachnids of the order Acarina, often parasitic
A type of parasitic worm; specifically refers to tapeworms or similar intestinal parasites.
A type of insect; also used in the name of a legendary creature.
to sting; to bite; to poison
Grub — refers to larvae of certain insects, particularly the grub of
A type of hornless dragon in Chinese mythology; often depicted as a young, nascent dragon; a decorative motif in ancient Chinese art and architecture.
Rainbow — archaic term for rainbow, now rarely used; appears in classical texts and the name of a legendary creature.
Chela or pincer — the large grasping claw of crustaceans such as; also refers to the sting of a scorpion.
A type of cicada; specifically refers to a small cicada species.
Termite — refers to a type of wood-eating insect; also known as white ant.
Mole cricket (a type of burrowing insect); also refers to a type of mole or burrowing animal in classical
Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects; used in compound words related to these insects.
A mythical creature; a type of insect or worm mentioned in ancient texts.
Chrysalis, cocoon — specifically refers to the chrysalis of certain insects, particularly; also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
A type of insect, specifically a kind of centipede or millipede; archaic character rarely used in modern Chinese.
A type of spiral-shelled marine mollusk; a kind of large clam or conch.
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.